The Dale Winfield Motorcycle Collection, 1955 MV Agusta 125cc Bialbero Racing Motorcycle

• Rare twin-overhead-camshaft racer
• Acquired for the collection circa 1990
• Restored circa 1992
• History unknown

MV Agusta's 125cc two-stroke racers that first appeared in 1948 were immensely successful, but at World Championship level the MV strokers were outclassed by the four-stroke FB Mondial with its twin-overhead-cam engine. Count Agusta's response was to hire Gilera's chief designer, Piero Remor, together with its chief mechanic, Arturo Magni in 1950. Although boasting twin overhead camshafts (bialbero), the new Remor-designed 125cc four-stroke was not an immediate success. It was only following Mondial's withdrawal from racing that MV bagged its first 125cc World Championship, Cecil Sandford taking the riders' title in 1952. Les Graham's influence saw the 125 equipped with Ernie Earles' leading-link front forks for 1953 and these also found their way onto the 500cc four. Graham won the Ultra-lightweight TT at the Isle of Man that year but his tragic death a few days later dealt a severe blow to the team's fortunes; NSU works rider Werner Haas took the riders' title in the 125cc class but MV did at least have the satisfaction of retaining the manufacturers' crown.

NSU continued its dominance of the 125cc class in 1954, works rider Rupert Hollaus being crowned World Champion at the year's end with MV's Carlo Ubbiali runner-up. The German factory's withdrawal at the end of 1954 left no credible opposition in the lightweight classes for MV, which duly scooped its second 125cc World Championship in 1955, winning all six Grands Prix that year. Carlo Ubbiali's five wins ensured the Italian of his second world title. For the next five years the combination of Ubbiali and the 125 MV would prove almost unbeatable. The Italian would secure four more 125cc World Championships before retiring at the end of the 1960 season, an almost unprecedented run of success only interrupted in 1957 by Mondial-mounted Tarquinio Provini. Ubbiali's retirement coincided with MV's withdrawal from serious involvement in the lightweight classes at international level, but what an extraordinary achievement it had been.

This 125cc MV bialbero comes with a 1992 invoice from George Beale Motorcycles for parts purchased for its restoration; a photocopied page of Dell'Orto technical information; and a note detailing aspects of preparation and set-up. Also on file are some pre-restoration photographs and a letter to our late vendor dated 1990 from former AJS works rider and Isle of Man TT winner Rod Coleman, giving advice on the bike. The machine's history remains unknown. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning or possibly more extensive restoration before returning to the racetrack and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Key not required.