MV Agusta 125 Sport SE

125 cc was a popular class in Italy, MV having produced four-stroke 125s since 1954,[5] including sports models such as the "125 Rapido Sport" model, produced from the second half of the 1950s,[6] and the "GTLS" of the early 1970s.[7]

Following the death of Count Domenico Agusta in 1971,[8] the financial situation of MV Agusta suffered a rapid decline, brought on by competition from low cost, high quality Japanese motorcycles and ongoing labour problems.[9] For 1975, MV Agusta range was reduced to 3 models, all of which were new. They were presented at a press conference in Milan by Corrado Agusta and senior MV staff.[10] The three new models were the 750 Sport America, built at the request of Chris Garville and Jim Cotherman of Commerce Overseas Corporation, the US MV importers;[11] the 350 Ipotesi, styled by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro (who had previously designed the Suzuki RE5);[9] and the 125 Sport SE, which was styled along the lines of the Ipotesi.[2]

Although these new model were presented as the beginning of a new era for MV and the start of an ambitious programme of releasing road bikes based on the GP machines,[10] MV Agusta stopped manufacturing motorcycles in 1977.[12]

1976 MV Agusta Sport SE with optional fairing.

Developed from the 125 Sport GTL-S, the machine followed the striking horizontal lines and sharp contours of Giugiaro's Ipotesi. Departing from MV's usual practice of using a mixture of sheet and tubular steel frame[7] a new all tube frame was used, which was finished in silver. Like the Ipotesi, a humped seat with the rear mudguard attached and side panels with slots were fitted. Ceriani front forks and a Scarab disc brake gave the front end a modern look.[13]

Although the single-cylinder engine's heritage dates back to the 1950s Centomila[8] (so called because MV Agusta claimed the engine was capable of exceeding 100,000 km),[14] the engine featured new, squarer casings. A square alloy cylinder was fitted with a matching square cylinder head. The pushrod engine retained the 53 x 56 mm bore and stroke of previous engines. Compression ratio was raised to 10.5:1 and, breathing through a 24 mm carburettor,[2] power output was 14 bhp (10 kW) @ 8,500 rpm. Electronic ignition was fitted and the gearbox has 5 speeds.[13]

The machine was finished in red and silver with a silver frame and a black exhaust, the traditional colours of the MV GP machines. A fairing was offered as an optional extra.[2][13]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to MV Agusta 125 Sport SE.

• Falloon, Ian (2011). The Book of the Classic MV Agusta Fours. Veloce Publishing Ltd. ISBN 9781845842031.
• Walker, Mick (1998). Mick Walker's Italian Racing Motorcycles. Redline Books. ISBN 9780953131112.

• MV Agusta 125 Sport SE Instruction Manual
• MV AGUSTA 125 Sport on YouTube