Description
Saroléa 1926 494 cc OHV “23 M Super Sport” frame# 30060 engine# 30060
The firm was established in 1850 at Herstal (Liege) as an arms factory by Joseph Saroléa. In 1892 the production of bicycles was started. Joseph died in 1894 and under the management of his sons the company grew bigger and bigger. In the early years of the new century the company started to develop motorized bicycles and soon Saroléa was a force to reckon with: around 1907 the firm employed some 200 labourers and had 4000 m2 of production facilities. In the early years of the century Saroléas were sold in Britain under the “Kerry” brand. Both singles and V-twins were made and the firm supplied engines to a number of firms in several countries. In turn, Saroléa used a number of British components such as Sturmey Archer gearboxes and AMAC carburettors. In the 20s the firm got successfully involved with long distance runs, reliability trials and hill climbs. The first OHV model, a 500 cc, was presented for the 1924 season and had long stroke engine configurations of 80.5 x 97 mm. This “ 23 G Super Sport” could reach a speed of 120 km/ h. One year later a 350 cc version was presented, the “25 F Sport”. Both OHV models were consequently further developed and became very popular with sports riders. New detail improvements for 1926 were the fitting of a steering damper and more powerful brakes.
This attractive and excellently restored vintage sportsman’s mount comes with external Pilgrim oil pump, 3-speed Sturmey Archer gearbox and straight through exhaust.