MV Agusta was founded in 1945 in Cascina Costa Italy by the sons of Count Giovanni Agusta (Domenico, Vincenzo, Mario and Corrado Agusta). After the second world war ended there was a need for cheap transportation and something to replace the decline in Agusta aviation demands. MV Agusta successfully manufactured many café racer motorcycles through the '50s and '60s. Following the death of Count Domenico Agusta in 1971 the company declined with the eventual end of production by 1980. MV Agusta was revived by Cagiva in the '90s, although financial trouble would cause the MV Agusta brand to bounce around from owner to owner for the next several years. MV Agusta is currently owned by Harley-Davidson, who is actively trying to sell the company.