the search is over and quicker than I thought…

It was probably an omen, when the Facebook post from my last blog selected the MV Agusta as the banner photo. Because that’s what I’ve bought. Not a black and red MV Agusta CSTL (as shown in the last post) but a red 175 Sport Monoalbero “CS57” (as shown below when it arrived home).

There was only 500 of this model made, so it’s a fairly rare piece of equipment.

However, it’s the last model in a family of MV’s that include the famous 175 CSS, or “Disco Volante” as it became known. This name translates to “Flying Saucer” and was given to the 1954 CSS due to the shape of the petrol tank. Very unusual, very attractive, and one of the most desirable motorcycles ever produced.

My bike shares many parts with the “Disco” and is often called the “Discette” – same engine with lower power and same cycle parts with the exception of the front forks and that tank. Key design features are:

• Large fin alloy cylinder head.
• Double hairpin valve springs (reduced moving mass so engine can rev higher – 8k)
• Single overhead camshaft, chain driven (with adjustable cam timing in the case of the CSS)
• Alloy rims with full width front brake (aids heat dissipation)
• Composite tubular and pressed steel frame, with engine as a structural element
• Sporting set-up with low bars and narrow seat
• Large 22mm Dellorto carburetor with inlet trumpet – 25mm on CSS.

These features made the MV Agusta CS series the small sports bike to have in the ’50.

Racers bought them to compete in the up to 200cc class and Mike Hailwood won his first race on one, at Oulton Park in 1957. The factory race version, right, was given the name “Squalo” which means “Shark” due to the shape of the nose cone – stunning!

MV Agusta were undisputed world leaders in this era, so my CS has a lot to live up to.

The official line is that it needs “light recommissioning” which could be changing the oil to a full re-build; only time will tell. Fortunately, the seller got a bit obsessed with buying spares, (his admission) so the bike comes with a comprehensive set, even including a full engine. For now, I can ony drool over the beautiful design features below.

My broad plan is to simply “bed-in” all of the work that has been done to the MV over the last 15 years, as it hasn’t been used much in that time. For example it’s been running-in since 2004 when a new barrel liner and high-compression piston were fitted. The first action will be to sort the fuelling as it refused to run at low revs, most likely due to a blocked primary jet from rust in the petrol tank. When I’ve done this, I’ll use “Harvey” a little and decide what needs doing over the winter, in preparation for next years adventures.

Let the fun begin..