c1966 Gilera 202 Super Motorcycle

Description

Giuseppe Gilera began his career apprenticed to some of the oldest and largest Italian motorcycle manufacturers as a young boy, including Moto RevelItalia, Bianchi and BucherZenda, and developed a reputation for being a fine mechanic and an excellent rider. In 1909, at the tender age of 22, Gilera established his own company in Milan, Moto Gilera, his first machine little more than a bicycle with a belt-driven 317cc ohv engine attached. Success came quickly and the model range expanded to include various capacities, while his goal of competing at the highest level of Grand Prix competition was realised in 1936 with the likes of Piero Taruffi and later Dorini Serafini serious contenders for the Championship. When war intervened, Gilera turned his factory over to military production, first with the road-based LTE and later a more specialised model, the innovative Marte with shaft-drive for both the rear wheel and sidecar unit. The post-war years saw Gilera continue to cement its reputation as one of the premier Italian motorcycle manufacturers, with a range of ohv singles and twins. Gilera also enjoyed unprecedented success on the track in the 1950s, winning no less than 44 World Championships with the likes of Umberto Masetti and Geoff Duke riding for the company, also setting numerous records. To celebrate Gilera's Silver Anniversary in 1959 a number of Giubeleo (Jubilee) models were released, initially in the form of a Normal and Extra. Powered by an overhead-valve single displacing 175cc, the range was expanded to include 98cc, 125cc, 150cc and finally a 202cc version, the latter appearing in 1966. With the same 61mm stroke as the 175, the 202's bore was increased from 60mm to 65mm and a five-speed gearbox was added, but otherwise the Super - as the 202 was dubbed - differed little from its smaller siblings. With a compression ratio of 7:1, power was up noticeably to 11 horsepower while the frame remained the same duplex design with telescopic forks, swingarm rear suspension and full-width alloy brake hubs. Running on 17-inch wheels front and rear, the Gilera 202 could reach a maximum speed of 115 km/h and proved a solid, dependable form of transport. Few of these charismatic little Italian motorcycles survive in Australia and so the example offered here presents a rare opportunity for the enthusiast or collector.