Arturo Magni, Italian engineer, racing team manager and entrepreneur, took the chequered flag in 2015, aged 90.
Magni joined Gilera in 1947 when the company had decided to participate in the Grand Prix Championship. He joined the R&D departement to assist Pietro Remor in building a new engine that powered Gilera to six world titles in the 500cc class, including three for Geoff Duke
In 1950 MV Augusta hired Pietro Remor to build two GP machines: a four-cylinder 500cc and a 125cc. Remor brought Magni with him from Gilera as chief mechanic. Soon Magni became Direttore Sportivo (director of the racing department). His technical expertise was fundamental in developing the world-beating 350cc and 500cc “Threes” in the 1960s and the “Fours” in the 1970s.
Magni held this position until the manufacturer withdrew from competition in 1976. Under Magni’s guidance, MV Agusta won 75 world titles (37 manufacturers and 38 riders).
In 1977 Magni, with his two sons, started the specialist motorcycle builder that bears his name. Initially, the company manufactured special parts for the MV Agusta 750 S, such as chain drive conversions, big-bore kits and frame kits.
Later, in 1980, the company progressed to the construction of complete motorcycles. The first models, the MH1 and MH2, were power by Honda CB900F engines.
MH1
MH2
Magni’s German importer requested a BMW boxer engined model. Magni agreed and in 1982 the MB1 and MB2 were put into production using the 1,000cc BMW R100 engines.
BMW R100 (MB1 & MB2)
MB1
MB2
Various Moto Guzzi engines were used. The Sfida 1000 model, introduced in 1989, used a Moto Guzzi engine in a machine styled to reflect the MV racers of the 1960s.
In 1999, models based on the four-cylinder Suzuki Bandit 1200 engine were added.
Arturo’s company is still creating motorcycles for people looking for something a bit special.