1977 MV Agusta 750S America motorcycle

Generously lent by John Lawless

• DOHC 4 Cylinder 789cc Engine

• Tribute to the successful MV 4-cylinder GP bikes

• Awarded Best in Class in the Motorcycle Class at the inaugural 2022 Audrain Concours d’Elegance

This superb example is one of approximately 540 made in Gallate, Italy. It was one of 99 sold originally in the UK market through Agusta Concessionaires GB. It was then sold to a new owner located in the Cape of Good Hope province of South Africa in 1982. It was acquired by renowned motorcycle collector John Lawless at auction in 2019 and  received a thorough evaluation and restoration to bring it to its current Concours condition.

This is a road legal 4-cylinder motorcycle that incorporates many of the same features that helped MV Agusta win the ‘37 World Grand Prix titles spanning three decades in the postwar years.  In 1976 the MV Agusta factory ceased its participation in international racing but to bolster sales of road going machines, introduced the 750S America as a tribute to the many championships won by the Italian factory in multi-cylinder 4-stroke powered bikes.

The 750S America came with a hand-built alloy 789cc engine with dual overhead camshafts, shaft drive, dual front disc brakes on alloy rimmed wheels, a sporting café racer seat and low-slung clip-on handlebars.  All of the suspension components were top-shelf Italian racing parts.  It was also outfitted with a very rare chrome exhaust system whereas most of these bikes had a flat black painted exhaust. Despite the use of racing gear, the MV was not lightweight, topping the scales at nearly 520 lbs, but its 75-horsepower output put the top speed at roughly 130 MPH.

Specifications

Engine: 789cc 4-cylinder dual overhead cam two valve per cylinder; Cast alloy crankcase with cooling fins

Transmission: 5-speed cassette style transmission, shaft driven rear wheel

Performance: 75 Horsepower at 8500 rpm redline; Quarter mile 13.9 seconds

Chassis: Dual downtube cradle frame, Ceriani forks, dual front disc brakes

Top Speed: 130 mph

Weight: 518lbs dry