Motosacoche Motorcycles

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Motosacoche Models - Overview

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Notes on several interesting machines from the Motosacoche firm

Motosacoche Sparkbrook 1902

A 1902 Motosacoche mounted in a Sparkbrook bicycle frame is unrestored although a few components that were once missing have been accurately reproduced. The 147cc engine has an atmospheric inlet valve and a mechanical exhaust with a cable-operated lifter. The band rear and stirrup front brakes are cable operated from the handlebar.

From 1900 Motosacoche produced a bicycle auxiliary engine in a subframe that could be installed into a conventional bicycle. This looked like an engine in a bag, hence the Motosacoche name, meaning "engine in a bag". The Sparkbrook firm of Coventry built bicycles. There is a similar machine from 1912 branded Speedwell here: Speedwell Motosacoche


Motosacoche 1904 Type A

The Type A was the first motorcycle built by the factory in Geneva. It used a chassis by Terrot.


Motosacoche 1905 Type B

The Type B differs from Type A in the use of magneto ignition of a type used in 1905 only. There are no other differences in either the engine or the frame.


Motosacoche 1908 Type D

Range included D2 Dame


Motosacoche 1912*

Models included 2-2½ hp single, 3hp v-twin, Type 2C7 V-twin, 2C6 with chain drive, 2C3 with belt drive.

Type 2C3
Power: 2.57 KW
Displacement: 350cc
Type of engine: Twin Cylinder V Twin
Transmission: Belt drive
Maximum speed: 75 Km/h approx.
Weight: 180 Kg

N.B. * Model information from two different sources.


Motosacoche 1919 V-Twins

Motosacoche-1919-Paris-Salon-TMC-01.jpg

The 6 h.p. M.A.G. engined Motosacoche, which is fitted with three speed expanding ring type.

More images...

Motosacoche at the Paris Salon

Our readers need no introduction to the Motosacoche either as regards its leading features or the excellence of its workmanship. There are, however, some interesting details incorporated in the new models, the chief of which lies in the new three-speed gear. This gear is similar to the Enfield two-speed in general layout ; there are, however, three primary chain drives and three expanding clutches, the adjustment for each of which is independent and easily accessible. Another important feature is the springing system, which is arranged somewhat on the lines of the Bat and insulates the rider only, the saddle tube and footrests being supported by a large tension spring placed behind the down tube. All wheels are now detachable and interchangeable, and fitted with special dummy belt rims in which both front and rear wheel brakes act. 4 h.p. and 8 h.p. models are shown, the former being a twin of 64x77 mm., and the latter a twin of 82x95 mm. All models are, of course, fitted with the well-known M.A.G. engine, which has undergone practically no alteration.

The khaki finish, combined with first-class fittings and entirely armoured tool-bags, gives the machine a very pleasing and clean appearance.

Paris Salon, 1919

The Motor Cycle


Motosacoche 1925 Models


Type 206 2½ CV Tourisme, MAG single, 3 speed.
Type 207 2½ CV Super Sport, MAG single, 3 speed.
Type 303 3½ CV Super Sport, MAG twin-port single, 3 speed.
Type 304 3½ CV Tourisme, MAG single, 3 speed.
Type 407 5 CV Standard, MAG v-twin, 3 speed.
Type 803 10 CV Tourisme Luxe sidecar combination, MAG v-twin, 3 speed.
Type 804 Sport

1927 Type 1C10 BC 1927
Cylinder capacity: 250cc (64 x 77 mm, 247.7cc)
Speed: 80 Km / H
Weight: 90 Kg

Motosacoche 1928 Models

Type 210
OHV 250cc 61x85mm, 3CV, Tyres 26x3½ 110 km/h, 110 kgs

Type 310
OHV 350cc 72x85mm, 4CV, Tyres 26x3½ Max 120 km/h, 125 kgs

Type 410
OHV 500cc 82x94mm, 5CV, Tyres 26x3½ Max 135 km/h, 130 kgs

Type 209
IOE 250cc 64x77mm, 3CV, Tyres 700x80, Max 80 km/h, 95 kgs

Type 309
IOE 350cc 72x85mm, 4CV, Tyres 26x3½, Max 90 km/h, 120 kgs

Type 409
IOE, 500cc 82x94mm, 5CV, Tyres 26x3½, Max 100 km/h, 125 kgs


1929 Grand Tourisme 750 IOE

The 750cc machine has a bore and stroke of 72mm x 91mm and is rated at 8hp, with chain drive to the rear wheel via a three-speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox. Gear change is by hand shift lever on the right with a foot-operated clutch pedal on the left. Bosch electrics powere the headlamp and tail light, and it has a klaxon horn.


