Established by Paride Bernardi and Corrado Negrini, the firm produced motorcycles from 1954 to 1961.
Bernardi built the frames, fuel tanks, mudguards and other bodywork; Negroni built the engines.
Designed by Alfonso Drusiani the first model, the Iridea, was displayed at the Milan Show in 1955. The engine is a an OHC vertical twin of 160cc with chain-driven cam, and has alloy heads on a cast iron barrel.
The Fario was introduced in 1957 and was very similar to its predecesssor but has a 175cc engine and came in two versions, the Gran Turismo and Normale. By 1959 a 175 Sport had been added to the range.
A Berneg took 16th place in the 175 class in the 1957 Motogiro, ridden by Rubatto.
The Italian motorcycle market suffered a deep recession towards the end of the 50s due to the influx of cheap motor cars, and apparently the Berneg was prone to mechanical problems (see below). These factors led to a sharp decline in sales, and production ceased in 1961.
In total around 300 Iridea and 500 Fario machines were constructed.
Sources: Tragatsch p86, motoclubstoricoconti.it, Theo Jonkhart, Museo del Patrimonio Industriale, other correspondence.
Notes.
1. Corrado Negrini and Pietro Negrini of Negrini Motorcycles do not appear to be related.
1. Paride Bernardi later formed the Bernardi firm.
Tue Oct 02 2012
studioaesse<at>libero.it
Nome dei costruttori
Berneg 175 Fario
Cenno storico relativo alla marca: Il nome della marca Berneg deriva
dalle iniziali del cognome dei costruttori Bernardi e Negroni di Bologna.
La sede della fabbrica era situata in via Porrettana e non Porettana. Personalmente
ho posseduto all'epoca un Berneg 175 Fario.
Bologna
Brief history of the brand: The name comes from the initials of Berneg brand name manufacturers' Bernardi and Negroni of Bologna. The headquarters of the factory was located in Porrettana and not Porettana. Personally I owned at the time a Berneg 175 Fario.
Mon Feb 05 2007
ricco1 at terra.es
Berneg 175 Fario
hello, I have one of this of superb and unique bike. I am very proud
of this bike.
Milan
October 8, 2001
The Berneg Construzione Meccaniche plant was located at Via Poretane
in Bologna, a town which housed numerous motorcycle factories and where
Ducati seems to be the sole survivor up till now.
The factory originated in 1954 and made parts only for nearly all existing Italian motorcycle manufacturers in those days. From mudguards to petrol tanks, from chain guards to complete frames.
At the end of the fifties plant manager engineer Paride Bernardi wanted to construct a complete motorcycle and in 1959 an eye-catching beautifully designed technically refined vertical chain-driven sohc twin, which produced 11 hp at 8000 rpm, was launched: the 160cc 'Fario' designed by engineer Alfonso Drusiani who also designed for FB/Mondial. In 1960 an enlarged version the 175cc 15 hp 'Fario' Sport became Bernegs top model.
However due to growing malfunctions in daily use, sales soon dropped down to a minimum which caused the company to stop motor bike production in 1961 and in 1962 the remaining stock was sold out.
Theo Jonkhart
Enkhuizen
Netherlands
cregnybaa at wish.net
Do you have some information about an italian motorcycle called Berneg?
If so, please send me a message.
Greetings,
Rien van Zanten1.ervanzet at wxs.nl
If you have a query about Berneg motorcycles please contact us
