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Vintage French Motorcycles
Paris
Veteran French Tricycle
M. Lombard
French Boardtrack
Motorcycle and Trailer
Famous French Racer
This page lists brands for which we currently have only an historical precis.
For a more complete listing visit the French Index.
There is also a page on really obscure French brands.
BAC
Manufactured by Louis Bac, an aviation engineer with experience at Peugeot.
These were 2400cc V-twin bicycle pacers built from 1925 to 1939. Arthur Pasquier had a hand in the construction and design, and later they were sold under the Meyer brand as Meyer-Bac in the years 1932-1938. (aka Meier-Bac).
Source: wikipedia.nl
Bailleau
Motorcycle exhibited at the Salon des Tuileries in 1899
Bourdache p430
BAGYS
Bayon and Gyss, 3, cité Magenta, Paris.
Motorcycle with a 1½ HP Bahon engine, built 1903
Bahon
Motorcycle exhibited at the Salon in 1902; supplied engines to Bagys.
Bourdache p146
Bainchet
Motorcycle exhibited at the Salon in 1902
Bourdache p146
Ballis
Manufacture des Cycles Ballis, 3 Rue Palissy, Saint-Etienne
Established as a bicycle firm in 1932, they produced BMA lightweights from 1950 until 1952 using Le Poulain engines. The firm acquired Aquila the following year, and marketed a range of Aquila cyclomoteurs until 1962.
Bicycle manufacture continued into the 1970s. The firm closed in 1971.
Sources: Motos dans la Loire, et al
Ballot
Built at Neuilly-sur-Seine by Ets Ballot (established by Ernest Ballot), the engines were fitted to motorcycles which they built under the Labor marque. They were also sold to Armor, among others.
The firm also built engines for aircraft and automobiles. A recent book on the marque runs to over 900 pages. Ballot by Cabart and Sen, Review at Velocetoday.com
The Ballot two-stroke engine and gear unit, embodying an enclosed magneto. The gear change is effected by the knees of the rider by means of a double lever.
A Two-stroke Engine Unit with no Exposed Working Parts.
A VERY neat type of unit constructed engine and gear box for motor cycle use has been produced by the Ballot Cie., of Paris. This firm has specialised for a number of years in engines for car use, and supplies these for a large number of manufacturers both in France and abroad. The adoption of a power plant for motor cycles is, however, of recent date. It is understood that the whole of the present production has been secured by one of the leading French firms for their new types of machines; other firms, however, will adopt the Ballot engine as soon as production increases.
The engine is a single-cylinder air-cooled two-stroke, mounted on an aluminium crank case. A valve is mounted in the cylinder head, but this is only used to relieve the compression, and allows the machine to be ridden without interfering with the carburetter and ignition controls. Crank case compression is employed, and the aluminium piston is fitted with a deflector. Ball bearings are fitted for both the crankshaft and the connecting rod big end. The crankshaft is of the built-up type, consisting of two full discs united by the crank pin, which is conical ends fitting into the discs. One of the features of this engine is the enclosed magneto, only the distributor of which is outside. Magneto drive is by means of a roller chain, naturally enclosed. A metal disc clutch, working in oil, is used, and there are two speeds operated by lever with forked arms, so as to encircle the tank and horizontal tube of the machine. With the exception of the pulley or sprocket for the final drive,, there is not a single exposed working part on the Ballot engine. Even the kick starter is enclosed, and is operated by means of the right-hand footboard.
This engine was exhibited at the 1919 Paris Salon in an earlier form. Since then, however, it has undergone detail modifications only. It is interesting to note that the majority of French motor cycles are fitted with engine and gears constructed on the unit system, and the Ballot product adds another example to the list. The Bleriot and Louis Clement machines may be cited as excellent examples of unit construction, especially the latter, in which case a clutch and three-speed gear box are combined with an original design of twin-cylinder V type engine, having shaft operated over-head valve gear. Many capable engineers consider that unit construction will be adopted eventually in this country, though at the present moment British examples could easily be counted on the fingers of one hand.
