1956 GILERA 250 “GIRO D’ITALIA”

1956 GILERA 250 “GIRO D’ITALIA”

Frame no.: *15917276*
Engine no.: **25*290**

Engine: Single cylinder 4-stroke OHV
Starter: Kick-starter
Valve: OHV (Overhead Valves)
Valves per cylinder: 2
Carburettor: Dell O’rto
Cooling system: Air cooled
Lubrication: Wet sump forced circulation with mechanical gear pump
Transmission: Gear primary, chain final
Clutch: Cable operated with multiple dry disc 
Gearbox: 4-Speed, foot-change
Throttle: Cable operated
Frame type: Open cradle tubular and pressed steel
Front Suspension: Telescopic fork and shock absorbers
Rear Suspension: Swingarm with hydraulic shock absorbers
Front Brake: Drum
Rear Brake: Drum
Seat: Duck tail race seat

The machine presented here a very rare 1956 Gilera 250cc from the an Italian Motor Museum, with aluminum cylinder was specially built for the Giro D’Italia Milano, by engineering students from the University of Milan. Only 5 or 6 of these machines built by these students exist worldwide. It comes with his official lead seal of the “Giro d’Italia” and his official racing number “52”. This Gilera 250cc Street Racer is in generally excellent condition and after the usual safety checks ready for setting forth on the street again and joining the next year “Giro d’Italia”.

The motorcycle manufacturer was founded in 1909 by Giuseppe Gilera in Arcore. In 1935, Gilera acquired rights to the Rondine four-cylinder engine. It was the world's most powerful engine with 45 kW (60 hp) at that time. The first across-the-frame 4-cylinder motorcycle was the racer 1939 Gilera 500 Rondine. It had double-over-head camshafts, forced-inducting supercharger and was water-cooled, producing 60 kW (80 hp) at 9000 and had a top speed of 140 mph (230 km/h). This formed the basis for Gilera racing machines for nearly forty years. From the mid-thirties, Gilera developed a range of 4-stroke engine machines. The engines ranged from 100 to 500 cc.

After withdrawing from competition in 1957, Gilera changed direction abruptly. They downplayed their hitherto successful line of 4-stroke singles and began to focus on motocross and off-road events in association with independent specialist Elmeca. Sales declined through the 1960s and by 1968, the company was in receivership. The company was purchased by Piaggio in 1969.