Lino Tonti

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Lino Tonti
Born(1920-09-16)September 16, 1920
Cattolica, Italy
DiedJune 8, 2002(2002-06-08) (aged 81)
OccupationMotorcycle designer
Employer(s)Benelli, Aermacchi, Mondial, Paton, Bianchi, Gilera, Moto Guzzi
The Tonti frame stands out in red on this 1972 V7 Sport
1955 LinTo-Aermacchi Record
1969 Linto 500GP

Lino Tonti (September 16, 1920 – June 8, 2002) was an Italian

racing motorcycles in the 1950s and 1960s, and for creating his signature 'Tonti frame' for Moto Guzzi's 1971 V7 Sport, setting his stamp on all Moto Guzzis since.[1][2]

Career

Tonti's first job was at

Lino Tonti joined Moto Guzzi in 1967 to replace Carcano. There he developed the V7 Sport and the small-block V50.

In the 1970s, Tonti helped his longtime friend Reno Leoni in his efforts to fit Ducati fork dampers in the Moto Guzzi racer he was campaigning in American AMA Superbike racing.[3]

Linto racing motorcycle

In 1967, Tonti built the Linto Grand Prix racer with his assistant Alcide Biotti. The motorcycle was powered by a pair of 250cc

pushrod straight-twin engine using the cylinders and heads from Aermacchi's horizontal single DS racer, combined with a new crankcase.[4] The machine attained fourth place in the 1968 championship, and placed second in 1969, and continued to make appearances against more powerful two-strokes in 1970, 1971 and 1972.[4]

Notes