Malaguti Olympique Special Sports

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When the law was changed in January 1972 to restrict 16-year-olds to 50cc motorcycles equipped with pedals, the government intended the teenage café racers to be restricted to the current crop of automatic single speed machines. 

The industry was quick to respond and produced 50cc motorcycles capable of 50mph+ performance , albeit with pedals tacked on that could propel the bike, in a fashion, to meet the letter of the law. The government stamped on this in 1977 and changed the law so that 50cc learner machines were restricted in power to produce a top speed of 30mph

The May 1976 registered Malaguti Olympique offered here was the last of the crop of ‘sixteener specials’ producing 6.5bhp @ 8500rpm – the post-1977 restricted version producing just 2bhp @ 5000rpm. Largely untouched and still bearing the sticker from the dealer in Newbury from whence it was sold, the only modification from standard is the pair of expansion chambers fitted in an attempt to produce even more power, although the vendor has one of the original silencers which will be included in the sale.

The machine started easily on the morning the photos were taken and rode well through all gears, being an ideal candidate for restoration although it could be used as it is. It comes with an old style V5 document and original manufacturer’s maintenance and operating instruction booklet.