Petite Velomoteur Mandille et Roux

The French Connection

The 1938 Velomoteur M-R. The Type D2 was made by Mandille et Roux in Paris on the Rude des Prairies and was also known as 'Passe Partout' (Goes Everywhere). In their tiny shop, Mr. Mandille and Mr. Roux carefully constructed the best small motorcycle of their time.

I fell in love with it the first time I saw it at my friends old garage. Despite my frequent attempts to buy the bike, he refused to sell it. I wasn't likely to find another any time soon, so I kept gently prodding him to think about it. He'd loan me the bike to show at an exhibition on vintage bikes at one point so I got to know the bike and research it. Every time I walked into his garage, I'd glance up to the top of the bookcase where it sat. Miles loved the fact that Mandille et Roux with it's 98cm3 Sachs two-stroke engine won its class at the famed French endurance race, the Bol d'Or from 1934-1938. One of their most talented riders was Mr. Maucourant. At that time, it was one rider per machine in the race.The M-R fans at the time recognized it from a distance by the 'the roar' that the little Sachs engine emitted.

Above photo of Jean Monneret is from

http://zhumoriste.over-blog.com/article-pierre-et-jean-monneret-enfances-de-champions-89715121.html

The M-R's made popular sidecar rigs as well. These children are flogging them for all they're worth.

The M-R's owner also loved this little machine because it was the same model that his motorcycle racing hero learned to ride on, the great Mike Hailwood. Mike, a nine-time World Champion, aka, 'Mike the Bike' had a privileged upbringing. His wealthy father saw fit for young Mike to start with a scaled down 'real motorcycle'. Ultimately, it would lead 76 Grand Prix victories and 14 Isle of Man T.T. wins. Look up a picture of young Master Hailwood racing around the yard on the little M-R. Find it here:

http://www.mikethebike.com/galleryb5.htm

The diminutive black M-R was purchased years ago at a swap meet and was set up as a period race replica by Iron Oxide Engineering Impresario Dick Miles.

Iron Oxide HQ

For more information on Iron Oxide Racing, check out this clip from The Classic Motorcycle TV show trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZgYt1LRMP0

During the last thirty years Miles was running any number of impressive British racers in AHRMA Classic Racing competition, like his 350cc Velocette Mk VII and 500cc Norton Manx.

The team often turned up in the impressive 'China Clipper' transporter, a former drag race hauler and workshop. The M-R was going to be hung off the side at the track, a pit bike dingy, if you will. The former illusionist, escape artist, go-kart racer, car racer /collector and machinist has led an interesting life to say the least.

Miles made up the stylish little fishtail exhaust on the M-R

After many years perched on that shelf, the time had finally come for the M-R to find a new home.

We reached a fair price and I became the next custodian of this Velomoteur. I hope to have her for some time myself.

Original Michelin tire needs replacement, but the engine, also original to the machine is sound.

With the help of 'Classic Tyre Finder' in the U.K., we finally tracked down a pair of tires for the MR. Now to mount them and clean up the rims a bit.