Alcyon can rightly be considered one of the pioneers of the global motorcycle industry. Already at the very beginning of its activities, the Creator of the company Edmond Gentil produced at the plant in Courbevoie several models of motorcycles with single-cylinder and two-cylinder four-stroke engines, on which the inlet valves were "automatic", that is, triggered by vacuum in the cylinder. In 1912 he saw a light race bike with a motor firm Zurcher working volume of 350 cm3, which has four valves located in the cylinder head. These machines have successfully participated in many competitions, including the famous race "tourist Trophy".
In 1921, under the brand Alcyon was created an interesting vehicle with a power unit built into the front wheel. At the same time there was a light motorcycle designed by the engineer Ballot with 247-CC engine, produced in two versions: with a two-stage gearbox and chain drive of the rear wheel, as well as with more archaea without gearbox at all. The third production model of 1921 was equipped with a two-cylinder four-stroke engine with a working volume of 494 cm3, with a three-stage gearbox and a belt drive of the rear wheel.
In 1925, the company "Alcyon" introduced a new two-stroke car with 175-CC engine. A year later, a branch of the company called Alcyon Italiana was founded in Turin, motorcycle kits were imported from France for further Assembly. After some time in Turin branch specialists have developed a 98-cube model Alcyonette.
At the end of 1927 on the market there were two motorcycles "Alcyon" Supersport model with top-valve engines with a capacity of 250 and 350 cm3. Both machines were distinguished by an open valve mechanism, an external flywheel and a three-stage gearbox with gears of constant engagement. 250-cubic version developed a speed of 95 km/h, 350-cubic - up to 115 km/h.
In 1929, the production program of the company was, in addition to two versions of Supersport, four-stroke 175-CC model and two two-stroke machines with engines with a working volume of 125 and 175 cm3. The following year, they added a heavy motorcycle with a longitudinally located in the frame of a single-cylinder four-stroke 500-CC engine and a three-stage gearbox, which allowed the use of a rear wheel drive. During the 20-ies and 30-ies of the industrial group, Genti constantly connected to small enterprises, adding to their expense, their range of products and often leaving the previous names of the models.
The debut post-war model of the brand Alcyon was a motorbike, built in the Italian style-48-CC four-stroke engine with a two-stage gearbox and rear wheel drive with a friction roller. The extensive production program required a large number of power units, which led to the continuation of cooperation with the motor - building plant "Tsyurshe" and the emergence of new engine suppliers-AMC and VAP. Light motorcycles received motors with a working volume of 98 to 175 cm3 with a four-speed gearbox.
In 1952, buyers were pleasantly surprised by the 250-CC motorcycle model " B2 " with a beautiful overhead valve motor company AMC, which, according to the French fashion of the time, the valve mechanism was completely hidden under the fins of the cylinder and head, which created the appearance of a two-stroke engine. This machine, in addition, had a progressive chassis design with a closed duplex frame, rigid short-chain front fork and rear wheel pendulum suspension. Three years later there was a 100-CC motorcycle model "651" without gearbox, but with multi-disc clutch, and the primary transmission was belt, and the rear wheel drive was carried out by a chain.
In 1957, the sale of products not only of Alcyon, but also of its subsidiaries continued successfully. One of the novelties of this season was a two-stroke 125-CC scooter with a three-stage gearbox and a fully bonneted body, which developed a speed of up to 75 km / h.at the end of the same year, the production of Alcyon motorcycles stopped, but the industrial group of Genti continued production of light motorcycles of other brands until the mid-60s.
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