Motobecane B1V2 1934

Motobécane B1V2 from 1934. Two stroke single cylinder 99cc engine, 3 gears, power output 1,5 - 2 HP. The vehicle weighed 132 lbs (60 kg) and had a range of over 200 miles (320 km), with a top speed of 31mph (50 kph). Motobécane developed several big motorcyles in the beginning of 30s, but light two-strokes were selling great and the company didn't want to neglect this part of market. 100 cc B1V2 and still smaller Poney were important part of company's offer. Motobécane's B1V2 two-stroke lightweight model was introduced in 1934 and it was built until WW2. With the onset of the French occupation operations at the Pantin factory were severely restricted. Although a few Poneys and B1V2 machines initially crept off the lines, lack of materials soon put a halt to production and in 1941 the Organizing Committee of the Automobile (COA) issued an order allowing only the manufacture of bicycles for civilians. B1V2 was used by the French Armed Forces at the start of WW2; it was virtually unaltered from its civilian specification apart from a change to military livery and the provision of a luggage rack and headlight blind.