Slow trip down memory lane

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.