Manufactured:
Société VAP
109 rue de Merville, Hazebrouck (Nord)
(Previously Société ABG, Paris)
The company began as ABG making electrical components, and as VAP in 1949 built their first clip-on bicycle engines, with complete mopeds following shortly. The VAP name comes from the names of the designers, Verot and Andriot Pierre.
VAP over the years acquired or merged with Alcyon, Armor, La Française Diamant, Gentil, Labor, Lucer, Rhonson and Thomann. In 1960 or thereabouts the company was acquired by Cazenave, which purchased Paloma around that time.
VAP Cyclomoteurs include:
VéloVap 1959-1962 49.9cc, various models ie Luxe & Export
Model S2V Super VAP
Models S3V & S4V Spécial-Monneret
Model Agena
Model Strada 220
Model Flash 300
Model S2C & S3C
19ter Baroudeur
TRI S2 Trimoteur Sachs 47cc
ABG VAP 4
LE « VAP & » EST NE...
Il est désormais superflu de vanter aux cyclistes les avantages considérables du moteur auxiliaire. Plus de 30.000 Vap sillionnent déja les routes de France et de l'Etranger en faisant apprécier à tous leurs performances et leur qualité. Et pourtant, le bureau d'études de la Société A.B.G. toujours à la recherche des améliorations possibles. vient de terminer la mise au point du Vap 4.
Ce nouveau type apporte des améllorations très intéressantes. Il est le résultat de recherches techniques minutieuses alllées & une expérience considérable, acquise avec les nombreux modèles déjà en service. Le moteur proprement dit, est du même type que le Vap 3. Comme ce dernier, il se monte sur l'axe de la roue arilère, position aux nombreux avantages :
Solidité, le moteur étant fixé sur un point particulièrement résistant de la bicyclette. Stabilité, le centre de gravité se trouvant abalssé.
Confort, le conducteur étant à l'abri de l'échappement et des projections d'huile.
Enfin, le montage ne nécessite aucune transformatlon de la bicyclette.
Les modifications essentielles du nouveau modèle portant sur le système de transmission, l'embrayage et l'allumage.
En effet, le Vap 4 est doté d'une transmission par chaine, qui, évitant tout glissement, donne un meilleur rendement, en même temps qu'un entretien plus facile.
Le perfectionnement le plus important est l'embrayage. Dans les modèles précédents, le moteur pivotait pour mettre en contact pignon et couronne dentée. Le Vap 4, lui, est équipé d'un embrayage à triction, commandé par une manette spéciale sur le guidon. Il se manœuvre très facilement et permet d'arrêter la bicyclette sans stopper le moteur, ce qui rend la condulte en ville Infiniment plus agréable.
Dernier avantage ! Un volant magnétique remplace la magnéto et simplifte alnsi la réalisation mécanique du moteur.
It is now unnecessary to extol the considerable advantages of the auxiliary motor to cyclists. More than 30,000 Vap bicycles already crisscross the roads of France and abroad, demonstrating their performance and quality to all. And yet, the design office of A.B.G., always on the lookout for possible improvements, has just completed the development of the Vap 4.
This new model offers very interesting improvements. It is the result of meticulous technical research combined with considerable experience gained with the numerous models already in service. The motor itself is of the same type as the Vap 3. Like the latter, it is mounted on the rear wheel axle, a position with many advantages:
Strength, as the motor is fixed to a particularly robust point on the bicycle. Stability, as the center of gravity is lowered. Comfort, as the rider is protected from exhaust fumes and oil spray.
Finally, the installation requires no modifications to the bicycle.
The essential changes to the new model concern the transmission system, the clutch, and the ignition.
Indeed, the Vap 4 features a chain drive, which, by preventing any slippage, provides better performance and easier maintenance.
The most significant improvement is the clutch. In previous models, the engine pivoted to engage the sprocket and chainring. The Vap 4, however, is equipped with a traction clutch, controlled by a special lever on the handlebars. It is very easy to operate and allows you to stop the bicycle without stopping the engine, making city riding infinitely more pleasant.
One last advantage! A flywheel replaces the magneto, thus simplifying the engine's mechanical design.
