Description
Sarolea 1932 32F 350cc 1 cyl ohv Frame # 160025 Engine # 32F 160025
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.
From 1927 on the company made its own gearboxes and early in 1929 the factory was extended to some 6000 m2.
Nearly all components of the bikes were made in-house now and the production capacity grew to 50 machines per day.
Later in 1929 a brand new state-of –the-art production facility was commissioned which brought the production capacity to 75 machines per day.
Saroléa was ready for the new decade and showed this by bringing out a fine new range of sloping engine ohv machines in December 1930. The 350 cc model had a bore x stroke of 75×79 mm, the 500 model measured 80.5 x 97.
The new engines had two-port exhausts and dry sump lubrication with the oil being kept in a forward compartment of the crankcase.
The weight of the 349 machine was 130 kilograms, top speed some 110 km/hour.
The 32F engine number on this Sarolea suggests it to be a racing model and racers were available in capacities of 350, 500 and 600 cc. Sarolea was very successful in racing, however only a handful of “over the counter” racing machines were made during the years.
The engines has longstroke configurations and a Bosch ignition system.
This attractive sports machine has been well-restored and is running well.