A Brief History of the Marque
The firm was established in 1928 by Marcel Brunelière in Machecoul as a bicycle manufacturer, the firm adopting the name Micmo Gitane after Marcel's nickname, meaning Gypsy. Production of motorcycles began in 1951, and during the following years lightweight roadsters and motocross machines with engines of 49cc to 198cc were produced using engines from Ydral, Vap, Mistral, Itom and Sachs.
1950s and 1960s
The company name changed to MICMO (Manufacture Industriele de Cycles et Motocycles) and marketed both Gitane cycles and motorcycles, and Le Gitan cyclomoteurs.
Gitane had built the YL and the YL Sport in 1955. The YL Sport had a dual seat and flat handlebars. In 1957, 369 Gitanes were made utilising 125cc Ydral engines. Production of 125 and 175cc Ydral powered machines ceased in 1969.
Other models of the period were the V.100 Sport with a VAP 118cc 3-speed engine, and the S.98 and S.P. 98 both with Sachs 98cc 2-speed two-strokes.
During the 1950s the firm took part in many sporting events.
Gitane models (partial list):
1955 YL510 54x54mm 125cc 4 speed, 25x3 tyres
1955 YL509 54x54mm 125cc 4 speed, 25x3 tyres
1955 GYL511 62x57.8mm 175cc 4 speed, 25x3 tyres
1955 GYL508 62x57.8mm 175cc 4 speed, 25x3 tyres
1955 M98 49x52mm 98cc 2 speed, 600x65 tyres
1956 M98 & Sport 98cc 49x52mm 2 speed, 600x65 tyres
1956 V100 & Sport 110cc 49x57.8mm 3 speed, 600x65 tyres
1956 M110 & Sport 110cc 52x52mm 2 speed, 600x65 tyres
1956 YL610 125cc 54x54mm 4 speed, 25x3 tyres
1956 YL611 Sport 125cc 54x54mm 4 speed, 25x3 tyres
1956 GYL710 175cc 62x57.8mm 4 speed, 25x3 tyres
1956 710B 175cc 62x57.8mm 4 speed, 25x3 tyres
1957-58 M98 & Sport 98cc 49x52mm 2 speed, 600x65 tyres
1957-58 V100 & Sport 110cc 49x57.8mm 3 speed, 600x65 tyres
1957-58 M110 & Sport 110cc 52x52mm 2 speed, 600x65 tyres
1957-58 YL610 125cc 54x54mm 4 speed, 25x3 tyres
1957-58 YL611 Sport 125cc 54x54mm 4 speed, 25x3 tyres
1957-58 GYL710 175cc 62x57.8mm 4 speed, 25x3 tyres
1957-58 710B Sport 175cc 62x57.8mm 4 speed, 25x3 tyres
Gitane-Testi
In the 1970s and 1980s there was a collaboration with the Italian company Testi, with some 13 different models marketed as the Gitane-Testi. Among them were very attractive P6 Minarelli-powered 50cc machines which were available with pedals or kickstarter. Most had a double-drum SLS front brake (possibly Grimeca), and some were fitted with a disc. Forks by Ceriani, Delorto carburettor, premix of 4%.
Another desirable model was the Super Corsa in full-race trim - full fairing, expansion chamber, racing seat, long skinny tank, Marzocchi forks, alloy rims, rearsets and with a 19mm carbie capable of a very healthy 130 km/h. Not strictly legal in those days of 45 km/h speed restrictions on mopeds.
Gitane-Testi models:
Minarelli engines used in Gitane-Testi models:
P6CS, P6S, P3N, P4S, P4P, P6-4, P6S
The new French moped laws of June 1st 1980 put paid to the venture, and production ceased in 1983.
In 1974 the Renault car company purchased a sizeable portion of the shares in MICMO and in the late-1970s they obtained full ownership.
Sources: club-ydral.ne, Pierre Astier, moto-collection.org, cyclememory
Notes There is also an Italian marque: Moto Gitan.
Tue Mar 04 2014
thedr46 at outlook.com
gitane testi
hi are parts available for this model mostly tank rubbers
uk
