The MV Agusta 125 Sport SE was a sport motorcycle built from 1975 to 1977 by the Italian manufacturer MV Agusta.[2] It was one of the last models to be produced by Meccanica Verghera at their Cascina Costa plant.[4]
_-_8882452904.jpg) MV Agusta 125 Sport SE | |
| Manufacturer | MV Agusta |
|---|---|
| Production | 1975-1977 |
| Predecessor | 125 Sport GTL-S |
| Class | Sport bike |
| Engine | 123.5 cc (8 cu in) Single-cylinder OHV four-stroke |
| Bore / stroke | 53 mm × 56 mm (2.1 in × 2.2 in) |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Power | 14 bhp (10 kW) @ 8,500 rpm |
| Ignition type | Electronic ignition |
| Transmission | Wet, multi-plate clutch, unit construction 5-speed gearbox, chain drive |
| Frame type | Double cradle |
| Suspension | Front: Telescopic forks Rear: swinging arm with hydraulic dampers |
| Brakes | Front: 230 mm disc brake Rear: 136 mm drum brake |
| Tires | Front: 2.75 x 18 Rear; 2.75 x 18 |
| Wheelbase | 1,300 mm |
| Dimensions | L: 1,940 mm W: 620 mm |
| Weight | 243 lb (110 kg) (dry) |
| Footnotes / references [1][2][3] | |
Background
edit125 cc was a popular class in Italy, MV having produced four-stroke 125s since 1954,[5] including sports models such as the "125 Rapido Sport" model, produced from the second half of the 1950s,[6] and the "GTLS" of the early 1970s.[7]
Following the death of Count Domenico Agusta in 1971,[8] the financial situation of MV Agusta suffered a rapid decline, brought on by competition from low cost, high quality Japanese motorcycles and ongoing labour problems.[9] For 1975, MV Agusta range was reduced to 3 models, all of which were new. They were presented at a press conference in Milan by Corrado Agusta and senior MV staff.[10] The three new models were the 750 Sport America, built at the request of Chris Garville and Jim Cotherman of Commerce Overseas Corporation, the US MV importers;[11] the 350 Ipotesi, styled by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro (who had previously designed the Suzuki RE5);[9] and the 125 Sport SE, which was styled along the lines of the Ipotesi.[2]
Although these new model were presented as the beginning of a new era for MV and the start of an ambitious programme of releasing road bikes based on the GP machines,[10] MV Agusta stopped manufacturing motorcycles in 1977.[12]
Model Details
edit
Developed from the 125 Sport GTL-S, the machine followed the striking horizontal lines and sharp contours of Giugiaro's Ipotesi. Departing from MV's usual practice of using a mixture of sheet and tubular steel frame[7] a new all tube frame was used, which was finished in silver. Like the Ipotesi, a humped seat with the rear mudguard attached and side panels with slots were fitted. Ceriani front forks and a Scarab disc brake gave the front end a modern look.[13]
Although the single-cylinder engine's heritage dates back to the 1950s Centomila[8] (so called because MV Agusta claimed the engine was capable of exceeding 100,000 km),[14] the engine featured new, squarer casings. A square alloy cylinder was fitted with a matching square cylinder head. The pushrod engine retained the 53 x 56 mm bore and stroke of previous engines. Compression ratio was raised to 10.5:1 and, breathing through a 24 mm carburettor,[2] power output was 14 bhp (10 kW) @ 8,500 rpm. Electronic ignition was fitted and the gearbox has 5 speeds.[13]
The machine was finished in red and silver with a silver frame and a black exhaust, the traditional colours of the MV GP machines. A fairing was offered as an optional extra.[2][13]
References
edit- ^ "MV 125 Sport Specification". MV Agusta. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "125 Sport "SE"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "MV Agusta 125 Sport Tipo 218". www.mv-agusta-club.de. MV Agusta Club Deutschland. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "1975 MV Agusta 125 - SE Sport". www.classicdriver.com. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "125 "Turismo Rapido"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "125 Turismo "Rapido Sport"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ a b "125 Sport "GTL-S"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ a b Walker 1998, p. 220.
- ^ a b Uhlarik, Michael (3 December 2015). "Giugiaro's Foray into Motorcycle Design". Form Trends. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ a b Falloon 2011, p. 168.
- ^ Branch, Ben (7 December 2017). "The Rare MV Agusta 750S America". Silodrome. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- ^ Gardiner, Mark (22 March 2018). "The resurrection of MV Agusta... again". www.revzilla.com. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ a b c "1976 MV Agusta 125 Sport Frame no. 21801056 Engine no. 21801081". www.bonhams.com. Bonhams. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "125 TR "Centomila"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
Bibliography
edit
- Falloon, Ian (2011). The Book of the Classic MV Agusta Fours. Veloce Publishing Ltd. ISBN 9781845842031.
- Walker, Mick (1998). Mick Walker's Italian Racing Motorcycles. Redline Books. ISBN 9780953131112.