ABC Motorcycle in France

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8 years 2 months ago #162 by Daniel
ABC Motorcycle in France was created by Daniel
Bonjour
Je compte beaucoup sur Giovanni pour traduire ce texte. Merci beaucoup pour ce travail.
En France la moto ABC construite par la société Gnome & Rhône est une moto trés appréciée par les collectionneurs. Nous connaissons actuellement entre 25 et 30 motos ABC dont environ 5 dans la version 1922 avec graissage. Dans la gallerie de photos vous avez 3 ABC françaises de la version 1922 avec graissage. Nous connaissons aussi trois ABC Barthelemy dont une dans un cadre de New-Motorcycle. Barthelemy était un spécialiste pour l'étanchéité des moteurs, il créait des modifications pour que les culasses soient étanches.

Amicalement
Daniel



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8 years 1 month ago #170 by gioorl
Replied by gioorl on topic ABC Motorcycle in France
Not sure if I'm getting the translation 100% right this time but I hope somebody will correct me if I'm wrong:

In France ABC motorcycles built by the company Gnome & Rhône are very popular collector's bikes. We are now aware of something like 25 and 30 ABC motorcycles including 5 1922 models with the oil pan under the engine. In the photo gallery there are three 1922 French ABC models with the oil pan under the engine. We also know of three ABC Barthelemy one of which in a New Motorcycle frame. Barthelemy was a specialist in engines sealing, modifying cylinder heads to make them sealed.

Would you be able to tell us the history of the G&R ABC model?
I read in the book "600 Marques motocyclistes de Paris et de la Seine" by Bernard Salvat that a French aeronautical engineer, Pierre Marechal, first discovered the ABC brand in 1916 due to business relationships with the Sopwith company. Merechal informed a friend of him, the Italian industrialist Carlos Roditi who live in Paris, and on the 17th of December 1917 they formed the "Societe Francaise des moteurs ABC" to build ABC motorcycles in France under license. Frames were to be built by Louis Clement while engines were to be made by Gnome et Rhone.
Not sure what they've managed to produce although we know of some British ABC's being sent to France (pictures in the gallery) and maybe a prototype being built (?) but on the 16th of June 1919 there was a change in ownership and Gnome et Rhone purchased the majority of the company.
I don't know clearly what happens next as I've heard of different types of engines: 400cc, 443cc, 469cc and even 500cc.
If you do have some more details, maybe I could add them to the ABC history I'm trying to put together for this website.

Just a final note. Looks like ABC's were very popular in France. Here's a picture of a Lady (Mlle Blazaire) displaying the manageability of the 1921 model. The picture was taken on the 19th of May 1921 at the concours d'adresse at Parc des Princes.

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7 years 7 months ago #255 by Gnome Rhone 1
Replied by Gnome Rhone 1 on topic ABC Motorcycle in France
Giovanni
I would love a copy of that Gnome Rhone poster!
Any chance?
Howard.

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7 years 7 months ago #256 by Daniel
Replied by Daniel on topic ABC Motorcycle in France
Hello Howard
OK for a poster copie you can give your post adress at "dandavi@wanadoo.fr"
thank you
Daniel

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7 years 1 month ago #305 by gioorl
Replied by gioorl on topic ABC Motorcycle in France
New French catalogues have been posted in the gallery: http://www.abcroadmotors.co.uk/gallery/category/21-gnome-rhone-abc-depliants.html

Thanks Daniel for providing all that great material.
I'm really looking forward to meet you at Montlhery in May and have a look at your ABC.

While going through David Hales file of letters I've found some correspondence with two French man who were quite involved in French ABC motorcycles and Skootamota's: Amerigo Guy and Bruno Gridel.
Has anybody ever had any contact with them? Gridel created an ABC club in France in 1988 but I haven't seen news since.

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7 years 1 month ago #308 by Daniel
Replied by Daniel on topic ABC Motorcycle in France
Hello Giovanni
Yes i know Guy amerigo, he is a friend of me. He have an ABC Gnome & Rhône 1920 and Scootamota. But i dont know the other person.
Thanks
Daniel

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