Automoto Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Automoto Motorcycles

Automoto Logo

Made in France, 1901-1962

From 1901 to 1931 the company's office address was:

Société des Cycles Automoto
55 av. de la Grande Armée
PARIS (17°)

The factory was in Saint-Étienne, Loire.

Originally owned by Chavanet, Gros, Pichard et Cie (1901-1918), pioneer manufacturer Automoto built robust machines powered by proprietory engines from Blackburne, Chaise, Zurcher, JAP and Villiers, and after WWII mainly French AMC 250cc OHV engines and Aubier-Dunne two-strokes. Gearboxes supplied by Burman, Chaise, JAP and Peugeot.

Automoto built their own engines in the early years, and these were supplied to English manufacturer Acme.

The factory merged with the Peugeot group in 1931 and manufacture ceased in 1962.

See also: Automoto History

Peugeot-built models included:

1949 Type AS (125 cm3)
1951 Type AVL (125 cm3)
1955 Type APGL (125 cm3)

Full list: Peugeot Automoto Models

Model notes

The Automoto A17 was produced in 1930, 31, 32, 33 and possibly 1934.
The AL9 was produced in 1929, and from at least one report 1930.
The A9 350cc SV was built 1929-1932
More: Automoto Models

Sources: JLB Creations, et al



31-Aug-2020
mickoneill at dsl.pipex.com
Automoto 350 avec boite changement Campbell
Bonjour,
Je me demande si vous pouvez m'aider avec mon problème, s'il vous plaît.
J'ai une moto vintage avec une boîte de vitesses et un embrayage Campbell/Automoto qui doivent être reconstruits.
Bien que j'aie cherché sur l’internet, je n'ai pas trouvé d'images, d'instructions, de livres ou de listes de pièces pour m'aider à démonter ces pièces.
La boîte de vitesses et l'embrayage sont de la marque Campbell, modèle M2, numéro de série 391.
Toute information ou image serait d'une grande aide,
Merci pour votre temps.
Cordialement Michel.

Hello,
I'm wondering if you can help me with my problem, please.
I have a vintage motorcycle with a Campbell / Automoto gearbox and clutch that needs to be rebuilt.
Although I searched the internet, I did not find any pictures, instructions, books or parts lists to help me take these parts apart.
The gearbox and clutch are Campbell brand, model M2, serial number 391.
Any information or picture would be of great help,
Thank you for your time.
Regards Michel
Norwich UK


11-Feb-2020 frederic.missonnier at orange.fr
AUTOMOTO
Hi,
I bought an AUTOMOTO With an engine MF3, maybe in 1923, this motobike upgrated in the past to do race I think, I search some documentation about this one, If i follow your chart it's the special BH 1923 because it equiped with a LONGUEMARE carburator.the engine it's a 175 cc.
FREDERIC MISSONNIER
Naintre Fr
04-Nov-2019
adammowen at hotmail.com
Automoto
I bought it recently and hope you can tell me what the gas/oil mix should be.
If you have a line on where to get old/new parts I would also be interested.
Thanks
Adam Mowen
North Juteland, Denmark
11-Nov-2019
berger.s2 at orange.fr
Automoto
Hello. where is the serial number of the motorcycle frame automoto of 1927
serge BERGER
France
01-Oct-2019
penny261982 at gmail.com
Automoto
Looking for information on this model such as a manual to check out the wiring & how to strip the engine to fit new seals, i.e. pullers & such that I would probably have to make plus availability of parts first on the agenda is a fuel tank in usable condition.
Paul Newman
Ammanford Dyfed South Wales
29-Sep-2019
adammowen at hotmail.com
Automoto
Hi
I'm interested in an Automoto APGL 125 from 1956. It is in fair condition and has original paint. It reportedly runs but not recently. I'm interested in any info you can give regarding service/repair and any other tips or tricks you might have. Thanks.
Adam Mowen
Hjørring, Denmark
17-Sep-2019
nikkipollard1406 at gmail.com
automoto
Hi
My husband has just brought me an automoto 1951 LE for my birthday that needs restoring. Can you still by the logos, parts etc? I will also need to get her registered to ride in the UK for insurance purposes, I understand from the UK DVLA i will need the following information, can you supply this?
1. a vehicle owners club written report
2. built up vehicle inspection report
Nikki Pollard
Derbyshire UK

