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 Magnat Debon - 400 Racing
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
4616

Capacity : 400
Model : Racing
Production : 1912 -
Category : (R) Racing

MAGNAT-DEBON

400cc 4 hp -1913

Overhead-valve pioneer

Client-competition motorcycles were very popular in France before WWI, because they were developed from road-going models and because they brought a new powered sport form within the reach of amateur riders. In 1913, one of the most competitive options available was the Magnat-Debon 4 hp.

Turbulent Head

In 1912, the marque was first in France to catalogue a model with overhead valves. Rated at 2 hp, it had a fixed cylinder head with the exhaust on the right. Works rider Escoffier used a special engine with detachable cylinder head and exhaust on the left, an effort to create "swirl" and improve the burning of the gasoline/ air mixture in the cylinder. Experience gained with this engine led to the inclusion in the 1913 catalogue of an over-the-counter overhead-valve racer, the 4 hp. This also had the detachable cylinder head, but the exhaust was on the right.

Narrow Tank

The rest of the 4 hp was taken from the 2 hp tourer, with its long, narrow fuel tank, telescopic forks and one-piece aluminum carburetor exclusive to the marque. The works racers, appearing in races like the 1913 French GP, retained the left-hand exhaust, to give them an edge over the catalogue models. Provided he knew how to adjust the air and ignition levers atop the tank to get the last ounce out of the engine, the rider of the 4 hp bestrode a machine capable of an astounding performance with a top speed of 60 mph.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 39&c (75x90mm) air-cooled singlecylinder

four-stroke; Ruthardt HT magneto

Power Rating: 8 hp @ 3800 rpm

Valves: overhead

Fuel System: Magnat-Debon carburetor

Transmission: direct belt drive

Suspension: sprung telescopic forks (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: caliper rim brake and pulley rim brake (rear)

Wheels: 600x55 mm wire clincher (front & rear)

Weight: 143 lb

Maximum Speed: 60 mph

 

Among the fastest catalogue racers of its day, the Magnat-Debon 4 hp was modern in concept.





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.