Mobylette AV42 1964

While the Raleigh “Runabout” was being investigated to get an idea of what would be needed we realised we needed a few key spares. Trawling across the internet we found the parts needed locally. During the collection of the parts we stumbled across the remains of a French 1964 Mobylette AV42 also availible. While it was engineless, the spares were compatible with our machine. Shortly afterwards we acquired a spare 50cc engine which made it feasible at a later date to rebuild this to running order. Our AV42 was in its original grey scheme being imported to the UK in 1964 being registered as 405 EFD. Though we had the original plate, it had been cancelled in the mid-70s with the move of the DVLA registration system to computer. We are hopeful that we can recover this plate at a later date. This is very much a long-term project but following the rebuild of our AV48 we are hoping that as the bits are replaced with new parts that many of these will be useful to this project short term.

This engine has the distinctive later “Banana” exhaust unlike the Raleigh models that had a standard exhaust. Leg shields were an optional extra but the engine covers in steel were styled to compliment the curves of the frame. Today its very hard to get the cover but fibre glass covers are obtainable that have the advantage that they don’t rattle.

The av42 has a ridged front fork but the later Av44 which is virtually identical has sprung forks for a more comfortable ride. Being French like the Velosolex it has 9mm headed bolts and standard m14 pedals instead of 9/16 that are on the Raleigh. The fuel tank is to the rear of the seat post unlike the Av48 which goes around the seat post. It was this model that Raleigh based its “Runabout” on.