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Today in Motorcycle History

Radior Motorcycles

A Brief History of the Marque

Manufactured: 1926 to 1955
J.CHAPOLARD
Av. de la Gare, Bourg also 9 Avenue Pierre Sémard, Bourg (Ain)

The marque used engines from AMC, Aubier & Dunne, Chaise, Ducati, Moser, NSU, VAP, JAP and Nervor.

Joseph Chapolard, a smart businessman, began his endeavours in 1904. The first shop sold and repaired various brands of sewing machine, bicycles, motorcycles and automobiles. He soon created his own brand - Radior - with an assembly plant for cycles and sewing machines. In 1911, he moved to larger premises in Avenue Pierre Sémard opposite the station, with a modern factory at the Pont de Lyon added in 1920.

Radior began building motorcycles in 1926. The first model, presented at the Paris Salon of that year, had a 175cc Moser engine. By 1927 the range expanded, with 250cc, 350cc and 500cc offered using engines from various specialist manufacturers. With the introduction of the new BMA tax class for 100cc machines with pedals, the Radior Radiorette, with an Aubier & Dunne engine, became popular. Chapolard and Goubet also began making their own 2-stroke engines under the brand Nervor.

Postwar Radior BMA's featured a variety of proprietary engines: in 1952, Mosquito and Cucciolo engines were used; VAP were fitted in 1953; in 1954 they offered a choice of models, with VAP or Mistral 48cc or the 98cc NSU. VAP motors were used again in 1955. They also built various postwar 125cc and 175cc machines, using their own Nervor engines; these engines were also supplied to other companies such as Hurtu and Manufrance.

The Radior Mouette of the mid-fifties is a little hard to classify - it was a scooter-like machine with large wheels and enclosed bodywork with a smallish tank mounted well forward. The headlight was perched precariously on the front guard. Hidden beneath the fairing was an NSU 98cc engine (49 x 52 mm). This engine was shared with the R98 which has some similarities to the Mouette, but was completely unfaired.

In 1954, a 250cc twin 2-stroke called the Bison was introduced. The market at this time was extremely competitive and sales of the Bison were insufficient to stave off the company's cashflow problems; unfortunately the company ceased production a year or two later.

Radior Models include:

