1928 Moto Guzzi 500 GT Norge Quail Motorcycle Show #motoguzzi #motorcyclelife

1928 Moto Guzzi 500 GT Norge Quail Motorcycle Show #motoguzzi #motorcyclelife

The 1928 Moto Guzzi 500 GT ‘Norge’ is a historic Italian motorcycle renowned for its innovative design and legendary endurance ride to the Arctic Circle in Norway.
Historical Significance
The Moto Guzzi 500 GT, later nicknamed “Norge”, holds a special place in motorcycling history. Giuseppe Guzzi, brother of Moto Guzzi co-founder Carlo Guzzi, undertook a remarkable 4,500 km journey from Mandello del Lario, Italy, to the North Cape in Norway in 1928, demonstrating the bike's durability and advanced engineering, and consolidating the company's reputation for robust motorcycles
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. This adventurous feat not only tested the limits of early motorcycle engineering but inspired the model's name, linking it to exploration and endurance like the Norge airship that first flew over the North Pole
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Design and Engineering
The GT ‘Norge’ was innovative for its time, combining comfort, reliability, and ruggedness:
Engine: 498–498.4cc air-cooled horizontal single-cylinder four-stroke with Bosch magneto and dry-sump lubrication, producing roughly 13 hp at 3800 rpm

Transmission: 3-speed tank-shift manual gearbox with chain final drive

Suspension: Featured an elastic frame with cantilever rear suspension and a girder front fork with dual and central springs—an innovation that provided enhanced comfort and stability on long rides

Brakes and Wheels: Drum brakes front and rear with 3.50 x 19-inch wheels

Weight and Performance: Dry weight approximately 150 kg (331 lb) and maximum speed around 60 mph

Other Features: Equipped with exposed flywheel, leg shields, rear luggage rack, and color-matched spoke wheels

Production and Rarity
Only 78 examples of the original 1928–1930 GT Norge were built, making it a rare collectible today
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. Its enduring engineering and historical Arctic expedition make it highly sought by collectors and vintage motorcycle enthusiasts
www.vintagemotorcycles.nl
Some examples come with additional provenance, such as Dutch registration papers
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Legacy
The GT ‘Norge’ established a benchmark for long-distance touring motorcycles, showcasing how robust suspension design and engine reliability could tackle extreme terrains. Its Arctic Circle journey proved Moto Guzzi’s engineering excellence and inspired later touring models. The Norge name has since been revived for modern touring bikes as a homage to this pioneering adventure
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In summary, the 1928 Moto Guzzi 500 GT Norge is not only a collector’s motorcycle but a symbol of endurance, innovation, and Italian craftsmanship, remembered for both its technical sophistication and its historic expedition to Norway