Go to the Archive indexBefore talking about the Testi, a short piece of history is required.
France, 1962. Sports-mopeds have released an unimaginable enthusiasm among teenagers. Then, as Paloma and Flandria fought one another for market supremacy, a third force arrived to stir things up: the Super VAP Special Monneret. This beautiful racer had all the trumps in its hand: the excellent Sachs engine in elegant cycle parts that originated from Testi. But these cycle parts, with the very characteristic bulbous fuel tank and the egg-shaped tool box, appeared to be exclusively reserved for the Super VAP.
However, as this article shows, Testi brought out two versions which it marketed well on its own account: the 'Grand Prix' and the 'Weekend'. Naturally, the engine fitted wasn't a Sachs but a Minarelli P3N with a Lafranconi double exhaust system. There we have it: a machine that is very interesting to restore, but finding one might prove to be a little more difficult...
| Specification | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame | double cradle | Engine | Minarelli P3N, fan-cooled 2-stroke |
| Suspension | telescopic fork at front, swinging arm at rear | Capacity | 47.6cc |
| Tyres | 2.50×19, front & rear | Bore & stroke | 38mm×42mm |
| Brakes | Grimeca 118mm dia steel drums | Power | 3.7hp |
| Fuel capacity | 10 litres | Gearbox | 3-speed, selected by twistgrip |
| Handlebars | dropped (Grand Prix) or raised (Weekend) | Lighting coils | 18W, 6V |
| Saddle | dual seat (Grand Prix) or sprung single seat (Weekend) | Starting | by pedalling |
English version first published: December 1994
Bernard was describing the Test models imported to France. Here in the UK, Testi mopeds were imported by Kerry, who sold the Grand Prix as the Kerry Capitano Grand Prix. There was a Testi Weekend on the Kerry stand at the 1964 Earls Court Show, but this model was not added to the Capitano range.