THE VELOSOLEX 45





APRIL 1946

100 km on less than one liter
LADY or MAN
The bicycle that"goes" by itself


33rd AUTO AND CYCLE EXPOSITION IN PARIS AT THE GRAND-PALAIS


FRANCE ILLUSTATION


(photo appeared in FRANCE ILLUSTATION )

On October 19th, 1946, Georges BIDAULT ( second person from the right in the photo ), head of the provisional government, takes an interest in the new Velosolex model which was making its official debut since being put into production at the end of April 1946.
At the first Expo after the war the manufacturers showed their new models: Renault 4cv, Citroen 2cv.
An unusual Expo since the participants appeared with vehicles that they could not sell. For the buyer, it required a release voucher from the administration, for the manufacturer it required hunting for raw materials.


35th AUTO AND CYCLE EXPOSITION IN PARIS AT THE GRAND-PALAIS


Velosolex 1948


At the 1948 Expo, the 2 CV astonishes, intrigues and ravages: it costs two thirds the price of a 4 CV and, the following year, its price becomes 228,000 F, when that of the 4 CV is nearly 300,000 F. The waiting lists grow longer: from twelve to eighteen months to be able to finally take possession of one’s 2 CV.
The Velosolex attains in 1948 a production of 25,000 units, its price is 19,418 francs.
One can recognize the 1948 version by the white band on the rear fender and the toolbox at the rear of the luggage rack.


37th AUTO AND CYCLE EXPOSITION IN PARIS AT THE GRAND-PALAIS





At the 1950 Auto Expo more than 100,000 examples had been produced by the Courbevoie factory, manufacturing licenses had been issued:

-to Holland to the VAN DER HEEM N.V.Company at THE HAGUE,

-in Switzerland to the HISPANO- SUIZA Company in Geneva,

-in Italy to the S.I.F.A.C.( Industrial Automobile and Cycle Fabrication Company ) in Turin.


The Velosolex took off because it fit the needs of the people after the war ( practical and economical ).


THE BICYCLE THAT GOES BY ITSELF


The Velosolex 45 was sold from may 1946 to august 1953 :


Month Year Moteur number Wheels size
may 1946 1000 650 wheels
january 1947 4200 ''
january 1948 12975 ''
january 1949 38980 ''
Janvier 1950 76670 ''
Janvier 1951 117.020 ''
June 1951 140.096 600 wheels
January 1952 179.400 ''
January 1953 254.685 ''

ADVERTISSEMENTS BY RENE RAVO


Tot ou Tard vous aurez un velosolex 300 stations-services


VELOSOLEX 45 ADVERTISEMENTS


Cycles Pithoud Lyon Velosolex 45 Pithioud Lyon


En vacances avec le velosolex 45
Velosolex concessionnaire région parisienne Guedet Amiens Creil

Velosolex affiche suisse


For work

and

For Pleasure

VELOSOLEX


SOLEXINE BY BP


Solexine bidon jaune


- Solexine a suitable mixture.
As early as 1947, Velosolex asked the BP petroleum company to research a special mixture for the velosolex 45cc for maximum optimization of the motor. It should be pointed out that the BP service stations already sold the “Energic” and “Energol” mixtures for the other motorbikes.
Solexine will be sold in filled and sealed 2 liter yellow cans ( the yellow color lasts until 1957 ), and also at the pump in the BP service stations.


Station service BP Velosolex Toulouse Enercic Energol Solexine BP


VELOSOLEX 45 PHOTO GALLERY


Velosolex 45 1947 Le Perrreux Velosolex 45 1947 Le Perrreux



Velosolex Rueil Malmaison Velosolex facteur PTT
Paris Saint-Germain-des-Prés velosolex 45
Place de l'Opera en Vélosolex 45, Novembre 1949 Place de l'Opera en Vélosolex 45, Novembre 1949
Velosolex 45 Le Louvre Paris Velosolex 45 Le Louvre Paris

THE VELOSOLEX 45 WITH THE CINEMA


Mon Oncle Jacques TatiVelosolex 45 au Festival de Cannes


THE VELOSOLEX 45 CC IN LONDON


Velosolex in London


MOTOR CYCLING


april 14 , 1949



On the picture the Velo-Solex costing under £50 with P.T., in action. The machine to which the power unit is fitted is a bicycle specially built for the purpose


"Motorcycling" obtains First-hand Impressions of the Velosolex Motorized Bicycle.

Velo-Solex motorized bicycle,which is to be produced in this country by Solex(Cycles), Ltd,
223-231, Marylebone Road,
N.W.1

A sunny Wednesday afternoon saw the Velo-Solex setting off from Henly Hall, the depot of the London Distributors.The remarkable degree of silence achieved was at once noticeable, and at times it was difficult to hear whether or not the engine was running. A chance to test the model's behaviour in London traffic was afforded almost at once, the little machine sliding effortlessly through four consecuitive Oxford Street traffic jams. The steering was positive and light in operation, probably due to the well-known propensity of front wheel drive for pulling the machine in the required direction.
At 5 p.m., just 1 3/4 hours after leaving Henly Hall, a stop for refreshments was made at a Coulsdon pull-up café.
Here the VelosSolex attracted considerable attention from the drivers of various heavy lorries, who displayed interest in the potentialities of the marque. On the road again after 15-minute halt, and a few miles farther south the writer overtook a homing pedal-cyclist.

