Description
Garelli 1932 “Tipo 331” 350 cc split single two stroke frame # 3611 engine # 5729
Adalberto Garelli was born at Turin in 1886.
In 1908 he qualified as an engineer and got a commission at the Fiat factory to design a practical two stroke engine.
However, the company, was not very enthusiastic about the concept and in 1911 Garelli left to further develop his idea of a two-stroke split-single for more efficient scavenging, consisting of two parallel cylinders cast in a single block.
Both pistons with 175c displacement each were connected by a long gudgeon pin to a single conrod.
The engine had a total capacity of 350cc. Garelli worked for other motorcycle manufacturers from 1914 to 1918 during which time he won a competition organized by the Italian Army to design a motorcycle for which he used his 350cc split-single engine.
In 1919 Garelli started his own company and constructed a 350cc motorcycle which set a long distance record from Milan to Naples.
Many famous Italian racers such as Ernesto Gnesa, Tazio Nuvolari and Achille Varzi began their racing careers on Garelli bikes.
The Garelli 350cc split-single stayed in production until the mid thirties and made a major impact in racing.
The company also produced motorcycles for the Italian military.
By 1928 Garelli started focussing on the production of military equipment and by 1935 motorcycle production stopped altogether.
Note the interesting design details such as the covered round magneto in front of the cylinder and the ingenious gear shifting system.
The lighting system is Miller.
This rare machine has been restored some time ago and is in excellent shape.