  • The following page has limited information. Should you discover more which could help others please share. Documentation & Paperwork

27-Aug-2019
robgiles59 at hotmail.com
Automoto 125 AD 1946
Hello I'm after a engine diagram I am doing up bike but arnt sure of where spacer goes on barrel or head gasket Thanks
Rob Giles
Australia


03-Jun-2019
jeff.thommen at rar-universal.ch
Automoto - 150 CH - AMC - 150 cc - 1949
Hi folks
I bought a Automoto bike and do not have any papers to it.
Can you help me with some technical information (like the weight of the bike) because I struggle to get it through customs th switzerland.
In addition, do you know where I can get even more technical information or even a handbook or something?
Thanks a lot and kind regards
Jeff
Winterthur CH


25-Jun-2019
Automoto CH 150 1949
I got an email from a Paul Haggis claiming to have parts for my bike, he said he will part out a similar bike of wich he attached a picture. unfortunately for him he attached a picture of my own bike wich I have bought a couple of weeks ago over the internet. when I wrote him that the bike on the picture is my bike and I do hope he doesn't brake into my workshop to steel my bike and part it out to sell me parts of it, he didn't anwser anymore.
Jeff
Zuerich, CH

  • Paul Haggis, whose surname means offal pie, is also mentioned here

17-May-2019
phileborgne at wanadoo.fr
Around 1928
I try to found the back wheel
The wheel have on the left transmition by chain with break
On the right break same at the right
Thanks
Phil
Le Borgne Philippe
Paris France

  • Automoto ASL8 image posted to Comments.

17-Feb-2019
barneykatz at gmail.com
1925 Automoto
We are restoring a 1925 Automoto. Can you place an estimate on its value? Thank you.
Nick Cellino
Los Angeles CA


12-Jan-2019
olivier_de_bony at hotmail.fr
Automoto A8 1928-1930
Hello,
Do you know what is the model of the spark plug on an automoto A8 of 1928-1930 ? It's a 175cm3 2 stroke.
Thank you
Olivier de Bony
Verneuil en Bourbounnais


03-Jan-2019
rhandps at bigpond.com
auto moto
Hello, can you help me identify this auto model?
The Auto Moto has been a long term restoration project of my father in law. He and his parents migrated from France to New Zealand about 92 years ago, bringing the Auto Motor with them. The motor was removed from the bike at some time and used to power a water pump and my father in law used the Auto Moto as a normal bicycle (bloody heavy) Eventually everything was put back together with the exception of a few missing parts. It currently requires the magneto to be repaired.
My father in law passed away recently and I have been asked to take over the completion of the restoration.
Currently [the] Auto Motor is in in New Zealand and I am in Australia. I may be able to get some more photos of the engine and frame numbers next week.
In the mean time I have attached another couple of photos which may assist you.
Thanks so much for your kind assistance.
Ross Hames
Brisbane, Australia

  • The number on the magneto housing (A22***) is unlikely to be the engine number, which will be somewhere on the crankcase. My guess is that this is a Velo-moteur early 1920s.
    Automoto-NZ images posted to Comments.

25-Sep-2018
rosewitcher at live.com
automoto AD 125
Hello, help please. I have what I believe is an Automoto AD 125?? I'm not sure. Please could you help me identify what this lovely little bike is? I am also struggling to find the year of manufacture. There does not seem to be much information out there that is not in French. I have attached some pictures.
Rose
Essex, UK
  • Engine number: ?125 / R19638
    Images posted to Comments.


19-May-2018
ianrawlings1 at googlemail.com
CBA furet 1956
Hi I've just bought a furet to restore
Can you please give me as much information has possible please like standard production colours and graphics if you can.
Thank you very much ian
Ian rawlings
Uk


Mon Jun 12 2017
brianinman19 at gmail.com
automoto
a8 confort
where can I buy a manual for the automoto a8 confort
west yorkshire,england
English

Tue Apr 18 2017
zen-47 at hotmail.fr
riva
sarah zen-47 at otmail.fr
bonjour pourriez vous me donnais l années de la moto marque automoto 250cc type A12

Translation:
Hello could you give me the years of motorcycle brand automoto 250cc type A12

  • A12: 1928-1931

Sat Oct 15 2016
mkaravasili at btinternet.com
How many Automoto 24's still exist
Automoto A24 S Tourisme
How many Automoto A24's exist.
What was the production year Year and production figures unknown. Currently extensive searches reveal no information at all, not even the existence of such a model. Ed.

