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 Saroléa - 500 Atlantic
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Saroléa Atlantic motocyclette motorrad motorcycle vintage classic classique scooter roller moto scooter
Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
909

Capacity : 500
Model : Atlantic
Production : 1954 - 1960
Category : (R) Street Bike

SAROLÉA

500 Atlantic - 1954

The last of Belgium bikes

In the immediate postwar period, the English, followed by the Germans, were kings of the European market. Belgium's leading marque, Saroléa, tried to attack the British on their home ground with its first all-new postwar models, launched in 1950: the Oiseau Bleu ("Bluebird") 125cc two-stroke and the Atlantic, a 500 twin (which would not start to reach the customers until the following year).

Outdated Layout

Like Triumph, Norton and other British twins, the Atlantic was a parallel twin with a separate gearbox. Saroléa made a big mistake by following this already outdated layout, whose secrets were already known to the English. Certainly the Atlantic never enjoyed the success of its British rivals, despite its lavish level of equipment. Though it was relatively heavy and overpriced when it was launched, the Atlantic quickly came into line with the competition. The 1954 version was priced between the Triumph T100 and the BMW R51/3.

The End of the Line

The Atlantic, which was built in 500cc and (as the Atlantic Major) 600cc forms, remained in production until 1960. Meantime Saroléa tried to break into the scooter market by building the Italian Rumi twin under the conjunction with Gillet, went exclusively over to cyclemotors before ceasing production altogether in 1967.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: Air-cooled 498cc (63x80mm) 360-degree vertical twin four-stroke

Power Rating: 26 hp @ 5800 rpm

Valves: overhead

Fuel System: Single carburetor

Transmission: 4 speeds

Suspension: hydraulic telescopic fork (front); swinging fork (rear)

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

Wheels: 19in wire

Weight: 397 lb

Maximum Speed: 84 mph

This Saroléa dates from 1954, when the Belgian firm replaced plunger rear forks with a swinging fork.




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.