MOTOS RENÉ GILLET - 50 Years of French V-Twins - 500 - 750 - 1000cc

OUT OF STOCK

René Gillet is said to have built his very first motorcycle as early as 1895; this claimed seniority as a motorcycle manufacturer would have allowed him to adopt the slogan "doyenne des marques de motocyclettes françaises" — myth or reality?

Other single-cylinder models would follow, but it was around 1905, with his first 45° V-twins, that he truly began his industrial journey. Refined up to the 1920 G model, the motorcycles produced in Montrouge already had all the hallmarks of a "great" machine: Castle-type suspended fork, magneto, 3-speed Hele Shaw clutch gearbox, etc.

Accepted by the French Army at the Satory trials in 1927, the flagship model, the 750 type G, would adopt the name "Armée Française" with Louis Vannod Obus-type sidecars. A major supplier to the French administration, the reputation of René Gillet motorcycles was also built on its civilian combinations, with M. Gillet adding rear suspension to his motorcycles, similar to that already present on his sidecar frames and henceforth on Bernard bodies. Long-distance sidecar touring, practised by the owner himself and his family — what better advertising demonstration, of which René Gillet was an avid proponent.

The origins, as well as the demise of this great marque — until now obscure and inaccurately recorded — have finally been brought to light thanks to the in-depth research of Christophe FRESNEAU, grandson of the BERNARDET sidecar manufacturers, Didier MAHISTRE, Pierre BRUNETEAU president of the Club René GILLET France, M. Henri GILLET, a descendant of the manufacturer who opened his family archives to us, Alain HENRY, and the author.

The constraints of the Army supplier specifications, despite the imposed conservatism, did not prevent R. Gillet from introducing innovations on his other (civilian) motorcycles and filing numerous patents. Sadly, the marque would not long survive the passing of M. René Gillet in the midst of turmoil, at the end of 1944, and it was in 1956 that the Peugeot lion would sink its claws into it, putting an end to a long history of French V-Twins.

Step into history and discover this study of the various engines, gearboxes, frames, etc., their development, and the supporting figures who contributed to the growth of the great Montrouge marque.