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In depth
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| History: |
1955 MV Agusta 125ccTurismo Rapido
Frame no. 608681
Engine no. 608668
This machine has a great pedigree. Purchased by me in early June of 2007 from a UK dealer via eBay, it had been auctioned by Bonham's two years earlier. It was among thirty-five bikes collected by the late Eric Houseley during his life. Mr Houseley had won the TT Clubman’s Junior Race riding his BSA Goldstar in 1952. He competed on the Isle of Man many times and this is what Bonhams said about him at the auction:
"Born in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, in 1929, Eric Houseley served an apprenticeship at Kenning’s Motor Works before going to work for well-known grass-track racer Alf Briggs in 1950. That same year he entered the Isle of Man TT for the first time, finishing 17th in the Clubman’s Junior Race on a BSA Gold Star. Eric Houseley also contested the Manx Grand Prix in 1951 and 1952, but his greatest ‘Island’ achievement came at the TT in ’52, when he won the Clubman’s Junior Race riding the ‘Goldie’.
Eric’s TT career finished in 1954 with a creditable 8th place in the Lightweight Race, and in 1957 he opened a motorcycle shop in Clay Cross, specialising in repairs and second-hand machines before taking on a DOT agency. He began building up his private collection of collectible motorcycles in the early 1960s. In later years Eric’s ill health forced him to stand down from the motorcycle business, by then trading as Clay Cross Kawasaki, and he died in February 2001."
This is what Bonham's said about the Turismo Rapido:
"After the launch of its first production four-stroke - a 175cc, overhead-camshaft, unit-construction single - MV followed up in 1954 with the similar - although overhead-valve - Gran Turismo 125. Superseded in 1955 by the Turismo Rapido, featuring a revise rear sub frame and a dual-seat in place of its predecessor's sprung saddle, the model remained in production until 1957. Like their larger siblings, the small MVs were very expensive - at around £200 - which explains why so few of these the exquisitely engineered little bikes were sold in the UK.
This Turismo Rapido bears the Turin registration TO 13 7138' and is offered with old (1955) Italian registration document. The machine was acquired in its current state 12-15 years ago and has not been used since."
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| Modifications: |
Since owning the machine I have had extensive work done to rebuild and polish the engine costing £1,500. I have located the original foot pump, souced an original bakelite petrol cap, replaced the fuel line, added a del'lorto velocity stack and fuel-filter and kept the machine in fine fettle.
Sadly, on the 1st March 2008, a black Range Rover rear-ended me at a temporary set of lights in Hammersmith, West London. Although uninjured, extensive damage was done to the bike and several months or repair work were needed. Therefore, the bike is no longer entirely original and unrestored. Pietro di Marino has undertaken a further £1,700 worth of work to replace the back wheel, shocks, tail section, rear light unit, tank livery and sundry other work. The TR may now be considered restored vintage in excellent condition. |
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