"That's a natty gadget !" he claimed. "What'll it do?".
"About 16 m.p.h.on the level."
"What!-without pedaling? How much does it cost?"queried the cyclist.

The information that the price, including purchase tax is £48 was given, and, as one of the lesser spurs of the North Downs loomed up, the cyclists dropped behind, while the Velo-Solex chuffed up the slope, a few revolutions of the pedals near the crest sufficing to keep up the speed.
The light was falling at Sam's Half-way House,near Horley, and the Sussex border was reached by dusk. Crawley's quiet streets were left behind and the Velo-Solex commenced the long climb into Pease Pottage. Here early pedal assistance was given, but it was possible to sit at ease on the sprung saddle, with only one hand on the bars, while surmounting the hill. A relatively level strech led to Handcross Hill necessitated the rider's assistance, after which occasional pedalling was called for in the undulating Wealden country. The passage through the South Downs to Pyecombe where the model passed a cyclist pushing his mount when at only a third of the way up the rise was the only part of the journey where really vigorous pedalling was necessarily resorted to.
At Preston Park an escort of young cyclists on sports machines, firing questions, admiring the layout, and commenting on the abnormal silence of the engine, drew alongside. The clock of St.Peter's indicated 8.15 p.m., as the Velo-Solex passed, making the time for the 55 miles 4 hrs.40 mins.
This average speed of 11 3/4 m.p.h. would be probably be equalled by a good touring cyclist. If so, then the markers of the machine have fullfilled their avowed intent to provide a pedal cycle "with the work cut out". A quick check showed the petrol tank to be almost empty, which meant that, with a fuel consumption of 205.5 m.p.g., the petrol for the trip had cost 6d.!
The following Sunday was spent in testing still further the hill-climbing capalities of this fascinating machine little machine, and in trying by fair means and foul to induce roller slip. King George V Avenue in Hove a steep half-mile ascent up which even the young and energic cyclists usually push was ridden non-stop, albeit by dint of hard pedalling. The only hill upon which the model failed was a short, steep climb in the same vinicity.
Several muddy, unsurfaced lanes were traversed and even ill-treatment resorted to in the process. By letting go the decompressor too suddenly when starting the rear wheel was made to rise clear of the ground, yet no trace of slip between the carborundum-faced roller and the tyre could be seen.




Innermost details of the Velo-Solex two stroke engine,showing the unorthodox, floatless carboretter and the tiny diaphragm fuel pump.





The complete unit, showing the flywheel magneto-generator, which provides current for ignition and lighting, with the cover removed.


velosolex 45 CC Guide


The 1951 VELOSOLEX British-built F.W.D.Cyclomotor Integal with the Machine.


A pionner in the cyclomotor field, the 45CC VeloSolex appears for 1951 with no fewer than ten modifications. Several of these concern Endrick-type rims, instead of Westwood: a new front mudguard design and a different head lamp bracket, whilst the decompressor control has been transferred to the left-hand side of the handle bar..
It is claimed that improvement two-stroking characteristics, increasing power consumption figures will be derived from a slightly altered 1951 carburetter and exhhaust system.
Certainely, from the appearance point of view, the new gravity die-cast cylinder head is a great improvement on the previous sand-cast type. The VeloSolex power unit, unlike many of the popular attachments now on the market, is not cowled in any way, and excellence of workmanship and finish naturally adds not only to efficiency but the pride of owner-ship.
With regard to the engine itself,the off-side main bearings are sealed from the crankcase and grease-packed. At the other end of the crankshaft there has been added an oil condensation reservoir, making for improved lubrification of the crankshaft ball-race at the point. An increase in cross-section of the crankcase inlet port encourages better "breathing".
A small but important modification is the altered position of the high-tension lead fitting to allow replacement being made without neccessarily first removing the flywheel magneto.
The VeloSolex employs petroils lubrication and offers the advantage of car-type carburation. The Solex concern, the manufacturers of the VeloSolex in this country, fits-jet instrument and uses a diaphragm-type pump operated by crank-case pressure to feed fuel from the 1 3/4-pt.tank, situated on the right-hand side of the machine, to a French-made 6 L carburetter.
Transmision is by means of a roller in contact with a Michelin "Y"-type 26 in. by 1 3/4 in by 1 1/2 in. front tyre. The weight of the machine is 58 lb., it is finished in black and constitutes the only under-50CC motorized cycle marketed in this country as a complete machine.


Buy a genuine Solex


SOLEX(Cycles), Limited

223-231, Marylebone Road

LONDON N.W.1.


1946-2006 THE 60 YEARS OF THE VELOSOLEX IN BEAUVAIS


Solexine bidon jaunes Solexine bidon jaunes


Le 45CC la bicyclette qui marche toute seule Prototype Solex
Velosolex 45CC mon oncle Velosolex 45CC 1948
Velosolex 45CC 1946 Solex anglais


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