MV Agusta 350 Ipotesi
Suspension Front: Ceriani Teledraulic forks | Rear: swinging arm with hydraulic dampers | |
Brakes | Front: 230 mm twin disc brakes Rear: 230 mm disc brake (GT model: 200 mm drum brake) | |
---|---|---|
Tires | Front: 2.75 x 18 Rear: 3.25 x 18 | |
Wheelbase | 1,310 mm | |
Dimensions | L: 1,970 mm W: 620 mm | |
Weight | 160 kg (353 lb) (dry) | |
Fuel capacity | 16 l | |
Footnotes / references [1][2][3][4] |
The MV Agusta 350 Ipotesi (Hypothesis) was a motorcycle produced by the Italian manufacturer MV Agusta from 1975 to 1977. The machine was conceived by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and based on the previous 350 B Sport Elettronica model.[4] 1,991 "Sports"[1] and 350 “Turismo” machines were produced.[2]
Background
Following the death of Count Domenico Agusta in 1971,[5] 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. Giorgetto Giugiaro (who had previously designed the Suzuki RE5) of design studio Italdesign Giugiaro was commissioned to produce an attractive, more modern design to increase MV's competitiveness in the middle-weight sector. The prototype had striking horizontal lines and sharp contours.[6] The concept machine was first shown at the 1973 Milan EICMA Motorcycle Show.[4]
Features
Developed from the 350 B models, the 350 cc
A new
Scarab disc brakes were fitted, twin at the front and single rear. Ceriani forks and cast alloy wheels were also fitted. This was the first Italian production bike with 3 disc brakes and alloy wheels.[9]
A full fairing was also available as an option.[10]
350 Ipotesi GT
A touring version, the 350 Ipotesi GT, which was also known as the 350 Ipotesi Turismo was also produced. A more conventional rear seat was used, with a separate rear
The twin front discs were retained, but a drum brake was used on the rear. Wire wheels were fitted.[2]
Hansen & Schneider special models
German MV Agusta importer Hansen & Schneider, obtained rights to manufacture MV Agusta motorcycles in the mid-1970s.[12] They produced two 500 cc variants of the Ipotesi.[13]
- MV Agusta 500 S (1976-77): The 350 cc engine's bore was increased to 75 mm, giving a displacement of 472 cc and a power output of 53 hp (39 kW) @ 8,900 rpm. Larger 3.00x18 front and 3.50x18 rear tyres were fitted.[13] An optional reduced-power version with 43 hp (32 kW) @ 8,200 rpm was available.[8]
- MV Agusta 500 SS (1977): a racing version was offered to special order. The machine had a completely revised engine with double overhead camshafts and produced 66 hp @ 11,100 rpm. Five examples were built.[13]
References
- ^ a b c "350 BE "Sport" Ipotesi" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ a b c d "350 BE "Turismo"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ a b "MV Agusta 350 Sport Tipo 216 "Ipotesi"". www.mv-agusta-club.de. MV Agusta Club Deutschland. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ a b c "350 Ipotesi". www.mvagustaoldtimers.nl. MVagusta-Oldtimers. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ Walker 1998, p. 220.
- ^ Uhlarik, Michael (3 December 2015). "Giugiaro's Foray into Motorcycle Design". Form Trends. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ Colombo & Patrignani 2000, p. 198.
- ^ a b Schwab 1987, p. 58.
- ^ "Cafe Royal". Superbike: 43–44. July 1977.
- ^ "MV Agusta 350 Sport". On Two Wheels (58): 1154–1155. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ "MV Agusta 350GT Ipotesi". thebikemuseum.com. The Bike Museum. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ "MV Agusta America 750cc for Sale". www.mv-agusta.co.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ a b c Motorrad Katalog 1977, p. 134.
Bibliography
- Colombo, Mario; Patrignani, Roberto (2000). MV Agusta (in German) (Aufl ed.). Motorbuch-Verl. ISBN 978-3613014169.
- Schwab, Ulrich (1987). Motorräder : 1970-1987; Typen, Daten u. Preise in Deutschland (in German) (1. Aufl ed.). Motorbuch-Verlag. ISBN 9783613011724.
- Walker, Mick (1998). Mick Walker's Italian Racing Motorcycles. Redline Books. ISBN 9780953131112.
- Motorrad Katalog 1977. Motorpresse, München. 1977.
External links
- MV Agusta 350S Ipotesi by Parkmanager on YouTube