DERNY

125 Taon - 1957

A new concept in frame design

A strange motorcycle appeared in France in 1957. It looked like nothing else on the road and was the creation of one of France's most noted industrial designers, Roger Tallon.

Change of Image

Known as the "Taon" ("gadfly"), the little Parisian marque Derny, specializing in the manufacture of auxiliary-engined bicycles and tandems, decided it was high time for a change of image. So Derny asked designer Roger Tallon, recently resigned from General Motors, to design a motorcycle.

Novel Frame Design

Tallon ? now best known as the designer of the TGV high-speed train – unveiled his prototype at the 1955 Paris Motorcycle Show. Beneath its utilitarian lines was something entirely new in frames, which linked steering column and rear wheel spindle in one straight line. The Taon went on the market in 1957, its styling revised with a fuel tank sweeping forward to the built-in headlight and surrounding the steering column, and visually continued down and back by a leather hold-all. Slung horizontally beneath this cleanly-profiled casing was an "Izard" two-stroke made by AMC. The dual seat continued the flowing lines of the frame. In the interests of comfort and road-holding, Roger Tallon used swing arm suspension at both ends, with combined spring/dampers specially made by Lelaurain, a major auto industry supplier. The Taon enjoyed an initial success and a futuristic 250 was planned. But fate decided otherwise. The two-wheeler market collapsed and Derny closed in 1958.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 125cc (54x54mm) ANIC Izard air-cooled horizontal single-cylinder

Power Rating: 6 hp @ 4500 rpm

Valves: two-stroke

Fuel System: ? 20mm Dell'Orto carburetor

Transmission: 3-speecl (twist-grip and cable controlled), chain final drive

Suspension: Earles-type leading link (front); swing arm, Lelaurain spring/dampers (rear)

Brakes: 4.7 inch drum (from & rear)

Wheels: 2.50x16 inch (front & rear)

Weight: 165 lb

Maximum Speed: 56 mph

The Taon was available in standard, gray-painted T3 form or in deluxe T4 guise, painted red or liberally chrome-plated.