History

Aircraft manufacturer Aeronautica Macchi first started making scooters in the 1950s and later also motorcycles. The first motorcycle model, the Aermacchi Corsaro 150, had not proved a success in 1955 and that also happened with the Chimera 175, which was very generously equipped with sheet metal. Therefore, it was decided in 1957 to release a number of new models. In addition to the 250cc version of the Chimera, there are also three types without sheet metal: the Ala Verde 250, the Ala Bianca 175 and the Ala Rossa 175

Ala Rossa 175

Of the 175cc models, the Ala Rossa (Red Wing) was a bit sportier and the Ala Bianca (White Wing) a bit more touristy. Like the Chimera, the Ala Rossa had an air-cooled single-cylinder overhead valve engine with push rods. The cylinder lay almost flat at an angle of 165°. At the left end of the crankshaft was a multiple wet plate clutch and from there the gearbox was driven by gears. It had four gears that were shifted by a heel-toe shift on the left. A 12mm Dell'Orto carburettor was fitted and the petrol tank held 18 litres. The machine had a backbone frame with a center tube and an Upside Down fork was mounted in the front. Behind was a normal swingarm with two spring/damper elements. The rear frame was completely changed with two sections rising from the bottom of the gearbox to the upper suspension points of the shock absorbers. With its 13 hp, the Ala Rossa was much stronger and faster than its tourist brother Ala Bianca, which produced just 9.35 hp, but also stronger than competitors such as the Moto Guzzi Lodola Sport 175.

Races

Both the Ala Verde 250 and Ala Rossa 175 became popular in amateur racing pretty much from the start. The center of gravity was very low due to the horizontal engine and the handling was excellent. This soon led to the Ala d'Oro series, but for people who could not afford an Ala d'Oro, the Ala Rossa and the Ala Verde remained a good alternative.

Technische gegevensBewerken