Thank you for the taking time to look into the history of my Automoto motor cycle.
I believe that a lot of Transport in France was destroyed during the country's occupation in WW2 more so as the retreating army left.
The surviving Motorcycles, cars and Trucks etc were either very carfully hidden and more than likely used for French resistance activity.
The FFI Civilian French army which was activated at the time of the D day certainly commissioned anything that moved including captured enemy transport.
I intend to visit the Automoto factory museum to try to glean further information including some technical spec for the Engine.
So far I've relied entirely on my 30 odd years Experience as a Porsche engineer to bring the bike back to life after lying inactive since the nineteen sixties.
Its not been stripped and restored but remains in very original condition incidentally.
Kind regards
Michael Karavasili


Thu Mar 31 2016
alangmorley1 at aol.com
French Motorcycle
Automoto 125 AD 1951

I have purchased a 1951 Automoto 125 AD, do you know where I can get information/literature on it
derby, England


Wed Oct 14 2015
guido.lippi at gmail.com
Service Manual
Automoto AV125
I'm looking for a service manual for the Villiers D10 Type T43 semi block engine, do you know where I can organize one ?
Greetings from Switzerland
Guido


Thu Aug 27 2015
Stevieadd20 at yahoo.co.uk
Maintenance Manual
Automoto 125/175 convertion 1952
I've recently bought my Automoto from France and I'm in desperate need of a maintenance manual. I believe it's been converted to a 175 for stroke with a foot pedal gear change. Can anyone help please.
Many thanks. Stevie
N/E England. Teesside


Sat Aug 02 2014
automotoclub at aol.com
Automoto models
Automoto MF4
This is an 1927 Automoto MF4 175cc sport. Does anybody have any colour pictures or tecnical information for it.
Blackpool


Tue Apr 08 2014
executivwash at gmail.com
Electrical system
Automoto 1954 100cc AMC
Hi, I am restoring a 1954 Automoto and need the complete electrical system.
Can you help?
Regards
Joe
Funchal, Portugal


Wed Jul 03 2013
m.lanini AT ibimet.cnr.it
automoto A3 entretube 350cc

I have A3 model y.1928/29
Italia, Florence city




Mon Jun 24 2013
garth<at>sunatasigns.co.za
Front Mudguard Logo
Automoto A9
Good morning,

I am currently restoring the only Automoto bike in South Africa, so I do not have any people I can speak to. I am looking for a photo of the logo that goes onto the front mudguard of the bike. I would appreciate it if you can supply me with any help.

I have attached a photograph of the bike, prior to stripping for restoration.

Kind regards,

Garth Edwards
South Africa

....

Thanks for the reply. The Automoto is a 1928. I now have her completely stripped and am busy getting the dents out of the tins. The tank is going to be my biggest challenge as it is fairly rusted inside.

Kind regards,


Thu Oct 18 2012
phileborgne<at>wanadoo.fr
Bjr recherche roue AR ou moyeu tambour droite et gauche
automoto automoto environ1928
Bjr recherche roue AR ou moyeu tambour droite et gauche
PARIS


Wed Oct 12 2011
bart<at>ducati.be
Automoto c. 1929
automoto no idea 175cc
looking for info : model/ year etc


Sat Nov 27 2010
aguerrini78<at>libero.it
informazioni
automoto a9
Sono in possesso della seguente moto, avete della documentazione da mandarmi? Anche le scede tecniche. Ringrazio anticipatamente

romanengo



Sat Apr 10 2010
wittig<at>germanynet.de
automoto
1928 ?
Hello im Intr . in maschine parts and caburator needed help
Dresden , germany


Sat Feb 20 2010
josepbo at hotmail.es
Automoto 100 AM
AUTOMOTO 100 AM
Necesito informacion sobre una Automoto 100 AM con motor Villiers 98 cc. Gracias.
Cataluna


Thu Sep 10 2009
davidl at finditondot com
Automoto
Automoto AL9
I uploaded a few years ago my A9 Photo Derilict. I now have it on the road although not totally original. Success in the 2009 Banbury run (entry 126)
Oxford, UK

It's registered 1930. Unfortunately the front forks are not correct for the machine so I will have to make do for the time being. Its 350cc with a Campbell three speed Gearbox, AMAC Carb. On its first out (The rose of the shires run by Sunbeam owners club) it broke down about 10 miles from the end with a stripped Tappet bolt. I fixed that and took it on the Banbury Run and it completed it with no problems. So I am quite happy with the result. I even managed to be filmed by someone and it's on You tube (Banbury Run 2009) and I got my photo on the first page of the Banbury run website.

