The VéloSoleX (registered trademark), more commonly known as Solex, is a moped whose engine was created by the French mechanical company Solex. More than seven million were produced in several versions from 1946 to 1988.
As a moped, he could drive in France without a license and from the age of fourteen. Light, rustic and economical, the bicycle that rides on its own (according to a slogan from the 1950s) has been very popular with high school students, students and workers. It was sort of the 2CV of mopeds.
The historic production of VéloSolex was carried out first on avenue de Verdun in Courbevoie in the HautsdeSeine, then in (at least) two other factories located in AsnièressurSeine and Mâcon, before being combined in 1975 in SaintQuentin in Aisne after the brand was bought by Motobécane. The brand also produced bicycles in the early 1970s.
The VéloSoleX is not the first motorized vehicle on the front wheel, nor the first to have a roller transmission, notably at Le Poulain and Cyclotracteur. However, a great industrialization allowing a very low price4, a correct reliability, a simple maintenance, etc., allowed an important diffusion of its models.
The small 2stroke engine, with asymmetric cantilever crankshaft, of 49 cm3 of displacement, is placed using a lever above the front wheel, which it drives directly by a "roller " Startup is done by pedaling or "pushing", by simultaneously operating the decompression lever on the handlebars. This type of design can cause relatively rapid tire wear, as well as inefficient transmission when the tire is wet, or even an impossible start when it has frozen overnight and the roller has not been cleaned the day before. his traces of mud.
The models are:
the prototype in 1941 of which only a few copies remain;
the socalled “45 cc” model, of which there are many evolutions, was released in 1946. Its 45 cc engine develops 0.4 hp at 2,000 rpm;
the 330 comes out in 1953, the displacement goes to 49 cm3 and the power to 0.5 hp;
the 660 was released in 1955;
the 1010 was released in 1957;
the 1400 was released in 1958;
the 1700 was released in 1959, with automatic clutch and lateral cooling by turbine;
the 2200 was released in June 1961; its production begins with the engine number 2202001 and its power reaches 0.7 hp; it has a new, more powerful engine with, for the first time, an antiinterference ignition, new lifting lever and decompression lever. This model is manufactured in two engine versions: the V1 and the V2;
the S3300 comes out in 1964, appearance of the rear drum brake, the frame is in pressed sheet metal assembled by bolts instead of welded tubes (similar to the future S3800);
the F4 which came out in 1966 is a children's bike in the form of a 2/3 scale replica of the S3300; it has a metal frame with a small injected plastic motor with ratchet to imitate the noise of the motor;
the iconic model S3800, released in 1966; its production begins with the engine number 3800001; the chassis is identical to the 3300 but several elements of the more powerful engine are new: cylinder, crankcase, crankshaft, carburetor, fuel pump, bonnet, etc. Later, the tank appears in plastic. Other elements will evolve such as the bib, the rods, the luggage rack, the pedals, the cylinder, the bell;
the color appeared in 1968 with the S3800 luxury and the S3800 super luxury in 1970 and stopped in 1971 to resume in 1986; however, coffeecolored VéloSoleX “export” already existed, which were sold in the Netherlands but not available in France. In 1968, the revolving handle appeared on the model9,10;
the 5000 comes out in 1971, with small wheels, it is available in four colors; palma yellow, atoll blue, orange and, more rarely, white;
the Micron was released in 1968, with even smaller wheels; it has the S3800 engine but has no pedals; it is therefore assimilated to a moped requiring the A1 license;
Plisolex was released in 1973; it is rare because it has only been produced in twenty thousand copies;
the 4600 was released in 1974; the Flash 1969 (now the 6000) is fitted with disc brakes; the fancooled motor is placed in the crankset with a lateral shaft drive.
the Solex Tenor, released in 1972, is a more “classic” architecture moped, the transmission being carried out by chain. It is the only model fitted with an engine which is not manufactured by the brand: the L and S series are fitted with a Franco Morini gyromat engine and then replaced by the GL and GS series fitted with the Anker Laura engine. There is also a very rare S4 model with an engine. Franco Morini at four speeds;