SAROLÉA

500 Cross - 1954

The redesign of the Cross

Saroléa continued production of its successful Cross model until 1952, just making detail changes like adding auxiliary hydraulic dampers to the plunger rear suspension.

Redesigned Suspension

The suspension in particular, with its jerky action, compelled the engineers to make fundamental changes to the Cross. Initially, in 1954, the works mounts were fitted with a new frame with swing arm rear suspension, which maintained the driving wheel in more constant contact with the ground and made things more comfortable for the rider. It was with this redesign, which retained the original tank and engine, that Rene Baeten placed second in the European Championship.

Improved Engine

At last, the Saroléa management decided to enclose the valve gear in an oil-tight casing, to the great enhancement of lubrication. Another innovation was the replacement of rockers by direct-acting tappets as an intermediary between the cams and pushrods. On the other hand, to save costs, an aluminum cylinder replaced the magnesium casting used on the original model. The downside was that the bike put on weight, with the more complicated frame construction to incorporate the swing arm and dampers, the enclosure of the valve gear and a bigger cylinder head. Nevertheless, that didn't prevent the Cross from once again taking second place in the European Championship at the end of the 1954 season, thanks to the talented Baeten.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 494cc (80.5x97mm) air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 35 hp @ 5700 rpm

Valves: overhead; fully enclosed va lve gear

Fuel System: Amal 10 GP 9 carburetor

Transmission: Saroléa 4-speed, chain final drive

Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swing arm (rear)

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

Wheels: 3.00x19 inch (front); 4.00x19 inch (rear)

Weight: 364 lb

This Saroléa competes regularly in the two main European events for classic motocross bikes – the Norman Scramble at Beauval-en-Caux (France) and the Belgian Pre-1965 Motocross.