MV Agusta 175 series

The MV Agusta 175 were a series of motorcycles produced by the Italian manufacturer MV Agusta from 1953 to 1960. The series included touring, GT (Gran Turismo), sports and supersports models. There were also two racing variants. Because of the shape of the petrol tank, the sports and supersport models became known as the Disco Volante (Flying Saucer).[1] The series was MV's best seller.[2]

MV Agusta 175
1957 MV Agusta 175 CSS-5V
ManufacturerMV Agusta
Predecessor1953-1960
ClassTouring
GT (Gran Turismo)
Sports
Supersports
Production racer
Racer
Engine175 cc Four-stroke single-cylinder

Development and Technology

The MV Agusta 175 was launched at the EICMA (Milan Motorcycle Show) in 1952,[3] with production starting in 1953. For MV Agusta, this motorcycle was a milestone. It was their first production machine with a four-stroke engine. The unit construction single-cylinder engine was designed with an overhead camshaft for high performance. The chain-driven camshaft operated the valves via rocker arms, which were closed by hairpin valve springs. The engine was inclined forward at 10° and manufactured in alloy and a bore and stroke of 59.5 mm × 62 mm.

The cycle parts featured an advanced duplex frame that used the engine as a stressed member, telescopic forks, a swinging arm and full-width alloy hubs.[2]

The machine was initially available as a tourer, the 175 CST/CSTL, which produced 8 bhp (6 kW) at 5600 rpm. A sports model, the 175 CS, was soon introduced. This model featured a larger carburetor and produced 11 bhp (8 kW) at 6700 rpm, which put the machine above similar models from other manufacturers.[4] The 15 bhp supersport model, the MV Agusta 175 CSS, was introduced at the 1954 Milan Show[3] and, and, unlike the touring and sports versions, was fitted with Earles forks; it was priced at 280,000 lire.

A pushrod version of the engine was introduced in 1957. It was hoped that a simpler, cheaper model, albeit with less power, would appeal to a larger audience. Pushrod models had an AB suffix to the model designation.[5]

Model variants

175 CST

The 175 CST was one of the original models produced. This touring model had a frame of a double loop design using tubes for the front sections and pressed steel members at the real. Suspension was telescopic forks at the front and a swinging arm at the rear and the wheels were 17" diameter. Separate saddles were used for the rider and passenger. The 175 cc OHC engine produced 8 bhp (6 kW) at 5600 rpm, giving a top speed of 60 mph (100kmh).[6]

175 CSTL

The 175 CSTL, also known as the Turismo Lusso,[7] was another touring model, but had larger, 19" wheels than the CST and a "long seat" (dualseat) fitted rather than separate saddles.[6]

175 CS

The sports model 175 CS was introduced in 1953. It featured lower handlebars and a more sporty riding position. The engine featured a larger 22 mm carburettor and the engine produced 11 bhp (8 kW) at 6700 rpm, giving a 70 mph (115 km/h) top speed. About 4,500 examples of this model were made.[8]

The Italian motorcycle fans connected the shape of the fuel tank with a "vehicle from another galaxy", which gave the MV Agusta 175 CS its nickname, Disco Volante (Flying Saucer), which was also adopted in the model history of the manufacturer.[9]

The CS model was also produced under licence in Spain by Avello.[10]

175 CS 57

An updated version on the 175 CS was introduced in 1957. The 175 CS 57 featured dynamo ignition and a revised exhaust.[11]

175 CSS

In July 1954, the supersport model 175 CSS was introduced. The engine was further turned from the CS model, inclding higher compression ratio and a larger carburettor, to produce 15 bhp (11kW) @ 8,800 rpm. Cycle parts were the same as the CS model, except it was fitted with Earles forks. The petrol tank of the CS was retained, so this model was also known as the Disco Volante.[12] This is the rarest model of the series, only around 500 of this model was produced.