The Motor Cycle December 9th, 1920. Page 705
Barré
Built by G.Barré, 79 Deux-Sèvres Niort
The firm dates from 1888 and produced automobiles, motorcycles and cycles. It was acquired by Guiller Freres in 1927.
OTTW states that they built tricycles 1898-1908, and that the firm merged with Lamberton in 1923, building automobiles thenceforward.
Sources: Bourdache, forum.tontonvelo.com, OTTW
Barrellier.
A quaint little three-wheeler with a single small front wheel is displayed on this stand. The tout ensemble is reminiscent of an invalid chair (for which type of vehicle the manufacturers are famous). Both single and two-seaters are made, and both are engined by horizontally-opposed two-stroke air-cooled engines combined with two-speed gears and fully enclosed magnetos. The final drive is by shaft and worm gear to a neat live rear axle.
The Motor Cycle, October 1919
Barrière
See Barrière
Baud
Établissements Baud in Doubs, Franche-Comté 1950-1960
The company built mopeds which were also marketed under the brand names Betty, Elfil, Luxia and Jurasport.
Source: The Moped Archive (globalnet.co.uk)
Baudoin et Cie
Established in 1899 at 19 rue Fontainebleau, Saint Etienne, the company made spokes for wheels fitted to motorcycles, cycles and automobiles.
Source: Motos dans la Loire
Bauchet
Motorcycle exhibited at the Salon in 1902
Bourdache p430
Baudier
Tricycle presented at the Salon des Tuileries, 1899
Bourdache p430
Bayle-Michon
Bayle and Michon formed a partnership in 1925 and produced motorcycles fitted with Givaudan and Moser engines. The firm was based in the Loire district.
Source: Motos dans la Loire
Bazile
Located in Montbrison, Loire, during the 1950s the firm sold mopeds sourced from Automoto, VBF and possibly others under their own name. In 1958 Bazile was an agent for Manurhin and Peugeot.
Source: Motos dans la Loire
B.C.A.
28 rue des tanneries, Roanne, and 85 rue Emile Zola, Reims
Sold motorcycles under the brands Parfait, BCA and Mylor in the 1930s and 1940s. Their BCA 100 c.1930 is believed to be a rebadged Ravat.
Source: Motos dans la Loire
Bellamy
Motocyclette presented at the salon in 1902, clutch and chain transmission
Bourdache p146
Belledonne
These were mopeds marketed by Ets Mathon of 16 rue de Paris, Grenoble in 1958 and were built by Mercier.
Source: Motos dans la Loire
Benitaco
These were 50cc racing machines with Kreidler engines, built from at least 1974. A Benitaco ridden by Pascal Kambourian scored 4 wins in French 50cc races in 1982.
Sources: racingmemo.free.fr, et al.
Benoît Faure
A well-known cyclist active in the 20s and 30s, Faure established a factory at 45 Rue Paillons in Saint-Etienne and produced mopeds and velomoteurs from 1951 to 1956. Despite the firm's short lifespan it produced around a dozen different models powered by engines from Comet, Myster, Mistral, Himo, Villiers and Le Poulain of up to 100cc.
A fire at the factory caused considerable damage, and possibly as a result some of the production then took place at the Bonnefond establishment.
Benoît Faure died in 1980.
Source: Motos dans la Loire
Beringer
Gilbert and Véronique Beringer formed the Beringer Company in 1985. The firm manufactured motorcycle wheels, forks and sidecars. Post-2000, they produced products for Formula One racers, sport aviation, and sailplanes (gliders) among others.
Source: beringer-aero.com
Bernasse
Place de la République Toucy - Yonne
V-twins and single-cylinder motocyclettes built by Maximilien Bernasse, c1906-1907, using engines from Deckert of Paris, among others. An example which was part of the Guélon Collection is dated c.1906 has a single cylinder engine mounted low in the frame in front of the pedal crank, and is fitted with a Hygina central spring fork. The Bernasse factory still exists and is in use for the restoration and display of Citroen DS automobiles.
