1928 New Motorcycle
1928 New Motorcycle 500 Chaise
Pressed-steel pioneer
Design work on the “New Motorcycle” began in 1920, but didn’t hit the market until 1927. Built at Chatenay Malabry, this interesting French touring motorcycle was exported to Germany and Czechoslovakia. It achieved success in events such as the 1927 Bol d’Or, the 1928 Winter Six Days’ Trial and the Paris-Nice rally. Its maker, Georges Roy, next made the Majestic, whose unorthodox hub-center steering scared off potential customers.
Rolled Out and Riveted
This machine’s sole originality lay in its pressed-steel frame, which foreshadowed a trend that would reach its height in the late 1930s. Its builder’s genius lay in using the techniques of steel pressing while minimizing the potentially colossal investments in presses and machines. The frame would be more accurately described as a rolled – rather than pressed – steel structure. The shape was cut out in advance and shaped before being riveted together.
New Breed of Engine
New for 1927, Chaise engines represented a breed of even-tempered, modern and reliable French engines. After beginning with a 250cc two-stroke, New Motorcycle used the single-overhead-camshaft 350 and 500cc Chaise power units, which appeared in 1927. The overhead-valve versions came out in 1928. There was also a “Special” with an overhead valve MAG engine and another with an overhead-valve JAP power unit. The overhead-valve 500 has its push rods enclosed so that they look like the drive of an overhead-cam. Its dimensions are in contrast to the overhead-valve 350 (75×79mm) and the overhead-camshaft 500 (85×88mm).
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 502cc (90×79mm) air-cooled Chaise single-cylinder four-stroke; splash lubrication
Power Rating: 14 hp @ 3800 rpm
Valves: parallel overhead
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: multiplate dry clutch; 3-speed hand-shift, chain final drive
Suspension: girder forks (front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: 6.7 inch drum (front & rear)
Wheels: 3.50×19 inch or “Confort Bibendum” balloon tires (front & rear)
The constructor of the New Motorcycle, Georges Roy (inset), on one of the first two-stroke models of 1928 and a restored 1928 model.
This and many other Atlas Editions Classic Motorcycle cards are available for purchase.
