Les 2 roues 1956 — L’Officiel du cycle, 1 October 1955, a Firm-by-Firm Survey of the 1956 Two-Wheelers

From L’Officiel du cycle, du motocycle et du camping, 1 October 1955, N° 20, the paper’s special number before the Salon du Cycle at the Porte de Versailles, pages 75, 76, 79, 83 and 85: . The title, headings, captions and lists are transcribed as printed; the text is summarized in Ebykr’s words, and the page images carry it in full.

— Page 1 —
En attendant, nous donnons ci-dessus la photo du modèle
« Javelin » à moteur « Myster », conçu et construit par la
Firme de Montargis.

★

Automoto

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. The notice opens by saying that the firm’s 1956 program holds the following models. First comes the Cyclomoteur CEGLA, a “Super-Luxe” model with an AUTOMOTO-built 48 cm3 two-stroke engine of high output and a single-speed patented automatic clutch. The Cyclomoteur CEGLS is identical to the CEGLA, with variants: chromed tank panels, a de-luxe saddle, an electric horn, a kilometer counter built into the headlamp and extremely enveloping fenders. The Cyclomoteur CEH is the Standard model with a Himo 48 cm3 two-stroke engine, a single speed with automatic clutch, a primary drive by V-belt, a rear drive by two chains and electric lighting. The Cyclomoteur CBA “Le Furet” is a de-luxe cyclomoteur with a 49 cm3 two-stroke unit engine, an enclosed engine, a synchronized clutch and decompressor, and a drive to the rear wheel by roller. The Cyclomoteur CEFT has a Vap 49 cm3 two-stroke engine, a single speed with automatic clutch, a primary drive by V-belt, a rear drive by two chains and electric lighting. The new 100 VMLG two-stroke vélomoteur is a light 100 cm3 machine with a Villiers-licensed engine, two speeds controlled at the handlebar and a single exhaust. The other models are the 100 VML, of simpler presentation with telescopic fork, and the 100 VMLS, of grand-luxe presentation with front and rear fenders having large side flanges, 600 x 65 tires, large-barrel hubs, a tank with chromed panels and a telescopic fork. The Vélomoteur 125 L has a 125 cm3 engine, three speeds by foot selector, a kick starter and ignition and lighting by flywheel magneto. The Vélomoteur 125 APGL is identical to the 125 L, with variants: chromed large-barrel hubs, very enveloping fenders, a carburetor cover, a dual seat, an Italian-type 12-liter tank and a tube bumper without shoes. The Vélomoteur 125 A.O.S. 4 is a grand sport model with a 125 cm3 four-stroke A.M.C. overhead-valve engine, four speeds by foot selector, a single exhaust, an offset kick starter and ignition and lighting by flywheel magneto with variable advance. The Scooter S.A.2 has a 125 cm3 two-stroke two-speed engine cooled by a ducted-air turbine, a two-speed gearbox controlled by two pedals and drum brakes front and rear. The Scooter S.A.3 has a high-output 125 cm3 two-stroke engine cooled by a turbine on the flywheel magneto, ignition and electric lighting from the same flywheel, twist grips at the handlebar controlling the three speeds and the throttle, two 130 mm drum brakes and a chain drive under a sealed case.]

★

Chemineau

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. The notice opens by crediting forty-four years of experience for the reputation of this excellent Saint-Étienne marque. It says LE CHEMINEAU has served the cycle industry well, since its pleasant director, Joanny PANEL, is the “père du dérailleur”, a title the author calls one he may rightly be proud of. The author says it is agreeable to pay tribute to “ce Tour de France 1912 et qui continue” to set an example in the great cyclotouring organizations (the sentence is printed that way), adding that the classic Journée Chemineau counts, besides, among the great national events. The last paragraph begins by saying that M. Joanny PANEL also builds the cyclomoteurs, and it breaks off at the foot of the column with the text continuing on the following page.]

[A full magazine page of text only in two columns, set in a humanist sans-serif roman type with bold sans-serif firm headings, “Automoto” and “Chemineau”, set flush right, and small black stars centered between the sections. Three rectangular halftone photographs fill most of the page. At the upper left a ladies’-frame motor bicycle with a low frame stands in profile with a teardrop tank set inside the frame, a telescopic fork, deep rounded fenders, a rear carrier and a low engine case under the pedals. Below the Automoto heading at the left a second light-toned halftone shows a cyclomotor from the front three-quarter with a long pointed tank, a sprung saddle, a curved chain case, deep dark fenders with light tires and a stand, against a graduated gray ground. At the center right a third halftone shows a motorcycle with a light tank bearing a round badge, a round headlamp, a long black dual seat, a tubular guard around the engine, a light enveloping front fender and a rear fender. Only the first photograph carries a caption, set as an ordinary line of text beneath it. The page number 75 stands at the foot of the right column. No artist signature or agency mark is visible on any of the photographs.]

