Agostini MV Replicas to be Auctioned

Agostini MV Replicas to be Auctioned

Giacomo Agostini is probably the biggest name in motorcycling ever, only rivaled by that of current MotoGP season leader and nine-time world champ, Valentino Rossi. Agostini's career and achievements are known by every generation of rider, including racing enthusiasts like myself who weren't even born until several decades after Giacomo stopped racing. He's a universally loved figure in motorcycle and racing history who has inspired countless tribute builds, liveries and full on production models, albeit usually limited edition ones.

Agostini competed in the 500cc World championships when they were the pinnacle of two-wheel racing. This was at a time when the TT was a scheduled stop for the championship every year (where Agostini has won countless races). Winning a total of 7 consequence 500cc world championships is a truly impressive feat and I don't think anyone will try to deny the skill Giacomo possessed. Having said that I believe in giving credit where credit is due and pointing to the machine that the Italian won so many races on, the MV Agusta 3-cylinder 500cc Racer, specifically the 1972 spec.

For longer than I've been alive this has been one of the most coveted and rare motorcycles elite collectors could hope to get their hands on. It's for this reason that 7 near perfect replicas of this fine machine have been rebuilt using MV's original enigineering plans from when the bike was first built, insuring a near identical version of Agostini's legendary racer.

After testing one of these exclusive replicas Mr. Agostini himself apparently had to have one, leaving only six remaining. It's not hard to see why he probably felt the way he did. Everything on these replicas have been engineered to replicate the exact riding experience and sensations exuded by the original machine nearly five decades ago.

The suspension on the bike is made up of a "perfect" replica of the Ceriani GP fork from 1970 and 230mm front drum brake. The bike features a molded fiberglass seat (also using original factory plans) and 18-inch Borrani wheels. Avon tres and Dell'orto carbs are the only non-original component found on the MV replica due to being impossible to find the original carbs. The each of the six bikes being sold will feature a letter from Giacomo Agostini certifying each machine as well as a signature from the FIFTEEN-TIME! world champion on the bike's classic red dustbin fairing.

The estimated value is $200,00 to 300,000, with the bikes being auctioned off by Sotheby’s at the Villa Erba venue on May 27. It's hard to overstate the importance of this particular bike. This was the machine that inspired countless now iconic designers who ended up designing the modern bikes we know and love. While there's a high likelihood that the buyers of these bikes will do nothing more than display them, I'd like to think at least one or two will be pushing them on the track at local vintage trackdays.

Either way, these six machines are really something special. Even if you had unlimited resources, without the original engineering plans and know-how, you could never in a million years recreate something so indistinguishable from the original in both appearance and performance.