Brief History of Capriolo Motorcycles
In 1947 Aero-Caproni turned to motorcycle production, beginning with
a 48cc ciclomotore two-stroke. By 1951 they were producing sophisticated
and elegant little four speed 75cc fourstrokes with pressed steel chassis,
later enlarged to 100cc and 125cc. Their more interesting machines included
a horizontally opposed 149cc twin of 1955, and competition machines with
75cc engines using the Küchen desmodromic system of the 1920s.
From 1953 to 1959 they also produced NSU engined machines named Caproni-Vizzola
with models named Cavilux and Cavimax, the latter based on the NSU Max
engine. At one time the range also included a face-cam OHV single, and
they also built a range of three-wheelers. In 1958 the Capriolo company
name was changed to Aeromere, which ceased production
in 1964. The parent company, Aero-Caproni, continued to build aircraft
some of which were very advanced. Their jet-powered glider remains one
of the most extraordinary sailplanes ever constructed.
Wed Dec 26 2007
franciscoleivah<at>hotmail.com
Motorcycle capriolo
capriolo 100
italian motorcycles 1960 aprox
Traiguen 9ª ,Chile
Capriolo_100_1960c_1jpg will be posted shortly.
Tue Nov 13 2007
Naselroad67<at>aol.com
Capriolo motorcycle
1965 125cc dark red
While looking on the net. It suprised me to find this page. My first
bike was a 125 cc Capriolo.
I bought it from our local BSA dealership in 1965 when i was 15 yrs
old
in Ind, U.S.A.
I didnt keep it very long because the bike was a nightmare.
I bought it because I thought the 125cc would out run the Honda 90,
boy was I wrong,the dealer said it would run close to 60 mph, but about
48-49 was tops.
the very first week I had it the clutch cable broke and the shop tried
to solder it rather than replace it. Thus it broke all the time I owned
it. I dont think I ever made it out of town without failure, sometimes
I couldnt even make it home. But I learned to shift without clutch. ha!.
At about 2300 miles and still in the 90 day warrenty the risk pin keeper
came off and seized the piston to the cyl. the dealership told me that
the piston was not covered in the warrenty.... After my dad talked to them
I ended up paying only labor.. Running again but still slow.
Dealership said it had old jets in carb and they ordered new ones,
after about 2 weeks he said we need to send in my jets so they could match
which carb I had.
Two more weeks and now the distribter called saying they lost my jets
and now needed me to send in the whole carb so they can match my jets..
"I dont think so." I can just see my two month old bike sitting there without
a carb " Thinking they might lose it also...
So my dad took off a day of work and went to Washbash Ind. 1 1/2 hrs
away. where the local distrubter was, they not only give him the right
jets but also a new cam for the engine.
When I got home from school that day dad had the bike running with
new parts installed.
I took it out that night and it topped out at 60+ mph. really made
me happy till the clutch cable and the throtle cable both broke. ha!!!
Idled home without a clutch...
I took it to the Honda shop after fixing and traded it in for a new
305 Super Hawk.. Now that was a great bike...
So my brother always said to me. They made two Capriolo's, the first
one they junked and the second one I bought..ha.
This brings back a lot of GOOD old memories that happened 43 yrs ago.
I am still riding at 58 so the Capriolo did start my love of riding.
I've had 7 honda's and two Harleys since then. the latest being a 07
Heritage.which is the most enjoyable of all the bikes I've owned...
Thanks bt
Ind, U.S.A.
Yours must have been a Friday bike!
Thu Oct 18 2007
cmoscam1<at>yahoo.com
Capriolo 125cc ISDT
Hello,
I owned the two Capriolo 125cc ISDT machines for 20 years, here in the
US. I bought them from Cosmopolitan Motors ~1969. We
rode on the trails in US for some years, then I broke a gear. I stored
them for many years.
In 1999, I was asked to show one at the Italian Concours in Laguna Seca
raceway. I restored one to the condition you see here, and showed
at the concours. I had the decals for the re-painted tanks, but did
not know how to apply them. This one had the Ceriani forks, the other
one has the Capriolo forks. These had 5 speed transmissions, dual
coils, were very strong (and heavy)!
Pictures were taken for the Italian press, and within 1 year I received
a message that one of the original Capriolo ISDT riders saw the pictures,
and sent his nephew to the US to purchase the machines. We made a
deal, he air shipped the machines to Venice.
This is good, these historic machines belong in Italy.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.
NOTE: Cosmopolitan Motors sold all the remaining spares to Domi
Racer. They will have anything that is left.
Ciao,
Chuck Koehler
CA, USA
Capriolo
1969 ISDT 125cc.jpg will be posted shortly.
Thu Aug 16 2007
homebrewer_02<at>yahoo.com
Fond Memories
1964 Capriolo 125
I went looking for anything on Capriolo motorcycles and came across
your site by chance. I had a 1964, 125 c.c. Blue Capriolo and I ran
the wheels of that little bike. Even if it were only 125 c.c., it
would run almost 60 MPH and for that era of small bikes, it was a little
scat cat. Rode it for almost a year and a half then I traded up to
a real beast. Norton 750, no comparison in speed or ride. The little
125 was pretty smooth, but that nasty Norton was one of the most uncomfortable
motorcycles I ever had the pleasure of riding, but it was a real beast
on the road and not very many bikes back them would keep up with it.
