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 Blériot - 500 Vertical twin
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
416

Capacity : 500
Model : Vertical twin
Production : 1919 - 1923
Category : (R) Street Bike

BLÉRIOT

500 twin four-stroke – 1919

The French glider

 

The fame of Louis Blériot's aircraft manufacturing company was founded on his celebrated first-ever crossing of the English Channel in an airplane, at the controls of a Blériot XI monoplane of his own design and construction. But, like other leading aircraft manufacturers, Blériot had to turn to new products to keep his factory going when demand for airplanes collapsed after World War I. So, in 1919, he unveiled a well-designed parallel-twin motorcycle.

 

Boastful Advertising

"It is not without good reason that we have chosen the slogan: 'It doesn't roll -it glides ... "' boasted the company's 1922 catalogue, adding, "The Blériot motorcycle is particularly well-suited to the needs of the modern tourist."

 

Lively, Fast and Flexible

"Its 5hp parallel-twin engine makes it a lively, fast and flexible machine for solo use, yet allows it to cope with an elegant sidecar, even on the steepest slopes. Its three-speed gears and multi-disc clutch are built into the crankcase. It is extremely simple to maintain: the splash lubrication system means that all the moving parts are bathed in oil; there are no pumps to fail or pipes to break! The frame is of exceptionally solid design and the disk wheels are very rigid; large-section tires and two good brakes complete the specification of the Blériot motorcycle whose range includes one model with remarkably flexible rear suspension." Truth in advertising? Blériot owners thought so.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: air-cooled 497cc (60x88 mm) vertical-twin four-stroke

Power Rating: 5 hp

Valves: side

Fuel System: Zenith carburettor

Transmission: 3-speed gearbox

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

Brakes: (front) none; (rear) twin shoes acting on the belt pulley

Wheels: steel disc

Maximum Speed: 40 mph

 

 



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.