1958 Moto Guzzi Lodola 175 (D231)

Vintage Sports Machine, Quality Older Restoration, Very Nice Overall A very detailed restoration of what might fairly be called the first “modern” Moto Guzzi. Our team in Italy located this bike in a well curated Moto Guzzi collection. A period correct version of the early Lodola (Skylark in Italian), this classic is in remarkably good condition and very complete. The bike had been ridden modestly prior to restoration with 21,708K kilometers (13.5K miles) showing on the neatly faired in odometer. It was in good shape to begin with and restored with care and attention to detail. The bike is ASI certified for originality. Paint finish is excellent in Italian racing red with white pinstriped black accent patches. The dual saddle is a correct original item in very good condition. The cast alloy handlebar fairing is a characteristic detail and the controls are simple and straightforward. The gas tank is an attractive shape and finished in Italian racing red with black accents, matching the rest of the machine.

Overall condition is very good, especially so for a machine from 1958, now over 60 years old. Everything is there, in proper order, no dents, scuffs or rust, chrome and alloy in very clean condition. Overall shows the genuine appeal of a true classic with real Italian character.

The Lodola features a simple tube frame, conventional dual shock rear suspension and Guzzi’s unique upside down tele fork at the front. The overhead cam single starts readily, idles steadily and runs just great with a solid baritone note issuing from the period correct aftermarket muffler. Clutch action and shifting are clean and crisp and the Lodola 175 provides a fun ride and peppy acceleration. Brakes and handling are typical of the best of the period and this machine is certainly enjoyable in modern small town traffic or for leisurely back road romps. A very special example of a classic, super fun to ride, lightweight sports machine. Essentially solid and simple, easy to maintain and certainly no garage queen. This motorcycle has a clean California title, and is ready to enjoy.

MODEL HISTORY : Moto Guzzi Lodola 175 was Introduced in 1956. The Lodola 175 was the last motorcycle designed by Carlo Guzzi himself and represented a significant step forward in design and engineering from the exposed flywheel Airone 250 which preceded it. Guzzi had had a great success both in racing and in the marketplace with the flat single layout of the Airone and 500cc Falcone, but by the late 1950’s the competition such as Aermacchi, Ala Biancha, and the British marques had moved ahead with more modern and less expensive to produce motorcycles. The Lodola Sport introduced in 1958 offered more power and better brakes than the original Lodola and was Guzzi’s answer to these challengers. The 175 CC engine was an elegant design with an overhead camshaft, forward slanted cylinder, artful finning and unitized crankcase and gearbox with all mechanicals enclosed. The oversquare 174cc engine developed 9 horsepower at 6500 rpm and enjoyed being wound out to a top speed near 65 mph. While not the quickest contemporary lightweight, Lodola 175 performance compared favorably to the preceding Airone 250. Period reports described the Lodola as being “exceptionally fast with exquisitely fine handling, supremely beautiful and depressingly expensive”. Despite the simpler design the Lodola was still a relatively pricey motorcycle. It remained in production into 1959, a sales success to be sure, but never produced in really big numbers. It was superseded by the Lodola GT 235, a more “touring” oriented model that was produced until 1965.