1936ca Gilera racer VTGS Otto Bulloni

In 1935 Gilera presented its “VT” series, in which the VT stood for “Valvole in Testo”, or overhead valves. These ‘VT’ overhead-valve 500cc singles were among the best fast touring bikes that money could buy. They are commonly known as either ‘Quattro Bulloni’ or in GS form as ‘ Otto Bulloni’ (4 bolt or 8 bolt) depending on the engine’s top-end fixing arrangements. Power outputs for the roadster models ranged from 20 to 24bhp, with more available in race tune; indeed, a Gran Sport version won the 1939 Milan-Taranto race. The VT series paved the way for the legendary Saturno, Gilera’s best known model, which arrived in 1940 and would last until 1959.

The rear suspension construction was designed by Guiseppe Gilera in 1934 and it comprised vertical levers compressing horizontal springs enclosed in aluminium 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.

This racing machine has been built up from various components. The running gear is VTGS, the frame apparently belonged to a series that was assigned to a sports version for the Italian army in Africa, from which a number of frames were not used and prepared for racing machines. Forks and petrol tank come from a Saturno San Remo model. The engine basics are Gilera Saturno with Otto Buloni style cylinder and head with Testa Velox kit. This is a proprietary item that fully encloses the valve gear, produced by Luigi Parena’s Gruppo Velox company in Turin, which also made kits to transform British side valve engines like the BSA M20 and Norton 16H into overhead valve.

This interesting, good looking and well-sorted racer comes with 3.00 x 21 front and 3.50 x 20 rear tyre and Marelli magneto.

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