— Page 2 —
[Ebykr summary, continuing the Chemineau paragraph from the foot of page 75; the article’s text is not reproduced. The sentence that closes the previous page resumes with « La Cheminette », the cyclomoteurs being fitted with Mistral, Junior, Vap, Himo and Myster engines. The author adds that the new LE CHEMINEAU 98 cm3 vélomoteur, type Comet, is absolutely remarkable. He closes by saying that all the machines, built in the Richelandière works at Saint-Étienne, deserve the attention of customers who seek handsome presentation and quality together.]

★

Cizeron

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. M. CIZERON, the pleasant Saint-Étienne industrialist, has made his works a model factory. The special frames built by his establishments are of unequalled quality, the fruit of a truly modern installation that brings together a highly qualified staff. The CIZERON frames for cyclotourists and racing riders, like the CIZERON children’s frames, are of remarkable elegance and resistance to every test, which the author says explains their success as the brilliant consecration of work done with taste. He adds that this reputed house is specialized in building children’s bicycles, and that all its models, perfectly studied, give full and complete satisfaction.]

★

Bernardet

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. At the Salon BERNARDET exhibits the following machines. The Scooter « Cabri » has a 98 cm3 « Comet » two-stroke engine, two speeds and the « Servomatic » automatic clutch; this single-seater weighs 40 kg, uses 2 liters per 100 km, has a 5-liter tank and is priced below 80.000 francs, and the author says the photograph above shows the attractive character of the model. The Scooter « Jaguar » is built in two powers. The first is a 125 cm3 single-cylinder model fitted with a variant of the « Comet », two-stroke, four speeds, 3 l. 2 per 100 kilometers and a 12-liter tank; its speeds are shared between two « Servomatic » positions, 1-2 for « ville » and 3-4 for « route », with a weight of 88 kg and a speed of 75 km/h. The second is a 200 cm3 model with two 98 cm3 cylinders and a 12-liter tank, whose four « Servomatic » speeds are likewise shared in groups of two. A further passage gives details of the automatic speed change with self-tightening clutch, with no clutch control and no gear change, which eliminates slip and is fitted to the « Cabri » and « Jaguar » scooters of the Société BERNARDET. A first-speed weight carrier and the second-speed bell are keyed to the crankshaft; the advantage of the Servomatic is that only one weight is fixed to the shaft at one end, the second weight being hinged to the free end of the first. Once centrifugal force brings it into contact with the first-speed bell the gripping power is multiplied on the first weight as in a servo brake, hence no slip at the clutch. The motion of the first bell is passed to the primary shaft by reduction gears and a hub with ramps and rollers that freewheels when the primary shaft turns faster than it; this happens when the second-speed weights, carried by that shaft, bear in their turn on the second-speed bell. The change from first to second always comes at the right time according to engine revolutions and torque, so any clumsiness of the rider is removed, a condition of long engine life, and the motion then passes at the end of the primary shaft to the output shaft. In four-speed engines a hand-controlled gear change at this point matches the two « ville » speeds to a new group of two « route » speeds on the same Servomatic system, so the four speeds are automatic two by two on one mechanism.]

[A full magazine page of text and photographs in two columns, set in a humanist sans-serif roman type with the firm headings “Cizeron” and “Bernardet” in bold sans-serif capitals and lower case, set flush right, and small black stars centered between the sections. Two rectangular halftone photographs, each with a narrow black rule border, show posed scenes of scooters. At the lower left a young woman in a striped V-neck top and a young man in a light open-necked shirt ride two light-colored scooters side by side on a tree-lined road, smiling toward each other; each scooter has a broad ribbed leg shield with a round badge, a round headlamp and a small front fender. At the upper right a man in a dark suit, tie and sunglasses rides a light-colored scooter of the same shape with a woman in a headscarf and sunglasses seated behind him with a hand on his shoulder, with a wall and trees behind. No caption, artist signature or agency mark is printed on either photograph, and the page number 76 stands at the foot of the left column. A sliver of the first letters of a heading from the facing page shows at the right edge.]

— Page 3 —
Csepel

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. The Czech national firm CSEPEL now offers two machines on the international market: a 125 cm3 single-cylinder two-stroke vélomoteur with a telescopic fork with oil dampers and rear suspension, and a 250 cm3 single-cylinder two-stroke motorcycle with the same types of front and rear suspension. The author calls them two machines of very racy design, with engine and gears in one block.]

