Magnat-Debon 1914 4 HP 485 cc 2 cyl OHV 3507

Magnat-Debon 1914 4 HP 485 cc OHV V-twin frame # 8849 engine # 2531

In the year 1900 Joseph Magnat and Louis Debon found a firm in Grenoble that starts to produce bicycles. In 1902 the first motorcycle is built, equipped with a De Dion Bouton engine. From 1906 on there is a regular motorcycle production with own-brand engines. In the years before the first world war the firm prospers: the machines have many novel features such a telescopic front suspension and some models have overhead valves. Both founders die at the end of the war and in the early twenties the company gets into financial problems and is taken over by the Terrot company. In 1913 M-D abandons the side valve models for a number of years and concentrates on overhead valve machines. The 3¼ HP model has bore x stroke of 75 x 90 mm and a displacement of 398 cc, its more powerful brother measures 80 x99 mm and displaces 498 cc. For model year 1914 this 498 cc single is replaced by an overhead valve V-twin, a remarkable good looking and agile machine. Its 45 degree V-engine sports four cams and the cylinders have bore x stroke dimensions of 66 x 73 mm. The twin is light in weight, without oil or petrol it tips the scales at a mere 64 kg. Due to its short production run and its advanced ohv V-twin specification this attractive veteran is a much sought-after machine.

This 4 HP comes in excellently restored condition. She’s been part of a static collection for a number of years and will benefit from a check-over before returning to the road.