1954 Comet 175 Sport
1954 Comet 175 Sport
Alfonso Drusiani definitely took after his father Oreste, who had co-founded the CM marque in 1930. Alfonso established his reputation by designing the first Mondial racers. He then launched himself in 1952 into a more personal adventure with his Comet marque, an offshoot of the BDB (Brevetti Drusiani Bologna) firm.
Simple Idea
The technical originality of the 175 Comet lay in the means of lubricating the valve gear by oil spray from the timing chain: There was no pump. Oil flung onto the inside of the valve cover simply dripped onto the camshaft and rockers. The same simple idea was used on the four-stroke Husqvarna of the 1980s. Its only drawback was that it relied on the owner regularly checking the level of the oil.
Valveless Twin
The initial version developed 10 hp at 6000 mm, but a Sport model appeared in October 1953. Comet then launched, the following year, an overhead-valve 175cc single as well as a 250 twin derived from the original 175. As an experiment, Drusiani tried out a “valveless” 250, in which tiny cast-iron pistons opened and closed ports machined in the cylinder head. Naturally, the sales figures faded to match the expectations of the Comet’s creator, and the factory soon closed down. After that setback, Drusiani became involved in the Berneg disaster, but then designed the greatest of the racing Mondials, proving that two unfortunate mistakes are not enough to ruin a career.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 174cc air-cooled twin-cylinder four-stroke; spray lubrication
Power Rating: 11 hp @ 6800 rpm
Valves: chain-driven overhead-camshaft
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed, chain final drive
Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swing arm (rear)
Brakes: drum (front & rear)
Wheels: 2.50×19 inch (front); 2.75×19 inch (rear)
Maximum Speed: 75 mph
The resemblance between the Comet and the Berneg were more than coincidental for the future Mondial designer Alfonso Drusiani was behind
both projects— and both failed.
This and many other Atlas Editions Classic Motorcycle cards are available for purchase.
