Tag Archives: Motom 98TS

Motom Delfino & 98TS

Motom Delfino & Motom 98TS

With Phil Aynsley


A few columns ago I featured the Motom 48 (link), here I’ll look at the company’s later two more advanced machines – the Delfino and 98TS.

PA MotomDelfino
Motom Delfino

The Delfino (Dolphin) was first shown at the 1950 Milan Show and was designed by ex-Lancia engineer Giuseppe Falchetto. Along with several other manufacturers’ bikes at the time (MV Agusta Pullman, Rumi Formicino), it comprised both motorcycle and scooter elements. The beam frame housed a 147 cc single cylinder four-stroke motor that had its barrel inclined at a 70° angle.

PA MotomDelfino
Motom Delfino

PA MotomDelfino

Due to the popularity of the 48 it took a while for production facilities to become available, which meant Delfino production didn’t begin until 1952. It now had a capacity of 163 cc and an output of 7.5 hp. The following year a slightly revised second version was released. Power was up to 8 hp and oil leaks from the valve cover were cured by increasing the number of retaining bolts to four.

PA MotomDelfino
Motom Delfino

PA MotomDelfino

In 1955 a third series was introduced which had flywheel magnet ignition with a seperate coil, boasting a dry weight of 98 kg and 86 km/h top speed.

PA MotomDelfino
Motom Delfino

Production came to a halt in 1957 after some 5,350 Delfinos had been made. One limiting factor to sales was the high price of the bike – 265,000 lire compared to the Vespa 125’s 150,000 lire and the Lambretta LD’s 166,000.

PA MotomDelfino
Motom Delfino

The company’s follow up to the Delfino was the futuristic 98, introduced at the 1955 Milan Show. The 98 proudly showed off its pressed-steel frame (Falchetto’s Lancia relationship with pressed-steel experts Farina coming in handy), which allowed for very clean lines.

PA MotomTS
Motom 98TS
PA MotomTS
Motom 98TS
PA MotomTS
Motom 98TS

The bulbous side panels provided knee grip as well as covering the actual tank, battery and tool roll. A push-button inside the right hand cover locked the steering so when the cover was locked, that single key provided security for the bike, fuel and tools.

PA MotomTS
Motom 98TS
PA MotomTS
Motom 98TS

The engine covers were high quality alloy castings and aided air flow past the horizontal cylinder. The unusual front suspension also added to the clean lines of the bike. Output was 6.75 hp at 8200rpm, with a weight of 65 kg. Top speed was 100 km/h, making for a sizable upgrade over the Delfino.

PA MotomTS

PA MotomTS
Motom 98TS

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motom | Italy’s third biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the mid 1950s

Obscure Italian marque Motom

With Phil Aynsley


The now little known Motom marque was in fact the third biggest producer of motorcycles in Italy during the mid 1950s (after Moto Guzzi and Garelli), yet most people wouldn’t even recognise the name!

PA Motom
Motom 48cc Motomic

PA Motom

It saw a spectacular rise from its founding in 1947 by Lancia engineer Battista Falchetto and businessman Frua Ernesto De Angelis. They had been inspired by the sales of Ducati’s Cucciolo motor and set about designing a complete motorcycle with a similar style of engine. The 48cc Motomic appeared later that year at the Geneva Show.

PA Motom
Motom 48cc Motomic

PA Motom

The bike proved to be a success and was soon followed by a succession of derivative models, all 48cc in capacity until 1957.

PA Motom
Motom 48cc Motomic

PA Motom

Famed Gilera designer Piero Remor joined the company briefly in 1953 and both the styling and mechanical details were tidied up during this time. Output was over 2hp at 4500rpm which was quite high for its capacity (and was easily tuned to produce more) and as a result the Motom was soon used in small capacity racing.

PA Motom
Motom 48cc Motomic
PA Motom
Motom 48cc Motomic

PA Motom

In 1953 it won its class in the 3200km Giro d’Italia at an average speed of almost 65km/h. In 1958 the factory team won every 50cc race held in Italy!

PA Motom
Motom 48cc Motomic

PA Motom

Motom had further success with the very avant-garde 98TS and 163 Delfino but closed its doors in 1971.

PA Motom
Motom 48cc Motomic

Source: MCNews.com.au