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  • Capriolo

    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.


    Scott Larson
    AMCA #13589
    Omaha Chapter

    1953 HD FLE
    1971 HD FLH
    1971 Triumph Bonneville 650
    1973 Norton Commando 750

  • #2
    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.
    Last edited by darrylri; 01-06-2009, 08:12 AM.
    --Darryl Richman
    Follow my 2012 Cannonball Blog!
    http://darryl.crafty-fox.com

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    • #3
      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

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      • #4
        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
        Robbie Knight Amca #2736

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        • #5
          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!
          Scott Larson
          AMCA #13589
          Omaha Chapter

          1953 HD FLE
          1971 HD FLH
          1971 Triumph Bonneville 650
          1973 Norton Commando 750

          Comment


          • #6
            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...?
            --Darryl Richman
            Follow my 2012 Cannonball Blog!
            http://darryl.crafty-fox.com

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            • #7
              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?

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              • #8
                I've contacted Cosmopolitan Motors and they have parts for the Capriolos, along with a lot of other small Italian bikes.
                Scott Larson
                AMCA #13589
                Omaha Chapter

                1953 HD FLE
                1971 HD FLH
                1971 Triumph Bonneville 650
                1973 Norton Commando 750

                Comment


                • #9
                  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

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