Succession of Mr. X
Type : 500 Sport Dondolino
Frame no. 22709
Engine no. V2491
Ornithological rigour does not always go well with the laws of motorcycle evolution. Thus the filiation between the ephemeral pre-war Condor and the Dondolino (turkey), which succeeded it in 1946, does not seem very natural. What does it matter: on the technical level, the relationship is direct and allows the Guzzi 500 mono to keep in touch with its eternal rival, the Gilera Saturno. With such tools, and with their 250 versions (Nettuno and Albatros), Gilera and Guzzi will make the happiness of many private racers around 1950. The factory itself will engage hardly different variants, under the name Gambalunga.
The Dondolino differs essentially from the Condor by its higher power (5 better horsepower), thanks to a 35 mm carburettor instead of 32, more "nasty" distribution diagrams and a higher compression (8.5 instead of 7). The chassis is also the subject of various upgrades, including bigger brakes and improved rear suspension. Known for its reliability more than its velocity, the Dondolino will win a lot of races. In particular, it won the Milan-Tarente four times in a row, from 1950 to 1953.
The Dondolino was abandoned in 1951, however, when the level of racing required more advanced equipment, even for privateers. The single bikes gave way under the pressure of the expensive Norton and Matchless bikes.
We would like to thank Mr François-Marie Dumas for his help with the general description of the model.
Buyers are reminded that the entire collection consists of motorcycles that have remained static in the collector's private museum for several years. A restart is therefore necessary.
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