Notes on the History of the Marque
16 Rue Lesault, Pantin (Seine)
The Motobecane company was formally created in 1924 by Charles Benoit, Abel Bardin and Jules Benezech.*
The firm had already produced its first model, the MB1, in 1923. Designed by Benoit and Bardin, it had a 175cc two-stroke with direct drive by belt. Later models had chain drive with a two-speed gearbox.
In 1925 a second company was formed, Motoconfort.
By the 1930s Motobecane was producing a large range of motorcycles, and became the most popular manufacturers of motorcycles in France, with their bicycles also doing very well.
Notable models of the 1930s were shaft-driven inline fours of 500 and 750cc.
After WWII the market shrank and eventually the firm was bankrupted. The company was reconstituted as MBK under the new owners, Yamaha.
The Motobécane trademark has been revived, but the current machinery from the far east has no connection with France aside from the name.
MB1
Introduced in 1923 as simple 175cc motor bicycle available in two versions, the Motobécane Madame and the Motobécane Monsieur with a higher frame, these were produced with only minor changes until 1928.
Motobecanes using Blackburne engines included
1927 350cc Type G, G2, G3 & Type H 500cc
1928 Type G, G2 & G3, 1929 350cc Type K, K2, K3 & 500cc Type H & H2
1929 probably the Type L competition machine
Motobecanes of the 1940s:
1947 Poney 50 Cyclomoteur
1947 D45A 125cc
1949 Mobylette
1949 Poney 60cc
1949 Z2C 175cc Mobysport
1949 R46C 350cc Grand Sport
More Motobecane 1940s-1960s
Mopeds include:
Motobecane 40T 1976-78
Motobecane 50V
and a large variety of Mobylette models.
"Moto" is French for motorcycle; "bécane" is French slang or argot for "bike".
N.B. A Dutch site states, "started their own modest company named Motobécane on 27 March 1923"
Sources: JLB Creations, Bourdache
Hi. I need some assistance in obtaining new tyres (600X65. 2.50-2.75/19) What type of oil and petrol ? A manual for the moto and electrical That's for starters. I'm sure there will be heaps more Cheers Monty
Mark Montgomery
Berkeley Vale/ NSW Australia
Sun May 28 2017
daved890 at gmail.com<
motobecane/motoconfort k
i need help dating and parts please/engine number 71834
sheffield
I've got a bit of info no docks just been led to believe it around the late 20s motobecane or confort
It's not been in the country long. The number on the engine is 71834. Piston size is 60mm. Can't find a number on the frame. Where do I look
Do I restore fully or keep as is and ad to it
Thanks for mailing me hope to here from you soon.
The c z on the frame stands for "chez" which is the model type. I have a 4 stroke becane hand book from 1927 to 1984 I'm waiting for the 2 stroke becane confort hand book 21 to 84
I will let you know what info it gives me
As for acquiring info from the French government it is impossible
Not like dvla uk totally different
Thanks
Dave
Tue Jan 17 2017
decreton.jean-paul at orange.fr
MOTOBECANE S5C 1938
It's a contribution, my bike is not for sale!
It is a set composed of a MOTOBECANE S5C of 1938 and a sidecar IMPERIAL T35 Grand Sport manufactured by Marmonnier in Lyon.
I can provide information on the production of the MOTOBECANE brand for the pre-war period and on models with "Bloc S" engines.
Paris
Mon Aug 08 2016
paintboot at gmail.com<
Motobecane Petrol tank
Motobecane MB1 circa 1923 onwards ? Motobecane MB1 circa 1926
Hi I am having a sort out of some of my old motorcycle bits recently, this petrol tank is a Motobecane 1920s but i can not find one with the identical badge that is on this tank, I was wondering if it can be identified by the badge which you can see is very finely hand painted, or if anyone would be interested in seeing it for their reference. In nice condition for its age no dents or rust I have considered selling it but not sure as it is a rather nice ornament at the moment.
Thank you
John Callaghan
london
Thu Jul 28 2016
chefluc at yahoo.com<
date research
motobecane D45A
Hello I try to know the production year for this motor-bike
frame: 449920
motor: 450002
can you help
thnks
Pologne
Fri Jan 15 2016
Hanqual at yahoo.com
Kick starter and clutch for motobecane
Motobecane 250 Type E
I am looking for a clutch/transmission kick starter for this bike...any ideas?
Coronado, California
Wed Jul 15 2015
richjsheridan at yahoo.com<
magneto access
Motobecane 50V
How do I access the magneto. Please provide details as to how to remove the magneto cover.
Trenton NJ. USA
Sat Feb 21 2015
antoterra at sapo.pt
Motobécane z23c 1961 value
1961-07-04 z23 c
Hi,
I have a motobécane z23c of 1961 (on pieces) and one person want to buy it, but I dont know how much that value. Can you help me with the price?
Thanks
Azores
Wed Feb 11 2015
rado38 at abv.bg
MOTOBECANE M1 TUM-143
Hello ! I have Motobecane M1 TUM-143 50cc. I wonder if you can help me with this problem. Well, when I am riding my motorcycle and everytime I brake it, it stop working. I thing it is something with the clutch. I hope you can help me with
sending me some videos or photos 📷 whice will help me. Thank you!
Pazardzhik
Wed Apr 16 2014
mrfixit-1<at>btinternet.com<
1947 pony
motobecane pony
Looking for ignition coils for 1945 pony. Can you help at all please
sussex England UK
Sat Mar 22 2014
BONNIEZEPP at YMAIL.COM
HOW TO FIND THE YEAR
MOTOBECANE MOBY
How can I tell what year my bike is?
Maryland
Mon Dec 02 2013
mamraultl<at>hotmail.com<
Hydraulic Brake Lever/seal
Mobecan GT
looking for brake lever/seal for mobecane 1982
United Kingdom
Sat Sep 21 2013
sales<at>foskers.com<
tank transfers
motobecane motobecane 175
please can we order 3 of the Motobecane tank transfers with the indians heads, how much are they, we need them shipped to the uk?
london
You will find suppliers of Motobecane logos listed at Bikelinks Badges & Decals
Wed Aug 28 2013
kay<at>keves.wanadoo.co.uk
Dating certificate Motobecane LT 125
Hi
Can you help me to find the date my LT 125 was manufactured please.
Swansea
Tue Apr 02 2013
zoe<at>thehorselaundry.co.uk
motobecane selling??
Motobecane sp93 sports 1973
I just put this bike on ebay thinking it was worth nothing but seems like its very popular i just wondered if you felt that i have done the correct thing or should i be looking to sell diferently?
wiltshire, uk
Mon Jul 09 2012
skipbert<at>embarqmail.com<
owners manual
Ateliers Motobecane (motercycle) Type 50 - 1979
Need owners manual and repair manual
Alford, Florida USA
Wed Aug 08 2012
egidio.g<at>tiscali.it
Istruzioni
Motobecane Super Moby 50
Ho acquistato questo Motobecane del 1976. E' nuovo, mai circolato. Mi serve il manuale d'uso. Esempio: C'? un ugello per estate inverno, dove va installato?
Potenza
Italian
Fri Mar 09 2012
kitrv<at>aol.com<
Frame Number
Motobecane AV3
Hi
I have a Motobecane needing regustered in the UK but unfortunately i cannot seem to locate the frame number on the bike, could you please point me in the right direction to find the chasis number. It is the twin down tube type
model.
Many thanks
Trevor
Northern Ireland
Tue Feb 07 2012
artemiza1313<at> yahoo.com<
need parts
motobecane 50cc 1970
I need ..plato de pedales.. y centrifuga de la polea del motor
Bogota, Colombia
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