Garelli
| Garelli | |
|---|---|
| legal form | Spa |
| founding | 1919 |
| Seat | Milan , Italy |
| Website | www.garelli.it |
Garelli was an Italian manufacturer of bicycles , mopeds , mopeds , motorcycles and scooters .
The Garelli company was founded in 1919 by Adalberto Garelli.
history
In 1913 the Italian engineer and motorcycle racer Alberto Garelli constructed his own two-stroke engine , using two pistons for gas control ( double piston principle ). With his first self-built motorcycle and a 350 cm³ engine, he conquered the 1925 meter high, snow-covered pass of Mont Cenis near Moncenisio in freezing cold on January 10, 1914 , a company that was considered impossible at the time . In the autumn of 1919 Ettore Girardi won the first north-south long-distance journey from Milan to Naples. He covered the 865 km with an average of 38.29 km / h. Of the 29 drivers who started, only five reach the finish. In the years that followed, Garelli's racing machines were hard to beat. In 1923 the company was able to set eight world records for itself. Then there were a total of 222 long-distance records (some of which are still valid today) and numerous GP victories by 1926. Many famous Italian racing drivers such as Ernesto Gnesa , Tazio Nuvolari and Achille Varzi began their racing careers at Garelli. In 1928 Garelli gave up large-scale motorcycle manufacturing and continued to supply the military with motorcycles until 1935. Until the appearance of the DKW motorcycles, Garelli racing machines were considered to be the fastest two-stroke engines ever.
After the Second World War , Garelli mainly produced slot-controlled engines from 34 to 125 cc and had the greatest success in Italy with the construction of the Mosquito engine and the Capri scooter . In the early 1980s Garelli dominated the 50, 125 cm³ category and was six times world champion in motorcycle road racing between 1982 and 1987.
Garelli in Germany
Garelli became known in Germany especially from the 1960s, when the company penetrated the German two-wheeler market through sales with Neckermann Versand and Karstadt , which at that time was firmly in the hands of established German manufacturers such as Hercules , Kreidler and Zündapp . Probably the most famous Garelli two-wheelers in Germany were the Bonanza , Monza and Rekord types . The bonanza was about the size of a Honda Dax ; they existed as a moped , scooter and moped . Due to their compact design, the Bonanzas were very popular with campers and mobile home owners , as the handlebars could be folded down in a few simple steps to save space for transport in or on the car. The Monza and Rekord mopeds were particularly popular with young people, as they were also affordable thanks to their significantly lower selling price.
In 1978 Garelli then put the German moped manufacturers in distress when the moped Rekord-Nürburg with 7 hp appeared in Neckermann's catalogs . The German manufacturers had agreed to limit the engine power of small motorcycles to 6.25 hp.
From 1980 the two light motorcycles Enduro 80 5V and Sport 80 5V appeared , which Neckermann sold at a price of only 2998 and 3250 DM . (At that time, a German light motorcycle cost well over DM 4000.)
Due to the low sales price and the distribution by Neckermann , the Garellis were always labeled as “cheap goods that are not good”, which, however, did not correspond to the facts. In 1973 the price for the 6.3 hp Monza RS moped was 1,475 DM (adjusted for inflation in today's currency, this corresponds to 2,240 euros). Comparable Zündapp / Kreidler models were around 300–400 DM more expensive; In 1974 the RS electronic model (with tachometer) cost 1749 DM (corresponds to 2,480 euros today)
In 1984 the Kreidler company in Kornwestheim was taken over . The Garelli mopeds Flory , Flirt and Flott with the Kreidler logo were installed there until 1986 . A little later the work was given up. After that, Garelli initially disappeared from the German market.
Garelli in Italy
The first contact with Agrati was made around 1955 . Agrati was a manufacturer of electric motors and bicycle accessories. Garelli initially had frame parts for motorcycles manufactured and later the assembly of some models. In return, Garelli supplied Agrati with engines for their scooters.
The Motoleggera 125 and KL 125 motorcycles were created during this time. However, these were machines with four-stroke engines . From the KL 125 the first light motorcycles Rekord and Rekord Cross with 98 cm³ were developed for the German market. These vehicles had a two-stroke engine and were sold through a dealer in Cologne .
