C.P. Roléo 1930ca C5 Sport 350 cc 1 cyl OHV 3602

C.P. Roléo 1930ca C5 Sport 350 cc OHV two-port frame # 952 engine # 4524 D1ST

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc4OEz10aec

The C.P. saw the light of day in 1925 and was the brainchild of the associates Couégnas & Piault who conducted their business in the community of Gennevilliers, a northwestern suburb of Paris. The C.P. had a very unusual frame construction: a 2.5 mm thick sheet steel box included the tank (12 or 14 litres depending on the model) in which the steering column was integrated. The structure extended from there in a direct line to the rear wheel axis. Brackets, also in pressed metal, supported the engine and others reinforce the rear of the frame. The Druid-style fork was also of stamped metal, with U-shaped elements. At first the C.P.s were equipped with two stroke engines and were very successful in endurance races such as the Bol d’Or. In 1926 rider Renard won the 24-hour Bol d’Or on a C.P. with a 350 cc twin two stroke Harissard engine. He covered 1459 km with an average speed of 61 km/h. By the end of 1926 the production rights were sold to the company of Léon Rollet, a well-known firm that imported British parts and accessories. Rollet thought a motorcycle make of his own would be a nice addition that could be marketed through his network. So in 1927 the C.P. Roléo was born, the addition being inspired by Rollet and Léon. The firm moved to 64, rue de la Folie Méricourt in Paris 11. From 1928 till the end of production in 1932 various models were offered, but sales were on a modest scale and prices were relatively high, so not many machines have survived. This “dans son jus” example is the sports model with 71 x 88 mm two-port LMP engine with external flywheel. The firm of Lalo, Mignonac & Poinsard was located at the Rue de la Pointe in the village of Romainville, an eastern suburb of Paris. This company was, after Chaise, the second large producer of proprietary two stroke and four stroke motorcycle engines in France. The gearbox is a three-speed Staub and the electrics are Magneto France. There’s an external Gurtner Miko oil pump on board and an Amac carburettor. Front brake diameter is 170 mm, the rear brake is 200 mm. The separate oil tank has a hand pump for extra lubrication of the overhead valve gear. The brochure stated a top speed of 120 km and a weight of 110 kg.

We’ve acquired this rare survivor from the nephew of the original owner; she’s been in one family ownership for 95 years! The former owner’s uncle bought the machine in 1931 and used her till after the war, when the machine was transferred to his brother. He utilised her as family transport in the early fifties, and the former owner remembers vividly how he as a young child was sitting between his father and his mother when the C.P. Roléo was out for family visits. The former owner inherited the machine and kept her under wraps for many years; recently the decision was made to let the machine go and give her a new lease of life in the hands of a vintage motorcycle enthousiast. Some years ago work was carried out to the engine and gearbox, the crankshaft has been refurbished and new tyres have been fitted, invoices to the amount of more than 2000 euros are available. Recently a new oil pump has been mounted and the magneto has been refurbished. This rare survivor comes with front fork mounted oil can holder with “Veedol” can, steering damper and pillion seat.