Motobecane Motorcycles B4 1932
In 1923 Motobecane was a French manufacturer of bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles and other small vehicles.
Motobecane is a compound of ‘moto’ (slang for motorcycle) ‘becane’ (slang for bike).
In its very early years Motobecane was France’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles. Its first motorcycle was designed and built in 1923 a 175cc single cylinder 2 stroke machine. By the 1930s it was producing its own 4 stroke 250cc machines and in the latter part of the 1930s it was also producing a longitudinal shaft drive inline four of 500 and 750cc configuration.
The Company also entered road racing competitions and won the famous French endurance event “the Bol d’or endurance race. After WW2 it produced the single cylinder D45 motorbike that filled a need for cheap transport. The brand struggled but still managed to survive through to the 1970s and 80s manufacturing a small number of two stroke, three cylinder 350cc and 500cc bikes. In the late 70s and early 80s it competed in the 125cc Grand Prix class claiming several victories in the 125cc class and finishing second in the 125cc road racing world championship.
This bike was purchased in New Zealand.