Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
3906
LOUIS CLEMENT
540cc Twin -1920
A flying start
In the postwar slump in the aviation industry , Louis Clement - who ran a plane factory noted for building monoplanes and triplanes - followed the lead of French pioneer aviator Louis Bleriot in diversifying into motorcycle manufacturing, hoping to profit from the demand for personal transportation.
One Head for Two Cylinders
At a period when most bikes were powered by crude side-valve engines, the Louis Clement had a V-twin engine with a shaft-and- bevel-driven single overhead-camshaft. A unique feature was that there was only one cylinder head and one camshaft between the two cylinders, which resulted in the curious feature of pistons with horizontal heads and skirts following the angle between the cylinders. The valves were operated by rockers, and the valve gear was fully enclosed and pressure-lubricated like the engine.
Pressed steel frame and Interchangeable Wheels
Another rare feature was the sliding-pinion three-speed transmission in unit with the engine; its control shaft passed through the fuel tank and a little handle atop the tank shifted the gears. The clutch was enclosed within the crankcase, and primary and secondaty drives were by full y enclosed chains. The welded pressed-steel frame was unotthodox, as was the front suspension by leaf springs. The detachable and interchangeable wheels were made from twin aluminum discs riveted together, with steel rims and knockout spindles, and had drum brakes. The sidecar and rear wheel brakes were interlinked.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 540cc (62x90mm) air-cooled 55- degree V-twin four-stroke
Valves: single overhead-camshaft
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: 3-speed tank shift, foot operated oil-bath multi-disc clutch, enclosed chain final drive
Suspension: leaf-sprung reversed knee-action pressed-steel forks (front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: drum (front & rear)
Wheels: 26x3.00 inch clincher (front & rear)
Weight: 331 lb
Maximum Speed: 47 mph
Despite its advanced specifications, the Louis Clement found few purchasers, for it cost the equivalent of $810 with sidecar, against $630 for a war-surplus Harley outfit.