1951 Alcyon 125 French barn find project

I have for sale this lovely barn fresh 1951 Alcyon 125cc motorbike. It has just emerged from many years storage in a French barn near Lyon and requires restoration.

Alcyon was formed in 1902 by Edmond Gentil at Neuilly sur Seine on the outskirts of Paris. Like many other manufacturers the started by building bicycles. In 1903 they built 3000 and by 1909 were building 40. 00 per annum. The first motorbike was produced in 1904.   They achieved considerable success in racing and the company grew because of  this. The golden years of racing for Alcyon were the 1920`s and 30`s. The name Alcyon refers to the mythological bird. It was chosen because of its reputation for lightness and endurance. two qualities important in a motorbike. /p>

After the war production restarted but only building 100cc and 125 cc bikes plus an unsucsessful scooter called the Paris-Nice. The bikes had a reputation for being well built and reliable but a small company could not compete with the likes of Peugeot and Motobecane and the company ceased trading in 1964.

This bike dates from 1951 and was the first model introduced after the war. This means that it retains some of the pre war features like hand gear change. girder forks and rigid rear end.

The bike is a renovation project but is just about complete. The only bits  I can see that are missing are the seat cover and rear light. These parts are easy to replace via several specialists in France who have easy to use websites. The engine turns over fine with good compression an the separate gearbox operates via the hand lever. I would imagine that with fresh petrol and cleaning the points this bike will probably start. It could be used as an oily rag bike or given a full renovation. The optional speedo is showing 5000 kms (3500 miles) but I obviously cannot guarantee that this is correct. As normal with French barn finds the metal work is in sound and unrusted condition. It is bearing its original paint and has never been restored. Due to the dry climate the bike has survived pretty well with just a bit of surface rust. The chrome will need redoing on the handlebars. The wheels would always have been painted so do not require chroming. The bike has rear foot pegs but  no rear seat. I can probably source a period pillion seat at cost for the winning bidder.

Once back on the road it will be a very unusual bike on British roads. A very interesting alternative to a BSA Bantam.

The bike is now in the UK and is available for viewing in the Worthing area. Please phone my friend Malcolm who has the bike on 07803086765 if you wish to see the bike. The winning bidder can collect the bike from Worthing at the end of the auction or I can arrange delivery but please email me for a price. Payment is by cash on collection.

Also published at eBay.com