Nothing is more French or iconic as the Velosolex motorised bicycle. The prototype was first developed in 1941 although it was not until 1946 that it went into full production. The needs for cheap transport at the end of the Second World War and to replace the ravages of war saw high volume production. The first model (mk1) had a 45cc 2 stroke engine which was later increased to 49cc giving to give it a top speed of around 30mph. While the design was not the best it was simple and proved reliable
In 1957 a new model (The 1010) was to be launched to replace the Solex 660 but this was only a stop gap model and remained in production only until late 1958 to be replaced by the model1400. Part of the reason for the short run was that a new model was already in design that was easier to produce in volume and the 1010 would mark the last model made at the original Corbevoie factory in the south of France, bringing to an end 12 years of Solex production with the centralisation of work in Paris.
One of the main selling points was new improved silencers that made this the quietist model yet.
The model 1010 was cheaper than the earlier model and incorporated a new domed piston and improved engine design and a silencer baffles improvement. In essence it was a model 660 with some refinements.
In 2016 with the first rumblings of Brexit we decided that it would be prudent to try and get one of these quirky little bikes and it would be a fun project to undertake. More importantly since a kid I had wanted to ride one. It was an advert in Gumtree that caught our attention. A family relocating from the south of France to Cambridge had brought the remains of a Velosolex with them and it was offered for sale. We knew it would need work and spares would be readily available. We negotiated for the bike and purchased it for £95. We travelled to Cambridge to bring it back and immediately loved the quirky French engineering and the fact it was mostly metric. It was quickly named “Madam Fifi” as that sounded very French.
Import Blues
Import regulations are specific in the UK and import can be declared at the point of entry or within 28 days of import. Failure to declare an imported vehicle can result in a hefty fine that increases weekly until the paperwork is complete. It’s also the responsibility of the present owner to pay any import duty. This could mean you could innocently buy a foreign imported bike not knowing that had been here 2 years and during registration you could finish up with a big fine for import duty. Our new acquired Velosolex had no number plate or history making the process hard. The former owner did not make a declaration. We were forced to quickly make a Nova application for the bike. We contacted the relevant Government department and explained our problem and they asked for an application to made filling in any data we could supply and photographic evidence. We then had to wait to see if we had to pay any import duty. It was a long wait and finally after a month we were issued with a document statement releasing “Madam Fifi” to us as requiring no Import tax payable and with a recommendation to the DVLA that an age related Oxford number plate be issued to the vehicle. The nova process may seem longwinded and a little unfair but in this case we were delighted to receive a short letter wishing us the best of luck with the restoration form the Investigating Officer. Honesty is always the best policy.
Armed with its new UK legal status and confirming this was a rare model 1010 we were able to obtain a missing fuel tank and break lever and hope shortly to start work on the engine.
From the seller we learnt some of its history, it had been supplied by the local dealer for the seller’s mother who had a farm in the South of France in 1957 and used for general shopping duties and visiting neighbours. After some years it was replaced by a car and left in the family barn. At some point an attempt was made to restore it and bits removed but it was never completed. Finally with the sale of the farm in France it was found and brought to England with the other items.
“Madam Fifi “was in standard black of the period with a white saddle that is missing. We know that some special tools are needed for the engine and clutch removal and other tasks so we would like to hear from anyone who has these or can supply is with pictures of them or has spares for sale.