Author: docscenter@museonicolis.com

Garelli Mosquito on Umberto Dei, 1948, Italy The Garelli Mosquito is an auxiliary engine for bicycles made by Garelli from 1946 to 1960. Built in about 2 milions examples was the most common engine of its kind in Europe. This Umberto Dei bicycle is powered by the Mosquito Garelli auxiliary engine, a common thing during the postwar...

Garelli Mosquito on Bianchi, 1949, Italy The Mosquito Garelli Bianchi moped in our collection was the one Mr. Luciano Nicolis used when he started his trade in paper, that’s why it shows two large racks. During the early years of the postwar period it’s clear that people have a strong desire for a cheap way of motorized transportation. Garelli...

Galloni “Sport”, 1928, Italy Galloni is a company established in the 1920s in Borgomanero by the piedmontese Alberto Galloni, meticulous expert and forward-thinking motorcycle manufacturer. The company takes the credit for fulfilling the strong desire of the Italians for an affordable bike, contributing to the development of amateur motorcycling with his 250s and 350s. The company name is linked...

Ducati 888, 1993,  Italy The Ducati 888 production started in 1992 as an evolution of the 851, from which it retains the frame and many components. Even the engine is not properly new since it powered the performance versions of the 851 like the 1990 851 SP2. The name 888 was first used on the...

Ducati Cucciolo, 1953, Italy During WWII years, a designer called Aldo Farinelli developed a prototype of an auxiliary engine for a bicycle: the Cucciolo. Farinelli’s project add many advantages compared to the others, the 4-stroke cycle and the 2-speed gearbox to fully exploit the engine power. The Cucciolo helped SIATA to reopen and produce vehicles already...

 DKW “Luxus”, 1931, Germany In 1930 DKW was the biggest motorcycle company in the world, in 1932 they joined Audi, Wanderer and Horch, creating Auto Union. The main feature of the Luxus was its bright red tank. The engine on this 1931 model is a 2-stroke cooled by a fan and was coupled to a 2-speed gearbox. As soon as DKW was...

Carnielli “Vittoria Scooter”, 1951, Italy  Carnielli from Vittorio Veneto started producing light motrcycles with the Victoria brand powered by Sachs, Jap, Python, Kuchen and NSU engines in the early 30s. From 1950 Carnielli built a 65cc 2-stroke scooter, with a 3-speed gearbox, pressed steel frame, partial fairing, with a top speed of 68 kph. Carnielli later mader...

Bmw R12 con mitragliatrice e sidecar, 1940s, Germany German bike used during WWII, based on a 1940s BMW R12. The bike has a MG42 machine gun mounted in front of the sidecar and was used by the Oberkommander of the 9th Panzer Division.

BMW “R26 with sidecar”, 1959, Germany The R26 model was launched in 1956 and represents the evolution of the R24 and R25, the first medium-displacement motorcycles BMW made after World War II. The essence was the same: a “squared” single-cylinder engine and shaft drive, that now produces more power thanks to a higher compression ratio...

BMW “R61”, 1938, Germany To replace the R6, the first 600cc BMW motorcycle, the Bavarian company launched the new R61 at the 1938 Berlin Motor Show. The company actually unveiled a whole new family of motorcycles: together with the R61, there was the smaller R51, the sportier R66 and the bigger R71. These motorcycles are...

Bimota “KB1”, 1978, Italy Unveiled in Milan in 1978 and designed by Massimo Tamburini, the KB1 was built in 827 examples all sold as a kit. Just 16 KB1 were sold already assembled. The frame is designed to make the operations on the engine simple. Except for a few bikes, the Bimota models name always followed a simple name with two...

Bimota “RB1 Furya”, 1980, Italy Bimota is an Italian company founded in 1966. The name is the acronym of the first two letters of the members’ last names: BIanchi, MOrri and TAmburini. Initially operating in the field of air conditioning and heating systems, the company started producing motorbikes in 1975, offering them both as a kit...

