Description
This great racer was commissioned by the vendor in 2002 through Gilera luminary Willi Rüfenacht in Uerkheim. The original idea was to recreate Jakob Kellers famous DOHC from 1950. Following Kellers idea, the overhead cams are driven through a gear cascade mounted on the side of the engine and operating the valves via bucket tappets. This exceedingly complex and unique construction was carefully planned and built by Rüfenacht with the aim of achieving a reliable 50 to 60 hp (from 500 cc only!) from the engine. The frame used was a PIUMA racing frame with reinforced rear wheel fork on roller bearings as well as a reinforced front wheel fork employing massive tubes. Front and rear braking is achieved through bespoke copies of the original twin cam brake units from the Fifties Gilera four cylinder racing bikes. After many years of head scratching, calculating, re-calculating, constructing and re-constructing the finished bike was finally handed over to its proud owner. Since then the Gilera has run only about half an hour! This Gilera is now in excellent condition, totally “on the button” and waiting to be let loose on its first historic racing event.
Asking price: CHF 35'000. 00
