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1965 Mobylette Motobecane Factory France - 2-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article
Original, Vintage Magazine articlePage Size: Approx. 8\" x 11\" (21 cm x 28 cm) each pageCondition: Good
By FLOYD CLYMERBy far the largest manufacturers oflightweight motorcycles in France is Moto-becane, and their most popular seller is thesmall Mobylette, now being imported tothe U. S.We have tested the Mobylette modelwith the automatic transmission over aperiod of four months, and approximately800 miles. This little 50cc 2-stroke enginejob is unique in many ways, and only aFrench engineer could think of some ofthe unusual and practical features that areincluded.The automatic transmission changes thegear ratios by means of pulleys that changetheir angles as the engine speed increasesor decreases. The engine is mounted in apeculiar fashion, as it is hinged at the topand actually moves back and forth as thevariation of the belt pulleys takes place.This little bike has almost unbelievableacceleration from a standstill and willclimb steeper hills than one would expect.A feature that is much appreciated inFrance, where gasoline prices are veryhigh (and where the factory builds 2500Mobylettes a day) is a button located onthe clutch housing which by turning, en-ables the rider to disengage the engine en-tirely. allowing the machine to be riddenas an ordinary bicycle. We had occasionto use this feature once when we ran outof gas, and it pedals quite easily.Starting the engine is accomplished by.pedaling ten or twelve feet with the de-compressor lever released, as the clutchautomatically engages and turns the engineover. Starting is instantaneous, and thebike warms up quickly.It is well balanced and gives a comfort-able ride. The seat is rather unorthodoxand for this country we think it should beslightly larger. The handlebars are adjusta-ble, and a hand lever on each handlebaroperates the front and rear brakes, whichare extremely effective.Top speed is 25-28 mph on regular gas,and the 516 horsepower engine gets up to22’5 mpg. The gas tank is embodied in theunitized frame, and has a capacity of 1.3gallons. This is really a lot of mileage be-tween filling stations.The extremely simple engine has onlythree moving parts, with a 2-ring pistonand the wrist pin on needle bearings. Allother moving parts are mounted on rolleror ball bearings.Three different models are manufac-tured, but the most popular one nowcoming into the United States is theMobymatic-Super.The company in France has been in busi-ness for many years, and they also manu-facture the larger Motobecane Motorcycle.Mobylettes are also assembled in Spain,Morocco, England, India, Holland, Italy,Hand on gasoline shut-off valve. Unlike UnitedStates practice, pushing the valve down (or in)is for running position.Eire, Iran, South Vietnam and Denmark,under license agreements with the Moto-becane Company.The firm has specialized in manufactur-ing 2-wheel bikes since 1929. They werefirst manufacturers of bicycles, but nowtheir main product is motor bikes. Overfive, million vehicles have been manufac-tured since 1949 — which Motobecaneclaims is a record figure for the motorcycleindustry. In 1963 over 600,000 were manu-factured. and 522,000 units were sold inFrance.There are now several Mobylette dis-tributors in the United States and otherterritories are available, according to Ad-vertising and Merchandising, 13 StratfordAve., Dayton, Ohio. 4Three-quarter front view showing the automatic clutch, which engages asengine speed increases. Note the hinged engine mounting at top, the water-proof cover over the spark plug, and the decompressor (which releasescompression for easy starting) directly in front of the spark plug.A portion of the automatic electrical weldingdepartment at the Motobecane factory.MOTOBECANESPECIFICATIONSMODEL AV 79 BInfinite speed automatic transmisisonSpeeds up to 45 mph2 SAE HP, 5*4 American HP, 50 cc engine with allneedle and ball bearingsUp to 225 miles per gallon of gasColor: powder blue with chrome trim and cowhidedual seat23\"x2\" heavy duty whitewall tiresLarge beam headlight with built-in speedometerTelescope type front shock absorbersFront and rear automotive type expanding drumbrake controlled from the handle barFlywheel magneto assures instant starting, doesaway with bothersome batteriesComplete set of tools in tool kitInstruction manual and statement of origin1.3 gallon gas tank embodied in unitized frameElectric hom and lights operated by alternatorRear license plate holder and fail light with brakelightTwo-cycle trouble-free engine, immediate lubrica-tion on first stroke, only 3 moving partsCylinder double transfer hard chrome liningHighest quality obtainable in an engineTwo-ring piston with wrist pin on needle bearingsAll moving parts mounted on roller or ball boaringsConforms to all state safety regulationsPedals like a bike by lust turning a knob to disen-gage the transmission and enginePedals also used for additional powerBy turning this winged lever, the engine can bedisconnected and the machine pedaled as an or-dinary bicycle.One of the several assembly lines. Note that the Mobylette isassembled upside down — no doubt to afford easier access to the engineand transmission installation.13484-6501-04