Thanks to the good business relationships between Garelli and Agrati, the two companies merged around 1960. The two-wheelers were now manufactured under the name Agrati-Garelli , with the name Agrati always remaining in the background. Initially, only the M1 , M2 and M3 mopeds were produced. The mopeds were equipped with single-speed gearboxes with centrifugal clutch or two- or three-speed gearboxes with manual transmission. This was followed by the Garellino , a vehicle with an automatic transmission. At the end of the sixties things got sportier at Agrati-Garelli. The Mokick Junior 50 was developed in a touring and sports version with a three-speed transmission. Some time later it became the Monza with footshift and four-speed gearbox. The junior cross and tiger off-road machines were created at the same time . In contrast to the German and English versions, the vehicles were only available as a sports mokick. The KL 100 motorcycle was developed for the English market in 1971 . Except for the engine, the KL 100 was identical to the German Garelli Rekord from 1973 and had 98 cm³.
In 1972 the two models Eureka and Eureka Flex were launched, of which there was a moped and a moped version. They were modernized again in 1977. The Eureka was the forerunner of the more modern NOI , which went on sale in late 1979. In 1976 the Mokick Ciclone appeared with a five-speed gearbox for the Italian market. In the early eighties the complete range of mopeds was renewed and in 1982 the 125 TSR with water cooling , five-speed gearbox and electronic ignition was presented. It was the starting point for a stronger commitment to light motorcycles. The GTA 125 was also created . In the moped area, the Basic , Formuna , Gary , Sahel , Team , Urka and VIP models appeared . The new vehicle types were built until around 1991.
Garelli in other countries
The company also sold its vehicles in other European countries. So you could buy mopeds and mopeds in England and Austria . Scooters and mopeds were even used in Finland and the Balkans . Outside Europe , the two-wheelers were sold in Africa , Asia, South America and Oceania . Only in North America was Garelli unable to open up a significant market.
Garelli today
Although Garelli disappeared from the German market and the company also became quieter in Italy, bicycles and scooters were mainly manufactured until a few years ago. The following scooter models were involved:
- GARELLI Big Wheel
- GARELLI pony
- GARELLI SR 50
In March 2006, Paolo Berlusconi, Silvio Berlusconi's brother, secured the name rights for the brand. The first new product is the new 50cc scooter Mosquito , named after Garelli's greatest sales success. This was followed by the Capri , Ciclone and Vip scooter models , which are now built in China and then sold through the old Garelli factory in Italy.
Racing
The racing successes before the Second World War
From 1919 to 1926 Garelli was successfully involved in motorcycle racing. Garelli was particularly successful in the 350 cm³ class. Sometimes 350 cc machines were also driven in the 500 cc class, in which they kept up quite well. During this time the company was able to achieve 40 first places. There were also 16 second and six third places, as well as various places in the front third that are not included in the following list:
- Drivers and races with victories from 1919 to 1926
Ettore Girardi (2)
Ernesto Gnesa (9)
- Race: Torino - Salò in the 350 cm³ class 1920
- Race: Giro del Colle in the 350 cm³ class 1920
- Race: GP d Italia in the 350 cm³ class in 1921
- Race: Circuito del Pino in the 350 cm³ class 1922
- Race: Circuito del Lario in the 350 cm³ class 1922
- Race: Luino - Agra in the 350 cm³ class in 1922
- Race: Varese - Campo die Fiori in the 350 cm³ class 1922
- Race: GP di Totino in the 350 cm³ class in 1922
- Race: Circuito del Cremona in the 350/500 cm³ class in 1922
- Race: Trofeo del Lario e Valassina in the 350 cm³ class in 1921
- Race: Umbria - Tuscany in the 350 cm³ class 1921
- Race: Raid North-South in the 350 cc class in 1921
- Race: Manifestazione del moto club lombardo in the 350 cm³ class 1922
Paolo Bianco (2)
- Race: Sassi - Superga in the 350 cm³ class in 1922
- Race: Circuito del Monferrato in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
Erminio Visioli (3)
- Race: Circuito Valle Ticino in the 350 cm³ class 1922
- Race: Raid North-South in the 350 cm³ class in 1922
- Race: 3ème Grand Prix de l'UMF in the 350 cm³ class in 1922
Eros Cioci (1)