Sources: Bourdache p430; Guélon Collection.
Bernet
Built at 4 Rue Thiers, Choisy-Le-Roi near Paris, 1952-1954, these were lightweights powered by 48cc Cucciolo and other engines.
The Cucciolo engines were supplied under licence from Rocher.
Source: cyclovap.fr
Berthenod et Guigard
Founded in 1904, the firm had addresses at 35 rue Balay and 42 rue Prefecture in Saint Etienne
They built components for cycles and automobiles
Source: Motos dans la Loire
Bertaut
The firm offered two 50cc two-stroke mopeds in 1963, the Centurion and the Jupiter.
Source: OTTW
Berthier
In 1899 he built an petrol-engined bicyclette with large rear wheel, a small front wheel and a strongly triangulated frame.
Bourdache p430
Betty see Baud
BGA
Founded in 1900 as a manufacturer of firearms and bicycles, some five decades later the firm entered the motorcycle trade with mopeds using Junior and Solano engines, built at 64 Rue Antoine Durafour, Saint-Etienne in 1953 and '54.
Source: OTTW
Bichrone
1902-1907
Henri Lepappe of Paris built motorcycles with their own two-stroke engines which were supplied to manufacturers. The firm was one of the first to use two-stroke engines. The machines were advertised by J.C. Hencke of London in the first edition of The Motor Cycle in March 1903. The advertisement has the line, "One explosion at every revolution, which means Power".
Also referred to as "Lepape"
Sources: Tragatsch p87, wikipedia.nl
Bidalot
A famous name in the history of French motorcycling, Jean Bidalot of Urrugne began building motorcycles in 1967. These early efforts were very fast 50cc racing machines. He went on to become head designer at Pernod which ran his creations in the 125 and 250 GPs, winning six titles. In 1983 he moved to MBK and is probably best known for the Magnum XR engines. Having contracted a debilitating disease he returned to his origins where he developed a line in go-faster gear for competition motorcycles, a business continued by his sons.
Source: OTTW
Birma
Lightweights built in Lyon 1949 to 1959 using 98cc Aubier & Dunne engines.
Source: OTTW
Bisson-Berger
Two-wheel engine for tricycles - ran to the coast of Chanteloup in 1898
Bourdache p430
BJS
Motorcycles manufactured by M. Bogey based in Grenelle, Paris, from c1926 to 1935. B.J.S. are thought to have used frames built by Gam of St Etienne.
Bogey, of 57 Boulevard de Grenelle, Paris, also advertised a 3CV two-stroke with the name Motorbony-x.
Sources: OTTW, period advertising, et al.
B.M.F.
Bourgeois Marechal France was a motorcycle component manufacturer which also built complete motorcycles in the 1920s. Dates are unknown, and the factory was apparently destroyed during the second war.
Source: La Moto Francaise
BMP
A Paris-based automobile company established in 1911 which built motorcycles in the early 1930s using JAP and Rudge Python engines.
Source: OTTW
Boccardo
1987-1989
Louis Boccardo, with Dominique Favario and Thierry Grange, was one of the designers of the BFG. He left that company to build the MF, and later built the Boccardo, of which 5 copies were produced.
Sources: bfg.asso.fr
Boillod
"Same transmission on the Boillod, but the engine, a two-cylinder, is placed behind the saddle of the pilot. "
Bourdache p112
Boissette
303 rue du faubourg Saint Antoine, Paris
Motocyclettes, 1904~1906
Jules Beau made a photograph titled "M. Boissette sur Boissette - 1904" showing a solo machine towing a two-wheeled chair carrying a woman.
Bourdache p431
Boivin
35 Citée des fleurs, Paris
Established 1896, built a motorcycle, and then in 1902 a driving wheel adaptable on all bicycles. Patented.
Bourdache pp 56, 146.
