Vintage French Motorcycles
Paris
Veteran French Tricycle
M. Lombard
French Boardtrack
Motorcycle and Trailer
Famous French Racer
This page lists makes for which we currently have limited information. There is also a page on really obscure French brands.
For a more complete listing visit the French Index.
Dab Motors
Established in 2017, the company evolved in 2020 to develop thermal and electric models.
Their website states that Dab is a Peugeot company, and the factory is located in Beaulieu-Mandeure, France. Initially they offered six bespoke machines priced at 19,900 Euros. Projected production had increased to 400 by late 2024.
Website: dabmotors.com
FB: fb.com/dabmotors1
Dainty 1950s
Dalifol 1894
Damas
10 rue Barbès, Levallois - Perret (Seine)
Around 1899 these motorcycles and tricycles were built fitted with Le Sphinx engines. A motorcycle rescued from a scrapyard in 1972 was part of the Guélon Collection
Bourdache p434
Daring
Flat-tank two-stroke. Appears to be late 1920s. Built by Bonnet & Guyonnet.
Darmont 1920-1939
David
1905. Tricar with J.Quentin engine and Bozier gearbox.
Bourdache p434
Davy
49cc mopeds built at the Peugeot factory in the 1950s. It is not clear whether the brand was owned by Peugeot.
"Nouvelle Bicyclette a Moteur Davy. Fabrication des Cycles Peugeot. Beaulieu - Valentigney (Doubs)"
Dazeur
The firm manufactured components such as brakes, pedals and wheel rims in the 1950s. Their address was the same as that of Samir, at 10 rue Emile Zola, St Etienne. Samir made Samimox wheels which were fitted to Flandria.
Source: Motos dans la Loire
Debeaune
85 rue de Bourgogne, Lyon
These machines were re-badged Italian Della Ferrera machines sold around 1913.
(In this year 1913, two new French brands were launched. One makes extensive use of Italian construction, the Debeaune is actually a Della Ferrera whose tank bears the mark of the former terror à la René Gillet.)
Debaralle
Became the Aiglon marque.
Bourdache p146, p429
Decolon Motorcycles
Their 1948 model has a four-stroke AMC 108cc engine, girder fork and rigid rear.
In the mid-1950s they built three-wheeled microcars powered by Ydral engines.
Sources: La Moto Francaise, et al.
Dedôm
Established in 1998 by the brothers Jean-Michel and Pierre-Jean Dedôm
Rue de la Poudrerie, ZI Franchises – 52200 Langres
Builds touring, sports and off-road sidecars.
Source: dedome.com
Degré
In his workshop at No. 1 Avenue du Roule, Neuilly, M. Degré built a Minerva-powered 233cc motorcycle which he presented at the London show of 1902. The marque existed until at least 1906, but at that stage was producing front suspension, not complete motorcycles. An example of the machine dated c.1903 was part of the Guélon Collection.
Source: Guélon Collection
Delachanal 1901~
DeLaurier and Morin 1869
Delieutraz
Motorcycle involved in the 1903 M.C.F. competition.
Bourdache p403
Deleau
Motorcycle exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1898 (15/26 December)
Bourdache p434
Demaria
Petrol-engined bicycle cited by the magazine Touring Club de France, 1902
Bourdache p434
It is possible D.E.M and Ets Demade are related.
La Moto Francaise
Derby
4 avenue Carnot, Paris
Motorcycle classified 8th of the criterium of the motorcycles the 24 of October of 1901, ridden by De Ridder.
Bourdache p434
Desgrouas 1902
Devinant
3 and 5 Rue Jouvenet, Paris, 1906.
Motos and Tricars with integral suspension.
See also Mauxion & Devinant 1903, same address.
Bourdache p434
Diane
Manufactured by Ets Smagghe of Seclin (near Lille) in 1954.
Established as a bicycle manufacturer in 1896, Smagghe built mopeds named Diane with Le Poulain engines.
Didier Jillet
1975~1979
The DJ 1200 was an unusual motorcycle with hub-centre steering, powered by a Peugeot 204 1130cc inline four. The endurance racer failed to qualify for the Bol d'Or.
Sources: appeldephare.com, Moto Revue No. 2452, March 6, 1980
Diem
Ets Diem, 28-30 rue de Borrégo, Paris 20
Built 33cc and 48cc cycle attachment engines 1948-54. These were fitted to the Dupont invalid carriage, among others.
Source: La Moto Francaise
Diva
Jules Zimmermann et Cie
10 rue Emile Allez, Paris
Motos, 1903
Bourdache p434
DJ Construction
Manufactured in Savoie in the French Alps, just south of Geneva.
Jean-Louis Damois has been building sidecars since 1988. Several models are offered including touring, sports and offroad.
Sources: dj-sidecars.fr, et al
DMS
(1) - D·M·S Société LA MAZARINE. 9, Rue Mazarine - Paris-6e.
Source: Moped SE
(2) - Moteurs D.M.S., 13, Avenue Jules-Ferry, Casablanca, MOROCCO. 50cc two-stroke bicycle attachment engine.
Source: cyclememory.org
Donjon
Participated in an event at the 1904 La Provence Sportive
Bourdache p434
Dorion
Built in France 1932-1936. Powered by Aubier-Dunne 98cc and 125cc engines.
Source: Tragatsch p118
Doudart 1800s
Duchemin
Motorised bicycle displayed at the 1900 exhibition in Vincennes
Bourdache p434
Dumas
Manufactured by M.A Dumas fils of Champigny-sur-Marne, 1902-1903.
The three-wheeler was powered by a Buchet 4.5hp engine mounted behind the front wheel which it drove by chain. A bench seat accomodated two, and steering was by steering wheel.
Sources: 3-wheelers.com, Wikipedia DE, et al
Dumont
Tricycle exhibited at the Salon des Tuileries in 1899
Bourdache p434
Dupont
Dupont Voiture a Moteur, Hautefeuille, Paris (VI)
48cc engine by Diem. Invalid carriage, mid 1930s, and probably later.
Source: Period advertising
Dupressoir
Manufactured a De Dion engined motorcycle in Maubeuge (North), exhibited at the 2nd Salon (10/25 December 1901)
Bourdache p434
Durand
1920~1923
Ets. Motorcycles Durand of Abbeville fitted Zürcher sidevalve and OHV engines to frames of their own manufacture.
Sources: Tragatsch p123, wikipedia.nl
Duravia 1950-1957
Durey
1900
82 rue d'Hauteville, Paris ( 1907)
Motorized bicycle named La Parfaite with engines above the pedals in 1900.
Bourdache pp 69, 84, 86, 98.
Dutemple
Motocyclette of 1903
Bourdache p434
Duten Engines
56 rue des Arts in Levallois-Perret (Seine)
Built in the 1920s, they were best known for their "rotary-valve" 175cc and 250cc 2-strokes which were fitted to many marques, among them Dé-Dé, Rochester, G.D, Propul-Cycle, DS-Malterre, Vog and Charles Gerald.
Crankcase induction was via a hole in the crankshaft in the main bearing area. These were relatively complex engines and probably more expensive than the competitors.
Dutheil-Chalmers et Cie
Took part in the M.C.F. concours d'endurance of 1903. A patent for a motorcycle was taken in 1901 by the same company.
Bourdache p434
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