French Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Iris Motocyclettes

Manufactured by François Haustgen 1902-1904.

33, Rue de L'Esperance, Paris.

Also listed as Haustgen and Roussin, a Haustgen motorcycle was presented at the 1902 Paris Salon.

Produced Iris air-cooled and water-cooled IOE motorcycle engines, and Iris motorcycles.

The Gloriator used Iris engines.

Francois Fernand Haustgen patent GB190223658A: Improvements in Clutch Mechanism for Explosion Motors Principally Intended for Motor Cycles, published Feb 1903.

The HAUSTGEN Co., 103, Boulevard d' Italie, Paris, make two types of machines, a 1½ and 2 horse-power air-cooled, and a 1½ and 2 horse-power water-cooled motor. The motor is mounted in a good position in front of the bracket. The drive is by means of a chain. The cooling tank carries about seven pints, and the carburetter is a simple type of spray, with suction feed. Control of speed is effected by means of a lever moving over a quadrant. The capacity for petrol is rather limited, only about three-quarters of a gallon being the amount carried. A capacity for 1½ pints of lubricating oil is provided. The price of the 1½ h.p. machine is £36.

Paris Salon 1902 in MotorCycling magazine.

Sources: Bourdache (p146), lva-moto.fr, patents.google.com

Notes
The name Iris was used for French, British and Italian motorcycles, and also for British sidecars in the 1920s.

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