Capriolo

[slarsonroy]

Are there any Capriolo owners in this group? I picked up a 1959? 125cc Capriolo in original condition but in need of a restoration. This is obviously a barn fresh bike, but theres Italian beauty underneath all that grime. I paid $300 for it at a swapmeet and as I was rolling it back to my spot, another guy said "Hey, want another one of those little italian things?". I said yeah, sure, and ended up buying a 58? MDS 70cc bike in about the same condition for other $250.

[darrylri]

So, what do you know about the Capriolo, in particular? And what about the name Caproni?

I was visiting a museum in Germany (in a church!), and they had this bike on display, but knew just about nothing about it or the manufacturer. I suspect that this bike is a bit older than your single, based on the frame construction. And although the badge is the same as your Capriolo, it is called a Caproni. I'd love to know a bit more about these bikes...





Trento is a city in Italy in the far north, just below the Alps and Dolomites, on the main road to Austria. I have a friend who lives there, but he has never heard of this marque.

[vride5]

riverside

i believe i had one of those Capriolos one time badged as a Monkey-Ward an Riverside, its gone down the road a long time ago so thats all i know

[Rubone]

Do a search in the back issues section of "The Classic MotorCycle" Magazine. it lists an article in '95 and another in '97 on Capriolos. I should have both issues but it would take time to find them. I could scan them for you as long as there is no rush. All I am able to do right now is shovel snow!!
Robbie

[slarsonroy]

Caproni is not the same company as Capriolo. I believe Capriolo was manuf between 1948-1963. From what I have read so far, Cosmopolitan motors bought about 1200 of them when they went bankrupt in about 1959? and sold them over the next several years. I believe all those 1200 bikes were manufactured in 59. Capriolo is a type of deer in Italy. Maybe Caproni is a different species I dont know.
Montgomery Wards sold Benellis under the name of Riverside. Sears sold Gileras and Puch. I dont know of any Capriolo sold in the states other than by Cosmo.
Rub, any article you can find would be great, thanks!

[darrylri]

Yes, a Wards Riverside was a Benelli. I had one of those (a '67 350cc single) very briefly once, and even so, I have several good stories from it. After Wards stopped carrying them, you could get parts from Cosmopolitan Motors.

I will be interested to see anything anyone has on either Capriolo or Caproni. It's pretty odd that they have pretty much exactly the same logo...?

[Mobley]

Capriolo

I have a 1960 Capriolo 100 that I've had in my barn for over 20 years. I've had a hard time finding any parts for it. Rarely parts come up on eBay but they go for crazy prices. Has anyone had luck finding parts or bikes at swap meets?

[slarsonroy]

I've contacted Cosmopolitan Motors and they have parts for the Capriolos, along with a lot of other small Italian bikes.

[bradwillert]

Capriolo Engine needed.

I bought what I believe is a 1958 Capriolo 75cc bike that was completely submerged in the Sept. 2013 flooding in Colorado. It is cosmetically complete but missing the engine/trans assembly, the #'s 37210 are stamped on the left side of the frame. Does any one have any leads where an engine might be found???? If not I think it just becomes another garage conversation piece. Or is anyone interested?
Brad Willert
AMCA#7288
Phantom Canyon Chapter