Description
Rochet 1906 1 ½ HP ( ca. 200 cc ) aiv single type “M1” engine# 103
Rochet motorcycles were made from 1900 to ca. 1910 in the North French Somme area, in the town of Albert.
Three types of machines were made between 1906 and 1910, a 1 ½ HP “Legère”( lightweight) , a 2 ¾ HP model with water cooling and a 5 ½ HP inline vertical twin.
This little machine with engine number 103 must be a very early example of the lightweight model.
It weighs about 40 kilograms and has some interesting features, such as the sprung front forks and enclosed oil bath rear chain, chain drive being rather uncommon in 1906.
The crankcase has a special extension that houses the pedal freewheel.
Bore and stroke are 64×68 mm, weight is 40 kilograms and cruising speed is about 40 km/hour.
Ignition by Bosch magneto.
This charming piece of early French motorcycle technology has been well restored.