Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
2502
PEUGEOT
80 TXP Peugeot-Portal- 1982
Back to the big time
The year 1980 was a memorable one for the French motorcycle industry. Just as Motobecane began to get back on its feet with good reviews, Peugeot announced that it was returning to big-time motorcycle manufacturing.
Cautious Return
Nevertheless, Peugeot restricted itself to the minor-league 80cc class, though the company had some major projects up its sleeve. It was developing a 125 in collaboration with Gilera and even announced that it was studying water-cooled 250 and 400cc two-strokes with fuel injection. It was a bold ambition, given that the new 80cc model was already more expensive than its Japanese equivalents.
Restoring an Image
It was all for nothing: the only serious customer for the poor little Peugeot 80 was the French Armv. After an even more financially disastrous experience with the 125 TXE, Peugeot decided to concentrate on scooters. Nevertheless, a short while after, and with minimal publicity, Peugeot attempted to restore its tarnished image and boost the sales of its 80 by setting up a works competition team that distinguished itself in enduro racing with a very special 80cc machine. Most remarkable was the Portal ultralight, square-tube space frame. The works versions used a special liquid-cooled engine, while the TXP client-competition version launched by Peugeot in late 1981 used the air-cooled production engine.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 80cc (48x44mm) air-cooled singlecylinder
Power Rating: 10 hp @ 7000 rpm
Valves: two-stroke
Fuel System: Dell'Orto 34mm carburetor
Transmission: 5-speed, chain final drive
Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swinging fork with single damper (rear); displacement (front & rear) 11 inches
Brakes: drum (front & rear)
Wheels: 21 inch (front); 18 inch (rear)
The TXP client-competition off-roader was developed from the works Peugeot, with which Delavaux won the 1981 French enduro championship.