Clément 1903 Type D

Clément 1903 Type D Autocyclette 192 cc OHV frame # 105649 engine # 3633

In 1902 Adolphe Clément enters the field of motorized bicycles with a small engine of 126 cc capacity.

This engine has an automatic inlet valve, an overhead exhaust valve and an external flywheel. The cylindrical tank with petrol and oil compartments and hand operated oil pump is fixed behind the saddle. The battery is stored in a leather case that is strapped to the horizontal frame tube and the ignition coil is fitted on the saddle tube. There are three levers on the top tube: the front one controls the ignition advance, the other two control the petrol/air mixture. The brake is applied by a handlebar lever and works on the front tyre.

These very light machines – they weigh less than 30 kilos – become popular and quite a few are sold as complete machines fixed to a Clément or Gladiator cycle for a price of 775 Francs. For 500 Francs you can buy a complete engine with fittings to mount on any bicycle. In Britain the Clément-Garrard is well known at the time; in Titch Allen’s “The Second Vintage Road Test Journal” is an informative road test of a 1903 Clément-Garrard. Despite their modest capacity these little engines are surprisingly lively. One of the reasons is that in most contemporary engines the internal flywheels have to overcome the drag of the lubrication oil. The external flywheel of the Clément turns freely in the open air.

In 1903 the Autocyclette is available in cubic capacities from 126, 142 and 192 cc. That’s also the last year of the clip-on engine, the 1904 models have the engine placed vertically in a modified frame.

The machine we present has been nicely restored and is registered for the road. She’s a runner, a video of the little Clément on the go is available. The wooden mudguards are an extra for which a supplement of 10 Francs had to be paid. For safe braking a back-pedalling brake has been fitted. This very early motorized cycle certainly is fun to ride and a real head turner!