- Race: Circuito di Rapallo in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
Giorgio Stampa (1)
- Race: Circuito del Tevere in the 350 cc class in 1923
Achille Varzi (8)
- Race: Circuito di Perugia in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
- Race: Parma- Poggio di Busseto in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
- Race: Circuito di Brusino Arsizio in the 350 cm³ class 1923
- Race: Circuito di Pandova in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
- Race: Circuito del Lario in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
- Race: Circuito del Piava in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
- Race: Circuito del Sestriere in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
- Race: Campionato Italiano in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
Tazio Nuvolari (1)
- Race: Cicuito di Parma in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
Enrico Manetti (1)
- Race: Circuito di Tortona in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
Isacco Mariani (6)
- Race: Giro d'Italia in the 350 cc class in 1923
- Race: Raid North-South in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
- Race: Gran Premio Internacional de Motocicletas del Real Moto Club de Cataluña in the 350 cm³ class 1923
- Race: GP di Germania in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
- Race: Circuito di Monte Peloritani in the 350 cm³ class in 1924
- Race: III Giro d'Italia in the 350 cm³ class in 1924
- Race: Gran Premio Internacional de Motocicletas del Real Moto Club de Cataluña in the 350 cm³ class 1924
Karl Kodric (1)
- Race: Austrian TT in the 350 cm³ class in 1923
Enrico Caretti (1)
- Race: Circuito Del Polesine in the 350 cm³ class 1924
Aldo Fiorina (2)
- Race: Circuito di Novara in the 350 cm³ class in 1925
- Race: Circuito di Novara in the 350 cm³ class in 1926
Oddities
At the Junior TT 1926 on the Isle of Man , Garelli appeared with the most powerful motorcycle of the time. The racing machine had four carburettors and developed around 15 kW (20 hp) at 4500 rpm. There were two carburettors on each side, coupled in such a way that normally only two were in operation, while the other two carburettors did not work until the driver turned the throttle grip above a certain point. It was noteworthy that the machine also had two exhaust ducts. The experts on site kept talking about the huge noise that the two-stroke made and about Erminio Visioli, who kept falling off the curve during training. In the end, however, he retired from the main race due to a break in the throttle linkage.
World records until 1926
On September 7, 1922, Erminio Visioli and Aristide Fergnani set eight new world records at the Grand Prix of Nations in Monza. This was the first time that two-stroke motorcycles set a world record. In 1923, another 76 world records were set in Monza for solo machines and motorcycles with sidecars . The times that were achieved were so outstanding that they also applied to the 500 to 1000 cm³ classes.
May 1926 saw one of the greatest highlights in motorcycle racing history. With just one attempt it was possible to set 138 new world records. Three machines with seven factory drivers respectively conquered 4, 65 and 25 records in all classes up to 1000 cm³ on the long distances with average speeds of up to 132 km / h. The heaviest of the three motorcycles then received a sidecar and set another 44 records for the classes up to 300 and 500 cm³. The record team consisted of the drivers Mario Sassi, Erminio Visioli , Amilcare Moretti , Ottorino Dall'Orlio, Aristide Galli, Eduardo Self and Mario Acerboni .
Technical specifications
Very little is known of the technical data of the racing machines. The following information comes from various German, French and Italian books and exercise books.
| 1919 | 1923 | 1926 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical specifications | (as far as known) | ||
| construction time | 1919-1926 | ||
| engine | Double piston two-stroke engine | ||
| drilling | 2 × 50 mm | 2 × 55 mm | 2 × 52 mm |
| Hub | 89 mm | 73 mm | 82 mm |
| Displacement | 2 x 175 cm³ | ||
| power | 5 hp | 14 hp | 20-22 hp |
| Carburetor | 1 | 2 | 2 (4) |
| drive | 2 or 3-speed gearbox, chain | ||
| V max | 80 km / h | 120 km / h | 140 km / h |
| Empty weight | approx. 95/110 kg | ||
| total weight | |||
From 1927 Garelli withdrew from motorcycling for the first time, only to return to motorcycling with great success from 1963.
