Contents:
1. Solex
2. Parts Changes
3. Identification
4. Books and Manuals
5. Solex Parts
1. Solex
Solex began in 1905, as two young French engineers, Maurice Goudard and Marcel Mennesson, producing engine parts. They made radiators, mostly for large trucks and buses, before and during World War 1. After the war, Solex shifted from radiators to making carburetors.
Solex carburetors became the company’s most famous product, used on many European automobiles for decades. They also made lots of other things, like excellent micrometers.
VeloSolex (SolexBike) was developed during WWII while France was occupied by Germany. In 1940, after decades of interest in “bicycles with emergency engines”, the first front engine prototype was unveiled.
In 1946, after 5 years of testing, the humble hybrid went into production.
1. ’40 prototype, 2. ’49 VeloSolex 45, 3. ’58 1400, 4. ’59-66 light, 5. ’66-76 light
1968-84 S 3800 had reverse brake levers and a self-opening twist throttle. Most had Seima tail lights with no brake light. Only some 1967-74 US and Canada models had Maly tail lights with a separate brake light on top.
1966-88 Solex 3800 motors had an ID badge that says 1966. That was the year of the design approval, not the year it was made. The year is determined by the sequential engine number using the list below along with photos and specs.
1967 By then 4 million VeloSolex’s were sold. The Solex motor bike became a household item in France and many parts of Europe. Gas stations had Solexine gas pumps, with two stroke oil already premixed. It did not take much to fill the 1/3 gallon tank.
1975-86 Velosolex sold part of their production facility and rights to Renault in Nov 1974. A month later Renault sold the production and rights to Motobecane (MB). Both Motobecane and Velosolex produced S3800 and other models at the same time. Velosolex made mostly domestic versions until 1986. Motobecane made mostly export models from 1975 to 1983.
1985-88 Motobecane was bought out by Yamaha in 1983, restructured and named MBK. MBK produced S3800 mopeds from 1985 to 1988. They had modern safety features like reflectors and self-closing throttle.
1995-03 After 6 years of inactivity, Impex purchased the production facilities and parts inventory from MBK and re-made the S3800. It sold in the US from 1998 to 2003.
2004-05 Cyclopress purchased the production facilities and parts inventory from Impex and re-made the S3800. It sold in the US from 2004 to 2005.
The Velosolex in the USA by Solex Millenium, in English
The Velosolex in Canada by Solex Millenium, in English
Engine Specifications by Prof. Auguste Balls, in English
2. Parts Changes
Only 1966 to 2005 Solex models with front engines are covered here.
The Cyclomoteur 2200 engine was used on the S 2200 and on the S 3300. The 25-10-1962 date cast into the crankcase is not the date of manufacture. It is an approval date for the design. The approval date is the same for all years 1962-65.
The Cyclomoteur 3800 engine was used on the S 3800, 4600, 5000, Pli Solex and the Micron. The 14-3-1966 date cast into the crankcase is not the date of manufacture. It is an approval date for the design. The approval date is the same for all years 1966-88.
US models are blue. Models with photos are bold.
Solex 3800 Parts Changes 1966 to 1988
1966: 1. S3800 replaced S3300, reverse levers, brake closes throttle.
1966: 19″ rims, Cibie low headlight with plastic lens, Seima taillight.
1967: 2. S3800 DOT ’67-68 had a Maly tail-brake light, electric horn,
1967: sold in US states with stricter regulations NY, NJ, PA, HA, others.
1967: Metal gas tank became black plastic. 4 screw mud flap became 2 screw.
1967: 3. S3800 California ’67-68 had CEV 125 and 9313 lights.
1967: S3800 Luxe California ’70-71 added ss fenders, ww tires, white color.
1967: sold in US states with the strictest regulations CA, others.
1968: Right grip became twist type, allows slowing down without braking.
1968: 4. S3800 USA late ’68-74 had Cibie low headlight, Seima tail light.
1968: 5. S3800 Luxe USA ’68-71 had ss fenders, ww tires, red or blue color.
1972: No more red decal on the air filter cover.
1973: Headlight ground tab moved from fuel pump to headlight.
1974: No more gold pinstripes on the fenders.
1974: Renault buys Velosolex. Then Motobecane buys it from Renault.
1975: Atom 83mm rear hub and brake became Leleu 80mm.
1976: 6. S3800 Motobecane had Motobecane tail light and logo.
