1936 Terrot MK100 lovely original barn find project

I have for sale this lovely barn fresh 1936 Terrot MK 100cc BMA  motorcycle. This bike is in lovely untouched and original condition. The photographs don't really do it justice.

Terrot was formed in 1887 at Dijon by Charles Terrot to build industrial looms for the clothing industry. Three years later they built their first bicycle. In 1900 they made their first motorcycle. a tricycle with De Dion Bouton engine. In 1902 came the first proper motorcycle. The company grew despite the early death in 1903 of Charles Terrot into the biggest and most important motorbike manufacturer in France. The range of bikes and options was unrivalled. After the second world war. during which the factory was occupied by the Nazis production restarted and Terrot built some excellent machines from 100cc to 500cc. Towards the end of the 50s things were difficult for all motorbike manufacturers for a number of reasons including new legislation requiring driving licences and the war in North Africa with conscription taking many prospective customers into the army. Terrot finally disappeared in 1962. Production stayed in Dijon throughout the history of Terrot. Ironically the final adverts placed in the bike press in France appeared in the same issues that the first ever advert for Honda motorbikes appeared!

This is the deluxe version of this bike with its chrome tank. two speed rear hub gears operated from the hand gear change lever. blue frame and optional lighting kit via front tyre driven dynamo. When new it must have looked quite something. Even now in its barn find condition its quality shines through. Photo ten shows the brass dealers plaque from the front mudguard. Hopefully you can read id but if not it shows that the bike was supplied new in Troyes. (famous for its sausage) not too far from the Terrot factory. I got the bike from Auxerre which is only about an hour from Troyes so the bike has not travelled far. until now!

Mechanically it seems good. There is nothing whatsoever missing. The worst thing I can see is the HT lead is in need of replacement as the end nearest to the magneto is still intact but only just. The engine turns over fine with excellent compression and appears to be close to starting. I think that a new HT lead and fresh petrol will probably have it running.   The brakes work as does the clutch and gear mechanism. The man who discovered this bike in a barn near Auxerre has done one or two things such as changing the inner tubes. fitting a couple of new cables but has now lost his storage due to his son getting divorced so didn't get any further. He claimed to have had it running a few weeks ago but having seen the condition of the HT lead I have my doubts.

The originality extends to the twin Terrot carps tail exhausts which bear the correct TT markings and are in very sound condition. The paintwork on the frame and metalwork is all as it left the factory and the chrome on the tank is really very good for the age and would come up even better with some elbow grease. The mudguards have surface rust but you can still see the pinstriping. There is not serious rust at all. The wheels will need either rechroming or painting depending on how far you want to go. The original seat is in slightly tatty but usable condition.  Personally I would use the bike in as found condition just changing the tyres for safety. Photo seven shows the oil can that I found in the tool box and is included with the bike. The tool box still has its leather door and strap in good condition.

The bike has not been used on the road since at least the late 1950s as it has never been fitted with number plates. This means it has no log book but the frame number is nice and clear and I will supply the bike with a French cession de vehicle certificate to prove that the bike has come from within the EU and there is no duty payable. This will also assist with registration in the UK. I can talk the winning bidder through the process which is straightforward as long as you do things in the right order.

Please note that this bike is at present in the town of Chabris in the Indre department (36) of central France. For a price of £50 I can arrange delivery to the Worthing area on the south coast of the UK a few days after the end of the auction. Other deliver destinations are available but please email me for a price. Alternatively you are welcome to come to France to pick the bike up and I will offer the winning bidder one nights free accommodation in our B&B.

Payment is by cleared sterling cheque if you are having the bike delivered or cash on collection if you are coming to get it. If you are unsure about payment methods etc please contact me as I can always sort something out to suit you.

Any questions please email or call from the UK on 0033 254051245. By the way the ring tone in France can sound like the unobtainable tone in the UK so please let the phone do its thing for a few seconds and don't hang up.

Also published at eBay.com