The Gilera 124 5V Regolarità Casa was a lightweight four-stroke built at Arcore from 1966 to 1975 for the new Italian enduro scene, then still called regolarità. It was designed for private riders who wanted one machine for the daily commute and for competition, and it became the first racing bike of many future enduro and motocross champions.
Gilera 124 at a glance
| Maker | Gilera, Arcore (Milan) |
|---|---|
| Production | 1966–1975 |
| Type | on/off-road four-stroke single, “Regolarità” |
| Gearbox | five speeds |
| Suspension | Ceriani front and rear |
| Detail | air filter under the seat; tool compartment in the tank |
| Climbing ability | gradients of up to 45% |
| Added in 1968 | 124 5V RC and 175 5V RC |
| RC production | until 1973 |
| Frame prefix | 108 (pre-series 101; a few examples 104) |
| Famous owner | Steve McQueen |
based on one source (Italian Wikipedia).
History of the Gilera 124
The context (1965)
Gilera had scored a success with the “Giubileo Regolarità”, and in 1965 it decided to build a machine for the many private riders who were discovering off-road riding, and in particular regolarità, the discipline now called enduro. The market for trail bikes was growing quickly and was full of young beginners.
The bike
Unlike the company’s contemporary touring trail models, the 124 5V Regolarità Casa was properly equipped: a new engine with a five-speed gearbox, specialist Ceriani suspension front and rear, an air filter placed under the seat and a fuel tank with a built-in tool compartment. Its power was modest, but good torque and a low overall weight let it climb gradients of 45% and made it very easy to handle.
Low purchase and running costs, a robust engine and very low fuel consumption made it usable every day on the road and then, without any modification, in competition. That combination was an immediate commercial success, helped by the rapid growth of off-road sport, and many future motocross and enduro champions began their careers on this bike.
RC versions and the end
In 1968 Gilera added the “124 5V RC” (Regolarità Competizione), more to widen the range than to develop the machine for sport: it had one extra horsepower and could be ordered in red as well as the single grey of the Regolarità Casa, and it was also available with the 175 cm³ engine so that riders could enter the corresponding capacity class.
At the beginning of the 1970s the arrival of two-strokes, which produced far more power for the same capacity, ended the model’s career. The RC versions left production in 1973 and the Regolarità Casa was dropped from the list in 1975.
Collecting
The 124 5V Regolarità Casa was the last of the four competition four-strokes Gilera built before the company passed to Piaggio, and it is sought after by collectors of classic motorcycles. Because it was widely sold and very sturdy, many examples escaped the scrapyard, which has kept prices reasonable and forgers away. To check originality, the frame number stamped on the top tube under the seat should begin with the prefix 108 followed by a serial number; pre-series machines carry 101, the same as the Giubileo Regolarità, and a very few examples have 104 without any effect on value. The engine number, stamped on the crankcase, must match the frame.
Design and features
- Five-speed gearbox: the technical highlight of the model, in a class where three or four speeds were normal.
- Ceriani suspension: specialist off-road components front and rear.
- Practical details: the air filter sits under the seat and the tank carries a tool compartment.
- Dual purpose: cheap enough to use every day and ready for competition without modification.
- 45% climbing ability: the result of good torque and low weight rather than high power.
Gilera 124 versions
- 124 5V Regolarità Casa (1966–1975): the standard grey model.
- 124 5V RC (1968–1973): one horsepower more, also available in red.
- 175 5V RC: the same RC package with the 175 cm³ engine for the larger class.
Other small Gilera off-road machines of the period are described in the articles on the 50 5V Trial and the 125-150-175 series. More history is in the Gilera collection.
Video: Gilera 124
Video by GarageCharly on YouTube.
Sources
- Gilera 124 5V Regolarità Casa, Italian Wikipedia: production years, equipment, RC versions, frame numbers, Steve McQueen
