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 Georgia Knap - 250 modèle C
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Georgia Knap modèle C motocyclette motorrad motorcycle vintage classic classique scooter roller moto scooter
Photo ou archives : D. Ganneau
1114

Capacity : 250
Model : modèle C
Production : 1902 - 1905
Category : (R) Street Bike

GEORGIA KNAP

250cc Type C - 1904

A dilettante's design

Born in Troyes, France, Marie-Georges-Henri Knap built his first automobile in 1898, at the age of 32. Soon after, he tired of the automobile, and devoted himself to developing a "motocyclette" along original lines.

Novel Transmission

Transmitting the power to the wheel was the stumbling block of many a constructor at the time. Neither belts nor chains were truly satisfactory, and Knap decided that he would place his trust in gears by mounting the engine alongside the rear wheel (as on a modern Vespa!). His Type A appeared in 1902, but its unorthodoxy, even in those nonconformist days, was a barrier to commercial success. People took Knap rather more seriously when he began winning races in 1903.

Insatiable Curiosity

As he went on, Knap refined his idea, notably with this Model C, four times more powerful than that of 1902. But Knap had an insatiable curiosity, and abandoned production of his motocyclette in 1905 to plunge into new projects. In 1906 he built an "electrical house", then got involved with cellular biology, and was involved in public housing projects even before the war of 1914. After that, the trail of this inspired inventor goes cold, and only two examples of his motorcycles are known to survive.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 250cc single-cylinder four-stroke; trembler coil ignition

Power Rating: 2 hp @ 1800 rpm

Valves: automatic inlet valve

Fuel System: surface carburetor

Transmission: gear drive to rear wheel

Suspension: oscillating fork (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: friction shoe on the tire (front); rim brake (rear)

Wheels: wire clincher

Weight: 106 lb

Maximum Speed: 28-50 mph (depending on final drive ratio)

One of only two surviving Georgia Knap motorcycles, this 1904 Type C shows its builder's novel method of mounting the engine to drive the wheel by pinion gears.




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.