Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
1807
FOLLIS
175 "Gnome & Rhone" - 1956
Sports bike of the 50s
Founded in 1903, Follis was located at Lyon. Before 1939, the little factory used various makes of proprietary engines, including British-made JAP, Rudge-Python and Blackburne. One of their more attractive models was a 350cc overhead-valve unit-constructed single-cylinder machine. It was one of many small French marques that survived for many years supported by a largely local clientele. Its activity during its first half-century was so low-key that commentators ignored it and stated that the company did not start production until 1951!
Fashionable Features
The Follis of the 1950s was a typical French sports machine of its day, with all the fashionable features demanded by youthful enthusiasts. It was the final flowering of the European motorcycle industry, and tiny manufacturer-assemblers like Follis vied in ingenuity in offering attractive products at highly competitive prices.
Under False Colors
Follis continued to use an eclectic mix of proprietary engines, including Ydral, JLO and Sachs two-strokes and AMC four-strokes for 125-250cc and Lavalette or Mistral 50cc units. The handsome 1956 sports model was available with either Ydral or Follis power, though the latter engine was in fact no more than a rebaptized Gnome & Rh么ne. Modern and well constructed, the Follis frame had an Earles-type leading-link front fork, exposed suspension springs, dropped handlebars, aluminum rims, a fuel tank with indented side panels and a dual sports saddle.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 172.5cc (60x 61mm) air-cooled single-cylinder
Power Rating: 10 hp @ 5600 rpm
Valves: two-stroke
Fuel System: 24.5mm Gurtner carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed; chain final drive
Suspension: Earles leading-link forks (front); swinging fork (rear)
Brakes: 6.3 inch drum (from & rear)
Wheels: 16 inch aluminum rims (front & rear)
Maximum Speed: 68 mph
The Follis Gnome & Rh么ne was a typical sports bike of the mid-1950s; a racing version with a magnificent tubular girder frame appeared in 1957.