Garelli · 1919–1936
Garelli 350 split-single: history and buying advice
The first Garelli was a two-stroke with two pistons and one combustion chamber.
History
Engineer Adalberto Garelli devised the split-single in 1912: two pistons side by side on one connecting rod, sharing one combustion chamber. In 1914 he rode up the Mont Cenis pass on a prototype. In 1919 he founded Garelli in Sesto San Giovanni near Milan.
The 350 won the first Milan–Naples in 1919, the first Circuito del Lario in 1921 and the first Monza Grand Prix in 1922, against 500 cc machines. In 1923 Achille Varzi won all ten races of the Italian championship, and Garelli set 76 world records at Monza. The last racing version (1926) produced 20 hp and reached 140 km/h. The 350 was built until 1936.
Key data
| Engine | split-single two-stroke, 350 cc |
|---|---|
| Invention | 1912, Adalberto Garelli |
| Records | 76 world records in 1923 |
| Racing version 1926 | 20 hp at 4500 rpm, 140 km/h |
| Years | 1919–1936 |
What to check when buying
- These are museum pieces; ask about origin and originality.
- Have the split-single checked by a specialist.
- Parts almost always have to be remade.
SourcesCybermotorcycle: Garelli 350 (English)Cybermotorcycle: Garelli (English)Wikipedia: Adalberto Garelli (English)