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Maserati: motorcycles and milling machines


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#1 antonvrs

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Posted 11 January 2008 - 04:30

The Ernie McAffee thread reminded me that there were two exquisitely beautiful Maserati single cylinder racing bikes in the showroom there for quite a long time. Does anyone have any info on these machines?
Also, Road and Track(I think) once ran a pic of a Maserati milling machine. I have a thing for milling machines- has anyone here ever seen one of these Maseratis?
Anton

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#2 plannerpower

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Posted 11 January 2008 - 07:33

I can't add much, except to say (as a fellow machine-tool aficionado :) ) that Maserati did make milling machines (and, I think, other machine tools); it was after the Orsi family took-over.

Edit; this;

http://books.google....Sw48ZM#PPA63,M1

indicates that Orsi pere started the milling-machine division and later sold it.

#3 GIGLEUX

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Posted 11 January 2008 - 11:05

From Maserati by Crump and de la Rive box:
"The Maserati motorcycles were manufactured by Fabbrica Candele Accumulatori Maserati S.p.a., via Gen.Paolucci 165, Modena, between 1953 and 1960. This company was separate from the car factory but still within the Orsi industrial network, and in control was a sister of Adolfo Orsi. As the name suggests, sparking plugs and batteries were also made there. Total production of motorcycles numbered fifty.".
The range was:
-50-T2-SS no specifictions available except it was a 50cc engine.
-L-160-4 1 cylinder 4 stroke 60*56 158cc 7.5 bhp at 6000 rpm. max speed 100 km/h.
-175-S-4 1 cylinder 4 stroke 60.8*60 175cc 15 bhp at 8500 rpm 1 ohc 4 speed gearbox 115 kg 135/140 km/h
-TV-125-T2 1 cylinder 2 stroke 52*58 123 cc 6 bhp at 7500 rpm 100 km/h
-250-T-4 1 cylinder 4 stroke 70*64 246cc 12.5 bhp at 5400 rpm 4 speed gearbox 115-120 km/h
-L512-T2 1 cylinder 2 stroke 52*58 123 cc 4.8 bhp at 5000 rpm 3 speed gearbox 75-80 km/h

#4 GIGLEUX

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Posted 11 January 2008 - 14:35

Have a look here:
http://search.stores...3112798QQsofpZ0

#5 GIGLEUX

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Posted 11 January 2008 - 14:40

and here:

http://www.maseratib...ti_home_eng.htm

#6 50cc racer

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Posted 11 January 2008 - 16:11

When it comes to info on 50cc Maserati racers, try this link :)

http://www.elsberg-t...s.html#maserati

Posted Image

The Maserati 50T2SS production racer had a 3hp (@ 8700rpm) engine with 3 speeds (hand- operated), and a Dellorto 16mm carb. The machine weighed around 40kg and could reach a speed of 105km/h.

50cc racer

#7 HDonaldCapps

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Posted 11 January 2008 - 16:37

Does anyone remember the involvement of Maserati with bicycles? I seem to reall that some point in the early/mid-1970s that -- along with Peugeot -- Maserati was involved in the bicycle trade. Whether it was complete bikes (don't think so) or just the gears, I remember being puzzled to see the Trident on the crank of one of the bikes in the century we were running. I saw several more such cranks here and there for awhile, but I don't remember ever getting much of a chance to speak to the riders. I remember seeing an article in a magazine ages ago, but can't remember much about it.

The machine tools were, as most probably realize by now, a major factor in why the Scuderia Alfieri Maserati passed into the pages of history. I remember being surprised to see several of the Maserati machine tools in a machine shop in South Carolina. The owner had bought them from someone in Charleston in the late-50s/early-60s at bargain prices. I guess they are still there.

#8 plannerpower

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Posted 11 January 2008 - 21:06

I made enquiries in a machining forum that I frequent;

http://www.practical...ad.php?t=149469

and

http://www.practical...ad.php?t=149470

Some good information; check-back to the threads periodically to see if anything fresh has been added.

#9 Herbert

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Posted 12 January 2008 - 17:14

Maserati were selling a lot of their milling-machines to south-america and especially to Argentina. There was a connection to the PĂ©ron regime. That's why there were quite a lot of Argentines in Formula 1 with Maserati during the 50s.

#10 antonvrs

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Posted 12 January 2008 - 17:22

Thanks to all of you. I'm learning a lot of interesting stuff.
Anton

#11 plannerpower

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Posted 12 January 2008 - 20:34

If you like milling machines (and lathes) you should browse this site;

http://www.lathes.co.uk/

Known to aficionados as "Tony's site".

#12 coco

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Posted 13 January 2008 - 07:47

Originally posted by antonvrs
The Ernie McAffee thread reminded me that there were two exquisitely beautiful Maserati single cylinder racing bikes in the showroom there for quite a long time. Does anyone have any info on these machines?
Also, Road and Track(I think) once ran a pic of a Maserati milling machine. I have a thing for milling machines- has anyone here ever seen one of these Maseratis?
Anton

Yes! A friend of mine has one - and its for sale! A huuuuuuuge thing!!

Ciao!
Walter

#13 antonvrs

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Posted 13 January 2008 - 07:56

Originally posted by coco
Yes! A friend of mine has one - and its for sale! A huuuuuuuge thing!!

Ciao!
Walter


Motorcycle or milling machine? :lol:
Anton

#14 fines

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Posted 13 January 2008 - 08:06

Well, if it's huuuuuuuge it can hardly be a Maserati motorcycle, can it? :D

#15 antonvrs

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Posted 13 January 2008 - 08:11

Nah, they were little ones. I think the larger of the two was a 175, maybe 250? They sure were pretty, though.
Anton