Verkehrshaus der Schweiz (Foto: Stefan Wäfler)

Motorfahrrad

Motorrad Dufaux Motosacoche Modell A 1

Dating

1907

Persons

MAG Motosacoche Acacias Genève SA (1917), Hersteller/in

Description

Motorrad Dufaux Motosacoche: Motor-Tasche in Herrenfahrrad eingebaut - Ventilsteuerung: IOE (Inlet over Exhaust), Schnüffelventil für den Einlass, gesteuertes Auslassventil - Antrieb mittels verdrilltem Lederriemen auf Hinterrad - Widerspruch in der Datierung: Anschrift <Dufaux> deutet auf Produkton vor 1905 hin, seitliche Motorenschutzbleche <Dufaux Acacias> deutet aber auf Produktion nach 1905 - Bohrung: 62 mm, Hub: 75 mm - Literleistung: ca. 4 kW/l (ca. 5 PS/l), Leistungsgewicht: ca. 40 kg/kW (ca. 30 kg/PS) - Plakette auf Rahmen.

Signature / Inscription

Signatur / Beschriftung: Beschriftung: "Dufaux", "Dufaux Acacias"

Object type

Object (three-dimensional)

Geography

Herstellungsort:

Material / Technique

Metall, Leder

Dimensions

ca. 35 kg

Inventory number

VHS-3694

Legend

Motosacoche Switzerland 1902 The engine in a bag from Geneva Because their patented add-on engine is mounted in place of a bicycle frame bag, Henri and Armand Dufaux from Geneva named it the „Motosacoche“. According to the operating instructions, a gentleman’s bicycle can be converted into a motor bicycle in just 5 minutes. The tensioning mechanism for the belt is mounted on the saddle down-tube and the belt rim is mounted on the rear wheel. The first Swiss mass-produced motor bicycle There is neither a gearbox nor a clutch. This is no barrier to its wide sales distribution, however. Sporting successes and the clean design lead to a sales success. The Motosacoche is the first mass-produced motor bicycle in Switzerland and will remain available up to 1912. Continuation into aviation Although the brothers left the company in 1909, it becomes the most important Swiss manufacturer of motorbikes and delivers add-on engines to well-known manufacturers all over the world under the name M.A.G. In the meantime, Henri and Armand devoted themselves to aviation. In 1910, their „Dufaux No. 4“ is the first successful Swiss motorised aeroplane. MAG Dufaux Motosacoche model A 1, 1907 In 1899, brothers Henri and Armand Dufaux from Geneva, Switzerland, developed a small four-stroke engine. This compact unit could be attached to the frame of any ordinary bicycle: the “Motosacoche” – meaning “motor bag” – was born! In 1905, the company was incorporated as a public limited company based in Rue Acacias in Geneva. The Dufaux brothers soon left the company to concentrate on building aeroplanes. However, the factory continued to sell M.A.G. engines (Motosacoche/Acacias/Geneva) to many well-known manufacturers in France, England, Germany, Austria and Italy. This exhibit embodies the spirit of a new beginning: it marks the moment when individual mobility became accessible to the masses and the era of the motorbike finally began. Motor 1 Zylinder, Viertakt Hubraum 214 cm3Leistung 0.92 kW (1.25 PS) Bei Drehzahl 1’100 U/min Gewicht 35 kg Geschwindigkeit 40 km/h Produktionszeit 1901 – 1910