★

Delangle

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. The cycles DELANGLE remain one of the last firms building bicycles exclusively, while most other producers have now added motorized machines to their ranges. Beneath the first photograph the author says that thanks to this specialization, the fruit of long experience, the firm’s activity has stayed satisfactory while the quality of the machines has been pushed to the highest degree and prices have been held down. Beneath the second photograph he adds that DELANGLE cycles also build many frames for other marques, as well as children’s bicycles, which have a great success with their agents, these counting among the handsomest on the market, and that the firm still exports with very remarkable results.]

★

D.F.A.

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. The Établissements D.F.A. CONSTEIN, of Courbevoie, present in France the products of the following German marques, of which they are the importers: « Hoffmann » (whose « Gouverneur » motorcycle is well known), « Rabeneick » (twin-cylinder, 244 cm3) and « Mars » (Stella type, 174 cm3). The author says these machines are renowned in their country of origin and in many foreign countries.]

★

Dilecta

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. A quick analysis of the program of the great firm established at Le Blanc (Indre). Under Cycles: more than thirty series models, each built in five colors, a variety that satisfies the very diverse tastes of French customers; special models have been studied for colonial and foreign customers.]

Cyclomoteurs : Les fabrications DILECTA sont équipées
avec les moteurs :
— Junior type Servomatic ;
— Vap 55 ;
— Vap B monovitesse ;
— Vap G à deux vitesses.
Chacun de ces modèles est présenté sous trois variantes :
— Série standard avec fourche renforcée et frein tambour arrière ;
— Série luxe avec suspension avant par fourche télescopique ;
— Série de haut luxe, avec suspension avant, frein mono-bloc, réservoir avant de grande capacité. Cette série de ligne racée a été spécialement créée pour le sportif.
Vélomoteurs, motoscooters : Les moteurs sont soit :
— Le « Comet » 100 cm3, 2 vitesses ;
— Le « Vap » 100 cm3, 3 vitesses.

[Ebykr summary, closing the Dilecta notice; the article’s text is not reproduced. Their power, of the order of 5 CV, has made it possible to create machines that can be fitted with a dual seat. The author says these vélomoteurs are characterized by their robustness, their stability and the protection they offer their passengers.]

[A full magazine page of text and photographs in two columns, set in a humanist sans-serif roman type with firm headings “Csepel”, “Delangle”, “D.F.A.” and “Dilecta” in bold sans-serif, set flush left, and small black stars centered between the sections. Three rectangular halftone photographs with thin borders carry the bicycle notices. At the left under the Delangle heading a toddler in a patterned knit sweater and short trousers stands behind a small children’s bicycle with fat white balloon tires, two small stabilizer wheels at the rear, a rear carrier and an enclosed chain case, before dark shrubs and a stone balustrade. Lower down at the left a schoolboy in a dark waistcoat with light braces and striped sleeves stands behind a light-colored child’s bicycle with a rear carrier, full fenders, a slender frame and spoked wheels, before foliage and a lawn. At the right under the Dilecta text a pale-ground halftone shows a lady’s open-frame motor bicycle in profile, with a sprung saddle, a headlamp on the fork, a rear carrier, deep fenders and a small engine with a long case slung low between the wheels. No artist signature, agency mark or caption is printed on the photographs. Faint show-through of printing from the reverse of the leaf appears behind the type, including a ruled panel with large capitals near the foot of the right column and ghosted letters at the top. The page number 79 stands at the foot of the right column.]

— Page 4 —
René Gillet

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. René Gillet, described as a supplier to the Police and the Gendarmerie nationale, develops the following program for 1956:]

— Cyclomoteurs à partir d’un prix très accessible (36.000 fr.) ;
— Vélomoteurs 125 cm3, 3 vitesses ;
— Vélomoteurs 125 cm3, 4 vitesses ;
— Motocyclettes 250 cm3, 4 vitesses.

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. The notice adds that all these productions of the old firm, which the writer calls “montrougienne” (Montrouge), will be seen at the Salon du Cycle, Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles, stand 186, and that the very handsome luxury cyclomoteur, type D 6, deserves particular notice.]

★

Gitane

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. The notice states that the firm GITANE, of Machecoul (Loire-Inférieure), presents the two machines shown below.]

— Un cyclomoteur luxe, moteur Vap 55, n° 23 : embrayage automatique, fourche télescopique, selle luxe, éclairage phare et code par projecteur de 100 mm, moyeux-freins AV et AR tambour monobloc, avertisseur électrique, tuyau d’échappement long chromé.

