1955 Magnat Debon 125 MT4MS French barn find project

I am selling this quite unusual 1955 Magnat Debon 125 MT4MS French motobike. It is in as found condition after some years storage in a barn near Chinon in the Loire Valley. It is very similar to the more common Terrot ETDS. The company Magnat Debon. formed in 1896 to build velocipedes in Grenoble was taken over by the larger Terrot company in 1923. The name continued until 1962 but really just as a badge engineering exercise. After Terrot was purchased by Peugeot in 1959 the two names disappeared in what was known in France as the grand assasination when Peugeot bought and closed down many of their competitors.

This model sold reasonably well but there were always a lot more Terrots built than Magnat Debons. It could not compete with the equivalent Peugeot or Motobecane bikes that were 30 to 50% cheaper. They did however have a good reputation for quality and reliabilty. The S part of the model name refers to it being a deluxe model with rear suspension. The base model had a rigid rear end right up to the late 1950`s!

The condition is quite tidy and it could be used as an oily rag bike or restored. It is almost complete missing just one sidepanel. he centre stand and the chain.  Fortunately these parts are the same as the Terrot version so will not be difficult to find. The bike was one of the first small bikes to have battery and coil ignition with a dynamo run off the end of the crankshaft.

It is a very usable little bike with its four stroke engine and foot change 4 speed gearbox. The engine turns over with excellent compression and although i have not attempted to start the bike i dont think it will be a problem. The gears seem to engage ok although without starting the bike it is not possible to confirm that all the gears work. This will be quite a straightforward restoration and once done a nice unusual bike for classic bike shows and runs. The speedo shows 5879 kms but i have no way of knowing if this is correct. The tyres are inflated and have tread but are old and should be changed. The wheels are not damaged and will clean up ok if you are going for an oily rag look. These bikes are popular in France for their reliability and i personally know a man in Bordeaux who comutes to work all year round on a Terrot version of this bike. It also features the famous terrot combined rear light and illuminated number plate.

There is no log book with the bike but the number plate is clearly readable and i will supply a French cession de vehicle certificate and a receipt in french and English to assist with registering the bike in the UK.

Please note that this bike is at present in the town of Chabris in the Indre department of Central France. For a price of ?50 i can arrange delivery to the Worthing area on the soutrh coast just after the end of the auction. Other delivery destinations in the UK are available. please email for a price. Alterantively you can come to France to collect the bike and i will offer the winning bidder one nights free accommodation in our B&B.

Please note that i do not ship to Portugal. Greece. the USA or Australia!

Payment is by cleared sterling cheque or bank transfer if you are having the bike delivered or cash on collection if you are collecting the bike from Worthing of France.

Any questions please email me or call from the UK on 00 33 254051245.

Also published at eBay.com