Bolide
87 Avenue de la Grande Armée, Paris
1899-1910. Established by Leon Lefebvre, the company had factories in Pantin which built automobiles and motorcycle engines. One source says they built motorcycles of 1½ hp but others are not sure this is so. A motorcycle of inderminate brand with a Bolide engine dated c.1900 was auctioned with the Guélon Collection
Bourdache p320
Bon Avion
Established in 1840 as an arms manufacturer at 8 Place Villeboeuf à St Etienne by M. Bonnavion, construction of motorcycles began in 1927 with flat-tank chain-drive singles using engines from Brouiller, LMP, Zurcher and others in capacities ranging from 175cc to 500cc. It seems likely that motorcycle production ceased in 1929. Bicycle production continued until at least 1951.
Models:
1927 Brouiller 175, Zurcher 250 4T OHV, LMP 350cc, Chaise 500cc
1928 Brouiller 175, Zurcher 250 4T OHV, LMP 350cc, Chaise 500cc
1929 Brouiller 175, Zurcher 250 4T OHV, LMP 350cc, Chaise 500cc
N.B. Some models require verification.
Motos dans la Loire
Bonhomme
Motorcycle ridden by Ricard in 1903
Bourdache p146
Bonin
17 avenue de la Motte Piquet, Paris
Émile Bonin built motorcycles with full suspension, using his own engines named L'Idéal.
The business was established in 1902.
At the 1904 Salon de l'Automobile in Paris he presented a 2½ hp motorcycle named Moto-Auto Bonin-Bréache, which was produced until 1907. Bonin continued to produce motorcycles until 1928.
Émile Paul Henri Bonin died on December 29, 1935.
Sources: zhumorist; lestricars.es.tl, see French Resources
Bonnefis
Audax 4½ hp engine, 1905 version of the Lamaudière.
Bourdache p431
Bonnefond
Founded in 1912 at 32 Rue de Champagne, Saint-Etienne, construction of mopeds began in 1949. Some of these were supplied, it appears, to Benoit Faure after that firm's factory was damaged by fire. During the 1950s the firm produced mopeds powered by Mistral and Himo engines. It ceased manufacture in 1958 but continued with bicycles until 1976, when the firm was bought by Mécacycles.
Moto Revue 16th Feb 1957 lists the company as building 4,000 cyclomoteurs from 1954 to 1956. Peak production was in 1957 with 1881 units leaving the factory.
Source: Motos dans la Loire
Bonnet (1906)
53 rue du Bois, Levallois Perret
1906, motocyclettes
Bourdache p431
Bonnet (1953)
Scooter built in 1953, Ets Bonnet, 78-80 Ave du Général-Leclerc, Billancourt, Seine.
Bonnet & Guyonnet
Bonnet & Guyonnet built motocyclettes at 54, Rue d'Hautpoul, Paris, 1907~1910.
M. Canonne had also been involved with the firm, it appears, and left on Christmas Day in 1910. The firm at that time were still building motorcycles and used the Phebus brand. An advertisement appeared in September 1918 "Automobilia" for Phebus motorcycles. They also built the Daring motorcycle.
The firm still existed in 1926 but did not appear to be building motorcycles.
babethhistoires.centerblog.net, Bourdache p435
Bonnet-Jumel
1903, Motocyclettes et tricars.
58, rue Claude-Villefaux, Paris, and 183 bis, rue du Faubourg Poissonniere, Paris
Bourdache p431
Bordes
Motorcycle exhibited in December 1901
Bourdache p431
Bouilly
Motorised bicycle built in Chartres, 1899. The company closed the same year.
Bourdache pp 68, 69
Bourcard
Built in 1903 by J.J. Bourcard in Colmar, Alsace on the German Border
The machine consisted of two motorcycles side by side - one bike has the rider, and the other the engine in order to isolate the rider from vibration.
Bourdache p431
Bourdiaux
Vertical in-line twin with common combustion chamber, one valve each for inlet and exhaust, built for racing 1900-1901. Used by Demeester.
