At the age of 12 Bruno Rossati began working eleven hour days.
"Now, approaching 91, I find myself reminiscing about my youth, still riding my motorcycle every day.
Letter re Ladetto
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 and the Chiorda Arlecchino.
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
"SOMASCHINI « ULTRA 48» cc. - Motore monocilindrico a quattro tempi con cilindro in alluminio e camicia riportata in ghisa; valvole in testa verticali comandate da aste e bilanceri; alesaggio e corsa 40 X 38 = 47,75; rapporto di compressione 7:l; potenza CV. 2,4 a 6000 giri; serbatoio dell'olio nel carter e lubri. ficazione forzata mediante pompa di mandata ad ingranaggi; car. buratore Weber con filtro d'aria; accensione a volano magnete; cambio in blocco a tre rapporti con comando a manopola; fri. zione monodisco a secco; trasmissione primaria ad ingranaggi eli. coidali; avviamento a pedaliera; peso del motore kg. 13; consumo litri 1 per 70 chilometri; velocità Kmh. 65."
- Single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with aluminum cylinder and cast iron liner; vertical overhead valves controlled by pushrods and rocker arms; bore and stroke 40 x 38 = 47.75; compression ratio 7:1; power 2.4 HP at 6,000 rpm; oil tank in the crankcase and lubrication. forced by gear-driven delivery pump; Weber carburetor with air filter; flywheel ignition; three-speed gearbox with twist-grip control; single-disc dry clutch; primary transmission with helical gears; kickstarter; engine weight 13 kg; fuel consumption 1 litre per 70 kilometers; speed 65 km/h.
Sources: MC Storico Conti, Cycle Memory, Moto.it, et al.
