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 Koehler Escoffier - 1000 4 pipes
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
2801

Capacity : 1000
Model : 4 pipes
Production : 1929 -
Category : (R) Racing

KŒHLER-ESCOFFIER

1000cc "Four Pipes" - 1929

France's ultimate dream racer

Every manufacturing country has its ultimate dream bike, like the eight-valve, four-port Harley, the British Brough-Superior SS 100, the German supercharged BMW or the Italian Guzzi V8. For the French, the ultimate bike is the 1000cc Kœhler-Escoffier.

Economy of Design

When their famed "Mandoline" 500cc single could be developed no further, Raymond Guiguet began designing its replacement, an overhead-cam single, in 1926. His company's feeble finances compelled him to economize on foundry patterns. The cylinder castings were also designed to serve as a 1000cc twin-cylinder derivative. The V-twin used as many components of the 500 as possible: the shaft-and-bevel-driven overhead-camshaft and twin-port head. The rear cylinder was simply turned back-to-front to give the tailpipes a straight run.

Beating a Bugatti

The first 1000cc V-twin was entrusted to Edouard Grammont, who had raced under the pseudonym of "Eddoura," and achieved outstanding times hill climbing highly tuned "Mandolines." The 1000's first outing was a disaster; at the second Eddoura won the Planfoy hill climb, and in the third, at Laffrey, he beat the talented works rider Rolland's 500 Terrot by over 22 seconds. The fastest time that Eddoura achieved was 69.5 mph at Gaillon in 1927, giving him second place in the motorcycle class. To put this speed in perspective, the fastest car at the time could do no better than 54 mph.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 980cc (79x100mm) air-cooled 45-degree V-twin four-stroke

Power Rating: 35 hp @ 5500 rpm

Valves: shaft-and-bevel-driven overhead-camshaft

Fuel System: twin-float chamber AMAC carburetor

Transmission: Sturmey-Archer 3-speed, dry multi-disc clutch, chain final drive

Suspension: telescopic forks with central friction damper (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

Wheels: 19 inch wire (front & rear)

Weight: 353 lb

Maximum Speed: 106 mph

The sole surviving example of the near-legendary 1000cc Kœhler-Escoffier reappeared in 1992 after a meticulous restoration that had taken years.




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.