Editing Gilera (section)

==History==
Giuseppe Gilera founded his self-named motorcycle company in 1909 (aged 22) near [[Milan]], [[Italy]]. His first model used a 317cc single-cylinder [[overhead-valve]] engine (67x90mm bore/stroke) with a single-speed belt drive in a simple open frame with the engine as a [[Motorcycle frame|stressed member]] of the frame, and no suspension. It produced 7&nbsp;hp, weighed 75&nbsp;kg, and had a top speed of 105&nbsp;km/h (65&nbsp;mph).<ref>Gilera: the Complete Story. Mick Walker, 2000. Crowood Press</ref>

Gilera subsequently produced a series of V-twins and single-cylinder models with [[Flathead engine|sidevalve]], [[IOE engine|F-head]], and overhead-valve configurations. After WW1, the factory was moved to [[Arcore]], between Milan and [[Lecco]], very near the [[Monza Circuit|Monza]] racing circuit.  Racing was always a focus for the brand, with Giusseppe's brother Luigi a successful [[International Six Days Enduro|ISDT]] participant in the early 1930s. 
<ref>Gilera: the Complete Story: pages 10-12. Mick Walker, 2000. Crowood Press.</ref>
After withdrawing from competition in 1957, Gilera changed direction abruptly. They downplayed their hitherto successful line of four-stroke singles and began to focus on motocross and off-road events in association with independent specialist Elmeca. Sales declined through the 1960s and by 1968 the company was in receivership.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cormier |first1=Jason |title=Gilera CX125 |url=https://www.odd-bike.com/2013/06/gilera-cx125-beginning-future.html |website=www.odd-bike.com |access-date=26 August 2019}}</ref>

In 1969, Gilera became part of the Piaggio group. In 1992, Gilera made a return to the Grand Prix arena and Piaggio continues to produce small-displacement motorcycles with the Gilera name. The famous factory of [[Arcore]] was closed in 1993 and now the motorcycles (only scooters) bearing the name Gilera are produced by Piaggio in Pontedera.