Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
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RUMI
125 Sport· 1953
The birth of a style
Every modern sporting bike owes a debt to the Rumi 125 - this little sporting twin, with
its lively temperament, was among the most potent machines of its day and the inspiration of a whole generation of "made in Japan" sports bikes.
Hard Times
It was a child of its times: Postwar Italian industry - particularly in the aviation and military sectors - was getting back on its feet and attempting to provide transportation to a people impoverished by five years of war. That limited purchasing power naturally
made the industrialists concentrate on engined two-wheelers; companies such as Aermacchi, Piaggio and Rumi brought new thinking to bear on two-wheeler design, unhampered by outdated machinery and worn-out ideas.
Unusual Power Unit
Rumi of Bergamo had its roots in foundry work for the navy and the fabric trade. It entered the motorcycle business in 1949, using a very unusual power unit - a 125cc
twin two-stroke horizontal, which powered not only the famous ScoiattoJo and Formichino scooters but also Rumi's first production machine, a 125cc motorcycle. The 125 quickly became available in "sport" and "supersport" models, which were developed into the Rumi "Junior Gentleman" and "Junior Corsa" in the mid-Fifties. Soon after, Rumi returned to the arms trade and abandoned two-wheeler production.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 125cc ( 42x45mm) flat -twin two-stroke
Power Rating: 7. 2 hp
Valves: two-stroke
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed
Suspension: (front) telescopic forks; (rear) plunger
Brakes: 5.5in drums
Weight: 214 lb
Wheels: 2.75x21in wire
Maximum Speed: 60 mph
This photo shows the standard Rumi "Sport"of 1953; the twin-carburetor "Supersport" developed 9 hp and could reach 75 to 80 mph, a performance equivalent to that of 205cc and 350cc bikes of the period.