When I was 15 years old, I bought a 1968 Solex 3800 moped. The Solex was a french made motor bike that was unique. It has a small 2 stroke engine that sits on top of the front wheel and drives with a small friction wheel right on the front tire. It was a TRUE moped. It had a real bicycle rear end and pedals. With the engine lifted off from the front wheel, you pedaled just like any bicycle. With such a small engine (38 – 50cc depnding on the model and year) you would sometimes have to “help” it up a big hill. The top speed on mine was around 20mph. To start it, you would put the engine down and hold the decompression valve in. Start pedaling and it would fire up. Away you go at a blistering pace 
It was first made in 1946 and the design hasn’t changed much over the years. They were made by Velo Solex in France until 1978 and then the license to build them was sold over and over again. Today they are still made by Velosolex America, LLC and they still look the same as they did in 1968 or 1981 in my case.
Here is a video I found on Youtube showing a good example of a 1978 Solex 4800 being started and driven around.
I miss my old Solex. I spent many hours riding around the northwoods around here until I got my drivers license and my Yamaha RD200 motorcycle (which I miss also).
Hope you enjoyed my slow trip down memory lane with the Solex.
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Thank you for using my video of my 1978 Velosolex Solex 4600 V3 in your blog!
Just some small corrections to your post…the Velosolex factory in France closed in 1988, not 1978. Also, Velosolex-America is only an importer of the bikes that they sell, not a manufacturer. These bikes, called “Blacknroll” in most places, are assembled in France at the Mopex factory from parts made in Asia and Europe, and are then rebadged as “Velosolex” for sale in the US, since Velosolex-America is the owner of the VS Velosolex trademark in the US, and can use the trademark on whatever they’d like.
The “Solex” trademark is now owned by a French company named Cible SINBAR who sell an electric e-Solex, not available in the US at this time.
Early Solexes were 45 cc, and all the later Solexes were 49 cc.
Solexly, Brian
Brian, Thanks for the Update! I would love to get myself another one of these bikes.. Now that I live in town, it would be the perfect get-a-round.
Keep making the videos.. Love it..
Thanks again! Have a great day!
-Mike
Thanks, Mike. Michiagn is “Solex Central”, so you should have no problem finding one…they sold more in Michigan and Ohio than in any other states. If you ever have any Solex questions or need any help, please let me know. If you click on my name above, it will take you to my website.
Solexly, Brian
Hi Mike, had fun reading your exploits. Know the feeling, rubbish brakes. nearly killed myself on one in France.
Check out my blog you may find something to make you smile. Regards from England.