Motoconfort. 1926

Mobylette

The Mobylette is a type of motorcycle that was manufactured in the mid-TWENTIETH century, and had great popularity.

History

At the beginning of the 1920s, Charles Benoit and Abel Bardin worked in SICAM (Société Industrielle de Construction d'auto et de Moteurs).

In 1923 they left the factory, and is associated creating their own brand called "Motobécane". The following year appeared the first moticicleta, the MB1 engine single cylinder two-stroke 175 cc. with strap.

In 1926 created a mark parallel : Motoconfort and marketed a new model: 308.

Motobécane diversifies its production and in the following years new models and engines, as in the case of the so-called block B, the first engine own 4-cylinder versions between 175 and 500 cc. This block would be replaced in 1934 by the new series S (sport) and R (road).

With the War reoriented the production to small displacements and in 1945 it appears the D45, the bike popular for excellence.

But the great success of the brand came in 1949 with the famous Mobylette, which produced up to 14 million copies in its various versions.

Mobylette 1949

The first model of the new Mobylette presented at the Salon de Paris of the Bike from 1949. This first prototype of post-war (AV 3), was composed on the basis of the union of discarded items from other machines (such as the strengthened frame of a bike model of 1938, or the engine of the model "Pony" 49 cc). The deposit was located between the support seat and the wheel case back. In total, I had 28 kg of weight and reached a maximum speed of 30 km/h.

This base model, without a clutch, fork, or transmission, was improved from 1952 onwards, with the introduction of top quality parts in the new models. Such is the case of the VA 31, joined a telescopic fork, or the VA 33, which added an automatic clutch. The magnificent relation quality/price and ease of use made the success was immediate.

At the beginning of the 60th years of XX century the company eibarresa ( the Basque country (Spain)) Garate, Anitua and Company, G. A. C. begins the production of Mobylette under license and this vehicle is very popular in Spain.

Recent years

In the following years appeared new models; the 125-LT in 1969, the 350 and 500 cc. three-cylinder in 1973, among others. In spite of everything, the company's bankruptcy in 1981, and acquired in 1983 by the japanese Yamaha, continuous production under the new brand MBK.