Description
Peugeot 1902 1 ½ HP 198 cc Zédel aiv clip-on single cylinder engine # 2952
Although a prototype De Dion-engined Peugeot bicycle was displayed at the Paris Salon in 1898, the first motorized cycles to leave the factory were actually tricycles with De Dion & Bouton engines. The popularity of the tricycle was unchallenged at first, but by 1902 the motorized bicycle started to take the lead: at the Paris Salon in December 1901 81 motorised cycles were exhibited, of which there were only 21 tricycles or quadricycles.
One of the sixty motorized bicycles present was a Peugeot, propelled by a 1 ½ HP ZL engine.
The engine was clipped to the front down tube and had a displacement of 198 cc.
Its weight was only 35 kilograms and a cruising speed of between 25 and 40 km/h was attainable. Regarding the hill climbing abilities the prospective buyers were assured that “the engine was powerful enough to climb all hills”.
The little engine is fed by a Longuemare type spray carburettor.
That means it belongs to the second series of 1902 models.
The first series was equipped with a more cumbersome surface carburettor.
Relatively few of these machines were produced and very few have survived: four are known to exist with surface carburetor, only one with spray carburettor.
This early veteran is complete and unrestored.