1929 Sport Type 414

500cc MAG OHV, bore/stroke 82x94mm, Engine# prefix 1C9

Sturmey Archer gearbox, Terry seat, speedometer, Bosch horn and electric lighting system.

There are several quality images of this model in the gallery.


1929 250cc Type BL
Capacity: 250cc
Bore x stroke: 64 x 72 mm
Power: 3 h.p. at 4,000 rpm
Elastic fork with shock absorber
Max. Speed: 80 km/h
Weight: 95 Kg
Fuel economy: 2 litres per 100km


1930s Models

Year

type

Engine cycle Bore/Stroke Capacity Gears
1931/32 TL 4T 4-speed 64/77 250 3 speed
1931/32 350 Touriste 4T 4- speed 72/85 350 3 speed
1931/32 500 Touriste 4T 4-speed 82/94 500 3 speed
1931/32 350S SPORT OHV 4-speed 72/85 350 3 speed
1931/32 500S SPORT OHV 4-speed 82/94 500 3-speed
1931/32 319 twin 4T 4-speed 72/91 750cc 3-speed
1933 319 4T 4-speed 72/85 348 3-speed
1933 318 OHV 4-speed 72/85 348 3-speed
1933 419 SV 4-speed 82/94 498 3- speed
1933 420 OHV 4-speed 82/94 498 3-speed
1933 425 de Luxe SV 4-speed 82/94 498 3-speed
1933 426 de Luxe OHV 4-speed 82/94 498 3-speed
1933 720 SV 4-speed 72/104 846 4-speed
1933 322 Corse OHV 4-speed 72/85 348 3-speed
1933 422 Corse OHV 4-speed 82/94 498 3-speed
1933 409BL 4T 4-speed 82/94 498 4-speed
1933 310BL OHV 4-speed 72/85 347 3-speed
1933 410 LL OHV 4-speed 82/94 498 4-speed
1934 MAG 101 2T 2 100 single-speed
1934 208 4T 4-speed 250 4-speed
1934 311 4T 4-speed 350 4-speed
1934 511 SV 4-speed 500 4-speed
1934 512 4T 4-speed 500 4-speed
1934 710 4T 4-speed 750 4-speed
1934 312 OHV 4-speed 350 4-speed
1934 510 OHV 4-speed 500 4-speed
1935 BMA 101 2T 2 100 single-speed
1935 208 4T 4-speed 250 4-speed
1935 311 4T 4-speed 350 4-speed
1935 509 4T 4-speed 500 4-speed
1935 511 SV 4-speed 500 4-speed
1935 312 OHV 4-speed 350 4-speed
1935 510 OHV 4-speed 500 4-speed
1935 710 4T 4-speed 750 4-speed
1938 BMA 101 2T 2 100 single-speed
1938 208 4T 4- speed 250 4-speed
1938 311 4T 4-speed 350 4-speed
1938 511 SV 4-speed 500 4-speed
1938 312 OHV 4-speed 350 4-speed
1938 510 OHV 4-speed 500 4-speed
1938 710 4T 4-speed 750 4-speed

1930 Models


Type 317 350cc OHV Grandsport
Type 317(2) 347cc IOE
Type 409 500cc OHV
Type 417 498cc OHV
Type 418 498cc SV Jubilee
Type 714B 748cc IOE V-twin

1936 Type 312 Grand Sport 350cc

Built in France at the Motosacoche factory in Lyon, the machine was fitted with a Swiss-made MAG 347cc twin-port engine with a bore & stroke of 72mm x 85mm. The remainder of the components were either built in the factory or supplied by French component suppliers like Magneto-France and Marchal.


1953 Type 212 Opti

In 1953 the factory revealed a model with a 250cc OHC Opti engine. This engine had been designed for UT of Germany by Richard Küchen, and the machines were sold under the Motosacoche name. Market conditions for motorcycles were unfavorably influenced by the influx of cheap cars, and production ceased in 1955.

Sources: Bretti Brothers, preverdy.free.fr, et al.

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