Very rare1951 Christophe KMO 125 OHV French motorcycle project

Here is another of my very unusual French motorcycle projects. It is a very unusual Christophe 125cc KMO from 1951. Christophe was a very famous French racing cyclist between the wars. He won many races for Peugeot and had a large cycle shop in Paris. After the second world war he decided to become an independent motorbike manufacturer building bikes bearing his name but using mainly Peugeot parts as he was still on good terms with the factory.   This proved to be unsuccessful and only a handful of bikes were built.

By 1950 he decided to abandon motorbikes and he was taken back under the wing of Peugeot. For the next 5 years a few bikes each year were badged as Christophe`s as a tribute to him. This is one of those bikes.  The rolling chassis is 100% Peugeot with a 125cc AMC four stroke OHV engine. This is very unusual as all 125cc Peugeots of the period were two strokes with twin port engines. The gentleman I purchased this bike from said that as far as he was aware this is the only known survivor but obviously I cannot prove this. What I can tell you is that this bike was seen at Kempton Park by a French journalist. He said that he had never seen another one and was amazed that on a visit to the UK he finally saw one.

The bike is a project but is quite sound and not rusty. The engine turns over fine with excellent compression. These English designed engines were built under licence in France so parts are easy to source in the UK. The petrol tank is not the original but is correct for the bike all be it in the wrong colour. The Frame etc is the original blue so a colour match should be easy. There are a few bits that will require replacement such as the headlamp rim and glass but these are standard Peugeot parts and I can give the winning bidder the details of a company. Chambrier pere et fils. in France that can supply all the parts that this bike needs. The bike has a nice sturdy appearance and looks bigger than a 125. It has girder forks and can be fitted with a pillion seat if required. I am happy to help source a pillion seat if required.

There is no log book with the bike but I will supply a French cession de vehicle certificate and receipts in French and English to assist with registering in the UK.

The bike is already back in the UK in the Worthing area and you are welcome to view the bike before bidding. Phone Malcolm on 07803086765 to arrange. Collection from Worthing and payment by cash on collection . Delivery may be possible but please email for a price. The bike can be collected from the Kempton Park auto jumble on the 20th of March if that is easier for you.

Also published at eBay.com