c1956 Gilera B300cc 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. In the early post-war period, Gilera offered a range of conventional road bikes to compete with rivals Moto Guzzi and MV Agusta, both singles and twins. A new parallel twin, the B300, was launched at the 1953 Milan Motorcycle Show and the new model was distinguished by the unit construction of the four-speed gearbox and overhead-valve twin-cylinder engine, regarded as an unusual capacity for the day. The B300 made use of telescopic forks and twin shocks, with swing-arm rear suspension and light alloy 18-inch rims and brake hubs. Equipped with a single Dell'Orto MB22B carburetor, the B300's engine developed 15 horsepower and could top 70 mph. The electrics were six-volt. In a road test by venerable motorcycle author Mick Walker, he describes the Gilera thus "... the B300 was a pretty rare animal - a 1950s Italian ohv-engined machine with more than one cylinder, a smooth, if rather than tame performer but with its own unique character." Others praised the easy starting and excellent flexibility. Today few of these delightful little Italian bikes survive and a Gilera will always be welcome at any club event or ride day.