Motosacoche Sparkbrook 1902
A 1902 Motosacoche mounted in a Sparkbrook bicycle frame is unrestored although a few components that were once missing have been accurately reproduced. The 147cc engine has an atmospheric inlet valve and a mechanical exhaust with a cable-operated lifter. The band rear and stirrup front brakes are cable operated from the handlebar.
From 1900 Motosacoche produced a bicycle auxiliary engine in a subframe that could be installed into a conventional bicycle. This looked like an engine in a bag, hence the Motosacoche name, meaning "engine in a bag". The Sparkbrook firm of Coventry built bicycles. There is a similar machine from 1912 branded Speedwell here: Speedwell Motosacoche
Motosacoche 1904 Type A
The Type A was the first motorcycle built by the factory in Geneva. It used a chassis by Terrot.
Motosacoche 1905 Type B
The Type B differs from Type A in the use of magneto ignition of a type used in 1905 only. There are no other differences in either the engine or the frame.
Motosacoche 1908 Type D
Range included D2 Dame
Motosacoche 1912*
Models included 2-2½ hp single, 3hp v-twin, Type 2C7 V-twin, 2C6 with chain drive, 2C3 with belt drive.
Type 2C3
Power: 2.57 KW
Displacement: 350cc
Type of engine: Twin Cylinder V Twin
Transmission: Belt drive
Maximum speed: 75 Km/h approx.
Weight: 180 Kg
N.B. * Model information from two different sources.
Motosacoche 1919 V-Twins
Motosacoche at the Paris Salon
Our readers need no introduction to the Motosacoche either as regards its leading features or the excellence of its workmanship. There are, however, some interesting details incorporated in the new models, the chief of which lies in the new three-speed gear. This gear is similar to the Enfield two-speed in general layout ; there are, however, three primary chain drives and three expanding clutches, the adjustment for each of which is independent and easily accessible. Another important feature is the springing system, which is arranged somewhat on the lines of the Bat and insulates the rider only, the saddle tube and footrests being supported by a large tension spring placed behind the down tube. All wheels are now detachable and interchangeable, and fitted with special dummy belt rims in which both front and rear wheel brakes act. 4 h.p. and 8 h.p. models are shown, the former being a twin of 64x77 mm., and the latter a twin of 82x95 mm. All models are, of course, fitted with the well-known M.A.G. engine, which has undergone practically no alteration.
The khaki finish, combined with first-class fittings and entirely armoured tool-bags, gives the machine a very pleasing and clean appearance.
Motosacoche 1925 Models
1927 Type 1C10 BC 1927
Cylinder capacity: 250cc (64 x 77 mm, 247.7cc)
Speed: 80 Km / H
Weight: 90 Kg
Motosacoche 1928 Models
Type 210
OHV
250cc 61x85mm, 3CV, Tyres 26x3½ 110 km/h, 110 kgs
Type 310
OHV 350cc 72x85mm, 4CV, Tyres 26x3½ Max 120 km/h, 125 kgs
Type 410
OHV 500cc 82x94mm, 5CV, Tyres 26x3½ Max 135 km/h, 130 kgs
Type 209
IOE 250cc 64x77mm, 3CV, Tyres 700x80, Max 80 km/h, 95 kgs
Type 309
IOE 350cc 72x85mm, 4CV, Tyres 26x3½, Max 90 km/h, 120 kgs
Type 409
IOE, 500cc 82x94mm, 5CV, Tyres 26x3½, Max 100 km/h, 125 kgs
1929 Grand Tourisme 750 IOE
The 750cc machine has a bore and stroke of 72mm x 91mm and is rated at 8hp, with chain drive to the rear wheel via a three-speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox. Gear change is by hand shift lever on the right with a foot-operated clutch pedal on the left. Bosch electrics powere the headlamp and tail light, and it has a klaxon horn.
1929 Model 413
600cc IOE
1929 Sport Type 414
500cc MAG OHV, bore/stroke 82x94mm, dual exhaust ports. Engine# prefix 1C9
Sturmey Archer gearbox, Terry seat, speedometer, Bosch horn and electric lighting system.
There are several quality images of this model in the 1929 gallery.