Now, I wish that I had both of those motorcycles back.
Ray Roberts
Indianapolis, IN. USA
Fri Jun 22 2007
alan.ha1<at>talktalk.net
Capriolo
Capriolo 125 de luxe
I bought a new Capriolo 125 de luxe in 1961, I believe it cost me £171
at the time. It was a lovely little bike to ride but on 2 occasions I was
stopped by traffic police because they thought it made too much noise from
the exhaust. I had not touched the exhaust it was as original from the
factory. The only part I recall having to buy was a rocker arm because
the tappet adjuster had seized solid and I had to travel to Croydon where
Capriolo were in England. The elecrics, I recall were the weakest part
of the bike. The bike was very nippy for a 125cc engine but with 2 up it
was a different story. I traded the bike in for a new Norton Navigator
in 1963 and received £104 for it. The Norton was absolute rubbish
but I ran it for about 3 years before succumbing to the urge to buy a car.
All in all I was very pleased with this bike.
London
Fri Jun 15 2007
Warchild<at>DJWarcild.Com
Capriolo
Hello,
My grandparents just gave me a bike thats been sitting
in their basement since the early 60's. When I looked at the book
for the bike, it had Cosmopolitan Motors listed on the book. I was
wondering what parts for these bikes were avalible, and exactly how to
identify it. I believe it's a 125cc model, and the paint resembles
that of the Gazelle. Below are the numbers I've been able to find
on various parts of the bike.
Frame: 61435
Engine: 61239 and also 3603M
On the front fender: Cenlo 25
Headlight Lens: 4-10-1955
Aoromere Trento
As for the motor, I believe it is a Capriolo R_ Dagger 125 Engine.
This is from reading up on it from some other pages.
Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. I know right
off the bat that it will need a new headlight assembly, tail light cover,
and possibly a magneto.
Thanks,
Rich Bolduc
Clearwater, FL USA
Fri Mar 02 2007
patrick
uden-media
Aero Caproni
Capriolo Trento
I have a mint Aero Caproni Capriolo 75. It arrived in the UK
as a small 'makewieght' in a container of larger Italian machines for restoration
ordered by Steve Lilley, owner of European Motorcyles in Shepperton.
It was given to me by Steve and I had it restored by James Tennant-Eyles,
although it was in fairly good and complete condition. The colours
and components are absolutely original or as original except for leather
rather than oilcloth on the saddles, and a speedometer (mounted in the
headlamp) which Italian law did not require. Once restored it featured
in Classic Bike magazine and was ridden by its editor of the time.
The only components in unsalvagable condition were the tyres, but I found
an original set of corect sized Pirellis and tubes at the San Marino autojumble
(recommended for hard to find parts). The machine is currently 'off
the road' in warm dry storage.
london
Sat Feb 03 2007
slotspothotmail
Capriolo
125 De Luxe
Hi, glad to find your web site, last time I looked for information
on Capriolo motorcycles on the web there was absolutely nothing and I thought
I must have remembered the name incorrectly. Anyway, this might sound like
sacrilege today, but when a few friends and I managed to purchase a rather
battered 125 Capriolo De Luxe for very little money in Hampshire, England
in the early 1970s. We decided it would be the ideal vehicle to use to
develop our budding trials riding careers – Bultaco’s and Montesa’s being
somewhat out of our league. The poor old Capriolo wasn't bad right up until
the frame snapped under the strain. Without any welding gear to fix it,
we then adapted the front forks to fit a pushbike frame (an early attempt
at mountain biking), which you'll no doubt be surprised to learn even less
resilient than the Capriolo. No idea what happened to all the bits but
its wonderful to see what they should look like! Of course if I had one
today I'd be much more careful with
it and only use it for motorcross.
Hampshire UK
Sat Feb 03 2007
gnome69666yahoo
Parts
capriolo75cc
Hi i have a 75cc capriolo year unknown and i was looking to restore
it any help to find parts would be greatly appreciated
Wisconsin
Sun Jan 28 2007
bill.oconnor2btinternet
Capriolo for sale
Capriolo 75
I have been a long term admirer of these beautiful machines. Does any
one have one for sale? Preferably one in reasonably good nick
Cambridge
Fri Nov 10 2006
msdiae.nl
capriolo corsa speciale
corsa
Image of superbly restored racing bike courtesy Toon van den Dungen
Tue Oct 31 2006
joanne.west7ntlworld
Capriolo's
hello,
I have several Capriolo's which I have rebuilt. I can answer most questions
you may have. I am curently looking for spares. If you know of anywhere,
where I can get spares. Please let me know.
The picture that I have attached is from 1997 Classic Motorcycle Magazine.
They did an article on me. Thanks Roy Dagger
UK
[Two more images have also been posted. Ed.]
