Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
5417
MONET-GOYON
120cc Moto Légère - 1922
Origins of an empire
The Moto Légère, launched in 1921, was the first real venture into powered two-wheelers by the firm from Macon, founded four years earlier. Its first product had been the Vélocimane, a manually-operated three-wheeler for soldiers who had lost limbs in WWI, followed by the Voiturette Monet, a cross between cycle and automobile reduced to its most basic expression.
British Design
In 1919, Monet-Goyon marketed under its own name the British-made Wall Auto-Wheel, a clip-on powered wheel driven by a four-stroke engine with an automatic intake valve. It had first appeared prior to WWI. This engine was also fitted at the rear of the Auto-Mouche (which was just a powered Vélocimane) and on the Vélauto, a primitive form of scooter.
For Ladies and Priests
In 1921, MG reworked this powerpack, without deviating very far from the original design. It was still fitted to the Roue Motrice, Vélocimane and Vélauto, but it also powered the closed-frame Moto Légère in 1921. With a complex cycle part, it was joined in 1922 by a version with "open frame for ladies and priests," which seemed a much neater design. The Moto Légère had a sober color scheme in black enamel for the frame, with pearl-gray tank and side protection panels lined in black. The Moto Légère had neither a clutch nor a gearbox, but, if all else failed, it was possible to disengage the driving chain by releasing a bolt that loosened the rear wheel sprocket, allowing it to free-wheel.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 119cc (52.5x55mm) air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke; splash lubrication
Power Rating: 1.5 hp @ 1500 rpm
Valves: automatic intake, side exhaust
Fuel System: automatic carburetor
Transmission: direct-chain drive
Suspension: plunger, with coil springs at top and bottom of steering head (front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: rim (front); rim brake on engine flywheel (rear)
Wheels: 600x50 wire clincher (front & rear)
Weight: 66 lb
Maximum Speed: 22 mph
In 1922, the Moto Légère, with its automatic intake valve, was replaced by the Monet-Goyon with a 147cc Villiers two-stroke engine.