Veteran French Motorcycles
Chapleur Collection
Chapleur Collection
Chapleur Collection
Chapleur Collection
Chapleur Collection
Motorcycle Combination
This page lists brands for which we currently have only an historical precis. There is also a page on really obscure French brands.
For a more complete listing visit the French Index.
O.L.D.
OLD Miniscoot Manufactured in Colombes
Designed by Victor Bouffort of Valmobil fame, powered by a 75cc Manurhin engine this tiny scooter first appeared at the 1955 Paris Salon.
Source: Amis Terriens, scoot-toujours.over-blog.com
Ollier
Built by R. Ollier c.1906, the marque appears to have been all but unknown until 2018 when a unique example appeared at auction. The single cylinder Ollier engine was positioned forward of the pedal crank, and a large fuel tank was mounted between the two uppper frame rails. The machine has an unusual front fork with considerable rake.
Sources: Guélon Collection
Ollivier
A bicycle attachment engine which drove the rear wheel via a shaft and conical rollers which could be quickly detached. There were two prototypes, the first mounted high in the frame behind the steering head, the second mounted low.
Source: Wikipedia NL
Omega 1899
Ómega Motorcycles c1910
Lecomte et Fils
14 quai de Retz and 30 rue Pierre Corneille, Lyon
Sewing machines, cycles and motorcycles of 2hp and 3½ hp. The firm was still at the Pierre Corneille address in 1928.
Bourdache p440, period advertising.
N.B. Several firms used variations of name Omega
Onfray
Produced engines (see C.F.C.), and possibly motocyclettes.
Founded in 1869, they are listed as a bicycle producer with factory and offices at 1, Rue Darboy, Paris in an 1892 publication.
Bourdache (pp 146, 432), encycloduvelo.fr
Orcal
"Developed and designed with passion by DIP SAS in 2013, Orcal is a French brand of thermal and electric motorcycles and scooters."
Based in Marseille-11, the firm also promotes the Tabor brand.
Website: orcal-motor.fr
FB: fb.com/orcal.motor.france
Oreol
1903~1914
Motorcycles manufactured using a 333cc single which was very competitive with Cissac at the helm, taking many records. They also built V-twins using engines from Zedel, Moto Reve and others.
Source: Tragatsch p240, et al.
OTI
Manufactured by the Bugatti factory in Bordeaux from 1957 to 1959, these were three-wheelers powered by 125cc engines. The designer was Lucien Rolland Pilain.
Source: OTTW
Otobiron
Paris Salon 1921, OHV four-stroke.
"In the latest scooters from the Otobiron shops the three and a half horsepower motor is under the saddle. The frame is larger and heavier than in former models, with a more comfortable seat. The pedals control brake and accelerator; otherwise the machine is operated from the hand grips like a motorcycle." ~ Popular Science, March 1922.
Oubron 1950~55
Rarer French Marques
