Founded by Leon Gillet in 1919, Gillet-Herstal, along with Sarolea and FN, became one of Belgium’s major motorcycle makers. Their motorcycles were built from 1919 to 1959. Production started with a 301cc Fernand Laguesse designed two-speed two-stroke. Although the company then concentrated on further two-stroke development, including an unusual rotary-valve model with one side of the mainshaft supporting three ratios for the gearbox, they also built motorcycles with Swiss MAG engines.
source.image: classic-motorcycle.com
Four-stroke engine development began during the mid-Twenties, but two-stroke experimentation continued, including the unit construction flat twin, two-stroke 720 Model with chain drive to rear wheel and shaft drive to the sidecar wheel supplied to the Belgian military 1938-40. Re-entering motorcycle production after WWII with four and then two-stroke commuter style models, telescopic front forks were adopted across the range.
Swinging arm rear suspension was introduced in 1946 with the launch of the 239cc two-stroke Superconfort. Gradually, Gillet-Herstal moved over to an all two-stroke range, including a 125cc scooter built under licence from Bernardet, launched in 1953. The shrinking European motorcycle market led to Gillet-Hertsal joining in 1955 with Sarolea and FN in a vain attempt at survival. Even the introduction of a robust moped, built under licence across the group, couldn’t save this once famous marque.
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Not many of this 500cc ohv models has been produced and has survived. This combination has been restored a number of years ago. It spent its whole life in Austria and the old registration number is “W-24422”. The sidecar roof is not fitted on the sidecar but comes with this combination. Year: 1952.Displacement: 498 cc.Cylinder: 1.Engine type: 4-stroke / ohv.Bore / Stroke: 105 x 77 mm.Power: 22hp @ 4.500 rpm.