175 CSGT

The 175 CSGT, also known as the Turismo Monoalbero, was only manufactured in 1957. It was an upscale GT (Gran Turismo) version of the CS model. Although the engine was from the CS, the cylinder head was from the CSTL model, which reduced power.[7]

AB models

Introduced in 1957, it was hoped that these simpler, cheaper models would appeal to a larger audience.[5] Various trim levels were offered: Economica, Turismo, America and America Lusso.[13] All used a pushrod version of the engine, which produced 8 bhp (6kW) @ 5,200 rpm, giving a top speed of 60 mph (100kmh).[5]

235 Tevere

An enlarged version of the 175 AB was introduced in 1959.[14] The pushrod engine's bore was increased to 69 mm to give a capacity of 232 cc.[15] Except for the colour of the petrol tank, visual differences between the 175 and 235 models were minimal.[16] Sales were slow as most buyers wanting a larger machine than 175 preferred the "full" 250 cc of the 250 Raid. Production stopped in 1961.[14]

A variant was also manufactured under licence in Spain by Avello, where it was marketed as the 235 Deva.[17]

Race versions

175 CSS-5V

The 175 cc Formula Sport Derivata race series was very popular in Italy. MV Agusta designed the 175 CSS-5V for this race series using the production engine.[18] The Squalo (shark), as it was generally known, had a lighter frame based on that used on the works racers, larger brakes,[19] a magneto,[18] Earles forks and a five-speed gearbox.[20] It was sold as an over the counter racer and riders such as Bob Keeler, Derek Minter and Mike Hailwood used the Squalo in national competitions.[21][22] Hailwood won his first ever race on one of these machines bored out to 196 cc in a 200 cc class race at Oulton Park in 1957.[18] Around 200 of the model were manufactured between 1954 and 1957.[19]

A street version of the Squalo was offered fitted with headlights and mufflers.[4]

175 Bialbero

The 175 Bialbero was an enlarged version of the successful DOHC 125 Bialbero works racer. The bore was increased to 64 mm to give a capacity of 174 cc and had a power output of 25 bhp at 11,500 rpm. The machine was produced in response to Moto Morini and Mondial entering the 175 cc class with their racing machines.[23][24]

The machine won 12 races in total, the first being by Carlo Ubbiali at the Circuit of Perugia on 22 August 1954. Umberto Masetti won the 175 cc Italian Championship in 1955 on a Bialbero. The machine was placed first and second in the 1957 Motogiro (Motorcycle Tour of Italy).[24]

Technical data
MV Agusta 175 modelsCST[6][25]CSTL[25]CS[8][26]
CS 57[11]		CSS[12][27]CSGT[7]AB[5][28]CSS-5V[22][29]Bialbero[24][30]235 Tevere[14]
Year 1953-1957 1954-1958 1955-1958 1957 1957-1959 1954-1960 1954–1958 1959-1961
Valvetrain OHC OHV OHC DOHC OHV
Engine configuration Four-stroke single-cylinder engine
Engine cooling Air cooling
Bore 59.5 mm 63 mm 69 mm
Stroke 62 mm 56 mm 62 mm
Engine displacement 172 cc 174 cc 232 cc
Lubrication system Wet sump
Carburetor Dell'Orto 18 mm Dell'Orto 22 mm Dell'Orto 25 mm Dell'Orto 20 mm Dell'Orto 18 mm Dell'Orto 25 mm Dell'Orto 25 mm
Compression ratio 6.5:1 7:1 9:1 6.5:1 9:1 9.5:1 7.2:1
Max power 8 bhp ( kW)
@ 5,200 rpm		 11 bhp (8 kW)
@ 6,700 rpm		 15 bhp (11 kW)
@ 6,700 rpm		 8 bhp ( kW)
@ 5,200 rpm		 16 bhp (12 kW)
@ 8,800 rpm		 25 bhp (19 kW)
@ 11,500 rpm		 13 bhp (10 kW)
@ 5,500 rpm
Top speed 60 mph (100 kmh) 70 mph (115 kmh) 85 mph (135 kmh) 60 mph (100 kmh) 95 mph (150 kmh) 110 mph (180 kmh) 65 mph (105 kmh)
Primary drive Gears
Clutch Wet multi-plate
Gears 4 5 4
Final drive Chain drive
Frame Double cradle
Front forks Telescopic forks Earles forks Telescopic forks Earles forks Telescopic forks
Rear forks Swinging arm
Rear suspension Coil springs with hydraulic shock absorbers
Brakes Drum brakes
No. produced 6,500[31] 9,500[32] 5,000 500 500[33] 6,000[34] Unknown 1,000[16]
  • 1954 MV Agusta 175 CSTL
  • 1956 MV Agusta 175 CS
  • MV Agusta 175 CS & Sidecar
  • 1957 MV Agusta 175 CSS-5V
  • 1954 MV Agusta 175 Bialbero