— Un vélomoteur 98 cm3, type M 98 : moteur « Le Mistral », 2 vitesses par poignée tournante au guidon, réservoir 8 litres, jantes chromées avec pneus de 600×65, moyeux-freins tambour type Monobloc, projecteur phare et code 130 mm avec compteur kilométrique incorporé, pare-jambes chromé, avertisseur électrique, sacoche avec outillage, carénage du moteur.

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. The notice closes by calling these two very handsome achievements, of a price that is moreover within reach despite the care given to their manufacture.]

René Guiller

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. Besides its normal production of bicycles, the Manufacture René GUILLER of Fontenay-le-Comte (Vendée) continues, as in the past year, to supply many models of ordinary, “Luxe” and “Grand Luxe” bicycles; the notice names the “Bambi” bicycles and the children’s models “Garçonnet” and “Fillettes”. For cyclomoteurs the firm fits the following engines:]

— Le moteur Junior sans embrayage, type « RG 40 » ;
— Le moteur Junior avec embrayage « Servomatic », type « RG 45 » ;
— Le moteur Vap 55, embrayage « Self-Drive », type « RG 555 » ;
— Le moteur Vap B, type « RG 58 » ;
— Le moteur Vap G, 2 vitesses, type « RG 582 » ;
— Le moteur Myster, type « RG 7 ».

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. All these models can be delivered in utility or luxury trim and with the usual extras: built-in speedometer, long exhaust, monobloc hubs and a tank with chromed sides. For light vélomoteurs, meaning the 98 cm3 engine, the house makes two versions:]

— L’une dérivée de la moto, type « RG 98 » standard ou luxe ;
— L’autre dérivée du cyclomoteur, type « RG 100 », utilitaire ou luxe.

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. For its vélomoteurs and motorcycles the firm delivers every machine with a Grazzini telescopic front fork and sliding rear suspension. It fits:]

— Les moteurs Ydral en 125 cm3, type « RG 110 » ; en 175 cm3 type « RG 115 ».
— Les moteurs A.M.C. en 175 cm3, 4 temps, type « RG 188 » ; en 175 cm3, type « RG 190 ».

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. These four models can also be fitted with the original dual seat. For the sport vélomoteurs and motorcycles, with Grazzini front fork and oscillating rear suspension, the range will carry five different engines:]

— Type « Sport-Tourisme » aura le moteur 125 cm3 Ydral ;
— Type « Sport-Gentleman », aura le moteur 175 cm3 Ydral ;
— Type « Sport Week-end » aura le moteur 125 cm3 A.M.C., 4 temps ;
— Type « Sport-Vacances » aura le moteur 175 cm3 A.M.C., 4 temps ;
— Type « Sport-Rally » aura le moteur spécial A.M.C. 175 cm3, 4 vitesses, réglage sport.

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. The firm will also continue its improved 250 Sport model, at a price noticeably lower than the year before. For scooters, beside the two present 125 cm3 models, two-stroke and four-stroke, the house expects to deliver:]

— Un nouveau modèle, équipé d’un moteur à cardan de conception italienne, en cylindrée 125 cm3, et qui sera exposé au Salon.

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. René GUILLER also delivers a vélomoteur in three versions, fitted with the two-stroke A.M.C. engine, 4 speeds by foot selector, 125 cm3, listed as:]

— « Standard », sans suspension AR ;
— « Luxe », avec suspension AR coulissante ;
— « Sport », avec suspension AR oscillante et ensemble caréné.

★

83

[A full printed magazine page in black on tan paper, set in two columns of sans-serif text with bold sans-serif firm headings set to the right of each column. The left column carries the heading “René Gillet” over a short notice with a four-line dashed list, a centered star, the heading “Gitane” and two halftone photographs, each with a caption set below it. The upper photograph shows a lady-frame cyclomoteur in side view with the engine hung low in the frame, a telescopic front fork, a small round headlamp, a saddle and a rear carrier, photographed against a plain studio ground. The lower photograph shows a larger vélomoteur in side view with a long fuel tank, a deep pressed-steel side cover enclosing the engine, a dual seat, a front fork with a mudguard and spoked wheels, standing on a kickstand against a two-tone ground. Both photographs are ruled in thin black borders. The right column carries the heading “René Guiller” over a long notice broken into short paragraphs and dashed lists of engine types, and ends with a centered star. The page number 83 stands in the lower right corner. Faint ghosted type from the reverse of the leaf shows through the paper at the top and bottom of the page. No artist signature appears on either photograph.]

