1930 Alcyon 100cc BMA Alcyonette Type AS de Luxe Motorcycle
I search far and wide for good condition, original motorcycles that have not been restored.
They are getting much harder to find and now command prices higher than cosmetically restored equivalents.
This superb AS de Luxe is the ultimate in faded glory, and it oozes so much patina it might need a drip-tray underneath to catch it.
Just as chaps of a certain age in Great Britain were likely to have started their motorcycling career on a 1930s autocycle, in France many young monsieurs would have experienced their first tentative motorized kilometers clinging to the handlebars of an Alcyonette.
This wonderful machine was mechanically restored many years ago, but now needs new tyres and a good service. It will be delivered to my mechanic this week. I’ll be waiting eagerly for his phonecall so I can experience that magic moment – hearing the engine fire up for the first time.
The externally sprung front forks show it to be a de Luxe model.
The engine is a Zurcher. Usually Alcycon left them badged as Zurcher, but occasionally they replaced the plaque with a similar Alcyon engine badge.
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BMA (Bicyclette Moteur Auxiliaire)
Introduced in 1926, these are the rules for a BMA, which meant that no registration or license was required:
1. Less than 100cc
2. Under 30kg
3. Less than 30kph
4. Pedals fitted
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UPDATE 4th June 2009: Geoff has now waved his magic wand over the Alcyon, and the engine is running well.
SUMMARY: Everything functions as it should – except that the petrol tank has rust inside it. It’s a common issue with old motorcycles. I’ve many other bikes waiting for Geoff’s attention, so I decided to leave the tank cleaning to the new owner. Paraffin, pebbles and a daily workout shaking it around for a while should solve that problem.
It also needs new tyres, which are available in the UK (I’ll pass on the contact details to the new owner).
You’ll see our ‘rusty tank workaround’ in the video below…
SHORT VIDEO: SEE IT RUNNING
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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 that is from 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.
As you can see from the 1923 poster above, Alcyon already made lightweight motorcycles. However, on 8th May, 1926 French law changed to allow a new category of motorcycle – the BMA – which did not require license or registration (see the description in the 1928 Alcyon advert below).
This was designed to help motorize the population – hence the byline above “Why tire yourself out?” – and to give a boost to French motorcycle manufacturers. Bear in mind that the late twenties was the depression era, which hit France around 1930. Alcyon’s answer to the crisis was to focus more on producing cheaper items, such as bicycles and BMA’s, and their Alcyonette was a quality lightweight machine whose name became famous among BMA’s of the thirties.
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One Alcyon innovation in 1929 was to develop a range of motorcycles to be ridden on the railways.
This 1930 Alcyon Model 203 had a 250cc Zurcher engine bored out to 320cc. The gearbox was a 3-speed plus reverse. It could cruise around 60-70kph and carry three passengers (though only two passengers when converted back to road use).
The model below was lightweight (70kg) so could be lifted on and off more easily.
It was powered by a two-speed 175cc engine, chain-driven on the front left wheel.
After WW2 Alcyon took over many of their competitors, including Diamant, Olympique, Thomann, Armor, Lapize and Motte.
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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 £40 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.
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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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