Italian Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Somaschini Engines

A Brief History of the Marque

Manufactured: 1952-1957

The Ultra was a micromotore produced by the engineering factory of Giovanni Somaschini of Trescore Balneario, Bologna.

It was a 48cc unit-construction OHV four-stroke with a three-speed gearbox and weighed just 13 kg, produced in several versions from 1.8 to 2.4 h.p.

These engines were fitted to the BM Bonvicini.

Well-known for their gearbox components, which were held in high regard, they ceased production of the Ultra in favour of high quality gears.

The business was established Milan in 1922, moved to Bologna during WWII, and opened a factory in Indiana in 2010. Somaschini became part of the Spanish CIE group in 2019. More information: somaschini.com

Sources: MC Storico Conti, Cycle Memory, Moto.it, et al.