Rumi · 1954–1962
Rumi Formichino: history and buying advice
A scooter with a cast-aluminium body in which the engine is load-bearing.
History
The Formichino (little ant) appeared in 1954. The body consisted of three pieces of cast aluminium, and the engine was a load-bearing part of the whole. The bare aluminium engine sat visibly between the rider’s feet.
The engine was an air-cooled 125 cc two-stroke twin of 6.5 hp with four gears. It weighed 100 kilos and reached 75 km/h. Sources differ on the production years: the Lane Motor Museum gives 1954 as the start, Cybermotorcycle 1956. In 1958 the Tipo Sport got a bigger carburettor, bigger exhausts and higher compression, and 10 inch wheels instead of 8 inch.
Key data
| Engine | 2 cylinders, two-stroke, 125 cc, 6.5 hp |
|---|---|
| Gears | 4 |
| Body | cast aluminium, engine load-bearing |
| Weight | 100 kg |
| Top speed | c. 75 km/h |
| Years | approx. 1954–1962 |
What to check when buying
- Check the cast aluminium for cracks; repair is difficult.
- Fill with premix according to the instruction book.
- Check whether it is a Tipo Sport (10 inch wheels).
- Parts are rare; ask a club.
SourcesLane Motor Museum: Rumi Formichino (English)Wikipedia: Moto Rumi (English)Cybermotorcycle: Rumi models (English)