1929 175cc 2T
1929 175cc 4T OHV
1929 250cc JAP SV or OHV
1929 350cc JAP SV or OHV
1929 AS 500cc JAP SV or OHV
1932 Supersport, 4T, B/S 70/90 mm, 350cc 3-speed. Tyres 700/100
1932 Tourisme, 4T, B/S 86/86 mm, 500cc 3-speed. Tyres 700/100
1932 Supersport, 4T, B/S 85/85 mm, 500cc 3-speed. Tyres 700/100
1932 BSSC, 4T 85/88 mm, 500cc 3-speed. Tyres 27/4
1932 CSSC, 4T 85/88 mm, 500cc 3-speed. Tyres 27/4
1932 AT, 4T, B/S 57/68 mm 175cc 2-speed. Tyres 650/65
1932 AT, 4T, B/S 67/70 mm, 250cc 3-speed. Tyres 650/65
1932 AT, 4T, B/S 64/76 mm, 250cc 3-speed. Tyres 650/65
1932 AS, 4T, B/S 64/76 mm, 250cc 3-speed. Tyres 650/65
1932 AT, 4T, B/S 70/90 mm, 350cc 3-speed. Tyres 700/80
1932 AS, 4T, B/S 70/90 mm, 350cc 3-speed. Tyres 700/80
1932 ATC, 4T, B/S 85/86 mm, 500cc 3-speed. Tyres 700/100
1932 ASC, 4T, B/S 85/86 mm, 500cc 3-speed. Tyres 700/100
1932 Velomoteur, Chaise, Aubier & Dunne or Nervor engines
1932 Velomoteur Dame, Chaise, Aubier & Dunne or Nervor engines
1933 BSSC, 2T 175cc 2-speed. Tyres 24/2.375
1933 ASSC, 2T 250cc 3-speed. Tyres 25/3
1933 ATC, 4T 250cc 3-speed. Tyres 25/3
1933 ATC, 4T, B/S 70/90 mm, 350cc 3-speed. Tyres 700/100
1933 ASSC, 4T, B/S 70/90 mm, 350cc 3-speed. Tyres 700/100
1933 ASSC, 4T 500cc. Tyres 700/100
1933 1RNC Velomoteur 2T Nervor Type C 100cc single-speed. Tyres 600/50
1933 3RNB Velomoteur 2T 100cc 2-speed. Tyres 600/50
1933 2RN Dame Velomoteur 2T 100cc single-speed. Tyres 600/50
1933 4RN Dame Velomoteur 2T 100cc 2-speed. Tyres 600/50
1934-35 RNIC , 2T Nervor Type C 100cc single-speed. Tyres 600/55
1934-35 RNIB, 2T 100cc single-speed. Tyres 600/55
1934-35 RN3B, 2T 100cc 2-speed. Tyres 600/55
1934-35 ASSC, 2T 150cc 2-speed. Tyres 24/2.375
1934-35 ASSC, 2T 175cc 3-speed. Tyres 25/3
1934-35 ATC, 4T 250cc 3-speed. Tyres 25/3
1934-35 ASSC, 4T 250cc 3-speed. Tyres 26/3.25
1934-35 ATC, 4T 350cc 3-speed. Tyres 26/3.50
1934-35 ASSC, 4T 350cc 3-speed. Tyres 26/3.50
1934-35 ASSC, 4T 500cc 3-speed. Tyres 26/3.50
1937 RN1C , 2T Nervor Type C 100cc single-speed. Tyres 600/55
1937 RN1B, 2T 100cc single-speed. Tyres 600/55
1937 RN3B, 2T 100cc 2-speed. Tyres 600/55
1937 SC , 2T 100cc 2-speed. Tyres 600/60
1937 ASSC, 2T 150cc 2-speed. Tyres 24/2.375
1937 ASSC, 2T 175cc 3-speed. Tyres 25/3
1937 ATC, 4T 250cc 3-speed. Tyres 25/3
1937 ASSC, 4T 250cc 3-speed. Tyres 26/3.25
1937 ATC, 4T 350cc 3-speed. Tyres 26/3.50
1937 ASSC, 4T 350cc 3-speed. Tyres 26/3.50
1938 D1, 2T, B/S 45/62.5 mm, 99cc. Tyres 600/60
1938 D3, 2T, B/S 45/62.5 mm, 99cc 3-speed. Tyres 600/60
1938 G2, 2T, B/S 55/62.5 148cc 2-speed. Tyres 24/2.375
Post-war
1948 2T & 4T models with 3 and 4-speed gearboxes advertised.
1949 RN3T 125cc 2T
1950 RN3T, 2T, B/S 50/62.4 mm, 125cc 3-speed. Tyres 600/65
1951 RN3T, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 3-speed. Tyres 600/65
1952 Radior Cucciolo 48cc
1952 Tetra, 2T, B/S 50/62.5 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1953 RN3T, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 3-speed. Tyres F 600/65 R 25/3
1953 S, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres F 600/65 R 25/3
1953 Tetra Luxe, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres F 600/65 R 25/3
1953 R98 2-Speed NSU 98cc
1953 GD Luxe, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres F 600/65 R 25/3
1953 53 Sport OHV, B/S 48/59 mm, 125cc 3-speed. Tyres F 600/65 R 25/3
1953 175 Sport OHV, B/S 56/69 mm 175cc 3-speed. Tyres F 600/65 R 25/3
1953 175 S S OHV, B/S 56/69 mm 175cc 4-speed. Tyres F 600/65 R 25/3
1954 RN3T, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 3-speed. Tyres 600//65
1954 54, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1954 54S SAND, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1954 54S GD Luxe, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1954 Sport OHV, B/S 48/69 mm, 125cc 3-speed. Tyres 25/3
1954 Supersport OHV, B/S 56/69 mm 175cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1954 Rallye OHV, B/S 56/69 mm 175cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1954 Bison, 2T, B/S 54/54 mm 250cc 4-speed Nervor twin cylinder. Tyres 26/3.25
1955 Luxe98, 2T, B/S 49/52 98cc 2-speed. Tyres 600/55
1955 Mouette, 2T, B/S 49/52mm 98cc NSU 2-speed. Tyres 500/60
1955 RN3T, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 3-speed. Tyres 600/65
1955 545, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1955 Standard, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1955 GD Luxe, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1955 Sport AMC OHV, B/S 48/59 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1955 Raid, 2T, B/S 62/57.5 mm 175cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1955 Rallye OHV, B/S 48/69 mm 175cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1955 Bison, 2T, B/S 54/54 mm 250cc 4-speed Nervor twin cylinder. Tyres 26/3.25
1956 Luxe 98, 2T, B/S 49/52 98cc 2-speed. Tyres 600/55
1956 Mouette, 2T, B/S 49/52mm 98cc NSU 2-speed. Tyres 500/60
1956 RN3T, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 3-speed. Tyres 600/65
1956 545, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1956 S Standard, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1956 S GD Luxe, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1956 Sport AMC OHV, B/S 48/59 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1956 Raid, 2T, B/S 62/57.5 mm 175cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1956 Rallye OHV, B/S 48/69 mm 175cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1956 Bison, 2T, B/S 54/54 mm 250cc 4-speed Nervor twin cylinder. Tyres 26/3.25
1957 Luxe98, 2T, B/S 49/52 98cc 2-speed. Tyres 600/55
1957 Mouette, 2T, B/S 49/52mm 98cc NSU 2-speed. Tyres 500/60
1957 RN3T, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 3-speed. Tyres 600/65
1957 545, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1957 S Standard, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1957 S GD Luxe, 2T, B/S 50/62 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1957 Sport AMC OHV, B/S 48/59 mm, 125cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1957 Raid, 2T, B/S 62/57.5 mm 175cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1957 Rallye OHV, B/S 48/69 mm 175cc 4-speed. Tyres 25/3
1957 Bison, 2T, B/S 54/54 mm 250cc 4-speed Nervor twin cylinder. Tyres 26/3.25

