1956 Moto Guzzi Zigolo for Sale

Moto Guzzi traditionally named their small-displacement bikes after small birds, in this case the bunting, a colorful little thing that looks like this:

It was launched in 1953 and featured a 98cc completely square 50mm x 50mm bore and stroke put a mere 4bhp through a three speed box, but it made up for a lack of outright power by being highly flexible, reliable, and economical, injecting a bit of style and class into the budget-minded small-bore class.

From the original eBay listing: 1956 Moto Guzzi Zigolo for Sale

It is un restored, unmolested, and as far as I can tell 100% original.  It has been sponge cleaned.  Ride or display.  I have not started it.  The brakes work (albeit not as you would expect from a modern bike), the throttle grip turns, and it turns over.  The electrical wires are in place but disconnected in order to ship from Italy.  I have not started it.

Tires are holding air, are not significantly dry rotted.  I imagine the speedometer reading is wrong but it is titled and registered with that reading.  It has been stored and parked in the US inside and under cover, mostly in a living room.

It has some of the patina and dings of a 57 year old motorcycle, but in good non abused condition.  No seat tears (very minor, small tuft seen in photo, size of a 12 font O).  Inside tank seems fine.  It is a clean and rust free example with all the original bits, including an old satchel of tools.  I have the grab cable for passenger, not seen in photos.  This is the only part I am unclear if original from manufacturer.

The “Lusso” model like the one for sale was red, the standard model was a more subtle grey. Spares can be very difficult to find for these, and they’re certainly not capable of anything like modern, high-speed travel. But they’re charming and well-made, and would certainly be way more fun around town than a modern scooter…

There’s very little time left on this auction, with very little interest so far, which seems a shame. Move quickly if you’ve got room in your garage for this little survivor and the skills to get it back on the road where it belongs.

-tad