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.
Jacquelin 1902
Japauto 1972~1976
Jarret
La Voiture Electronique Porquerolles was manufactured by the Jarret Brothers from 1969. At least three versions were built, some with three wheels and joystick controls.
Source: Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum
JBB
Jean-Bertrand Bruneau of Le Mans built an endurance racer in 1994 using a form of hub centre steering which ran in the 1994 Le Mans 24 Hour and the 1995 Bol d'Or. A second machine remained incomplete in his workshop for some years. Both were powered by Kawasaki 750cc fours.
Sources: François-Marie Dumas, kerloclassic.com
J.B. Louvet 1913-1914 (Puteaux)
Jeanperrin 1892-1905
JCM Trials 1984-1990
Jeaniel Sidecars 1981-1988
Jeanneret
Jeanneret a remporté cette année plusieurs victoires en circuit et courses de côtes avec son célèbre sidecar oscillant, qui s'est imposé dès son apparition par son originalité et sa facilité de conduite. Ce sidecar a été dessiné et réalisé par Jeanneret lul-même et ceux qui l'ont vu en course ont été émerveillés par sa tenue. Les niçois connaissent Jeanneret comme un des agents les plus sympathiques et les plus dévoués de la Côte d'Azur.
Il exécute avec adresse et célérité tous les travaux concernant la motocyclette et se charge également de l'acquisition et de la vente des occasions. Les enthousiastes de la moto trouvent chez lui une atmosphère qu'on souhaiterait rencontrer chez tous les commerçants de la partie.
Jeanneret has achieved several victories this year in circuit and hill climb races with his famous swingarm sidecar, which made a name for itself from the start thanks to its originality and ease of handling.
This sidecar was designed and built by Jeanneret himself, and those who have seen it in competition have been amazed by its performance. The people of Nice know Jeanneret as one of the friendliest and most dedicated dealers on the French Riviera. He skillfully and efficiently carries out all motorcycle-related work and also handles the purchase and sale of used motorcycles. Motorcycle enthusiasts find at his shop an atmosphere they wish they could find in all local businesses.
1947 Salon de la Motocyclette, Moto Revue. Courtesy Memoire du Cycle.
Jewell
Sidecars manufactured in France from 1977. Their model J2P was presented at the IFMA Show in 1986, along with the Junior and the Universal.
The firm was absorbed by Walter in 1988.
Sources: Gespann-Lexikon; Hal Kendall
J.G. Engines
Paris-based motorcycle engine manufacturer, pre 1914.
Bourdache p437
Jochum
Motorcycle exhibited at the second Salon, December 1901.
Bourdache p117
J.O.G.
1906. J. Grosse Manufacturer of bicycles, and later built tandems and tricars. Possibly related to Grosse-Goubault.
Bourdache p437
Jouclard 1902-03
Jouve
In the press of the time there was frequent mention of a Jouve sidecar. In fact the product was English, better known under the name Mills-Fullford for whom Jouve was the representative in Paris.
An advertisement reads:
Sources: Bourdache p365, et al.
Judenne 1950~1954
Jules Dubois
23 avenue des Champs Elysées, Paris
Built tricycles with De Dion engines, 1899~1906
Bourdache p437
Jullian
Usine de Bicyclettes électriques de Bésançon built 175cc motorcycles circa 1915.
Source: Wikipedia NL
Juncker
Manufactured by Motocycles et Moteurs Juncker of Mulhouse in north-eastern France, 1935-1937
These were lightweight motorcycles using Stainless and Aubier & Dunne engines of 98cc to 147cc.
Source: Wikipedia NL
Junior Engines
Manufactured by the F.M.L. company in Saint-Étienne, Loire, 1952-1955, these were 49.7 cc single-cylinder two-stroke engines with no gearbox. They were sold to numerous firms in the Loire area including Aquila, Arliguie, Babymoto, Benoît Faure, BGA, Elvish, Guiller, Hirondelle, Mercier, New Ydeal, Racer and Royal Fabric.
See also Le Poulain.
Source: OTTW
There were several Junior marques.
Rarer French Marques