Bianchi “Aquilotto”, 1953, Italy During the fascist regime the factory founded by Edoardo Bianchi reached its peak and the company is called to account many orders from the government. The factories had been heavily bombed though (like Ducati’s) and starting over is difficult. The Brand is still associated to quality and reliable products and the new products...

Bianchi “Bianchina”, 1950, Italy  The Italian economic boom after WWII was characterized by the search for cheap vehicles with low fuel consumption; therefore in the mid-40s the market for small displacement motorbikes began to grow, especially under 125cm3. The Bianchina was designed by Marco Baldi in 1945 and the production started in 1946 with many...

 Benelli “Leoncino 125 Sport GT”, 1956, Italy The Benelli workshop was born in 1911 thanks to Teresa Benelli, who wanted to guarantee a future for her 6 fatherless kids. In 1919 a 75cc 2-stroke engine was produced, the prelude to the first Benelli motorcycle in 1921: the Velomotore, a 98cc light motorcycle. From this moment on the production...

Benelli “Tornado 650 S”, 1972, Italy The 60s and 70s marked a golden era for the motorbike world: the race to higher displacement and power figures is on and Italy participates to the challenge. In this context, Benelli unveiled its new 650cc twin-cylinder bike in 1968: the Tornado. The newborn of the brand from Pesaro...

 B.S.A. Cycles, 1910s, England The Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) is a British company that produces vehicles, guns and military equipment, still producing compressed-air rifles. During the peak years, BSA was the largest motorcycle producer in the world. Born in 1861, during WWI BSA became the main supplier for the Brithish army and at the end...

Ariel “Square Four” with sidecar, 1932, England Ariel is one of England’s oldest companies, one of its founders was J. Starley to whom we owe the majority of innovative inventions on bicycles back then (for instance, tangent-spoked wheels with Hillman). The Ariel name comes from the spirit who appears in William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest...

Alcyon, “Alcyonette”, 1925, France Alcyon was a French bicycle, automobile and motorcycle manufacturer between 1902 and 1954. Born as a bicycle company in 1890, in 1902 Alcyon started producing motorcycles. The first models were powered by V-twin engines and inline-2s, later in 1912 even single-cylinder racing engines. In the years that followed Alcyon became famous...

Alcyon “2 1/2 cv”, 1927, France Alcyon was a French bicycle, automobile and motorcycle manufacturer between 1902 and 1954. Born as a bicycle company in 1890, in 1902 Alcyon started producing motorcycles. The first models were powered by V-twin engines and inline-2s, later in 1912 even single-cylinder racing engines. In the years that followed Alcyon...

Alcyon “BMA”, anni 20, France Alcyon was a French bicycle, automobile and motorcycle manufacturer between 1902 and 1954. Born as a bicycle company in 1890, in 1902 Alcyon started producing motorcycles. The first models were powered by V-twin engines and inline-2s, later in 1912 even single-cylinder racing engines. In the years that followed Alcyon became...

Bianchi, 250 Sport, 1935, Italy In 1934 Bianchi decided to make a 250cc motorcycle and did so with two models that kept the “Freccia d’Oro” name (previously used on the 175cc and the 220cc models) for marketing reasons, followed by 250 T for Turismo or 250 S for Sport. The chassis is not much different from the 220cc...

Galloni “SS”, 1921, Italy Alberto Galloni started making motorcycles with the P.G. brand in 1914, but soon the production stopped because of WWI. It restarted after the war and the bikes were branded M.G. -Moto Galloni-, widening the range in a short time. In 1932 the company went into liquidation. TECHNICAL DATA: Magneto ignition Amac...

Bianchi “Freccia Azzurra”, 1934, Italy Bianchi started as a simple repairshop and developed in different industry sectors: from bicycles to motorcycles, from cars to commercial vehicles leaving an indelible mark in every sector. 500cc Bianchis, made in different versions, went down in history as Bianchi Freccia Azzurra. Unveiled at Milan “Ciclo e del Motociclo” show in January 1933 this bike...