Beschreibung:

Although best known for its large-capacity 4-cylinder, 4-strokes, MV Agusta built lightweights throughout its manufacturing career from 1947 and in its earliest days listed small 2-strokes, and even a scooter. Much better engineered than any British contemporary, the Turismo Rapido (TR) series of MV tiddlers was by the mid-1950s 4-stroke powered. Neat and simple, the 125cc motor was an overhead 2-valve, pushrod, 'square' 54x54mmm bore/stroke, with 8.5:1 compression ratio for 6.5bhp at 6,000rpm, in-unit with a wet clutch and 4-speed transmission. The carburetor was a Dell'Orto MA 18B matched with a flywheel-magneto ignition system. The chassis by 1957 was a double cradle tubular (up front) and rear pressed steel structure with a telescopic fork and twin rear shocks designed to be strong enough to pass over the still rough roads of both urban and agricultural home market Italy and those of its far-flung export markets. 60mph was often achieved by commuter and sports rider alike. There were several sub-models of Turismo Rapido, the TRA was one – A for America, it's true. It was similar to the GT in a series of bikes which were first launched in 1954 and concluded in model year 1958. Reportedly some 40,000 125 TR units were manufactured which seems a huge number. It is not a stretch to assume that the number of TRAs was relatively small even though they were sold in markets far from the USA; South America loved MVs, too. This lovely 'humpback' example is thought to have been recently restored to a high standard. With careful safety checks performed, it should soon be back on the road.