Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Moto Guzzi C4V was a racing motorcycle produced by the Moto Guzzi motorcycle company between 1924 and 1927, and in the versions derived from it 4VTT and 4VSS until 1933. It was the first vehicle of the company from L'Aquila (and Italian more general) to establish itself as a direct competitor of the English 500 class vehicles, which until then held a monopoly on the main European competitions. The engine of the C4V follows that of the G.P. prototype in many of its parts. 500 built in 1920, including the four overhead valves controlled via a single overhead camshaft, in turn operated via a small tree and bevel gears; appropriately updated in the distribution folder, enlarged to better contain the lower bevel gear, in the cylinder, in the crankcase (mechanical) and in the head; the distribution castle, enclosing the upper bevel gear and the camshaft, is made of aluminum and lubricated under pressure. The four valves, parallel two by two but inclined to each other, are recalled by individual needle springs; to facilitate starting there is a valve lifter control. The single 28.5 mm Amac carburettor has an elbow intake duct which splits immediately before joining the head; There are two exhaust pipes, one on each side. Thanks to the better anti-knock characteristics of the petrol used in that period, and to the permission of the sporting regulations for the use of mixtures with the addition of benzene and other compounds, it was possible to increase the compression ratio, thus reaching 6:1, sufficient to obtain of 22 HP at 5,500 rpm. The frame does not differ much from previous models, there are small differences only in the housing of the motor of different dimensions, while the parallelogram fork is equipped with a large adjustable compass shock absorber. The front wheel is equipped with a rim brake, while the rear one has the classic drum, but for some competitions the rim was also applied to the rear of certain models. The overall weight of the machine is approximately 130 kg, also due to the significant increase in size of the oil tank, placed above the petrol tank, a feature that Guzzi maintained for many years. The versions derived from the C4V, the 4VTT and the 4VSS, are the direct derivations of the official car that triumphed on the Circuito del Lario with Ghersi in 1926, equipped for the first time with twist grip accelerator control and steering brake, as well as a unique handlebar composed of a nine-leaf crossbow.
The Moto Guzzi C4V was a racing motorcycle produced by the Moto Guzzi motorcycle company between 1924 and 1927, and in the versions derived from it 4VTT and 4VSS until 1933. It was the first vehicle of the company from L'Aquila (and Italian more general) to establish itself as a direct competitor of the English 500 class vehicles, which until then held a monopoly on the main European competitions. The engine of the C4V follows that of the G.P. prototype in many of its parts. 500 built in 1920, including the four overhead valves controlled via a single overhead camshaft, in turn operated via a small tree and bevel gears; appropriately updated in the distribution folder, enlarged to better contain the lower bevel gear, in the cylinder, in the crankcase (mechanical) and in the head; the distribution castle, enclosing the upper bevel gear and the camshaft, is made of aluminum and lubricated under pressure. The four valves, parallel two by two but inclined to each other, are recalled by individual needle springs; to facilitate starting there is a valve lifter control. The single 28.5 mm Amac carburettor has an elbow intake duct which splits immediately before joining the head; There are two exhaust pipes, one on each side. Thanks to the better anti-knock characteristics of the petrol used in that period, and to the permission of the sporting regulations for the use of mixtures with the addition of benzene and other compounds, it was possible to increase the compression ratio, thus reaching 6:1, sufficient to obtain of 22 HP at 5,500 rpm. The frame does not differ much from previous models, there are small differences only in the housing of the motor of different dimensions, while the parallelogram fork is equipped with a large adjustable compass shock absorber. The front wheel is equipped with a rim brake, while the rear one has the classic drum, but for some competitions the rim was also applied to the rear of certain models. The overall weight of the machine is approximately 130 kg, also due to the significant increase in size of the oil tank, placed above the petrol tank, a feature that Guzzi maintained for many years. The versions derived from the C4V, the 4VTT and the 4VSS, are the direct derivations of the official car that triumphed on the Circuito del Lario with Ghersi in 1926, equipped for the first time with twist grip accelerator control and steering brake, as well as a unique handlebar composed of a nine-leaf crossbow.
