Italian Renaissance?

A pair of 445cc retros from SWM, as the reborn brand continues its comeback.

- Peter Henshaw

Norton, Indian and Brough Superior are just the most obvious motorcycle marques to have been revived in the last few years, and when names like Francis-Barnett and New Imperial are experiencing rebirths it makes you wonder why no one’s resuscitated BSA. Triumph doesn’t count – it’s been around so long in Hinckley form that it’s become part of the furniture.

Of course, it’s only brand names being revived – no one is suggesting that venerable workers are being persuaded out of retirement, or ancient, mothballed factories breathed back into life. But the pull of these old names is such that this doesn’t seem to matter very much.

The Brits and Americans don’t have a monopoly on evocative names from the past – the Italians have their fair share as well. FBMondial is on the way back, and you’ll have noticed that SWM was relaunched last year. It has a shorter heritage than any of the other reborn brands, but certainly means something to anyone involved in trials and motocross in the 1970s and early 80s. Until now, the new generation SWMs have been little more than rebadged Husqvarnas, but these latest bikes are really more significant for the company’s future, having been designed in-house.