THE SOLEX 3800
MAY 1966
NEW SOLEX
NEW ENGINE
50% more power for hills
The red decal as well as the headlight cover display the new name : 3800
THE BICYCLE THAT CLIMBS BY ITSELF
The Solex 3800 was sold from May 1966 until November 1988 :
Month Year | Motor Number | Price |
May 1966 | 3.800.001 | 373 F |
January 1967 | 4.003.600 | |
January 1968 | 4.252.840 | 393 F |
January 1969 | 4.533.060 | 420 F 447 F (deluxe: red and blue,whitewall tires and stainless steel fenders) |
January 1970 | 4.600.285 | 439 F 489 F (white super deluxe) |
January 1971 | 4.713.001 | (end of the deluxe versions ) |
January 1972 | 4.767.151 | |
January 1973 | 4.816.551 | 540 F |
January 1974 | 4.859.701 | 578 F 629 F in July 1974 |
January 1975 | 4.914.560 | 713 F |
From 1976 until November 7, 1988
: numbers after 9,000,000.
Sources: Franck MENERET, Maxime MICHAUD, Jean GOYARD
Price:
in 1976 890 F, in 1978 1135 F, in 1983 2275 F, in 1985 2396 F, in 1986
2650 F, in 1987 3095 F.
The S 3800s sold in the US and Puerto Rico from 1968 to 1975 have
numbers in the range 5 000 000 to 5 34x xxx.
Modifications were made progressively to the 3800,
here we will list the most important ones :
1967: Metal fuel tank replaced by one made from black plastic. Mudflap
with 4 screws replaced by one with 2 screws.
1968:Addition of a twist-grip that permits slowing
down without braking
1972: Disappearance of the red decal on the air
filter cover.
1974: Disappearance of the gold pinstripes on
the fenders.
1976: Appearance of the “Motobecane”
taillight.
"Motobecane" decals are affixed to each side
of the frame.
VELOSOLEX EASY TO MAINTAIN
In 1985, the "Export" Solex 380 undergoes some new modifications :
- Use of the 5000 handlebars with a CEV headlight (made in Italy) held
in place with a clamp.
- Black plastic engine cover, replacing the traditional rectangular headlight,
with a silver 3800 decal with silvery characters.
In 1986 last modifications before its disappearance.
Return of the traditional 3800 :
- The “ Solex” logo is now affixed to each side of the central
frame.
- New, non-inverted, aluminum hilts, black-colored, as are mounted on
the Motobecane cyclemotors.
- From now on the headlight lens
will be glass and no longer plastic.
- Along with the traditional black color, the model will be available
in 2 other colors: red and blue Motobecane shades ).
THE LAST FRENCH SOLEX
One of the last Solex 3800s made in France by MBK
at the Saint-Quentin factory in Aisne Departement, seen in this photo:
- the CEV glass lens with a large-base bulb.
- New decompression lever on the left, adapted from the 5000.
- new brake levers.
- new handlebars.
(The model in the photo left the Saint-Quentin factory in September 88).
BRIGITTE BARDOT SOLEX & YAMAHA (1971)
SOLEX ADVERTISEMENTS
THE SOLEX 3800 IN PARIS THEATER
The 3800 in a scene from :
" The lawyer "
in Olympia Theater in 1969
with :
Paul Préboist
The 3800 at the Comédie Caumartin :
" Les Bodin's " in 2001
with :
Vincent DUBOIS
Jean-Christian FRAISCINET
The 3800 at the " Nouveautés " theater :
" CHEVALIER et LASPALES " in 1998
THE SOLEX 3800 IN THE BROADWAY THEATRE
The 3800 in New York in 2003
From after the production by Puccini
with :
Wei Huang
Alfred Boe
Baz Luhrmann
THE SOLEX 3800 AT THE LE MANS SPEEDWAY
During the shooting of the film “ Le Mans ”
created by Lee H. Katzin in 1970
Steve McQueen on a Solex 3800 in the company of his wife Neile ADAMS.
A big collector of motorbikes he appears here as the best Velosolex ambassador.
LE SOLEX 3800 IN THE PARIS STYLE
Summer Collection 2002 "All in White "
Photo appeared in ELLE magazine with
obviously a white Solex 3800 Deluxe !!!
SOLEX RADIO NOSTALGIE
The last 100 examples will be produced
in October 1988 under the name of " Radio Nostalgie ".
The model shown carries the number 094.
Eight of them will be sold to bidders during a television show on TF1
on saturday decembre 17th 1988, presented by Jean-Pierre Foucault and
Veronique Colucchi , the total of these sales to be donated to "Restaurants
du coeur " a charity founded by Coluche.
TELEVISION SHOW ON TF 1 "SOLEX NOSTALGIE"
ARCHIVES SOLEX 3800
SOLEX 3800 PHOTO GALLERY
1946-2006 THE 60 YEARS OF THE VELOSOLEX
MBK 1985 Parts Catalog Solex 3800 : (here)