Information on a number of models may be found at Radior at Bikelinks

Sources: BuyVintage.com, Amis Terriens, period literature, et al.

Facebook Warning!

30-Mar-2020
mike.knott at hotmail.co.uk
Radior
Good morning from England,
I hope you can help,
i have just bought what i believe to be a 1932 100cc Radior motorcycle which i am currently doing a light restoration on.. i would be very grateful if you can confirm the following for me.
what model is the Radior?
is it 100cc?
is it a 1932 motorcycle?
i have the following information
engine markings say: Nervor BMA Type C. NO 7349
Frame number under pedals: 2280 G 0
front wheel hub says: DIPLOME DU TOURING CLUB DE FRANCE AU CONCOURS DE FREINAGE CHANTELOUR 1932.
The only information i have from the previous owner is the bike is 1930s
i cant find anything like it on the internet, especially with teardrop style tank and twin fish tail exhaust pipes.. the bike has been painted but original colour was a dark military green.
i would like to road register the bike so any information you can give me would be hugely appreciated
Cheers Mike Knott
ps i have more photos but will only allow me to upload 4..
Michael Knott
Dorset UK

The tank style was common on early post-war models, but the remainder of the bike appears to match BMA machines of the thirties.
Images posted to Comments.

03-Aug-2018
Ali at Visionevents.co.uk
Nervor TYpe C 1936? 100cc
I have a Radior motorcycle which is missing a magneto. I'm looking to either purchase a magneto or sell the motorcycle for restoration. Can anybody help?
Ali Robertson
Scotland

Radior-1936c-Type-C-Nervor-Scotland.jpg posted to comments, above.

17-May-2018
alstettler at bluewin.ch
Hirondelle motor Norvor-E Radior Type R.N.3T 1948
Einstellen der Zündung wie viel mm vor OT
Ernst Stettler
Schweiz

Adjust the ignition how much mm before TDC

Wed Sep 30 2015
markus.zon at gmx.de
radior 350 sport
Hallo ich bin im besitz von einer Radior bj 1930 mit orginalpapieren 350 ccm sport. falls sie bilder brauchen können sie mich jederzeit kontacktieren. gruß von deutschland

Hello I am in possession of a bike bj 1930 with original papers 350 ccm sport. if you need pictures you can contact me at any time. Greetings from Germany

Radior-1920s-100cc-Nervor

Sun Mar 03 2013
galluc1943<at>libero.it
RADIOR 1930 ?
Contact B M 100 cc 2 Stroke
Sono in possesso di questa MotoBici RADIOR di fabbricazione francese degli anni fine anni 1920 inizio 1930 con Motore NERVOR a 2 Tempi di 100cc. Monomarcia con Frizione e avrei piacere di essere contattato da collezionisti o esperti di questo marchio per consigli e scambi di informazioni, grazie, saluti, luciano
Torino - Italy

