1949 Derny Tandem 98cc Zurcher engine
The Derny is famous in France. Its design has hardly changed from that of the earliest motorcycles – essentially a bicycle with an engine attached. It’s front-mounted petrol tank is particularly distinctive.
Its fame is as a result of solo Dernys being used as pacers. In fact, the word ‘derny’ has become a generic term for motorized pacers.
In 1936, France’s new socialist government ordained that the French people could have an annual national holiday. An industry promptly grew up around summer vacations, and bicycle tandems became popular; some manufacturers started to make motorized versions to cash in on the tandem craze – a much faster way for a cycling partnership to get down to the south coast – but production was interrupted by the war.
Production resumed post-war. But by 1953 or so, scooters had become the new chic two-wheeler and ‘old-fashioned’ motorized tandems soon became obsolete.
Motorized tandems are a uniquely French thing. A few vintage ones are now being rallied in Britain, though I’ve not yet seen anything as brilliantly ungainly as this Derny tandem.
The engine is a beast of a 98cc Zurcher.
The engine has good compression. It’s an excellent project that’s waiting for someone to restore it to its former glory.
I bought new tyres for it and fitted them (£50 the pair from Tony Etheridge). But we got side-tracked; I restored another French tandem, and I now have several other restorations on the go; so the Derny got put back into my storage, which is why I’m selling it.
This Derny is complete except for the chain-case on the off-side (see above).
But I bought another Derny tandem to use as spares, which has the chain-case needed. (See page 91 of this auction catalogue CLICK HERE).
The second Derny tandem will be in another of today’s auctions, and will finish after this one so that the successful buyer can buy it too if they wish: the second one has an incorrect engine and no petrol tank, so it should be cheap enough to buy for spares.
I’d like to see photos of the Derny tandem when it’s done.
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The idea of the Derny was designed and constructed by two French ex-racing cyclists called Roger Derny and Sons. This was the conventional “motos de stayer” (in the UK, “Big Motors” is the term used today). These type of pacing machines used first for the Bordeaux-Paris were not very reliable for road use. So another type of pacing machine had to be designed. And as a result the Derny was born and put into production in 1938.
The Derny brothers’ first factory was at 81, Avenue St. Mande and later they moved to Avenue du General Bizot, both in the French capital. When the parent factory closed in 1956, Derny machines for the Bordeaux-Paris were maintained and rebuilt by Service Derny of 88, Rue Picpus, Paris until 1974. Derny carried on making other types of machines but closed in 1958.
Later on, another type of Derny was re-introduced called a ‘Burdin.’ This machine had many problems: the mobylette engine and the frame were not strong enough for the job. Many manufacturers have tried to change the design over the years but have gone back to the original design because it is still as good today as it was way back in 1938. Pacers today are still called Derny – a fitting tribute to the Derny brothers who first thought the idea up in the first place.
Dernys today are made by Arie Simon. He used to make them in Holland, but has now moved his business to Neepelt, Belgium. The Siemon Dernys are used on the road, 6-Days and Keirins by all the pacers on the continent and the UK. They are made of the highest quality.
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LOCATION: Brighton, E.Sussex, United Kingdom
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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.
2-Stroke engines – and cyclemotors in particular – are notoriously unreliable. Basic servicing is generally required if unused for even a few weeks.
These are rare vehicles whose values are not necessarily based on running order.
Unless an auction description specifically states that the vehicle is running, THE VEHICLE IS SOLD FOR RESTORATION.
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