Description
Arturo Magni was the genius behind the perennial success of the MV Augusta works team, and a guiding influence to generations of MV riders including Surtees, Hailwood, Hocking and Agostini.
Magni had sole control of the race team, which included the development of the three, four and six cylinder machines. With MV's withdrawl from Grand Prix racing, Magni decided to strike out on his own, basing his new operation in Samarate. Here he was joined by his two sons Carlo and Giovanni. The new operation EPM, initially concentrated on making after market performance parts, chain drive conversions and the manufacture of its own cast alloy wheels.
In 1977, an all new frame was introduced, and once MV engine production ceased, Magni was forced to look elsewhere for engines, initially building a run of 300 Honda 900 models, followed by 150 BMW flat twin.
The BMW powered Magni's came in two forms, the naked MB1, and the MB2 with its full fairing and extra accoutrements. It is believed a total of 175 were built of which around 75 were MB1 models.
The bike was purchased in kit form by the present owner in December 1993. It was in a unique collection of bikes based in the Isle Of Wight. The first owner's interest was in both BMW and Italian motorcycles and this seemed a perfect addition to the collection.
Once purchased, the "kit" was entrusted to well known BMW marque specialist Andrew Sexton based in Hook Norton in Oxfordshire who assembled the parts , the restoration being completed in the Spring of 1995.
The finished machine features the following:
Frame
The Magni frame is made from chrome moly tubing, argon arc welded, and teflon coated ball bearings house the swinging arm pivot. The result is a much stiffer frame than the original BMW, with a weight saving of 2kg.
The frame gives a significant improvement in handling which is more due to the weight distribution, with the engine placed further forward and wheel base extended by 30mm to 1490mm.
All this affects the way the power is transmitted through the cardan shaft, under both acceleration and braking.
Engine
BMW R80/ 7 crank case bored out to 900cc. Twin spark plugs on each cylinder. Twin Dellorto carburettors.
Gearbox
BMW 4 speed.
Wheels
Akront flanged aluminium rims
Tank
Magni manufactured steel tank.
Exhaust system
Armour stainless steel system
Bodywork
Originally the machine was fitted with the standard Magni bodywork which featured a "duck tail" dual seat designed by Claude Bonin (French designer). The bodywork, tank, and mudguards were painted BMW black with BMW white lining.
In 2010 the bodywork, seat and cockpit fairing were replaced. A single racing seat, sourced from the Magni Club in Munich, Bavaria was fitted long with a new cockpit fairing. The paintwork was changed to MV red.
The original bodywork and seat come with the bike.
The bike has been in the same BMW collection since 1998 . This was the first bike in one of the foremost BMW collections of cars and bikes in the UK.
It handles and performs beautifully and has been ridden on a weekly basis in the Spring and Summer months.
A chance to acquire on of the rarest BMW Cafe Racers.
