French Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Singer St Etienne Mopeds

A Brief History of the Marque

The bicycle company was formed in 1902 by André Weinberg, based at 18 Rue Désiré Claude in St Etienne (Loire). (1) They also used the Motarex brand, and cycles and mopeds were sold under both marques.

Offered lightweights and mopeds using 48cc, 85cc, 110cc and 125cc engines from Junior, Mistral, Lavalette, Le Poulain, Vap and Comet.

In 1952 began selling mopeds fitted with Mistral and Le Poulain engines. In 1958 they were selling rebranded lightweights from Rhonson, sold the VeloVap under the Motarex marque in 1959-61.

Motorcycle and moped sales ceased around 1961.

Models include:

P1 1951-1952 48cc Le Poulain two-stroke
P52 Le Poulain 1952
Type J 48cc Le Poulain 1953
S85 Le Poulain 85cc c1953
Type 54 Mistral 1954
Type E2, E2S, E2FT Mistral 1953-55
Motarex M1, M2, 603 and 612 1960 (rebadged Vap models)

Notes: 1. There were two French bicycle marques named Singer, easily confused. Discussion here: velo-singer-st-etienne

Sources: Cyclememory.org, Motos dans la Loire


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