Gilera Nettuno 250

Gilera · 1946–1954

Gilera Nettuno 250: history and buying advice

The little brother of the Saturno.

Nederlandse versie

History

After the war Gilera brought out a smaller version alongside the Saturno: the Nettuno 250, in effect a scaled-down Saturno with overhead valves and pushrods. It competed with the Moto Guzzi Airone, but sold far fewer: about 3,700 were built, against more than 27,000 Airones.

There was a Turismo and a Sport; the Sport had a light-alloy cylinder head and got more power from 1950. There was also a rare competition version. Later examples had a telescopic fork and a swinging arm with hydraulic dampers at the rear.

Key data

EngineSingle-cylinder four-stroke, pushrod overhead valves
Bore × stroke68 × 68 mm, 247 cc
PowerSport: approx. 14 hp at 6000 rpm
Gearsfour
Top speedTurismo approx. 100 km/h, Sport approx. 125 km/h
Productionapprox. 3,700 made

What to check when buying

  • Turismo or Sport? The Sport has a light-alloy head. Check that the head matches the version on the papers.
  • Few were built; parts are scarce. Choose a complete example.
  • Many parts look like those of the Saturno, but are not always the same. Check before you buy anything.
  • Check the front fork and rear suspension; early and late versions differ.
  • Compare the frame and engine numbers with the papers.
To the workshop guide

SourcesMoto-collection: Gilera Nettuno (French)Car & Classic: Gilera 250 Nettuno Sport 1954Wikipedia: Gilera (English)

More Gilera

← Back to all motorcycles and guides