References
  1. "175 Super Sport monoalbero "CSS"" (PDF). www.mvagusta.com. MV Agusta. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  2. "1955 MV Agusta 175cc 'Disco Volante Squalo' Frame no. 415703 Engine no. 409208S". www.bonhams.com. Bonhams. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  3. "175cc CSS Super Sport "Disco Volante" 1955". www.flysfo.com. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  4. Colombo & Patrignani 2000, p. 144.
  5. "175 Turismo CSTE AB". www.mvagustaoldtimers.nl. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  6. "175 CST". www.mvagustaoldtimers.nl. MVagusta-Oldtimers. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  7. "175 Turismo Monoalbero CSGT". www.mvagustaoldtimers.nl. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  8. "175 CS Disco Volante Street". www.mvagustaoldtimers.nl. MVagusta-Oldtimers. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  9. Tooth 2015, p. 34.
  10. "La fabrica de SUZUKI en Gijon :: al norte". alnorte.webnode.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  11. "175 Sport monoalbero "CS 57"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  12. "175 CSS Disco Volante". www.mvagustaoldtimers.nl. MVagusta-Oldtimers. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  13. "AB Models". www.rpw.it. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  14. "235 Tevere". www.mvagustaoldtimers.nl. MVagusta-Oldtimers. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  15. "1961 MV Agusta 235 Tevere Frame no. 415079 Engine no. 414391S". www.bonhams.com. Bonhams. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  16. "235 "Tevere"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  17. "MV Agusta". motosantiguasgranada.es.tl (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  18. "1955 MV Agusta 175 Disco Volante Squalo-type special". www.coys.co.uk. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  19. Keilloh, Graham (30 January 2019). "Hailwood and Minter's MV Agusta heads to auction". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  20. Colombo & Patrignani 2000, p. 147.
  21. Tooth 2015, p. 38.
  22. "175 Monoalbero "CSS-5V"" (PDF). www.mvagusta.com. MV Agusta. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  23. Colombo & Patrignani 2000, p. 232.
  24. "175 Monocilindrico "Bialbero"" (PDF). www.mvagusta.com. MV Agusta. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  25. "MV Agusta 175 CST / CSTL". www.mv-agusta-club.de (in German). MV Agusta Club Deutschland. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  26. "MV Agusta 175 CS Sport Disco Volante". www.mv-agusta-club.de (in German). MV Agusta Club Deutschland. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  27. "MV Agusta 175 CSS Super Sport". www.mv-agusta-club.de (in German). MV Agusta Club Deutschland. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  28. "MV Agusta 175 AB Turismo, America, Lusso, Extra". www.mv-agusta-club.de (in German). MV Agusta Club Deutschland. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  29. "175 Monoalbero Squalo". www.mvagustaoldtimers.nl. MVagusta-Oldtimers. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  30. "MV Agusta Corse 175 Bialbero". www.mv-agusta-club.de (in German). MV Agusta Club Deutschland. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  31. "175 Turismo monoalbero "CST"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  32. "175 Turismo monoalbero "CSTL"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  33. "175 Turismo monoalbero "CSGT"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  34. "175 Turismo "CST"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 12 August 2019.

Bibliography
  • Colombo, Mario; Patrignani, Roberto (2000). MV Agusta (in German) (Aufl ed.). Motorbuch-Verl. ISBN 978-3613014169.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Tooth, Phillip (December 2015). "MV Agusta 175 CSS" (PDF). Klassik Motorrad (6): 32–39.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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