Peugeot 1913 Légère 380 cc AIV V-twin 2803

SOLD

Description

Peugeot  1913  Motocyclette  Légère  2 ½ HP   Type “MD2”  380 cc  AIV V-twin  frame # 16666   engine # 25226

In 1910 Peugeot brought out a light V-twin motorcycle that was to become an enormous success.
The  “Moto Légère  MD” was equipped with a  333 cc  45 degree V-twin engine with automatic inlet valves, direct belt transmission, Bosch  magneto,  single lever Claudel  carburettor and Truffault front forks.
The little machine proved easy to start, easy to handle and was very reliable.
Moreover, it weighed only 40 kgs and was able to sustain a practical running speed of 60 km/h.
For model year  1913  the bore was enlarged from 70 to 80 mm which resulted in a capacity of 380 cc and a speed of 70 km/h.
This machine was catalogued  as  “MD2”. It is easily recognizable by the horizontally placed spark plugs.
In 4 years  some 10,000 machines were sold and this motorcycle was the most popular French motorcycle of pre- ww 1 days.
The machine has 2 brakes on the rear wheel which are applied by levers on the handlebars.
The Claudel carburettor is operated by a single lever on the right side of the handlebars; on that side we also find the valve lifter.
Close to the left hand side grip we find the magneto cutout.
There is a practical belt tensioner on board and this Dutch-registered, well-restored machine comes complete with bulb horn an acetylene lighting.