The racing successes after the Second World War
After the Second World War , the construction of scooters and mopeds began again. Like other companies, the interest in motorcycle racing began again. On November 3rd, 1963, eight new world records were set on the Monza racetrack with two streamlined 50 cm³ machines, some of which also applied to the 75, 100 and 125 cm³ classes. Including the 24-hour world record with an average speed of 108.834 km / h. This 24-hour world record has not yet been broken.
After a long absence, Garelli returned to racing in the 1980s and successfully competed in the motorcycle world championship , where Garelli was able to win five drivers and five constructors ' titles as well as 51 Grand Prix victories in the classes up to 50 and 125 cm³.
Motorcycle World Championship
- Drivers and races with victories from 1982 to 1989
- 1982 - World Champion class up to 125 cm³ (6 victories)
- 1983 - World Champion class up to 125 cm³ (6 victories)
- 1984 - World Champion class up to 125 cm³ (6 victories)
- 1984 - World Cup third class up to 125 cm³ (1 victory)
- 1985 - World Champion class up to 125 cm³ (3 victories)
- 1986 - Vice World Champion class up to 125 cm³ (4 victories)
- 1987 - World Champion class up to 125 cm³ (10 victories)
- 1982 - Vice World Champion class up to 125 cm³ (2 victories) and Vice World Champion class up to 50 cm³ (3 victories)
- 1983 - World Cup third class up to 125 cm³ (1 victory) and Vice World Champion class up to 50 cm³ (3 victories)
- 1984 - Vice world champion class up to 125 cm³
- 1986 - World Champion class up to 125 cm³ (4 victories) and Italian 125 cm³ champion
- 1985 - World Cup fourth class up to 125 cm³ (1 victory) and Italian 125 cm³ champion
Italian motorcycle championship
- 1985 Ezio Gianola (125 cm³)
- 1986 Luca Cadalora (125 cm³)
- 1987 Maurizio Vitali (250 cm³)
- 1988 Emilio Cuppini (125 cm³)
European motorcycle championship
- 1988 Emilio Cuppini (125 cm³) (7 victories) and Italian 125 cm³ champion
Constructors world championship
- 1982 - class up to 125 cm³
- 1983 - class up to 50 cm³
- 1984 - class up to 125 cm³
- 1986 - class up to 125 cm³
- 1987 - class up to 125 cm³
water sports
In the early 1960s, Garelli built an outboard engine with a 90 cc single cylinder two-stroke engine. The special feature of this engine was the drive, which was not like most outboards with a propeller , but as a water jet drive . For this purpose, water was sucked in at the front of the underwater part, compressed by a three-bladed rotor and ejected to the rear. To drive backwards, the motor could be rotated 180 ° in the suspension.
References
See also
Literature and Sources
- Issue: Garelli - 50 Anni di Motori - 1913 - 1963 (1965)
- Daniele Agrati, Roberto Patrignani: Agrati Garelli - 80 anni di storia (1999) ISBN 88-7911-203-1
- Erwin Tragatsch : The fast two-strokes from Garelli
- Helmut Krackowizer : Garelli, pioneer of the double piston two-stroke engine
- Oldtimer Market : - Peter Mergelkuhl: Garelli Record Super: Alone against the Kreidler Mafia (March 2011 edition, pages 202–207)
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ This figure was based on the template: Inflation determined, has been rounded to a full 10 euros and relates to last January.
- ↑ PS - The new motorcycle newspaper issue 1/1974, PS-Verlag-GmbH, Aldingen
- ↑ Information very different last model from 1926/27 had 22 hp.
- ↑ Custom-made by Zenith - two more carburettors were switched on if necessary.
- ^ Presentation in the magazine Illustrierter Motorsport (Berlin), Issue 9/1961, p. 206