LA MONDIALE

Supersport 500cc -1929

A French in Belgian clothing

The management of the La Mondiale factory at Brussels were motorcycle sport buffs whose guiding principle was the development of machines capable of great speed. A highpoint was when Treborg won the 1928 350cc Grand Prix of Belgium with teammate Rauwers in second place. Fondu's La Mondiale was second in the 250cc race. These motorcycles were powered by JAP engines: La Mondiale also used Villiers and Blackburne engines.

The Sportsman's Machine

At the end of 1928 La Mondiale launched a bike with a French engine at the 22nd Brussels Salon. The Chaise engine was a 500cc overhead-camshaft unit of distinctly unsporting character. Mounted in the Belgian marque's characteristic pressed-steel frame, it was claimed to be capable of 78 mph, no mean speed for those days. The engine was a built-in unit with a three-speed gearbox and a foldaway kick-starter. Optional were pressed-steel side-shields to conceal the engine.

Out of Favor

Performance was, it seems, quite acceptable, but from 1930 the overhead-camshaft Chaise engines were replaced by overhead-valve units from the same makers, and before long the British engines were being fitted to La Mondiales once more. It was quite obvious who knew best how to stay in the racing record books.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 5OOcc (85x89mm) Chaise air-cooled four-stroke; dry-sump lubrication; magneto ignition

Valves: overhead camshaft driven by shaft and worm gear; two parallel valves

Fuel System: carburetor

Transmission: 3-speed hand change; final drive by chain

Suspension: double spring (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

Wheels: wire (front & rear)

Weight: 287 lb

Maximum Speed: 78 mph.

Pictured at a British vintage motorcycle meet, this La Mondiale belongs to a Czech owner, underlining the marque's excellent international reputation.