Mobylette
Encyclopedia
The Mobylette, sometimes shortened as Moby, is a model of moped
manufactured by French
manufacturer Motobecane
during the second half of the 20th century. The Mobylette was launched in 1949 and was manufactured until 1997 with production number exceeding over 14 million with the 1970s being its peak production years, averaging around 750,000 annually. The word "Mobylette" has since become something of a genericized trademark
in the French language, referring to mopeds in general.
All Motobecane mopeds are generally referred to (and usually carry the name) Mobylette, however there are several styles of submodel. Particularly during the moped boom of the 1970s, several variations were available, usually incorporating a number/letter combination such as 40T, 40TL, 40V, and 50V. These naming conventions determined which types of equipment were standard or even available with the moped. For example, the 40T was usually a slower version, capable of just 25mph maximum speed and having no rear suspension. The top of the line 50V had front and rear suspension, a heavier body, and was capable of 30-35mph.
In 1978, Canadian Walter Muma
rode a 50V 11,500 miles on a 3-month trip that began in Toronto
, brought him to Alaska
, and back to Toronto.
In India
, the earlier version of Mobylette was manufactured under license by Mopeds India Ltd from 1965 till the late 1980s under the name Suvega. They also had a factory-supported race team which was highly successful in annual Sholavaram
races in 50cc class.
Moped
Mopeds are a type of low-powered motorcycle designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements.Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals , but moped has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their...
manufactured by French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
manufacturer Motobecane
Motobécane
Motobécane was a French manufacturer of bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, and other small vehicles, established in 1923. "Motobécane" is a compound of "moto", slang for motorcycle; "bécane" is slang for "bike."...
during the second half of the 20th century. The Mobylette was launched in 1949 and was manufactured until 1997 with production number exceeding over 14 million with the 1970s being its peak production years, averaging around 750,000 annually. The word "Mobylette" has since become something of a genericized trademark
Genericized trademark
A genericized trademark is a trademark or brand name that has become the colloquial or generic description for, or synonymous with, a general class of product or service, rather than as an indicator of source or affiliation as intended by the trademark's holder...
in the French language, referring to mopeds in general.
In 1978, Canadian Walter Muma
Walter Muma
Walter Muma is a Canadian man who is on record for completing a 3-month 11,500-mile journey across Canada and Alaska by moped...
rode a 50V 11,500 miles on a 3-month trip that began in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, brought him to Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, and back to Toronto.
Pulley Belts
These are the aftermarket pulley belts available that will fit the Mobylette:- Goodyear 17321
- Gates AX30
- Gates A30
- Napa 4l320
- Dayco 17320
In India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, the earlier version of Mobylette was manufactured under license by Mopeds India Ltd from 1965 till the late 1980s under the name Suvega. They also had a factory-supported race team which was highly successful in annual Sholavaram
Sholavaram
Sholavaram, a quiet town 24 km north of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is primarily known for its Lake and the motor racing track.Sholavaram lake is one of the many water bodies that are used as water sources for Chennai....
races in 50cc class.