1947 Salon de la Motocyclette, Moto Revue. Courtesy Memoire du Cycle.
Paris Salon de l'Automobile, Octobre 1948 VAP A.B.G.
Pourquoi pédaler? demande Vaр. Il est de fait que certains moteurs 50 cmc. sont plus actifs qu'auxiliaires et que les pédales ne viennent que rarement apporter leur secours. Le moteur Vap est de ceux-là et particulièrement le Vap 4 avec lequel on peut aller loin rapidement et sans fatigue.
Le Vap 4, qui s'adapte à n'importe quel cadre de bicyclette ou de tandem, pourvu qu'il soit en bon état, s'accouple à la roue arrière qu'il entraîne par une chaîne; il est muni d'un débrayage qui en facilite grandement l'emploi.
Autre innovation fort intéressante: il est ivré avec un axe spécial en deux pièces qui permet le démontage immédiat de la roue arrière, en cas de crevaison, sans avoir à toucher au moteur. C'est là un incontestable progrès qui supprime la seule objection qu'on pouvait faire à ce moteur.
Why pedal? asks Vap.
It is s true that some 50cc engines are more active than auxiliary, and pedals rarely come to the rescue. The Vap engine is one of these, and particularly the Vap 4, with which you can go far quickly and without fatigue.
The Vap 4, which adapts to any bicycle or tandem frame, provided it's in good condition, is coupled to the rear wheel, which it drives via a chain; it's equipped with a clutch that greatly facilitates its use.
Another very interesting innovation: it comes with a special two-piece axle that allows for the immediate removal of the rear wheel, in case of a puncture, without having to touch the engine. This is an undeniable improvement that eliminates the only objection that could be raised against this engine.
1948 Paris Salon, Motocycles. Courtesy Memoire du Cycle.
Auto Vap
The UK firm Scootamatic of Aspley, Nottingham, marketed the Auto Vap moped. Models included
All had ABG VAP 57 engines, and were badged AUTO VAP on the chainguard.
ABG/VAP Engine types:
Sources: Cycle Memory, Wikipedia NL, la-moto-francaise
Thu Dec 29 2016
bkme007 at gmail.com
Parts required
ABG VAP.4 serial 133195 VAP 4
Magneto flywheel required
Wed Dec 28 2016
ms.oddny at gmail.com
VAP 630
Can't find a 630 here so I send a picture of mine. It`s under restoration after many years outdoors. I think this is the only one in Norway. Believed to be a 1952 model if it is the original and I belive it is. You can find some more
information and other "knallerts" under restoration here:
www.dieselbesta.com. It`s in Norwegian, but pictures can tell.
sarmento.portugal<at>sapo.pt
vap 4
volante magnetico vap 4
preciso do volante magnético - alguém tem?
porto
Wed Nov 21 2007
crozoneric at yahoodot com
info on vap
1959 vap motorcycle
looking for info on 59 vap motorcycle not solex type actual motorcycle
3 speed .
usa
Sun Aug 26 2007
French manual ABG VAP4 engine
ABG, VAP4
Hi!
I have today scanned a french manual of the ABG VAP4 engine:
The manual is about 16Mb, and I don't have the possibility to host
the file, but if you like and have space, feel free to download it an put
your site
Best regards
Mikael
Gothenburg, Sweden
Many thanks to Mikael for his generosity.
Fri Oct 06 2006
paulandval at bridgestock.freeserve.co.uk
Vap
Hi. I have just purchased a non running but complete Vap motorcycle.
It looks very similar to a solex with the engine over the front wheel.
The engine is marked as 'made in France' and I am told that they were actually
made in Paris but other than than I have no information. Does anybody
have any information on this please? Thanks Paul
Lincolnshire, Engand
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005
subject: vap 4
Email: jphcheron at yahoo dot com
message: Hello.
I see the book 'pourquoi pedaler' about vap4.
Do you sell it or a copy.
Thank
March 19, 2001
Here are pictures of a VAP motor I also own. I have information on
this bike as well if anyone needs it.
Zach Sagurs -- zjsagurs at ibl.bm
If you have information or a query about VAP cyclemotors please contact us
