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 Benoit Gonin - 350 Anzani
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Benoit Gonin Anzani  motocyclette motorrad motorcycle vintage classic classique scooter roller moto scooter
Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
1104

Capacity : 350
Model : Anzani
Production : 1921 -
Category : (R) Street Bike

BENOÃŽT-GONIN

350 Anzani with "Ladies' Attachment" – 1921

Touring for the family

The eternal question that has bothered motorcyclists is simply: "How can you take the family along?" The pioneers quickly developed tricycles and quadricycles with the passenger seat between the two front wheels; equally popular at the turn of the century were elegant trailers pulled behind tricycles which had two rear wheels. According to the weather, such trailers were fitted with leather splashguards or a parasol to protect the occupants. Motor tandems were also sometimes seen. Then, around 1903, a sort of one-wheeled wicker armchair attached alongside motorcycles appeared in Great Britain, and the sidecar was born.

Anachronisms

Sidecars quickly took over and by 1912 the trailer ­— or, as it was more poetically known, the "ladies' attachment" — was obsolete. So the rider of this 1921 Benoît-Gonin outfit was not exactly in the height of fashion. Despite its up-to-date sidevalve Anzani engine and English-made Sturmey Archer three-speed hand-change transmission, the Benoît-Gonin abounds with anachronisms like belt final drive and Brampton swinging front fork, along with some other oddities.

Cradle of the French Industry

Benoît-Gonin was a tiny marque founded at Lyon, the cradle of the French motorcycle industry. In spite of its size, though, it contributed significantly to the history of cycling.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 350cc Anzani single-cylinder four-stroke engine

Power Rating: 3 hp

Valves: side

Fuel System: carburettor

Transmission: 3-speed Sturmey Archer hand change. Primary drive by enclosed chain; final drive by leather belt

Suspension: Brampton swinging fork (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: rim brake (front); belt pulley brake (rear)

Wheels: wire clinche

Maximum Speed: 31 mph

Obsolete even when it was new, this Benoît-Gonin outfit nevertheless exudes antique charm.





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.