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".
At first glance, we can take the small Lepape engine - named Bichrone - for an ordinary V-twin with one of the cylinders having no fins.
~ Bourdache
Martin Shelley writes:
Reports from the 1903 Stanley Show
The Bichrone motor will be shown by J. C. Hencke in the Minor Hall at the Stanley. There will be motors of 2.25 and 3.5 h.p., a Bichrone motor-bicycle and fore-carriage, Invicta accumulators, Dary coils, tanks and other accessories will also be shown.
Sources: Tragatsch p87, Martin Shelley, Graces Guide, Bourdache.
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