Description
Terrot-Zédel 1903 2HP 239cc a.i.v. single frame # 312 engine # 4093
The foreman of a French-owned textile machine factory based at Cannstatt, Germany, Charles Terrot left to go into partnership with merchant Wilhelm Stücklen in 1862, founding ‘Stücklen & Terrot’. The firm made machinery for the textile industry and in 1887 opened a plant at Dijon in France. When this venture proved unsuccessful, Charles turned the factory over to making bicycles, which at that time were an increasingly popular novelty.
Like many of his cycle industry contemporaries, Terrot turned to powered transport towards the end of the 19th century and by the early 1900s the Dijon factory was making not only bicycles but also motorcycles, quadricycles and voiturettes. Proprietary engines supplied by several manufacturers were used for Terrot’s early motorcycles: for 1903 the standard engine was the Zédel, optional were Faure or Givaudan. Within a few years Zédel would become the preferred engine type: Terrot claimed that Zédel made engines especially for them to their own specifications. The 1903 model was available with a surface carburettor or spray device of Longuemare type. The latter and easier to operate type is fitted to this fine example of an early French veteran. For more convenient operation of the ignition a Bosch magneto has been fitted at some time in the past. Drive to the rear wheel is by a flat belt. A simple but ingenious system provides a free engine: the flat belt pulley is wide and has a smooth and ribbed part. A lever on the tank top tube actuates a rod that can guide the belt course and in doing this force the belt to run free or to take up the drive.
Note the substantial, beautiful Oléo veteran spark plug. The machine is an older restoration and comes with a very elaborate collection of accessories: leather tool bag with oiler, leather spare tube case, acetylene lamp, bulb horn, luggage carrier “Le Reversible J.N.” and tyre pump. And then we also have a very nice period pocket watch in holder and to keep track of the kilometres travelled the front wheel is fitted with a “Compteur Velocimètre”.