Saroléa
Encyclopedia
Saroléa was the first Belgian
producer of motorcycle
s, and one of the first producers of motorcycles in the world. This Belgian factory
was established in 1850 as a weapons factory by Joseph Saroléa. In 1892 bicycle
s began to be built as well.
Joseph died in 1894 and under the management of his sons the company grew bigger and bigger. In the 20s the firm got successfully involved with long distance runs, reliability trial
s and hill climb
s. From 1927 on the company made its own gearboxes and early in 1929 the factory was extended to some 6000m2. Nearly all components of the bikes were made in-house now and the production capacity grew to 50 machines per day. Later in 1929 a brand new state-of the-art production facility was commissioned which brought the production capacity to 75 machines per day.
In the early years of the century Saroléas were sold in Britain under the Kerry brand. Both singles and V twins were made and the firm supplied engine
s to a number of firms in several countries. In turn, Saroléa used a number of British components such as Sturmey-Archer
gearboxes and AMAC carburettors.
Saroléa was ready for the new decade, but the new decade also brought an economic crisis. This forced the company to expand the range of machines with cheaper models. The first of the light two strokes was brought out in 1932. It had a 147 cc unit construction engine of Saroléa's own design. The front forks are of pressed steel construction and the ignition
is taken care of by battery and coil. Bosch
electrics are employed.
During World War II
the factory was shut down by the Nazis, and very few bikes were produced during the Nazi occupation of Belgium. There are now five known Saroléas in the United States.
In 1952, Belgian rider, Victor Leloup, rode a Saroléa to victory in the inaugural F.I.M.
European Motocross Championship.
In 1955 Saroléa started a joint venture together with FN (motorcycle)
and Gillet
. This lasted until 1960, when Saroléa was merged into Gillet. Saroléa ceased to exist in 1963.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
producer of motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s, and one of the first producers of motorcycles in the world. This Belgian factory
Factory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
was established in 1850 as a weapons factory by Joseph Saroléa. In 1892 bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
s began to be built as well.
Joseph died in 1894 and under the management of his sons the company grew bigger and bigger. In the 20s the firm got successfully involved with long distance runs, reliability trial
Reliability trial
A reliability trial is an organised bicycle ride which challenges a cyclist to complete a course, passing through designated control points, within a preset time limit. In the United Kingdom, such events are often held in the wintry opening months of the year and are used by club cyclists as...
s and hill climb
Hillclimbing
Hillclimbing is a branch of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course....
s. From 1927 on the company made its own gearboxes and early in 1929 the factory was extended to some 6000m2. Nearly all components of the bikes were made in-house now and the production capacity grew to 50 machines per day. Later in 1929 a brand new state-of the-art production facility was commissioned which brought the production capacity to 75 machines per day.
In the early years of the century Saroléas were sold in Britain under the Kerry brand. Both singles and V twins were made and the firm supplied engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
s to a number of firms in several countries. In turn, Saroléa used a number of British components such as Sturmey-Archer
Sturmey-Archer
Sturmey-Archer is a manufacturing company originally from Nottingham, England. It primarily produces bicycle hub gears but has also produced motorcycle hubs....
gearboxes and AMAC carburettors.
Saroléa was ready for the new decade, but the new decade also brought an economic crisis. This forced the company to expand the range of machines with cheaper models. The first of the light two strokes was brought out in 1932. It had a 147 cc unit construction engine of Saroléa's own design. The front forks are of pressed steel construction and the ignition
Combustion
Combustion or burning is the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of chemical species. The release of heat can result in the production of light in the form of either glowing or a flame...
is taken care of by battery and coil. Bosch
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
electrics are employed.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the factory was shut down by the Nazis, and very few bikes were produced during the Nazi occupation of Belgium. There are now five known Saroléas in the United States.
In 1952, Belgian rider, Victor Leloup, rode a Saroléa to victory in the inaugural F.I.M.
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
European Motocross Championship.
In 1955 Saroléa started a joint venture together with FN (motorcycle)
FN (motorcycle)
FN was a Belgian company established in 1899 to make arms and ammunition, and from 1901 to 1967 was also a motorcycle manufacturer...
and Gillet
Gillet
Gillet is a Belgian automobile manufacturer, started in 1994 by former racing driver Tony Gillet. The company produces the Vertigo sports coupé, an ultra-lightweight 'bespoke' and hand-built sportscar...
. This lasted until 1960, when Saroléa was merged into Gillet. Saroléa ceased to exist in 1963.