Solex

Solex was a French manufacturer of carburetors and the powered bicycle Velosolex.

The Vélosolex, or Solex, had a small motor mounted above the front wheel. Power was delivered via a small rubber roller that turned the front wheel by friction through the tire.

The first Vélosolex was sold in 1946. More than 8 million were eventually sold, mostly in Europe. It was also constructed under license in 57 countries.

Solex carburetors were until the mid 1980s used on many European cars including Volkswagen, Alfa-Romeo, Fiat, Audi, BMW, Citroen, Opel, Simca, Saab, Renault, Peugeot, Lancia, Mercedes Benz and Porche. Solex carburetors have been made under licence by a number companies including the [Mikuni] company of Japan who supplied them to auto makers including Mitsubishi and Suzuki as well as to various Japanese motorcycle makers. Mikuni originally entered into a licensed manufacturing agreement with Solex in 1960 and further developed many of Solex's original designs.

The Solex brand is now owned by [Mageneti Marelli] The original Solex company changed its name in 1994 to Magneti Marelli France and on May 31, 2001, Magneti Marelli France partially brought its assets (including the trademarks SOLEX and VELOSOLEX) from Magneti Marelli Motopropulsion France S.A.S.

History of the brand

1905: The company was created by Maurice Goudard and Marcel Mennesson, both graduates of the École Centrale Paris.
1973: the carburetor division is taken over by Matra, and later by Magneti-Marelli, then by Renault and Motobécane in 1974.
1983: Motobécane is bought by Yamaha and becomes MBK.
1988: production in France, at Saint-Quentin, ends.

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