I am in possession of this MotoBici RADIOR made in France the years late 1920 early 1930 with a 2-stroke engine of 100cc NERVOR. Single speed with clutch and I would like to be contacted by collectors or experts of this brand for advice and exchange of information, thanks, greetings, Luciano

Radior c1928 JAP 350

Fri Oct 26 2012
platzerr<at>web.de
Motorcycle
Radior 350 JAP, 28/29
Mesdames, Messieurs,

Je suis en possession d'un "Radior JAP OHV 350cc, construit en 1928/29." Comme j'ai trouvé dans la littérature spécialisée seulement l'indication selon laquelle la moto a été produite à Bourg (Ain), je vous demande un éventuel soutien pour la restauration. Peut-être est-il possible pour vous de m'envoyer une photo concernant la peinture/couleur d'origine ou trouvé quelqu'un dans votre club qui pourrait me donner des informations et pourrait me contacter.

Je serais reconnaissant pour tout renseignement!

Je me réjouis de votre réponse et je vous remercie d'avance pour vos efforts.

Meilleures salutations de Munich

Rudolf Platzer
Munich

I am in possession of a "Radior JAP OHV 350cc, built in 1928/29." As I found in the specialized literature only the indication that the bike was produced in Bourg (Ain), I ask you a possible support for the restoration. Maybe it is possible for you to send me a picture about the original painting / color or found someone in your club who could give me information and could contact me.
I would be grateful for any information!
I welcome your response and thank you in advance for your efforts.
Best regards from Munich

Radior 1949 RN3T 12

Sat Oct 13 2012
jengpotze<at>home.nl
restoring Radior
Radior RN3T 125 cc Nervor
i need any info about this bike.
Netherlands
English

Thu Nov 05 2009
a.duyn at Chello.nl
RADIOR / nervor
1930 100 cc
Hallo, I'm restoring a Radior/Nervor 100 cc. of
abt. 1930. De you know perhaps the Size of the tyres? Thanks in advance!
Atty Duijn / Holland.
Eefde

More information on Vintage Motorcycle Tyres

January 1, 2001
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

seit längerer Zeit besitze ich eine Radior Superieure im restaurierten Zustand. Leider fehlt mir sämtliches Informationsmaterial über das Motorrad. Es sieht aus wie ein Fahrrad mit Motor. Baujahr etwa 1930.

Motor: Nervor, Nr.: 5751 mit Morel Zündanlage. Fahrgestellnr.: 5179. Da ich einige Probleme mit der Fliehkraft-Kupplung?? habe, benötige ich dringend jede Information wie eine Kopie des Kfz-Briefes, Bedienungsanleitung, evtl. Reperaturanleitung usw. Für jede Information bin ich dankbar. Mfg B. Kirchhoff -- b.kirchhoff at surfeu.de

Sheldon's Lame Translation:
Ladies and Gentlemen, for some time I have owned a Radior Superieure that was restored. Unfortunately all the documentation is missing for this motorcycle. It looks like a bicycle with an engine. The year of construction was about 1930. Engine: Nervor, No.: 5751 with Morel ignition system. Chassis No.: 5179. I believe it has a centrifugal clutch?? I am in urgent need of information such as a copy of the Kfz letter (??????), operating instructions, repair manual, etc.. I will be grateful for any information. Mfg B. Kirchhoff

July 17, 2000
Mister
Have you please some informations about the brand RADIOR (year of manufacturing, quantity, photos, web site, price...)
Thanks in advance.
Cyrille MAILLET -- JChristophe.Anger at wanadoo.fr

I own a Radior made in 1930. It has a JAP engine; a 350 cc overhead valve type. I've had it for 6 years and bought it at a fair in Belgium. I have some important data about the engine, but lack all on frame and such. I have not been able to locate any information about that.

Later I will enlarge the Radior site with pictures and technical information.

First I will have to find out how vehicle registration was done in France and Belgium back then. One question I have is for example: did frame and engine numbers match (back in 1930) when it left the factory. Or were they different?

If you know anything about it, please inform me. -- Groetjes, Raymond Willems -- willemsrip at noknok.nl

If you have a query about Radior motorcycles please contact us

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