Bianchi 1934 Frecchia Azzurra Gran Sport 496cc 1 cyl OHV 3411

Bianchi 1934 “Frecchia Azzurra Gran Sport” 496 cc OHV frame & engine # 65631
The history of Bianchi begins in 1885, when Edoardo Bianchi opens his first shop in the Via Nirone in Milan and starts to construct bicycles. In 1888 he’s the first in Italy to move from solid tyres to the Dunlop-patent air chamber type. From 1897 till 1902 tricycles and quadricycles are produced and in 1902 comes the first motorcycle, fitted with a De Dion-Bouton engine. Car manufacture starts in 1908. Most models from the teens and twenties are side valve singles but in 1925 a 348 cc overhead valve (OHV) single is introduced. There’s also a 348 cc dual overhead cam (DOHC) works racer, designed by Albino Baldi, Bianchi’s chief engineer and these Bianchis will become the most successful Italian racing bikes for the next five years, ridden by famous racing men such as Tazio Nuvolari and Mario Ghersi. In the 1930s Baldi designs another racing bike, a 498cc ohc single. 1938 sees the introduction of a supercharged four cylinder 498 cc DOHC racer, but this model will never fully developed.
In 1924 the first light single is marketed and this machine is the basis for the later ”Frecchia d’oro” (“Golden Arrow”) class. Bianchi returns to the 500 cc class in the course of 1933 when the “Frecchia Azzurra” (“Blue Arrow”) is presented. This model will be produced in various configurations from 1934 till 1940. It’s a well designed, robust model that is available in Touring or Sports configurations.
The Gran Sport we present here differs from the touring version in several details. The 82 x 94 mm bore x stroke engine is fitted with hairpin valve springs and is more powerful than the touring engine: the 1934 brochure states a top speed of 135 km versus 120 km. The Gran Sport has high-level exhausts, narrower mudguards and an oil pressure gauge on top of the petrol tank. Both models have an aluminium primary chain case and a practical centre stand. Bosch electric lighting is fitted and the spark is produced by a battery and coil ignition. Our Blue Arrow comes in nice patinated condition with more recent coloured tank sides and detailing.