1929 250cc Type BL
Capacity: 250cc
Bore x stroke: 64 x 72 mm
Power: 3 h.p. at 4,000 rpm
Elastic fork with shock absorber
Max. Speed: 80 km/h
Weight: 95 Kg
Fuel economy: 2 litres per 100km
1930s Models
| Year | type | Engine | cycle | Bore/Stroke | Capacity | Gears |
| 1931/32 | TL | 4T | 4-speed | 64/77 | 250 | 3 speed |
| 1931/32 | 350 Touriste | 4T | 4- speed | 72/85 | 350 | 3 speed |
| 1931/32 | 500 Touriste | 4T | 4-speed | 82/94 | 500 | 3 speed |
| 1931/32 | 350S SPORT | OHV | 4-speed | 72/85 | 350 | 3 speed |
| 1931/32 | 500S SPORT | OHV | 4-speed | 82/94 | 500 | 3-speed |
| 1931/32 | 319 twin | 4T | 4-speed | 72/91 | 750cc | 3-speed |
| 1933 | 319 | 4T | 4-speed | 72/85 | 348 | 3-speed |
| 1933 | 318 | OHV | 4-speed | 72/85 | 348 | 3-speed |
| 1933 | 419 | SV | 4-speed | 82/94 | 498 | 3- speed |
| 1933 | 420 | OHV | 4-speed | 82/94 | 498 | 3-speed |
| 1933 | 425 de Luxe | SV | 4-speed | 82/94 | 498 | 3-speed |
| 1933 | 426 de Luxe | OHV | 4-speed | 82/94 | 498 | 3-speed |
| 1933 | 720 | SV | 4-speed | 72/104 | 846 | 4-speed |
| 1933 | 322 Corse | OHV | 4-speed | 72/85 | 348 | 3-speed |
| 1933 | 422 Corse | OHV | 4-speed | 82/94 | 498 | 3-speed |
| 1933 | 409BL | 4T | 4-speed | 82/94 | 498 | 4-speed |
| 1933 | 310BL | OHV | 4-speed | 72/85 | 347 | 3-speed |
| 1933 | 410 LL | OHV | 4-speed | 82/94 | 498 | 4-speed |
| 1934 | MAG 101 | 2T | 2 | 100 | single-speed | |
| 1934 | 208 | 4T | 4-speed | 250 | 4-speed | |
| 1934 | 311 | 4T | 4-speed | 350 | 4-speed | |
| 1934 | 511 | SV | 4-speed | 500 | 4-speed | |
| 1934 | 512 | 4T | 4-speed | 500 | 4-speed | |
| 1934 | 710 | 4T | 4-speed | 750 | 4-speed | |
| 1934 | 312 | OHV | 4-speed | 350 | 4-speed | |
| 1934 | 510 | OHV | 4-speed | 500 | 4-speed | |
| 1935 | BMA 101 | 2T | 2 | 100 | single-speed | |
| 1935 | 208 | 4T | 4-speed | 250 | 4-speed | |
| 1935 | 311 | 4T | 4-speed | 350 | 4-speed | |
| 1935 | 509 | 4T | 4-speed | 500 | 4-speed | |
| 1935 | 511 | SV | 4-speed | 500 | 4-speed | |
| 1935 | 312 | OHV | 4-speed | 350 | 4-speed | |
| 1935 | 510 | OHV | 4-speed | 500 | 4-speed | |
| 1935 | 710 | 4T | 4-speed | 750 | 4-speed | |
| 1938 | BMA 101 | 2T | 2 | 100 | single-speed | |
| 1938 | 208 | 4T | 4- speed | 250 | 4-speed | |
| 1938 | 311 | 4T | 4-speed | 350 | 4-speed | |
| 1938 | 511 | SV | 4-speed | 500 | 4-speed | |
| 1938 | 312 | OHV | 4-speed | 350 | 4-speed | |
| 1938 | 510 | OHV | 4-speed | 500 | 4-speed | |
| 1938 | 710 | 4T | 4-speed | 750 | 4-speed |
1930 Models
1936 Type 312 Grand Sport 350cc
Built in France at the Motosacoche factory in Lyon, the machine was fitted with a Swiss-made MAG 347cc twin-port engine with a bore & stroke of 72mm x 85mm. The remainder of the components were either built in the factory or supplied by French component suppliers like Magneto-France and Marchal.
1953 Type 212 Opti
In 1953 the factory revealed a model with a 250cc OHC Opti engine. This engine had been designed for UT of Germany by Richard Küchen, and the machines were sold under the Motosacoche name. Market conditions for motorcycles were unfavorably influenced by the influx of cheap cars, and production ceased in 1955.
Sources: Bretti Brothers, preverdy.free.fr, et al.
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