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.
1940 prototype
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.
Identify your Solex by sequential engine number:
from from
year.mo motor # model 000 cc 0 tires
1946.05 0001000 Solex 45 00 45 23″ 650B reverse levers
1947.01 0004200 Solex 45 00 45 23″ 650B
1948.01 0012975 Solex 45 00 45 23″ 650B
1949.01 0038980 Solex 45 00 45 23″ 650B
1950.01 0076670 Solex 45 00 45 23″ 650B
1951.01 0117020 Solex 45 00 45 23″ 650B
1949 VeloSolex 45
1951.06 0140096 Solex 45 00 45 21″ 600B
1952.01 0179400 Solex 45 00 45 21″ 600B
1953.01 0254685 Solex 45 00 45 21″ 600B
1953.09 0325206 Solex 330 0 49 21″ 600B reverse levers
1954.01 0352320 Solex 330 0 49 21″ 600B
1955.01 0513720 Solex 330 0 49 21″ 600B
1955.09 0653389 Solex 660 0 49 21″ 600B
1956.01 0709950 Solex 660 0 49 21″ 600B
1957.01 0935850 Solex 660 0 49 21″ 600B
1957.04 1016251 Solex 1010 49 21″ 600B reverse levers
1958.01 1222310 Solex 1010 49 21″ 600B
1958-59 VeloSolex 1400
1958.10 1394501 Solex 1400 49 1.75 – 19 reverse levers
1959.01 1509600 Solex 1400 49 1.75 – 19
1959.10 1702029 Solex 1700 49 1.75 – 19 new automatic clutch
1960.01 1770840 Solex 1700 49 1.75 – 19
1961.01 2083850 Solex 1700 49 1.75 – 19
1961.06 2202001 Solex 2200 49 1.75 – 19 reverse levers
1962.01 2386650 Solex 2200 49 1.75 – 19
1963.01 2705990 Solex 2200 49 1.75 – 19
1964.01 3041150 Solex 2200 49 1.75 – 19
1964.10 3283293 Solex 3300 49 1.75 – 19 new rectangular-tube frame
1965.01 3384500 Solex 3300 49 1.75 – 19
1966.01 3686125 Solex 3300 49 1.75 – 19
’66-76 light
’59-66 tail light
The VeloSolex 3800 had reverse brake levers and a non-self-closing twist throttle. Most had Seima tail lights with no brake light. Only some US and Canada models had Maly tail lights with a separate brake light on top.
All 3800 motors from May 1966 to 1975 had an ID badge that says 1966. That was the year of the design approval, not the year it was made.
By 1967 4 million VeloSolex’s were sold. Improvements were made year after year. The Solex motor bike became a household item in France and many parts of Europe.
1973 Solex 3800 (US)
years 0 motor # tires 000 model
1966-66 3800001 1.75-19 VeloSolex 3800 reverse levers, revised engine
1967-67 4003600 1.75-19 VeloSolex 3800
1968-68 4252840 1.75-19 VeloSolex 3800
1969-69 4533060 1.75-19 VeloSolex 3800
1970-70 4600285 1.75-19 VeloSolex 3800
1971-71 4713001 1.75-19 VeloSolex 3800
1972-72 4767151 1.75-19 VeloSolex 3800
1973-73 4816551 1.75-19 VeloSolex 3800
1974-74 4859701 1.75-19 VeloSolex 3800
1975-75 4914560 1.75-19 VeloSolex 3800
1967-74 5000001 1.75-19 VeloSolex 3800 (US)
1967-74 5200001 12½x1¾ VeloSolex Micron
’74 Pli Solex
1970-70 6000001 2.00-16 VeloSolex Flash reverse levers, new engine, drive shaft
1971-71 6039318 2.00-16 VeloSolex Flash rigid or cantilever fork versions
1971-71 6055001 2.00-16 VeloSolex 6000 same but telescopic fork, drum brake
1972-72 6059690 2.00-16 VeloSolex 6000
1973-73 6082453 2.00-16 VeloSolex 6000
1974-74 6096851 2.00-16 VeloSolex 6000
1975-77 6106350 2.00-16 VeloSolex 6000
1973-78 7000001 2.00-16 Pli Solex (folder) forward levers
’73 Solex 5000 (US)
1971-71 7000001 2.00-16 VeloSolex 5000 reverse levers
1972-72 7079595 2.00-16 VeloSolex 5000
1973-73 7117674 2.00-16 VeloSolex 5000
1973-74 0000000 2.00-16 VeloSolex 5000 (US)
1974-74 7155661 2.00-16 VeloSolex 5000
1975-75 7224292 2.00-16 VeloSolex 5000
1975-75 0000000 2.00-16 Renault 5000
1977-78 9000001 2.00-16 MB Solex 5000
years 0 motor # tires 000 model
1973-73 8000001 2.50-17 Solex Tenor L, S Morini MO1 engine
1974-74 8009080 2.50-17 Solex Tenor S, L Morini MO1 engine
1974-74 8500001 2.50-17 Solex Tenor S4 Morini MO4 engine
1974-74 9000001 2.50-17 Solex 8000 GS, GL Laura M56, M54 engine
1975-75 9004681 2.50-17 Solex 8000 GL, GS Laura M54, M56 engine
1975-75 0000000 2.50-17 Renault Tenor Morini MO1 engine
Renault: In 1974 Velosolex sold part of their production facility and rights to Renault. Here is a Renault 5000 and a Renault Tenor. But Renault sold the production to Motobecane (MB), in Dec 1974, after only a month.
