c1955 Gilera 150cc Motorcycle

Description

Gilera's story encompasses almost the entire 20th Century and spans a hugely diverse range of road going motorcycles, from tiny mopeds and lightweight scooters to some of the finest large capacity singles, twins and especially fours ever made. Gilera can also boast a proud history of achievement in motorcycle racing as well, including trials, enduros and most of all, Grand Prix events. The post-war era in Italy was a time of rebirth and Gilera's success on the track was founded on their road bikes, beginning with the 1949 125 Turismo, its first unit construction, small capacity single with a four-speed gearbox and a battery and coil ignition for easier starting. Joined by a Sport version in 1950, these early versions utilised blade-type front forks and a swinging rear fork with a friction damper, later replaced with Telescopic-type front forks and a twin-shock, swing-arm rear set-up. Between 1952 and 1960 a larger capacity 150cc (by increasing bore from 54mm to 60mm) model was offered in various versions, including the Turismo, Sport, Rossa Super and Rossa Super Sports and these became the mainstay of Gilera production for the decade, competing with rivals such as Moto Guzzi and MV Agusta. The four-cylinder Grand Prix bikes, ridden by the likes of Umberto Masetti and Geoff Duke, may have kept Gilera in the headlines during the 1950s but it was the commercial success of bikes like the 150 that allowed the company to indulge in racing. Today few of these delightful little Italian bikes survive and a Gilera will always be welcome at any club event or ride day.