A Brief History of the Marque
Lightweight two-strokes built in Italy in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
The marque's name was formed from the name of the founder, Gino Tansini (1898-1980)[1]. He produced motorcycles in his home town of Caorso, midway between Milan and Modena, for more than 20 years, and is commemorated in the local library which displays examples of his machines along with related movies, books and magazines.
In the Netherlands the marque was rebadged as Tansini, utilising Jamathi engines. The logo is very similar, with the word "Gitan" replaced with "Tansini".
Wikipedia Italy writes that the name Tansini was frequently used to avoid confusion with the French Gitane marque, and that early models were fitted with Mi-Val engines prior to the advent of the Gitan Grillo which had a 48cc engine of their own manufacture. A four-speed version appeared in 1962.
SIS of Portugal fitted Tansini engines.
Moto Gitan Models
Models included the Grillo 49cc (1959-1962) Libeccio 125 (1957), Holiday 50 and Carnaby 50 (mid 1970s), Brixia 6 SS 49cc (70s) and Cross 50 (1973).
1955 models: Libeccio 125 & Libeccio Sport 125 2T, Scirocco 125cc 2T, Turbine 160cc 4T, Turbine GT 175cc 4T, all with swingarm rear suspension and telescopic forks. Chassis and bodywork very similar.
1959 models: Turbine 175cc 4T
Modello "Libeccio" 125 cc.
Motore a due tempi, monocilindrico inclinato, erogante la potenza di CV 4,75 a 5000 giri, con cambio in blocco a quattro rapporti comandato a bilancere; accensione a volano magnete; telaio in tubi con forcella anteriore telescopica e sospensione posteriore a forcellone oscillante agente su ammortizzatori teleidraulici; velocità 80 Km.h.; consumo un litro di miscela ogni 42 Km.
Model "Libeccio" 125 cc.
Two-stroke engine, single-cylinder inclined, delivering a power of 4.75 HP at 5000 rpm, with a four-speed gearbox controlled by a balancer; magneto flywheel ignition; tube frame with telescopic front fork and swinging swingarm rear suspension acting on telehydraulic shock absorbers; speed 80 Km.h.; consumption one litre of mixture every 42 Km.
Modello "Scirocco" 125 cc.
Motore a due tempi, monocilindrico inclinato, erogante la potenza di CV 4,75 a 5000 giri, con cambio in Eloca quattro rapporti comandato a bilancere ed accensione a spinteroge no; telaio in tubi con forcella anteriore telescopica e sospensione pesteriore a forcellone oscillante agente su ammortizzatori teleidraulici; velocità 80 Km.h.; consumo un litro di miscela ogni 42 Km.
Model "Scirocco" 125 cc.
Two-stroke, single-cylinder inclined engine, delivering a power of 4.75 HP at 5000 rpm, with a four-speed Eloca gearbox controlled by a balancer and ignition by a distributor; tube frame with a telescopic front fork and a swinging fork rear suspension acting on telehydraulic shock absorbers; speed 80 Km.h.; consumption one litre of mixture every 42 Km.
N.B. "Eloca" may not be correct.
Grilloscooter
Equipped with a Gitan engine fitted to a Galletti frame. Esthetically pleasing design featuring stylish bodywork.1958
The first version is recognizable by the position of the headlight.1959
The headlight is now in stamped sheet metal; telescopic front suspension.1960
Similar to the previous model but with a larger fuel tank.
Sources: comune.caorso.pc.it, Renato Paganini, MotoCiclismo, et al.
Notes:
There are three similarly named marques: Gitan, Le Gitan, and Gitane. The latter are both French.
1. DOB also given as 1899.
2. Mobycross, a dealer in Morocco, offered 50cc scooters branded "Gitan" in 2024. No information was provided on their origin.
Mon Sep 14 2015
dlcruzjuancarlos00 at gmail.com
worth or the price for a Gitan Grillo
Gitan Grillo 1961
All parts are original, original paint and runs
U.S.
Thu Apr 10 2014
jorgivandennoort at gmail.com
Vraag voor waarde scooter
Grillocarro scooter Gitan c1960
Beste,
Hierbij heb ik de vraag of u meer informatie heeft over deze scooter en of dit hem is? Ook zou ik graag de waarde willen weten van de scooter die we hebben. Hoop dat u mij kan helpen.
(I have the question of whether you have more information about this scooter and if this is him? I would also like to know the scooter we have the value. Hope you can help me. )
Met vriendelijke groet,
Jorgi van den Noort
Zwijndrecht
Sat Dec 14 2013
t.h.r<at>btconnect.com
gitan engine rebuild
hi I have a gitan engine rebuild to do.Does anyone know where i can find info or a manual please?
london
Sun Aug 12 2007
mad-cat75 at hotmaildot com
Gitan
penso che la gitan di cui parli sia una scirocco 150 del 1956 per magiori informazoni puoi andare sul sito del comune di caorso comune.caorso.pc.it ciao
italy
Translation: The gitan about which it speaks is a Sirocco 150 of 1956. For further information you can go on the situated one of the common one of caorso
The site above has the following documents available for download:
Motociclismo - Maggio2005
[.pdf : 2.295,0 Kb]
Motociclismo - Agosto 1954
[.pdf : 2.458,2 Kb]
Legend Bike - aprile 1999
[.pdf : 2.254,0 Kb]
Il Pilota Moto
[.pdf : 1.719,0 Kb]
Moto Storiche - Febbraio 2000
[.pdf : 4.475,7 Kb]
La Manovella - Luglio 1991
[.pdf : 2.116,9 Kb]
Motociclismo - Maggio 1964
[.pdf : 3.786,8 Kb]
Catalogo Moto Gitan
[.pdf : 2.315,8 Kb]
Wed Aug 02 2006
r.bonacini at newlatdot com
Moto gitan
Buongiorno
io posseggo una motocicletta gitan, di cui non posseggo informazioni - posso solo dire che si tratta di una moto forse prima anni 60 con motore 2 tempi e cilindrata 125cc. O poco più - e' tutta rossa con un fregio bianco nel serbatoio
-avrei piacere di avere qualche informazioni in più circa questo modello
Grazie e arrivederci
reggio emilia
Translation: I have a motorcycle gitan, but little information - I can only say that draft of one motion perhaps first years 60 with motor two-stroke and piston displacement 125cc. Or little più - e' all red one with fregio a white man in the tank - I would like to get some information in più approximately this model
Fri Feb 24 2006
pbieshaar at wanadoo.nl
50 cc motocycle
i would like to have some information regarding a Moto Gitan 4 speed motocycle, that is foto's, manual, just anything.
netherlands
Mon Sep 26 2005
degooijerzonwering at hetnet.nl
moto Gitan 50cc
we have bought a 50 cc moto gitan but we would like to have any information which is available. It is a leihtweiht machine, 4 speed.
