Classics
Words & photos: Rhys Jones
O
Consigned to the dustbin...?
ne of the curiosities of post-World
War Two Grand Prix racing is what
have been called the dustbins of
history. Those fairings that cover
the whole front end of the machine,
including the front wheel, and the
engine. In some cases later models
included a tail fairing as well.
They first appeared in 1954 and,
not surprisingly, Moto Guzzi was active in the
development of these fairings. I say not surprisingly
because the Moto Guzzi factory had a wind
tunnel. This enabled it to test and assess the
effectiveness of what was a fully enclosed front
end. The tunnel was devised to test the rider
and machine for wind drag. A large ring of lights
facing the rider indicated the drag, and offered
the rider the opportunity to find the fastest
riding position, and to seat himself accordingly.
Built into the mountainside, the wind tunnel
was a demonstration of intent. The Italians thus
Sammy Miller on the Moto Guzzi V8 at the Pukekohe Classic Festival in 200
1956 350cc Moto Guzzi
Bob McIntyre on a Gilera records the first 100mph lap of the Isle of Man
TT circuit 1957
raised the bar in the application of aerodynamics.
When the dustbin fairings appeared the
tunnel placed Moto Guzzi in the forefront of
experiments with streamlining. Other factories,
including MV Agusta, BMW, NSU, and Gilera
followed with their own versions of the design.
In 1953 Moto Guzzi produced what became known
as a bird-beak fairing, but the front wheel was still
62 KIWI RIDER
exposed. In 1954 the metal dustbin fairing appeared
incorporating 28-litre pannier fuel tanks on either
side, the upper tank was replaced by a bulkhead.
One drawback regarding the wind tunnel was
that only frontal resistance could be tested, not lift,
so the designers wanted as much weight on the
front end as possible. The tunnel of course could
not test the aerodynamic effectiveness of the