BFG

1300 Oydssée – 1981

War of words

To build a one-off motorcycle is no big deal; but the problems really begin when you try to quantity-produce them. The BFG organization very nearly achieved their goal at the start of the Eighties and certainly succeeded in building the first all-French motorbike for many years. It was also the last.

Slow Start

After a somewhat chaotic start to the design study in 1978, the BFG took its final shape in the company's new workshops in 1980. There was nothing original in the concept, but it was nicely done. It was powered by a Citroen GS engine and used "own-make" gearbox and frame, while the transmission incorporated the rare feature of a tripode joint instead of a cardan.

Difficult Development

It's difficult to say whether it was harder for BFG to develop the design or to raise the necessary backing. After three years, the company had 25 employees, 80 dealers, and the French President's motorcycle escort rode BFGs. It was a nice gesture, but it wasn't backed up by further orders from the state law enforcers. BFG ran into financial difficulties and was acquired by the new MBK company, which did no more than sell off the remaining stock and assure after-sales service. Overcome with anger, one of BFG's founders, D. Favario, returned the medal he had been awarded as "France's best workman" to the President.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 1299cc (79.4x65.6mm) Citroen GS flat-four four-stroke with forced-air cooling

Power Rating: 70 hp @ 5500 rpm

Valves: belt-driven overhead camshaft

Fuel System: Solex twin-choke carburettor

Transmission: 5-speed; shaft final drive

Suspension: telescopic fork (front); swinging fork/ twin dampers (rear)

Brakes: twin disk (front); disk (rear)

Wheels: 18 inch

Weight: 564 lb

Maximum Speed: 118 mph

The BFG developed dramatically between the first prototype of 1978 and the pre-production series of 1981, but lack of money was the project's downfall.