Description
Peugeot 1914 Motocyclette Légère 2 ½ HP Type MC “Paris-Nice” 345 cc side valve V-twin frame # 18117 engine # 28112
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 carburetter and Truffault front forks.
The little machine proved easy to start, easy to handle and was very reliable.
Moreover, it weighed only 40 kg 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”. In 4 years some 10,000 machines were sold and this motorcycle was the most popular French motorcycle of pre- ww 1 days.
However, by 1913 a cylindrical tank and automatic inlet valves had become a bit outdated, so in July 1913 Peugeot came with a new model, introduced as the “Motocyclette Légère 2 ½ HP Type MC “.
In the spring of 1913 prototypes of this motorcycle were equipped with an MD engine that was fitted with cylinders with mechanical inlet valves.
Some of these machines were entered in the grueling “Paris-Nice” regularity run in April 1913 and made quite an impression by gaining a victory.
At its introduction the factory already gave it the official nickname “Paris-Nice”.
The machine had a lowered front down tube resulting in a lower saddle position and the petrol tank got a more modern look.
Weight was 42 kg and the top speed was 65 km/u.
The “Paris- Nice” became a successful model and between 1913 and 1915 some 5000 machines were produced.
This practical veteran is an older restoration and runs well.