1950 Gilera 499cc Saturno Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. 269126
Engine no. 2612250

The best known and most successful large-capacity Gilera roadster of the post-WW2 period was the 500cc Saturno. First seen in 1940 in competition guise, the Saturno - an overhead-valve, four-stroke single - did not enter production until 1946 when it appeared with the horizontally-sprung, friction-damped, swinging-arm rear suspension first seen on the pre-war blown 'four' racer. Major changes to the Turismo and Sport roadsters were mainly confined to the cycle parts, which were updated with a telescopic front fork and full-width alloy front brake for 1951, and conventional coil-spring dampers at the rear soon after. This competizione Saturno was raced by a competitor named Zerbinato; apart from that, nothing is known of its history. No documents.

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.