1949 Peugeot 156 and 1945 Motobecane D45

 

 

 

I had a chance meeting with the Chief Judge of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance last fall while in San Diego, California. Despite being one of the most respected members of the automobile community, Mr. Ed Gilbertson is also a longtime motorcyclist. He mentioned that they would be celebrating French motorcycles in 2013 at Pebble Beach and asked if I knew of any that should be considered for the event. I had recently purchased a 1949 Peugeot model 156 that was unrestored that had been in longterm storage. Given that I had a just 9 months to get the bike ready, should it be accepted, the clock was ticking on just what to do with the bike. Should we leave it "as is" or restore the machine?

 

 

 

Despite the complete but worn condition, we chose to do a super detail but leave the bike unrestored. I was influence by my exposure to the collection of Dr. Fred Simeone and Dick Miles, both of whom espouse the philosophy of Preservation over Restoration.

 

 

The two stroke 150cc Peugeot was introduced in 1949. It survived until 1958 with the later addition of telescopic forks and rear suspension.

 

  

 

This Motobecane was purchased in the immediate postwar period by the same family that still owns it today. It's a 125cc four stroke, with three speed hand shift Motobecane D45.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both machines show the wear and tear associated with use after nearly 70 years. Both survived though, with original paint and in running condition. Both are headed to Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August 2013 to celebrate French Motorcycles.  They also represent a emerging trend of preservation rather than restoration. It will be interesting to see the publics reaction to this and whether auto and cycle collectors will have sufficiently restrained egos to not destroy an original finish in favor of  shiny new paintwork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barn Find 1949 Peugeot Model 156

 

This 1949 Peugeot model 156, a 150 cc two stroke single cylinder rigid frame motorcycle, features front girder forks. The photo depicts the "as found" original paint.  Tucked away at the back of friend's shop for years, gathering dust and waiting for another chance to run again, the bike was saved from a restoration. Instead, we would make sure it was preserved to maintian its original parts so that it can be enjoyed for years to come.

 

 

 

What appeared to be painted lines on the fuel tank were instead old tape that was removed with great care.

 

 

Most examples I found on the web featured restored machines like the two similiar bikes below.

 

 

Early two stroke  lightweights from Peugeot were very similiar. Elegant, stylish and practical designs that offered more than just basic transportion.

 

 

 

1949 Peugeot lightweights model 54, 55, 56 and 156 were featured in period advertising.

  

 

On this final incarnation of the 56/156, telescopic forks were added, but the basic design was further developed for optimization. Production of this model ended in 1958.

 

 

 

So, once a sympathetic overhaul was decided on instead of restoration, I handed the job over my friend Gil Paterson. He took a serious liking to the machine despite his unfamilarity and plunged into the job. The bike was photographed, then methodically dismantled. Each part was cleaned, re-conditioned as neccessary and stored until we were ready to reassemble it.

 One of the studs had been replaced before and was inserted on an angle meaning the head was  very hard to pull off. The stud and head were repaired.

 

 

The leg shields were in need of a major cleaning, and in the end, we decided not to keep them on the bike. They are ready to put on with just two bolts per side, but I do like the look better without the guards in place.

 

 

Dismantled, the engine internals were revelaed, all systems go. Or so we thought. Turns out, more than a little work was needed to resolve prior repairs.

 

There's a dent on the top of the fender.

This was repaired when the front wheel was off for for new tires and tubes.

                         The girder front forks were cleaned and lubricated before reassembly.

 

The left side engine cover had many small dents, this was reworked and looked great after cleaning.

 

 

 

Shift lever covers needed to be replaced. These were wrapped in blue ductape.

 

 

 

Left side footpeg was severly bent and needed repair . It was one of the few areas that needed paint.

 

The mufflers on Peugeots of this period were painted to match the bike at the factory.  

The tips were beat up and bent before Gil's deft touch set them straight again.

 

 

The centerstand is the only stand on the Peugeot 156. The center support had broken and was repaired and made operational again.

 

Test fitting of the new tires, 3.00 X 19 front and rear

 

A test mock up before the engine received new bearings, gaskets, seals, piston wrist pin and more.

 

 

The Peugeot will be at the 63rd Annual Pebble Beach

 Concours d' Elegance in California in August 2013. They have a "Preservation Class" and are celebrating French Motorcycles, so this is a rare opportuntity to see a rare 1949 Peugeot model 156 in its original finish.

   

 

The French esthetic was always decidedly different from other countries. It may not have always been understood and appreciated outside of France. Eventually the scooters would prove to be the two-wheel salvation of the company for the next fifty years. Will Peugeot ever return to full motorcycle production?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made it ! The 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance was amazing.

There's a seperate post on Pebble Beach as well.