1983: 7. S3800 Motobecane Export had 5000 bars holding a CEV headlight.
1985: 8. S3800 MBK black, red or blue, CEV glass headlight with large bulb,
1986: Domino controls with self closing throttle, Solex Nostalgie logo,
1986: new handlebar, new decomp lever, Soubitez 4000 rear light.
1988: Final year of Solex 3800 production.
Solex Remakes Parts Changes 1995 to 2008
1995: 1. S3800 Impex re-made in Hungary same as S3800 MBK.
1999: 2. S3800 Impex DOT ’99-04 had Soubitez 4000 rear light.
2002: Ignition changed from SEV points to Impex CDI.
2004: S3800 Cyclopress DOT ’04-05 had a ULO 250 rear light.
2005: Final year of Impex S3800 production.
2005: 3. S4800 Mopex re-made in China, many different parts.
2006: 2005 to 2008 models were sold in the US.
2008: Final year of Mopex S4800 production.
Solex 4600 Parts Changes 1973 to 1978
1973: 1. 4600 V1 had reverse levers, Cibie, Seima lights, no switches.
1973: It was made in black, blue, orange and yellow. Front frnder white.
1974: 4600 V1 DOT ’74-75, at first had a resistor to simulate a brake light.
1975: Later had a Maly tail-and-brake light like on 3800 DOT.
1975: 2. 4600 V2 DOT ’75-76 had CEV headlight, tail light and switches,
1975: Magura controls with self-closing throttle, brake light switches.
1975: Same engine as 3800 except for magneto and side-mount lift lever.
1975: Had third stator coil, larger lights coil, and stronger rotor magnets.
1975: Had a crash bar with CEV rectangular reflectors. Front fender white.
1977: 3. 4600 V3 DOT ’77-78 had Magura, CEV, ULO lights, Aprilia switches.
1975: Had a crash bar with either rectangular or round reflectors.
1973: It was made in black, blue and yellow. Front fender color matches.
1978: Final year of Solex 4600 production.
Solex Micron, 5000, Pli-Solex Parts Changes 1968 to 1978
1968: 1. Micron had 12″ tires, reverse levers, high handlebars.
1971: 5000 had 20″ tires (16″ rims), reverse levers, high bars.
1973: 2. 5000 DOT ’73-74 had a Maly tail-brake light.
1974: Final year of Micron production.
1974: 3-4. Pli-Solex folder had forward levers.
1978: Final year of 5000 and Pli-Solex production.
3. Identification
Here you can identify your Solex by sequential engine number, photos and specifications.
from 00 from
motor# 0 yr.mo tires 00 model
0001000 46.05 650B -0 45 45cc
0004200 47.01 650B -0 45
0012975 48.01 650B -0 45
0038980 49.01 650B -0 45
0076670 50.01 650B -0 45
0117020 51.01 650B -0 45
0140096 51.06 600B -0 45
0179400 52.01 600B -0 45
0254685 53.01 600B -0 45
0325206 53.09 600B -0 330
0352320 54.01 600B -0 330
0513720 55.01 600B -0 330
0653389 55.09 600B -0 660 .
0709950 56.01 600B -0 660 .
0935850 57.01 600B -0 660 .
1016251 57.04 1.75-19 1010 .
1222310 58.01 1.75-19 1010 .
1394501 58.10 1.75-19 1400 .
1509600 59.01 1.75-19 1400 .
1702029 59.10 1.75-19 1700 auto clutch
1770840 60.01 1.75-19 1700 .
2083850 61.01 1.75-19 1700 .
2202001 61.06 1.75-19 S 2200 .
2386650 62.01 1.75-19 S 2200 .
2705990 63.01 1.75-19 S 2200 .
3041150 64.01 1.75-19 S 2200 .
3283293 64.10 1.75-19 S 3300 rect. tube frame
3384500 65.01 1.75-19 S 3300 .
3686125 66.01 1.75-19 S 3300 .
3800000 66.05 1.75-19 S 3800 TUM 80 cylinder
4003600 67.01 1.75-19 S 3800 .
4101356 67.07 1.75-19 S 3800 .
4200000 67.00 1.75-19 S 3800 TUM 80A cylinder
4252840 68.01 1.75-19 S 3800, S 3800 (UK)
4533060 69.01 1.75-19 S 3800, S 3800 (UK)
4600285 70.01 1.75-19 S 3800, S 3800 (UK)
4713001 71.01 1.75-19 S 3800, S 3800 (UK)
4767151 72.01 1.75-19 S 3800 .