Bourdache p136
Bourgery
A Motor-bicycle with petrol engine located behind the pedals constructed in Nogentle-Rotrou by M. Bourgery from 1896 until at least 1900. He had concieved the idea for the machine in 1893, at the tender age of 19.
Two of these, both dated c.1898, were part of the Guélon Collection. They are very similar, differing only with the lack of crankcase markings on one, presumed to be the earlier model. The other has J. Bourgery cast into the case on the right side, and the engine is rated at 1¾ h.p.
A period illustration shows "JB" cast into the crankcase.
Bourdache p431
Bourgoin
Tricycle with De Dion-Bouton Engine of 1899.
Bourdache p431
Boveil
Established as Boveil and Bory in 1904, later that year the name changed to Boveil-Dorier.
The company produced motorcycles powered by Givaudan engines from 1904 at 3 rue Bourgneuf in Saint Etienne.
Torpille motorcycles were built until 1907 when the company closed.
Source: Motos dans la Loire
Braud
In 1924 built a motorcycle powered by a Massardier 1¼ h.p. engine.
Source: Motos dans la Loire
Breuil
35 avenue de la Grande Armée, Paris
Motocyclettes, 1902, powered by Astral engines.
Bourdache pp 431, 146, 320.
Brierre
239 Boulevard Pereire, Paris
Established in 1898, E.J. Brierre, Perrenoud and Gansewinkel built trimoteurs, quatris and automobiles with petrol engines. The company closed in 1901
Bourdache p432
Briest
109 rue de Rennes, Nantes
The Briest brothers ran a motor bicycle in the 1895 Paris-Bordeaux-Paris.
Bourdache p44
Brissard Fils
11 rue du Colonel Oudot, Paris
Engine used in the contest of the Locomotion Automobile in 1899. It is not clear whether the engines were used in motorcycles.
Bourdache p432
Brooklyn
Moto Revue N°523 of 18th March 1933 has an article on the Brooklyn 250 cc SV JAP
La Moto Francaise
Brousset
Light motorcycle engine presented at the 1902 Salon
Bourdache p432
Brun-Latrige
The firm was founded in 1836 and built weapons and bicycles at 7 Cours Fauriel, Saint-Etienne. Their first motorcycles appeared in their 1909 catalogue advertised as a "Moto-Bicyclette KD" of 1¾ h.p. These were Keller Dorian engines.
The firm continued to make bicycles, pistols and rifles until at least 1937, but the motorcycle venture was short-lived.
Sources: Motos dans la Loire, encycloduvelo.fr
Brunet
27 to 31 rue des Archives, Paris
Albert Brunet built cycles and motorcycles exhibited at the 1908 Paris Salon. A later advertisement gave the dates 1909-1911 for cycles and motocyclettes Etoile, mentioning La "Moto-Becane".
Bourdache p432, Zhumoriste.
Buard 1907
Moto à vapeur (steam-powered) motorcycle photographed by FM Dumas at Musées de Châtellerault.
Designed by Paul Buard in the workshop of Leon Serpollet, Paris 1905. It did not enter commercial production and was one of the last steam motorcycles built.
Bugatti
Etore Bugatti, famed for his sports and racing cars, built bicycles as early as 1913. He also built a limited number of T.72 bicycle attachment engines, the likes of which had never been seen before. They were tiny OHV engines, the smallest being 12.66 cc. This one was produced in 1944 in France, probably the last of around seven he built.
Bugatti began his career with the La Stucchi & C. motorcycle firm.
Source: bugattirevue.com
Burton
Built in the 1950s using AMC 4T engines. Primitive telescopic forks, plunger rear.
ID plate reads Burton, Type BGL, Serie 54.
La Moto Francaise
Butler Trimoteurs
In 1899 Portéous Butler established a workshop France to build tricycles of English manufacture with Automoto engines. Because of their colours, his version was named (or nicknamed?) Rouge et Noir
Bourdache p9, p13.
There are several Butler marques so confusion is possible - see Disambiguation
