Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle maker that has endured from the industry’s infancy to its place today as the oldest European manufacturer in continuous motorcycle production. Guzzi is now one of seven brands owned by Piaggio & Co. SpA, Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer and the world’s fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer by unit sales.

For most of it’s history the biggest Italian motorcycle manufacturer and successful racer struggled to stay alive.
A great friendship of three air corps buddies, Carlo Guzzi, Giorgio Parodi and Giovanni Ravelli who wanted to start a motorcycle firm after the First World War. However Ravelli was killed in a plane crash which was a shock to Carlo and Giorgio.

They kept going with the motorcycle company and adapted the air corps icon (an eagle symbol) in his honor. Moto Guzzi has been the largest Italian motorcycle builder for most of its history.
In 1920 Carlo designed the first bike called Normale (500cc). It went into production in 1922 and on a wave of racing success. Of course it became a popular model. Moto Guzzi updated the model over the years but didn’t integrate highly new race technology and stayed rather safe on the production bike series. Earning a good reliability name.