General Information

Serial #

4909680

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

STAINLESS STEEL FENDERS, STEERING COLUMN LOCK, HORN/ METAL PARTS/ RUBBER TIRES, PEDALS, HANDGRIPS/ SYNTHETIC SEAT & PARTS

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

170.0 cm

Width

64.0 cm

Height

99.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Motorized Ground Transportation

Category

Motorcycle vehicles

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

MOTOBECANE

Country

France

State/Province

Unknown

City

Unknown

Context

Country

Worldwide

State/Province

Unknown

Period

1975 TO PRESENT

Canada

For many years Motobecane was France's largest manufacturer of motorcycles. Charles Benoit and Abel Bardin joined in 1922 and designed their first motorcycle in 1923, a 175 cc (10.7 cu in) single cylinder two-stroke-engined bike. By the 1930s Motobecane was producing a best-selling range of motorcycles. In 1933, they produced their first four-stroke machine with 250 cc (15 cu in) capacity. During the 1930s, they manufactured a longitudinal shaft-drive inline-four engine motorcycle in 500 and 750 cc (31 and 46 cu in). During this period, the firm entered road racing competitions and won the Bol d'or endurance race. After the Second World War they produced the single-cylinder D45 motorbike that filled a need for cheap transportation. The successor was the Z46, equipped with modern suspension. Like many European motorcycle manufacturers, the 1960s proved difficult for Motobécane as cars became affordable. As a result, sales decreased. The arrival of cheap, efficient Japanese motorcycles also hurt sales. They continued to produce two-cylinder 125cc motorcycles throughout the 1970s. They also manufactured a small number of two-stroke, three-cylinder 350cc and 500cc bikes. For a time in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the company competed in Grand Prix motorcycle racing claiming several victories in the 125cc class and finishing second in the 1980 125cc road racing world championship. In 1978, Canadian Walter Muma rode a 50V (moped) 11,500 miles on a 3-month trip that began in Toronto, brought him to Alaska, and back to Toronto.

Function

GENERAL TRANSPORTATION

Technical

Motobécane introduced a moped, the Mobylette, in 1949; over the next 48 years, Motobécane manufactured 14 million Mobylettes. All Motobécane mopeds are generally referred to (and usually carry the name) Mobylette, however there are several styles of submodel. Particularly during the moped boom of the 1970s, several variations were available, usually incorporating a number/letter combination such as 40T, 40TL, 40V, and 50V. These naming conventions determined which types of equipment were standard or even available with the moped. For example, the 40T was usually a slower version, capable of just 25mph maximum speed and having no rear suspension. The top of the line 50V had front and rear suspension, a heavier body, and was capable of 30 to 35 miles per hour (48 to 56 km/h).

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

SILVER ON BLACK MFR. PLATE (STICKER) ON HEADSTOCK READS: `MOTOBECANE/ CM/ TYPE N40T 49.9CC/ MACH NO.04909680/ Recue au Sce des Mines a/ Paris Le 1-9-71/ Made in France'/ PLATE ON CYLINDER HEAD RIGHT HAS: `1766033' INCISED IN/ ON FUEL TANK SIDES IN DARK RED, WHITE & SILVER IS: `[LOGO] MOTOBECANE'/ BLACK ON YELLOW STICKERS ON FRONT FENDER & CHAIN GUARDS READS: `HONDA/ OF OTTAWA'/ DARK RED & WHITE STICKERS ON BOTH CHAIN GUARDS READS: `MobyLette'

Missing

N/A

Finish

ORANGE COLOURED FORKS, CHASSIS, FUEL TANK, REAR LUGGAGE RACK/ WHITE HEADLIGHT CASE & LOWER CHAIN GUARD/ BLACK SEAT, TIRES, PEDALS, HANDGRIPS/ PLATED WHEEL RIMS, FRONT & REAR FENDERS HANDLE BARS

Decoration

N/A