All the best

David Loveridge


Mon Aug 03 2009
hansoverveld at hotmaildot com
motorcycle
Automoto Grand Raid
I have a automoto grand Raid with Chaise 500 ohc
need pictures of lubrication pipes on the cilinderhead
can anyone help
netherlands


Fri Dec 05 2008
heurlin.thierry at neuf.fr
history
automoto all models
hello

The book is listed in the publications section. Ed.


Sat Nov 29 2008
cyclomar56 at orange.fr
recherche boite a vitesse
automoto annee 1928 cylindree175cc
recherche boite a vitesse automoto annee 1928 cylindree 175cc cordialeent

Translation:
Mag-speed 175cc Automoto years 1928 Mag-speed Automoto years 1928 CYLINDER CAPACITY 175cc 


Fri Oct 31 2008
laurentmartinaud at orange.fr
Recensement
Automoto tout modèle
je recense tout les modèles Automoto depuis 1992
Pour tout renseignement
envoyer type,n° de cadre et moteur, année


Thu Jul 17 2008
cr33217 at telenet.be
The brand "Automoto"
all all
Hi Sheldon, here I'am again.
The site of the Automoto club of France
motos.automoto.ifrance.com (404)
greetings from Belgium,

Michael Reyntjens
France


Sun Mar 09 2008
a.verdam1 at chello.nl
Automoto pictures
Automoto A 9
Here are some pictures of my recently restaurated Automoto A 9 from ca.1930
 


Fri Apr 13 2007
eu at emanuelbarbosadot com
Mistery 1920's motorcycle
Unknown
Hello, I own a 1910/1920's motorcycle but I don't know the brand. I was told that it was an AUTOMOTO 175cc but I'm not sure. Can you please help me to identify it? Thanks!
Porto, Portugal
.........
Turns out the bike is a Thomann Monovitesse...


Wed Mar 21 2007
grahamwatts at postmaster.co.uk
automoto 125cc 1952
please can I have help with information about this motocycle and manuals fot automotos
cardiff
...........
Have you any images
automoto 125 1952
help with information about motocycle and manuals for the above motocycle
regards gpw
cardiff


Wed Dec 13 2006
emanuelbarbosa at yahoodot com
Automoto 1920
I have an AUTOMOTO from 1920's but no idea about the model - it seems to be 175 cc but I'm not 100% certain. Can somebody help me with images? where can I get parts? I live in Portugal
Porto


Sun Dec 03 2006
Davidl at finditondot com
Rebuilding + information
Automoto AL9
I Have an Automoto AL9 in need of total restoration. This is coming along slowly but any contacts with advise / spares would be appreciated. I have quite a lot of information on Automotos in general and a parts book for the A9. Would be happy to share this information.
Oxfordshire


Tue Oct 10 2006
amg at fastwebnet.it
Automoto with motor P109
Please need help with this motorcycles!
I need photos,year of built, where to find spare parts etc.etc


Mon Jul 24 2006
caroline.gunston at tiscali.fr
auto moto125mc
125mc
hello,
please can you help me. I have bought an automoto type 125mc motorcycle. Can you tell me if any owners club exsists for these machines, because I need some spares, many thanks, Barry Selwood
France


Fri May 19 2006
bikemanjase at hotmail.co.uk
Automoto
Dont Know but 200cc
Automoto, seen at Thorney steam weekend 13th May 2006
Thorney, England




Mon Oct 24 2005
terrybarns at btinternetdot com
automoto
have just come across automoto motorcycle in England,
lable on frame says Type 130CH No. 015932. French reg 622-AJ-07. can you help identify etc. Thanks Terry
 


Wed Jun 15 2005
amg at fastwebnet.it
automoto
dove posso trovare fotografie relative ad AutoMoto con motore P109?

Translation: where I can find photographs related to AutoMoto with P109 motor?


If you have a query about Automoto motorcycles, or can help with information or history about these classic French motos, please contact us