RATIER

750 CEMEC L7-5 - 1956

A BMW with a French accent

The history of CEMEC began in late 1944 when the CMR ("Center for Assembly and Repair of Motorcycles") was set up to dispose of the stocks of motorbikes – principally BMW R12s – that had been abandoned in France by the retreating German army.

Manufacturing Begins

In 1947, the CMR was closed down and CEMEC was established, rapidly becoming a manufacturer in its own right. CEMEC had new one-piece crankcases made (that of the BMW was in two parts), a tubular frame (instead of the pressed-steel unit of the R12), a final drive unit copied from that of the BMW R71, and a foot-operated gear shift (the R12 had a hand shift). Thus, the first CEMEC L7 was built.

French in Name Only

Most of the parts of this nominally French motorcycle were either copied or adapted from the components of various BMW models. Initially equipped with twin carburetors, it later adopted a single-carb setup, which meant a heated intake pipe. Heavy but indestructible, the CEMEC L7 was used by most government departments. However, this cumbersome war horse actually had a sporty career because, in 1952, a CEMEC won the sidecar category of the Bol d'Or. CEMEC closed down in 1954. Manufacturing was taken over by Ratier, a well-known maker of airscrews looking to diversify. Ratier made BMW-derived motorcycles until 1960. The last side-valve L7 was the 26 hp L7-8 of 1957-58, which reverted to the twin-carburetor layout and could reach 83 mph. CEMEC and Ratier built some 2500 L7s.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 748cc (78x78mm) air-cooled flat-twin four-stroke

Power Rating: 20 hp @ 4300 rpm

Valves: side-valve

Fuel System: Solex 30mm carburetor

Transmission: 4-speed, shaft final drive

Suspension: telescopic forks (front); plunger (rear)

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

Wheels: 19 inch wire (front & rear)

Maximum Speed: 73 mph

Note the complex gear-shifting linkage of this French rival to the BMW; this 1956 L7-5 was built after the takeover of CEMEC by the Ratier airscrew company.