Gilera 1948 Saturno Sport 499 cc 1 cyl ohv 3601

Gilera 1948 Saturno Sport 499 cc ohv single frame & engine # 269784

The Gilera Saturno was shown for the first time at the Milan show in 1938, the single unit engine designed by Guiseppe Salmaggi being a departure from the norm of the day; besides having clean lines most components were easily removable without taking the engine out of the frame. The main production ran from 1946 till 1958. In that period only about 6000 Saturnos were produced. Through the years of production four types were available: “Tourism”, “Sport”, “Competition” and “Race”.
The Saturno was equipped with a girder fork in conjunction with an unusual rear suspension. This was designed by Guiseppe Gilera in 1934 and it comprised vertical levers compressing horizontal springs enclosed in tubes integrated in the frame. The back of these tubes had another set of springs for rebound damping. A set of adjustable friction dampers was connected between the rear fork end and the back of the tubes containing the springs. This was quite a sophisticated design since most of the motorcycles of the time had no rear suspension whatsoever. The Saturno remained virtually unchanged until 1951, when the front forks became telescopic. In 1952 a new rear suspension system with a more modern swingarm and two telescopic dampers was introduced. There were few differences between the Tourism and Sport types: The Tourism was fitted with a cast iron cylinder head while the Sport had an aluminium head. Engine performance was also different, the Sport developed 22 hp @ 5,000 rpm, the Tourism 18 @ 4,500. Other differences were that The Tourism had a rear carrier and the Sport chromed tank panels. This technologically advanced and good-looking Saturno Sport has been restored and is all ready for the road. Her top speed is around 135 km/h and her dry weight is 170 kg.