Moto Guzzi V8

The Moto Guzzi V8 ‘Otto Cilindri’ is widely regarded as one of the ten greatest motorcycle designs of all time. Yet it only won three Grands Prix. So what makes it so great? Mostly the engine, which gave the bike incredible performance. In the mid 50s at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the Otto Cilindri was clocked at 275 kph—a smidge over 170 mph. Its power-to-weight ratio was unparalleled, with around 78 hp pushing just 148 kg (330 lbs) dry. The engine was a technological miracolo: a 499 cc water-cooled four-stroke, blessed with twin overhead cams and no less than eight...