1952 Motobecane D45B easy project

Welcome to my auction for this 1948 Motobecane D45B 125cc motorcycle. The bike is a project but is in very sound condition and will make a nice winter project.

Motobecane were one of the later entrants into the French motorcycle industry being formed in 1924 and producing their first bike in 1925. Unusually the company was created to produce motorbikes from the start. Most early manufacturers starting life as bicycle manufacturers first. The company grew into one of the largest and best known bike makers in Europe. They also outlived almost all other French bike builders. The company surviving until 1984 when it was taken over by Yamaha and renamed MBK. Oddly one of the last bikes to bear the motobecane name were the last French built Velosolexes of the 1980`s.

The D45 was the most successful Motobecane model ever built. It appeared in a number of guises from 1946 till 1962. It was the bike of choice for many French bikers due to its exceptional economy. low maintenance and reliability. For many people the D45 was their first proper bike.

This bike is a 45B model. This means it has rigid front forks. solid back end and no speedo. This give the bike a pleasing vintage look. The engine is a 125cc sidevalve four stroke so no messing about with two stroke oil. It also has tank mounted three speed hand gear change and a nice touch on these bikes is the hand and foot clutch which supposedly makes pulling away easier!

Please study the pictures as they give a good reflection of the overall condition of the bike. Cosmetically it is really quite tidy. The main thing to mention is that the fuel tank has been painted maroon at some point. The rest of the paint is in tidy condition and is in the correct colour scheme. The tank should be in two tone brown. There are plenty of pictures on the internet of the original paint scheme for the tank. The frame looks to have its original paint and naturally it bears some marks but no rust. The handlebars will need either painting or chroming depending on how far you want to go with the restoration.

Mechanically the bike turns over fine with excellent compression and sounds ok. The hand change gears seem to engage ok. I would not expect this bike to pose any problems to get going. Normally with these bikes fresh petrol and a points clean is enough to get them going. The bike has  the correct Motobecane carps tail silencer in excellent condition. Unusually the headlamp and glass are in excellent condition. The original leather seat is in tidy usable condition. The paint on the wheels seems to be the original.

Having looked over the bike the only parts I can see that are missing are the clutch lever. the chain and the rear light. The clutch cable and front brake cable are also missing.  I may have missed some minor part but I think that`s it. All these parts are easily available from Chambrier fr??res in France. They have an excellent website that is very simple to use even if you don't speak French.

Once on the road in the UK this will be an unusual but easy to use bike. Not many about in the UK and so much nicer than a Bantam. This bike could be on the road very rapidly as an oily rag bike or could be fully restored if that's your thing. There is no log book with the bike so I will supply a French certificate de cession and receipt in French and English to assist with registering the bike in the UK.

The bike is already back in the UK in the Worthing area. It is available for viewing before the end of the auction if you call my friend Malcolm who is looking after the bike on 07803086765. Payment is by cash on collection. Delivery may be possible and please call Malcolm for a price.

Also published at eBay.com