Though it could be said it followed the two-stroke Galbusera V8 of 1938, the Moto Guzzi engine and the bike were truly without precedent. A water-cooled, 500 cc 90 degree V8 with dual overhead cams and a separate Dell'Orto carburetor for each of the eight cylinders. The engine weighed allowing the overall bike weight to stay at 147 Kg (325 pounds). The tightly packaged engine produced an unprecedented 72 hp (54 Kw) at 12,000 rpm.