— Page 5 —
Guiller S.A.

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. The results the firm GUILLER S.A. obtained this year with its “Classic” and “Sport” motorcycles, shown below, have led it to extend the range of its small machines.]

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. Three models will be presented, all built on a monotube beam frame described as absolutely rigid and all fitted with oscillating rear suspension of long travel, with central rubber shock absorbers of variable flexibility. First comes a Grand Sport model, type Bol d’Or, fitted with the best accessories of the day: light-alloy (“dural”) rims by Reinhard and Chapuiset, Saker handlebar, a large 22-liter tank, an Aurora dual seat, fairing and mudguard, crankcase and radiator shell of cast alpax with some chromed parts of remarkable effect.]

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. Second comes the “Sport Standard” model, with the same technical qualities but a more ordinary build and a less luxurious finish. Specifications given: Ydral A.J.55 monotube engine, 4 speeds, cast cylinder; telescopic fork; long-travel rear suspension with rubber shock absorber; wheels 2,50×17, dural rims; ignition, lighting and horn on a flywheel magneto; absolutely rigid frame; tool chest under the saddle. (The sentence runs from the foot of the left column to the head of the right column.)]

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. Third, a “Critérium” model with the same qualities but a clearly simplified build: sheet-steel mudguards, a platform luggage rack, a suspended saddle and a 15-liter Mottaz tank, which will let GUILLER S.A. sell the machine at a low price while keeping the general line of its “Sport” and its main qualities. All three machines will have 17-inch wheels, a size that experience has shown to be very satisfactory. They will be built in 125 cm3 and 175 cm3 and fitted with the Ydral “A.J.55” engine, which won successes throughout 1955.]

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. In its “Classic” series, built with the A.M.C. four-stroke four-speed engine, GUILLER S.A. will deliver a new luxury model this year, with a new fork, a chromed tank and silencer, more enveloping mudguards and other improvements, and a fairing that forms a tool box. The firm will continue to fit its whole cyclomoteur range with Mistral, Junior and Himo engines, but will radically modify all its 1955 models to move toward cyclomoteurs with a beam frame and a large tank at the front of the frame. The new catalog will list three types of machine, “Standard”, “Luxe” and “Grand Luxe”, each to be built with the three named engines at the customer’s choice.]

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. The Standard series, at a price of less than 35.000 francs, will nevertheless have a rear drum brake, the stand and good accessories; not a luxury machine, but one from which the user can demand full performance. The Luxe series will have the telescopic fork, drum brakes front and rear, the beam frame and a large tank fixed at the front. The Grand Luxe series will have the best parts now made, a marked improvement on the Luxe: a telescopic fork of an entirely new design and large-body brakes with central braking, a long chromed silencer and all refinements.]

★

Helyett

[Ebykr summary; the article’s text is not reproduced. The notice says that the great house of Sully-sur-Loire has a very extensive “bicyclette” program: besides children’s cycles, all utility, sport and touring (“randonneur”) models, in a make that remains one of the most reputed in France. The range runs from the “porteur” or “facteur” bicycle (carrier or postman’s type) to the “Tourisme grand luxe” and “Grand raid cyclotourisme” models. In motorized machines the firm offers:]

— Trois modèles de cyclomoteurs à moteur Marquet 49 cm3 à quatre transferts ;
— Trois modèles de cyclomoteurs à moteur Junior 49 cm3, double transfert ;
— Un vélomoteur léger à moteur 98 cm3.

★

85

[A full printed magazine page in black on tan paper, set in two columns of sans-serif text with bold sans-serif firm headings set to the right of each column and a centered star closing each notice. The left column carries the heading “Guiller S.A.” over a short introduction, then three halftone photographs of motorcycles, each shown in side view. The top photograph has no frame and shows a machine with a tall tank carrying a round name panel, an exposed finned single cylinder, a flat saddle, a rear carrier over the mudguard and a long exhaust. The second is also unframed and shows a sport machine with a long dual seat, a tank lettered “Guiller S.A.”, a finned cylinder, a deep rear mudguard and a long silencer. The third is a rectangular framed halftone photographed outdoors against a wall of blocks with a drainpipe at the upper left, and shows a darker machine on its stand, rendered in a coarse screen. Two long paragraphs sit between and below the photographs. The right column continues the Guiller S.A. text in short paragraphs, then the heading “Helyett” over a paragraph and a three-line dashed list, and ends with a star. The page number 85 stands in the lower right corner. No artist signature appears on any photograph.]