Sat Aug 19 2006
simonstanboroughmyway
Capriolo For Sale
75cc Four Stroke 1959
FOR SALE
Dorset England
Tue May 16 2006
isolde_zillmannfreenet.de
Cylinder head
Aeromere Capriolo 125 Gran Turismo
I need the cylinder head of the Capriolo 125 from 1959. Can s/o help
me or is´interested in the restaured parts?
Germany, Stuttgart
Tue May 16 2006
johnandlorayahoo
Capriola 125 Spares availabillity
I have recently contacted a seller of a 125 machine and wondered what
the spares situation is like to restore this machine?. When restored what
sort of price would it be worth?
England
Try this page
for motorcycle valuations. Ed.
Fri Mar 17 2006
rures2005aol
Capriolo 75cc
If anyone has any information on a 75cc Capriolo I would love them
to contact me as i'm in the processes of restoring one. Many thanks
N.Ireland
Thu Mar 09 2006
donaldsellars69.freeserve.co.uk
Capriolo Motorcycle
I've adnired these motorcycles since the early 60's, when a friend
of nmine converted a 125 for racing. Now I'm in my dotage, I'd love to
lay my hands on one again, so if anyone knows where there is one available,
please e-mail me on donaldsellars69.freeserve.co.uk
Lancs, England
Thu Feb 02 2006
stevelilleyfamily
Wanted
Does anyone have a c1961 125 Sport for sale in the UK. It was my first
bike and I would love to get another one. Condition is fairly unimportant
but must at least be complete. Thanks, Steve
Nr. Heathrow
Wed Jan 11 2006
cora1965msn
Carburator for a Capriolo
Hello, we just purchased a Capriolo and it is missing the carburator.
We are not sure what year this is, it may be 100cc, we are not sure about
that either, we do have the VIN#. It seems in good condition, we would
like to have it restored with all original parts or as close as we can.
Can you tell us the name of the manufacture to purchase a carborator or
a place to get a used one. We have found little info on this, some
history, very interesting. Thanks, sure hope you can help us in some
way.
Mon May 01 2006
Capriolo/Still unsure, would like input.
I stated in an earlier e-mail that we needed a carberator, well we
found one and it will ship out this week. I have pictures now, without
the carberator of course.
The frame number is 40028 and the engine number is 36890.
If anyone can help with the Year and size, feel free to contact us,
Thanks, Cora and Danny
Kansas
Hello again, We found a carberator, my husband got it put on, got a
little gas to it and it fired right up, sounded so good... We are
now in the process of cleaning out the gas tank, he put 2400 BB's in the
tank and he has been shaking it around all night. There must be a
better way. Anyway, next we are going to purchase tires. Wish
us luck, and by the way, we took the headlamp housing apart and found some
more numbers on the bottom of the Odometer/Speedometer.
My husband thinks this may be a date. 964
Z60/67 . If you have answers, this is all a mystery to us,
Thanks a bunch, you've been great!!
Sincerely, Cora and Danny Murray
There are a number of products designed to seal
rusty fuel tanks. It's usually a three stage process, one of which involves
an acid. The acid etches out all the rust prior to coating with with plastic
in solution. The product I'm most familiar with is Kream or Kreem. I'm
sure the acid will be available separately.
I believe the numbers on the speedo are to do with ratios,
not the date. Ed.
Sat Nov 26 2005
simonstanboroughmyway
capriolo 75
I have a 1959 sale can you advise of any clubs etc that would be interested.
Wed Nov 16 2005
tedburn.motor.servicesbtinternet
Capriolo 1963
My father in law passed away a few months ago. Upon finally sorting
through his garage we have found a 1964 Capriolo. It's tax disc ran
out in 1965!!!!! Any ideas atall on its value or range of values??
Obviously it has not been on the road for some time!
many thanks
......
Please find attached 5 photos of the Capriolo. It's a 125cc.
According to the tacometer it has done 2000 miles. Obviously we have
not started it up!!!!!
I have trawled through the related google web sites and cannot find
any capriolos for sale to compare it with so any advise you can give us
on a sale value in its current state would be much appreciated
Many thanks
Linda Cann
Caproni-Vizzola built motorcycles with NSU engines
from 1953 to 1959
More...
CAPRIOLO
WEBSITE
Wed Jun 01 2005
duranjlnetzero.net
Motor year and size?
Can you tell me what size this Capriolo motor is and what year it is?
The motor number is 39305
John
January 23rd 2005
subject: caprioni trento capriolo motocycle
Email: barry.crosby at btopenworld
message: hi i have a capriolo bike age unknown but approx 1947 to 1952
?. it is approx 75 to 125 cc ?? . can you supply any info in any form to
help in rebuild. ?.
(and...)
... the eng no is 06916 & frame no 06900& it is 75 cc i believe
.?.
its colour is a greeny / grey shade & its one of the early models
?. pre shock absorber rear suspension type. i cant get a picture on e/mail
yet, but will keep trying .the bike is totally original but well wethered
!. i would welcome any comments as to its value as it stands. regards barry
crosby.
If you have a query about Capriolo motorcycles, or wish to share your
knowledge of these classic Italian machines, please contact
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