Motorcycle of the Week: 1931 Peugeot
We now know Peugeot as a French Car and Bicycle manufacturer, but you might be surprised that they have a rich history in motorcycling.
In 1931 they brought out their P100 series that was innovative to say the least. The engine case and gearbox were no longer separated but joined in just one case. The result of that innovation let Peugeot change the look and styling of their bikes.
The 1931 Peugeot featured a springer front end and a hard mounted rear. The only rear suspension was the springs under the single seat. Rear brake was actuated by a foot pedal and there was no front brake.
The P-100 series featured a single cylinder side valve four stroke motor with a three speed hand shifted transmission and chain rear drive. Single seat and a package tray was the standard configuration.
By 1931 the Peugeot's also had rare full lighting and a magneto on every bike. The P series bikes came in at least 4 displacements from 50cc to 327cc.
Peugeot was once a big player in the European motorcycle market, but like many other brands was brought down by the great world wide depression in the early 1930s. A sad thing, it would have been interesting to see where their design team would have taken this elemental motorcycle.
Well, there is another almost forgotten motorcycle from history. It was significant when it was released but is not even a footnote today.
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Love the attention to detail on old motorbikes, red rimmed trimmings on wire-spoked wheels. Neat little saddle bags, way to small to carry much, sad when certain things disappear into museums.
Interesting seeing them, thanks for sharing @bigtom13
Thank you. This bike was so elegant compared to the ones before it that it could almost be treated as rolling sculpture. In the course of looking for photos I did find a couple of 'riders' that people had written about. That's always such good news for me.
Thanks for stopping by, I really do appreciate it.
We had a shaft drive road tourer many years ago, had loads of fun, also had a Triumph Spitfire soft-top, have wind in your hair (spoke-wheels), a bit of a passion for the old beauties of the road.
I bought a MKIII Spitfire brand new in December 1972. I just ran the wheels completely off of that little beast and it is one of my treasured stuff memories!
I ran a side business for a while prepping English roadsters for re sale and occasionally for racing. Two that turned into longer projects for me were a Jaguar XJ 120 and an MGB that was completely race prepped with a license plate. How fun!
Ours was second hand; I think a MKII if I remember they were manufactured pre 1970, a truck parked on top of us and insurance wrote her off! White body, Red leather upholstery and black soft-top. Sure had fun in her, only sports car we ever owned.
Had two great runs from inland Johannesburg to Durban, then Cape Town up the garden route where we met with the accident, only had her for 2 years 1974/5...
Wow, I like the idea of constructing the motor and the gearbox as one unit. One wonders why no-one else has tried this in the modern day. So sad that this came to an end! Very interesting post here! May you have a great New Year! Blessings!
Most bikes today run a single case. The notable exception being Harley Davidson. Peugeot still used a dry clutch but my bikes all run an oil clutch so it's in the same case too.
There were a lot of pretty good nameplates that didn't make it through the depression.
I had an old Triumph Bonneville that leaked like crazy and eventually swopped it for a Yamaha 650. The Yamaha was a Traffic Officer's duty bike and it was super fast. One day in 1980 a Taxi swiped me off the bike whilst I was waiting at a traffic light and I spent two years with my left leg in plaster. Such is life my friend!
Oh man. The longest I've been in plaster is 13 weeks. And not related to a motorcycle in any way.
I do wear armored clothing when I ride, and have been incredibly lucky in my 50 years on motorcycles.
I owned a TR6 (single carb Bonnie) back in the day and actually carried a quart of oil (and a set of pushrods) in the saddle bags at all times. Those horizontal split cases would just drip until they were empty.
That Yammie 650 was an absolute beast. I traded my TR6 on a KZ1 Kawasaki. Another brutal beast...
Two years my brother and today I struggle with my left leg shorter than the other, spine bent and many other problems. The tibia and thibia bones were crushed and knocked into the bike's engine. They repeatedly wanted to amputate, but I refused. But thankfully I still walk on the leg and life goes on. The KZ1 was indeed a beast.
Danggg! I'd love to rip one of those around
No kidding. Though I think for the same money I'd rather have a Vincent or a pre WWII Indian. I certainly wouldn't turn the Peugeot down!
In hindsight, a car and Bike manufacturer would have a natural place making a motorbike!
I'm sure that this bike is still much better than our little beloved shopping cart on wheels (aka, Peugeot 107)!
It seems Peugeot made some really good items and some 'less than admirable' ones throughout the years :) Just like everybody else.
What a cool little bike, bet it’s great on gas! This new series you got us great 👍🏽
Thank you!
It was really good on gas! As far as I know the biggest motor they had for them was 327 cc which is tiny today.
Howdy sir bigtom13! Hey that's a really nice looking bike for an antigue, I like the sleek design. Do you ride bikes?
I've been riding for over 50 years. Much of my younger life was spent 'in the dirt' but I've been exclusively on roads for the last 20 years or so. I love to travel by motorcycle.
I got a car about 6 months ago. I hadn't had a 4 wheel vehicle in most of 5 years :)
haha! oh my gosh bigtom! I guess you could only go without a car in a warm climate like Arizone but even there it gets cold in the winter! wow. Do you travel all over or just in your state?
I travel a little. I made it to Lake Superior this year and hope to make the Maritime Provence's of Canada this year.
Howdy sir bigtom13! I bet traveling through Canada on a bike in the summer is a dream come true! Such breath taking views and scenery up there. And what great posts that will make!
wow amazing motor cycle. nice collection about The 1931 Peugeot.
Thanks for share with us my friend.
Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it.
@bigtom13
Nice, didn't they make a plastic one as well?
Or am I confused...?
Cheers!
/FF
I don't think Peugeot ever made a 'plastic heavy' motorcycle. They were actually out of business before plastic really became useable.. I think :)
Yeah Im not an expert, it could have been some kind of moped or scooter, I just think I remember seeing like a french plastic looking thing from the 70ties? Where the frame was made of something looking like plastic, but I could be wrong... =)
Cheers!
/FF
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There are a few car manufacturers that had a time with motorcycles. Pace-Arrow absolutely moved the needle on motorcycles in a trial that only lasted three years. Maserati had a MC for a few years in the late 50s, that I will probably write up sooner rather than later. Spoiler alert: They were beautiful to the point of being sculpture grade :)
I had heard of the Maserati one but still look forward to those posts
Have a great weekend
@bigtom13 I like to invent, it is good to have creativity
Yes it is. And I'm now tinkering with your invention to make it a 'low carb' bread substitute. Thank you for it!