The Bugatti Cyclemotor

If you thought that Ducati's Cucciolo was the last word in glamorous cyclemotors (if that isn't an oxymoron) then read on and discover the magnificent Bugatti T72......

Bugatti T72 attached to a period Peugeot cycle.

Ettore Bugatti moved to Paris in 1936 after handing over the reigns of his factory in Molsheim to his son, Jean, following an industrial dispute which had left him slightly embittered. During this time Ettore designed several new engines, a common theme among which was jewel like precision, miniaturisation and an level of sophistication in utilitarian objects that would have resulted in the products being impossibly expensive.

One of these motors was the T72 cyclemotor which was more than likely designed in the early years of the war with an eye on the post war market. There were two iterations of the design, the T72 and T72B with some significant changes seen on the later development. It is believed that some seven engines were actually produced of which there seem to be three survivors each of which is a T72.

Close up of the Bugatti T72.

The specification of the T72 is rather outrageous for a cyclemotor: twin overhead cams and supercharger. The T72 had a capacity of 10.6cc which may seem miserly but with a calculated maximum rpm of 15,000 a cruising speed of 30mph should be easily attainable slightly further down the rev range. The later T72B had an increased bore giving a capacity of 12.6cc. Just a look at the T72 design suggests that at the revs it was required to produce and in the position it sat on the cycle it would be likely to suffer from overheating problems. The T72B was turned around 90 degrees and the crank sat in line with the cycle suggesting that overheating was a problem recognised by Bugatti in his mark two variant.

Bugatti T72 cyclemotor drivetrain.

There appear to be no existent pictures of a Bugatti cycle attachment in motion and non of the survivors are running. What a pity as seeing and hearing one in motion would be a wonderful thing.

Much of the information above has been garnered from The Bugatti Revue and The Moped Archive and the pictures are taken from The Bugatti Revue.

The T72 wasn't Ettore Bugatti's only dabble with two wheelers. There was also a rather special bicycle of which more to follow...

Bugatti T72 motor crying out for a cycle.....

Model P Triumph

Several photos of the same Model P Triumph taken at different times. The same dapper gent astride the machine in each image modelling a fine line in hats. The Model P was Britain's two-wheeled Ford T in that it was a decent quality product sold at a price significantly below that of its competitors. By the time production had finished in 1927 somewhere around 55,000 Model Ps had left the Triumph factory gates.

More on the P at VMCC Marque Specialist Peter Cornelius' Pre-War Triumph pages. 

1926 or perhaps 1927 Triumph Model P.

This is what all well dressed motorcycling gentlemen
should be wearing. A suit, bow tie and 'ecky thump'
flat cap.

The Model P has gained a pair of legshields.

Photo not quite on target, got most of the bike in though.
This time a natty trilby for headgear.

BSA B31 and sidecar on expedition

A pair of pictures seemingly from an expedition in the late fifties. The bike is a 1956 or 57 BSA B31 and the pictures were enlarged in 1961 so the date has to be somewhere in between these. As for location it's obviously a salt pan but where? I would guess Southern Africa, maybe the Kalahari, though it could be Australia. The combo is rather strangely loaded, there were evidently two travellers but there's not a lot of room for them on the machine, not a lot of luggage and they are carrying a slightly forlorn looking bicycle. If anyone knows more please get in touch or comment. 

1956 / 7 BSA B31 with sidecar on tour.

BSA B31 combo cruising the desert.

Update - Thanks to reader Bob McGrath for this pointer as to the origin of the pictures:

'I'd lay odds your BSA Saltpan photos were shot in Australia. That pushbike with upturned handlebars is bog standard Aussie of the time as is the broad brim hat and the pannier style water bag. Carrying the pushbike was a safety precaution. You had a chance of getting to safety on it if the outfit failed.'

Velosolex in Saint Tropez

We were down in the South of France for a family holiday recently and had a day out in St Tropez. Plenty of bikes there, loads of swanky super scoots, guys expressing their individualism through buying identikit Harleys and the occasional formulised brat style Triumph Bonneville. The stand alone machine though was this Velosolex with plastic crate on the back. I like to think that it is owned by some uber-dude who has transcended motorcycle fashion and come out the other side riding this beast but it could also belong to an old duffer who has had it since new. The great thing is it doesn't matter, this steed costs a fraction of the price of those around it and oozes an attitude that is to be cherished.

The baddest bike in St Tropez. Velosolex.

Rudge 1911 pamphlet

This flyer was originally an advertising supplement to 'The Motor Cycle' magazine back in 1911. 65 miles in one hour is a rather impressive speed for a veteran 500cc single speeder.

Also impressive in my mind is the fact that back before the 1st World War a record was broken 3rd October, a flyer then immediately designed and printed. The flyer was then inserted into a magazine which reached shops across the country just two days later on the 5th in the morning.

Breaking world records on a Rudge in 1911.

AJS 16MS 350cc

Period photo of a fully kitted out AJS, a 16MS if I'm not mistaken. Set up for touring with legshields, saddlebags and enormous screen plus the precaution of RAC membership!

Late fifties AJC 16MS.

Globe of Death with sidecar

Souvenir postcard from a 'Globe of Death' stunt show. Looks like it is from the thirties. Using a sidecar in the globe is something a bit different and I can't find reference to it elsewhere, a French and German team seems like less of a unique selling point these days though. The Globe of Death shows used to be more common, I saw one once a few years ago at a bike show in London's Docklands. The Globe is spectacular but loses out to the Wall of Death in the fact that it is hard to hide from punters. It's quite easy to line folks up and sell them a ticket in to the Wall show, but try hiding the Globe of Death!

Globe of Death.