Proud owner of a vintage Moto Guzzi C4V, 1925

by Timeview Vintage Images

The Quattro Valvole racers were the first racing motorcycles of the Moto Guzzi brand. Quattro Valvole means four valves. This unofficial name refers to the four valves in the cylinder heads of these motorcycles, starting with the C4V model. The C4V ("Corsa Quattro Valvole") was a new racer that appeared in 1924, and was intended more than the C2V for racing on real circuits. It had to compete in the Grands Prix, with competition from Germany but especially from the UK. After a few years Moto Guzzi lost interest in the 500cc class and concentrated more on the 250cc racers. The C4V was sold to private owners for 12,300 lire, but from 1927 onwards one could also buy a cheaper production racer: the 4V TT or the 4V SS. In 1924 there was immediate success with a victory in the Circuito del Lario by Pietro Ghersi, with two other C4Vs finishing second and fourth. In 1924 there were several more successes, such as a victory in the German Grand Prix on the AVUS Ring by Pietro Ghersi and the first European title at Monza for Guido Mentasti. For this first championship the frame was strengthened, the front brake was removed and the oil tank was placed on top of the fuel tank. Success for Moto Guzzi was complete with Erminio Visioli's second place and Pietro Ghersi's fifth place. The C4V also broke a number of speed records, and with the increasing power it even broke its own records. The C4V was used again in 1932. Carlo Fumagalli won the race from Milan to Naples. The