Motobécane was a French manufacturer of two-wheeled vehicle, Cyclomoteur S, Motocyclette S and other small vehicles. Motobécane was created in 1923. Its vehicles take also the denomination of Motoconfort for trade names. In 1983, the company takes the name of MBK . Between the two wars, Motobécane was a large manufacturer of motor bikes, with many models of all rolled. Even prototypes of 750 cm ³ to 4 cylinders were seen.

Historical models

It is in 1922 that Charles Benoît and Abel Bardin design the first motor bicycle. With MB1 , it is about a model with not deadened pendular fork been driven by an engine two-stroke twin-cylinder of 175 cm ³ to belt drive. This very simple model will be sold until in 1929.

In 1933, the company produces its first motor bike with 4 times of 250  cm ³. During this period, a motor bike with straight-4 engine is also produced.

Just after the Second world war, the one-cylinder model D45 with side valves of 125cc, derived from a motor cycle of pre-war period becomes rather popular. It is shouldered by the model Z46C been driven with suspension S and an engine collapsed presented in 1946 and marketed in 1947 then as from 1949 by 175 Z2C to common technology with Z46C . D45 will receive a sliding back suspension with beginning of the year 50, it will take then the denomination D45S . Motobécane will continue to go up in cubic capacity with 350 L4C been driven by a very atypical engine twin-cylinder out of V to parallel cylinders which will not know a commercial big hit. The D45 and L4C will disappear from the production in 1961, Z in 1964. For the first time since the creation of the firm, it does not produce any more motor bikes but only auto-cycles and bicycles…

The series of the Mobylettes

The range high-speed motorboat of Motobécane was the Mobylette, manufactured as from 1949, and sold to 14 million specimens, which made of Motobécane the largest world manufacturer of auto-cycles.

The first models were very primitive: brakes with shoes, absence of suspension, pédalage obligatory to start and assemble the coasts, etc

The Variateur will be a very large progress, removing the obligation to pedal.

The framework, initially tubular, will become out of buckled plate, with the tank included in the front beam, or in high position, as on a true motor bike.

The Mobyx represents a model intended for the leisures, its compact dimensions making it possible to place it in a pleasure boat, a caravan, and even a trunk of car.

The very last models high-ends conceived by the engineer and director of the research department Eric Jaulmes, the 99Z and 95 TT profited from an engine equipped with a kind of compressor, namely a against-piston intended to improve the filling of the cylinder.

The attempt at revival in the motor bike

In 1969, Motobécane presents one 125 twin-cylinder 2 times attempt to return on a market already phagocyte by the Japanese machines, the 125 Standard. It will be followed by the Luxury, LT, LT1, LT2 then LT3. These machines are characterized by a state-of-the-art technology in certain aspects, with covered aluminum an alloy cylinder motor of hard chromium and electronic ignition, suspended under an original but excel framework doubles cradle. Unfortunately, with the wire of time business success blunted in front of fulgurating progress of esthetics, completion and equipment of Nipponese competition. if the 125 Motobécane progressed quickly on the technical plan, their engine being carried with 16 horses starting from the LT1, with improvements of the part-cycle which still increased its supremacy in handling and comfort, they évoluerent little on the esthetic level, receiving only new colors before the exit of the LT3. Compared to the tastes of the customers, these models had also gaps such as adding kilometric with only 4 digits, baffles which exceeded mufflers, operation to the mixture before the LT2 and sides of tank chrome and equipped with influenza-knees at one time when this kind of design fell in disuse before the exit from the LT3, etc…, moreover the tariffs of the 125 Motobécane, competitive at the beginning, will increase much more quickly than those of competition, at the point to become the 125 of the great most expensive series on the market.

Motobécane will try also an opening into 350, with one 3 cylinders two times, 5 speeds, strongly inspired by the models Kawasaki and presented to the living rooms 1972 of Cologne and Paris. An high price, a late arrival on the market destroyed the efforts of authorized completion and design (headlight Bi-iodine, reserve of 20 liters, front brake with disc, etc).

The repurchase

In 1983, Motobécane is in bankruptcy, and Xavier Maugendre, who has just been discharged by Kawasaki from the importation from this mark in France and former president of the employers' federation of the importer stands as transferee with some associates. The company changes name to become MBK and after some adventures of the investors are found. The capital is for 60% French of which 20% come from Régionales authorities of Picardy. The 40% " étrangers" remainder are distributed between Yamaha, of the importers of Yamaha (of which Sonauto, then importing inter alia Yamaha in France) and firms related to Yamaha. But the situation of MBK is degraded whereas that of Yamaha improves. In 1986, a capital growth mainly reserved with Yamaha gives at this firm the control of MBK. The situation will be rectified by the production of Yamaha models in the factory of Saint-Quentin, from which a part, primarily of the scooters, is sold in France under mark MBK.

MBK is with Peugeot and Voxan one of the three motorized French manufacturers of 2 wheels. Its factory of Saint-Quentin, in Aisne (800 paid). This factory produced 60.000 scooters and cyclos 50 Cm3 (marks MBK and Yamaha), 12.000 motor bikes Yamaha XT 660,15 000 scooters X-City 125/250, like 40.000 marine engines Yamaha of small power (2,5 with 8 ch) in 2006.

One should not confuse MBK with Motobécane the USA which imports two-wheeled vehicles of Taiwan and of China. The two companies are not bound, with share for the mark which they use both.

External bonds

• MBK
• Motobécane Club of France
• Motobécane-Passion

Notes and references of the article

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