1948 Alcyon ‘Type 18.TER’ 125cc
Fellow enthusiasts often ask me how I find all these obscure vehicles. It’s certainly not easy to locate vintage machines in good condition at the right price. Luckily, I have a lot of contacts, as well as friends who know what I like, and they let me know when they come across something interesting. This 1948 Alcyon is definitely interesting.
The machine itself is a fine specimen, and a rare model too, even in France. As you can see from the document below, it’s essentially a postwar version of the 1938 Type 18 100cc.
Just after the war, the manufacturers had not yet tooled up for new motorcycles, so they used their girder-fork prewar models; it took them a few years to transform them into the more common styles we’re more familiar with in the 1950s.
As you can see from the price list below, which illustrates the first postwar models for 1945/1946, every lightweight motorcycle on offer was 100cc.
Alcyon turned the 100cc model into the 123cc Type ‘18 TER’ in 1948. This was Alcyon’s prototype 125cc model and it only appeared in this one year.
The frame number is 460753. The carte grise (French logbook) dates it as 1st January 1945; but the French Alcyon marque specialist (a friend of a friend) confirms that this model ran for one year from 11th December 1947.
The 18 TER is an older restoration. Except for paint cracked on the top of the petrol tank, everything is good on it and it starts easily and runs well. The engine is a Zurcher with 3-speed hand change.
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AN ODD ACCESSORY
However, apart from it being a rare and attractive machine in good running order, the really fascinating thing about this motorcycle is its pillion seat. It is a feature that is, in this day and age, totally incongruous.
Because this very rare factory accessory is actually a child’s pillion seat!
60 years ago, society had a different perspective on child safety …though at least this child’s pillion saddle does have protective plastic leg guards on each side of the motorcycle.
The pillion foot-pegs are just below the front saddle.
And the pillion also has a strap in front for holding onto.
The paintwork is still good on this Alcyon, except where the paint surface has cracked on top of the petrol tank, as you can see in the photo below.
The Alcyon is ready to jump on and ride.
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ALCYON HISTORY
Ets Gentil et Cie, Rue JP Timbaud, Courbevoie (seine)
also at: 81 Avenue de la Grande Armée, Paris 16°
The Alcyon company was founded in 1902 in Neuilly on the Seine by Edmond Gentil. Initially building bicycles, Alcyon had moved into motorcycle and car production by 1910. They were a successful company. From 3000 bicycles in 1902, by 1909 their bicycle output had reached 40 000.
The first motorcycle, in 1904, had a 350cc Zurcher engine from the Swiss company Zedel. Zurcher was taken over by Alcyon in 1906. During WW1 the company turned their factory over to repairing airplanes. The advert below is from 1920, and the one below it is 1923.
As well as racing successes, the company was very competitive and imaginative in business. They funded their own free credit scheme and advertised in places their competitors hadn’t thought of. After WW2 they took over many of their competitors, including Diamant, Olympique, Thomann, Armor, Lapize and Motte.
Alcyon were successful in bicycle racing from the early years. They dominated the Tour de France during the 1920’s, and were prominent in the thirties too, winning in 1935, 1936 and 1939. Between 1946 and 1949 the team name changed to Alcyon-BP, and they won again in 1948. So, as you can see in Alcyon’s 1948 bicycle and motorcycle catalogue below, a bicycle featured prominently on the front cover, and the company was declared Champion of the World 1948.
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SUMMARY
This Alcyon is quite typical of post-war French two-stroke lightweights. In a nutshell, it’s functional, stylish and sporty.
If you’re bored with riding exactly the same model as everyone else, why not invest in a rare, smart and practical 125cc two-stroke from the other side of the Channel?
Being the rare earliest version of a popular fifties motorcycle, you’re unlikely to bump into another one. It’s such a stylish 125cc vintage motorcycle everyone will talk about it wherever you go and, with its interesting child’s pillion seat, it’s undoubtedly worthy of a magazine feature.
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1930 Alcyon 100cc BMA Alcyonette Type AS de Luxe
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PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE BIDDING
OWNER: BuyVintage Online Auctions
LOCATION: Brighton, E.Sussex, United Kingdom
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DELIVERY is not included in this auction.
This means that it is not my responsibility,
BUT I can put you in touch with a delivery chap and organize collection;
you liaise with them direct re delivery and pay them separately.
Great Britain - delivery is ONLY £50 for this motorcycle to main parts of England;
extra to extremities such as Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, etc (and may take longer to arrive)
(Please email your postcode if you want to confirm price).
THIS BARGAIN PRICE DELIVERY IS ON A PART-LOAD BASIS.
(Collection when they’re in my area; delivery when in yours).
LOCAL DELIVERY FREE
If you want it fast, please organize your own collection.
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Ireland & N. Ireland – I’ll recommend some companies, but you’ll have to organize it yourself.
Europe – delivery is probably around €400 to Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, etc. I can recommend two companies.
North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc – I’ll organize all the crating and shipping for you.
PAYMENT: Paypal is okay for cheap items; otherwise deposit only on paypal please.
INTERNATIONAL PURCHASERS:
You must communicate with me before the end of the auction to discuss payment and shipping options.
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AFTER PURCHASE: Please email me your phone numbers; I prefer to speak to all purchasers personally.
I do everything I can to make your purchase a pleasurable experience.
I’ve been selling obscure vintage vehicles on ebay since 2002.
Sharing similar interests, I’ve become good friends with many of my customers.
Please feel free to email or phone with any comments or questions…
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VEHICLE CONDITION: Vintage vehicles are wonderful beasts
– but each has an individual personality and they sometimes have bad days just like you and me.
You will need basic mechanical skills (or a local mechanic) to use one on a regular basis.
Two-strokes invariably need basic servicing before starting them, if they’ve been left to stand for more than 3 weeks or so.
These are rare vehicles whose values are not necessarily based on running order.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THE ABOVE, PLEASE DO NOT BID.
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