MV Agusta 500cc (3 cylinder) PDF Engine Manual

For many years GP events were dominated by MV Agusta which therefore became the very embodiment of Italian Grand Prix motorcycles. From 1958 to 1960, with John Surtees alone who, as was customary then, competed both in the 350 and the 500 class, Agusta won three times in succession in both groups. In fact, at that time Honda was stronger in the 350 category.

Agusta found themselves obliged to come up with a new engine as at the beginning of the 60s the Italians were absolutely down at rock bottom. In 1964 the required motorcycle with a three cylinder engine was launched by the helicopter manufacturer Count Agusta. This machine made an immediate impression due to its agility and very good manoeuvrability. It proved itself rapidly when Honda began to be more successful and therefore more dangerous in the 500 class dominated by Agusta. Agusta again found it necessary to react and raise the stakes against Honda. To do this the cubic capacity of the “small” engine was simply increased by reboring until it reached 497.9 cc.

In 1966 the three-cylinder, four-stroke machine was used for the first time in a race in the half litre class. The three-cylinder concept was not new of course, but the MV was the first motorcycle to achieve noteworthy performances and successes with it. Weighing in at just 118 kg, it offered 92 bhp at 13,500 rpm. The powerful MV on which Giacomo Agostini wiped the floor with the competition reached over 290 km/h. Between 1966 and 1972 he took the world title seven times in succession – up to then a unique run of wins in GP events. No other rider has been able to surpass this record series to date. The overwhelming superiority of the Agusta and Agostini caused Honda to withdraw from the half-litre class for years.

Download MV Agusta 500cc (3 cylinder) PDF Engine Manual