SAROLÉA

23S - 1928

Start of a long line

Founded in 1898, Saroléa was one of the three great Belgian makes, along with FN and Minerva. After Germany's occupation of Belgium in WWI ended, Saroléa resumed production in 1918 with modernized versions of its 1914 range. Saroléa offered a belt-driven 550cc machine, followed by 500 and 350cc models, all with side-valve engines and eventually secondary transmission by chain.

Racing round the World

At the Paris Salon in 1923, Saroléa unveiled a new top-of-the-range model, a magnificent overhead-valve 500cc single. Its finish was perfect: raven black enamel lined with gold. This fine motorcycle rode as well as it looked. It quickly became a favorite with riders, who raced the 23S in events the length of Europe, from Italy to Sweden, and some even further. Saroléas even raced in Japan, where at that time European motorcycles were very popular.

Alphabet of Success

The 23 Series was successfully produced in many models, all distinguished by a different letter of the alphabet. Between 1923 and 1928, Saroléa produced the 23G, K, N, M, P, R and S, the final model in this series. These final versions used studs carrying the exposed overhead-valve gear to retain the cylinder head. This method was used from 1930 on all the firm 's overhead-valve models until the end of production of the machines around 1956.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 500cc (80.5x99mm) air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke; Best & Lloyd automatic pressure lubrication with supplementary hand pump

Power Rating: 5 hp

Valves: overhead-camshaft

Fuel System: AMAC semi-automatic carburetor

Transmission: Sturmey-Archer 3-speed to 1926, own-make thereafter; chain final drive

Suspension: Druid girder forks (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

Wheels: 26x3 inch wire (front & rear)

Weight: 232 lb

Maximum Speed: 80 mph

The rapid rate of progress in motorcycle design in the 1920s is shown by the differences between the belt-drive 23G of 1924  and the 1928 23S (Photo).