RATIER

600 C 6S Radio - 1960

An opportunity missed

Was the Ratier just a French copy of the BMW? The Ratier C 6S of the 1960s might have had a family relationship with the German flat-twin, but it was a genuine French production with nothing to envy about its German cousin – except its future.

BMW Cocktail

The Ratier originated as the Cemec, a cocktail of surplus spare parts of the BMW R 12 and R 71 widely used by the occupying German forces in France during World War Two. Cemec ran out of cash and was taken over by Ratier of Montrouge (a leading maker of airscrews and various other aeronautical componentry), who was seeking to diversify. In 1959, Ratier linked up with CSF and, since the stocks of BMW spares would not last for ever, launched the C6S. Still obviously BMW derived, the R 75 was entirely made in France this time.

A Real Sports Bike

Durable, modern, lighter and more easily handled than the BMW, the Ratier was a genuine sports bike. Quality control consisted of subjecting machines randomly taken from the production line to a rigorous test schedule: six hours on a high-speed track, three hours on a race circuit, a check on maximum speed plus 30 minutes at walking speed. The C6S was chosen for the presidential escort of General de Gaulle. Ratier's future seemed assured, but the Gendarmerie switched to BMW. Ratier ceased two-wheeler production at the end of 1962; just 1057 C6S Ratiers had been built.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: Air-cooled 594cc (72x73mm) flat-twin four-stroke

Power Rating: 32hp @ 6500 rpm

Valves: overhead

Fuel System: 2 carburetors

Transmission: 4 speeds, shaft drive

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

Brakes: 8 in drum (front - twin leading shoe)

Wheels: 19in

Weight: 430 lb

Maximum Speed: 106 mph

This Ratier model was equipped with a radio transceiver which could be used while the bike was in motion.