4816551 73.03 1.75-19 S 3800, S 3800 (UK)
4843419 73.06 1.75-19 S 3800, S 3800 (UK)
4849301 73.07 1.75-19 S 3800, S 3800 (UK)
4859701 74.01 1.75-19 S 3800, S 3800 (UK)
4861620 74.02 1.75-19 S 3800, S 3800 (UK)
4914560 75.01 1.75-19 S 3800, S 3800 (UK)
5000001 67.01 1.75-19 S 3800 (US) TUM 80 cylinder
5040001 68.01 1.75-19 S 3800 (US) TUM 80A
5150001 69.01 1.75-19 S 3800 (US)
5199001 70.01 1.75-19 S 3800 (US)
5200001 67-74 12×2¼ Micron
5240001 71.01 1.75-19 S 3800 (US)
5271801 72.01 1.75-19 S 3800 (US)
5280001 73.01 1.75-19 S 3800 (US)
5306001 74.01 1.75-19 S 3800 (US)
5320001 75-78 1.75-19 S 3800 (US) TUM 80A CM 6,5
6000001 70.01 2.00-16 Flash new engine, drive shaft
6039318 71.01 2.00-16 Flash rigid or cantilever fork
6055001 71.12 2.00-16 6000 telescopic fork, drum brake
6059690 72.01 2.00-16 6000 .
6082453 73.01 2.00-16 6000 .
6096851 74.01 2.00-16 6000 .
6106350 75-77 2.00-16 6000 .
7000001 71.01 2.00-16 5000 .
7079595 72.01 2.00-16 5000
7100001 74-75 1.75-19 4600 V1 (US,CA)
7100001 74-77 1.75-19 4600 V1 (BR,DK,UK)
7117674 73.01 2.00-16 5000, 5000 (US), Pli Solex
7155661 74.01 2.00-16 5000, 5000 (US), Pli Solex
7200001 75-76 1.75-19 MB 4600 V2 (US,CA)
7224292 75-80 2.00-16 MB 5000, Pli Solex, R 5000?
8000001 73.03 2.50-17 Tenor/8000 L, S, R Morini MO1
8009080 74.01 2.50-17 Tenor/8000 S, L, R Morini MO1
8500001 74.03 2.50-17 Tenor/8000 S4 Morini MO4
9000001 74.03 2.50-17 8000 GS, GL Laura M56, M54
9000001 77-78 1.75-19 MB 4600 V3 (US)
9004681 75.01 2.50-17 8000 GL, GS Laura M54, M56
9007451 76.10 1.75-19 MB S3800
9015840 77-85 1.75-19 MB S3800
9015840 85-88 1.75-19 MBK S3800
remake 76-on 0.00-00 Chang-Jiang and Hua Jia
remake 76-on 0.00-00 Hong Du
remake 99-03 1.75-19 Impex S3800 (US)
remake 04-05 1.75-19 Cyklopress S3800 (US)
remake 05-08 1.75-19 Mopex S4800
remake 05-08 1.75-19 Mopex Black ‘n Roll S4800 website .
4. Books and Manuals
Manuals
VeloS0lex Training (Service Manual)
36 pages, clear cover $10
Velosolex 4600 V2 Parts Catalog
32 pages, clear cover $7
Velosolex 4600 V2 Repair Operations
70 pages in a binder $20
Solex S 3800 Impex Repair Operations
60 pages in a binder $20
Velosolex 4600 V2 Owners Manual
16 pages unbound $7
Solex S 3800 Impex Parts Catalog
16 pages unbound $4
Solex S 3800 Impex Owners Manual
original packet $4
Books
Le Guide du VéloSolex .
by Franck Méneret, Feb 2007, in French.
“The definitive book on Velosolex. A real master work.” reviewed by Dave Beare.
hardback in clean new condition, price $30 .
Vélosolex de mon père .
by Franck Méneret, Jean Goyard, Sylvie Méneret, Nov 2002, in French.
Historic, fun, useful and complete. Every page has color pictures.
hardback in clean new condition, price $30 .
Le Tour du Monde à VéloSolex .
by Paul-Henri Vanthournout, in French.
A brother and sister crossed 4 continents, 25 countries and 18,000 km in 14 months.
hardback in clean new condition, price $30 .
5. Solex Parts
Select: Solex 3800 and 4600 Parts