’75 Solex 4600 V2 (US)
’80 MB Solex 4600 V3 (US)
Motobecane (MB): Motobecane kept the old chrome VeloSolex side stickers until late 1977. Here is a 1977-79 Motobecane 50V, a 1977-80 Motobecane S 3800 and Motobecane 5000. At the same time VeloSolex continued to produce mostly domestic S 3800s, up to 1986.
MBK: Motobecane was bought out by Yamaha in 1983, restructured and renamed MBK. The 1986-88 MBK S 3800 stickers only said Solex, in script.
years 0 motor # tires 000 model xxxxxxx oooooxxx levers throttle head-light switches tail-light
1974-75 7100001 1.75-19 VeloSolex 4600 V1 (US,CA) reverse not self-closing Cibié xxxxx Maly tl+bl
1974-77 7100001 1.75-19 V.Solex 4600 V1(BR,DK,UK) reverse not self-closing Cibié xxxxx SEIMA tl
1975-76 7200001 1.75-19 MB Solex 4600 V2 (US,CA) Magura 70’s self-closing CEV CEV CEV tl+bl
1977-77 9000001 1.75-19 MB Solex 4600 V3 (US) xx Magura 70’s self-closing CEV CEV ULO tl+bl
1977-80 9000001 1.75-19 MB Solex 4600 V3 (US) xx Magura 70’s self-closing Luxor Aprilia ULO tl+bl
1976-77 9007451 1.75-19 VeloSolex S 3800 xxxxxxx reverse not self-closing
1977-80 9015840 1.75-19 MB Solex S 3800 xxxxxxx reverse not self-closing
1977-86 9015840 1.75-19 VeloSolex S 3800 xxxxxxx reverse not self-closing
1986-88 9015840 1.75-19 MBK Solex S 3800 xxxxxx Domino 80’s self-closing
Solex re-makes: The 1999-05 Solex 3800 was made by Impex in Hungary and made well. It was an exact copy of a 1986-88 MBK Solex 3800. US versions had different switches and lights. More about that later… The other Solex re-makes were Chinese made.
1999-02 0000000 1.75-19 Impex Solex S 3800 (US) Dom80’s copy self-closing SEV points-ignition
2002-05 0000000 1.75-19 Impex Solex S 3800 (US) Dom80’s copy self-closing xxx CDI-ignition
2005-08 0000000 1.75-19 Mopex Velosolex S4800 and Mopex Black ‘n Roll S4800 website
1976-on 0000000 1.75-19 generic Chang-Jiang
1976-on 0000000 1.75-19 generic Hua Jia
1976-00 0000000 1.75-19 generic Hong Du
Solex S 3800 and 4600 Parts For Sale:
Click diagrams to enlarge. Click light blue links for photos, or for universal items listed “by type”. These are the Motobecane part numbers (60000 to 69999). There are also Solex part numbers (00000 to 19999).There are also Velocruz part numbers (90000 to 99999), which are these MBK numbers with “9” instead of “6”. ==================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 1
Flywheel Magneto
1-3 60969 rotor deflector $5
1-4 60970 rubber gasket N/A
1-5 60971 flange nut $7 M10 x 1.25 14hex 1-6 60845 rotor N/A 4600 V1 and most 3800 1-6 61219 rotor N/A 4600 V2,V3 and some 3800
1-7 61303 bolt $3 M4 x 15 x 0.75 (not 0.70) 1-8 60763 coil bolt $3 M4 x 20 x 0.75 (not 0.70)
1-9 60002 nut $1 M4 x 0.75 3.5 height 3.5 1-10 60802 condenser N/A new in package 1-11 60772 ignition coil N/A SEV Marchal 1-12 13294 lighting coil $35 for S4600 V2,V3
1-13 13309 stoplight coil $35 for S4600 V2,V3
1-15 60084 bolt $2 M4 x 10 x 0.75 (not 0.70) 1-16 60805 circlip $2 tiny clip for points 1-17 60804 washer $2 fiber washer 1-18 61014 contact set $25 SEV Marchal original 1-24 60934 plug wire n/a complete assembly
SEV means Société d’Equipements pour Véhicules automobiles.
SEV (France) has no relation to CEV (Italy).
SEV combined with Marchal in 1963, and then was bought by Ferodo in 1970.
Ferodo bought CIBIE lights, and then became Valeo in 1980.==================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 2
Clutch and Drive Roller
2-5 60815 clutch spring $3
2-6 60978 clutch complete N/A 2-7 60977 deflector and gasket $15 2-9 61287 drive roller assy N/A 2-10 60484 cover clip $5 fresh rubber
Solex 62254 early & late
Solex Parts Figure 3
Crankcase Assembly
50021 engine lever ’74-on N/A with notches for late crank 3-5 60434 pump seating piece $10 used 3-6 60023 fuel pump membrane $17 kept fresh in plastic 3-7 60846 fuel pump N/A see BrianSolex
3-7a 11469 fuel pump check ball N/A see BrianSolex
3-7b 114xx fuel pump ball seat N/A see BrianSolex 3-8 60763 fuel pump bolt N/A M4 x 20 x 0.75 (not 0.70)
3-9 60056 bolt $3 M6 x 10 9hex
3-10 60414 case gasket $7 3-13 60044 bolt $2 M6 x 15 9hex 3-14 60415 bolt $2 M6 x 20 9hex 3-17 60029 bolt $2 M6 x 10 9hex/slot 3-18 60015 cylinder stud $5 M6 x 30? good used 3-19 60867 nut $5 M10 x 1 x 5 14hex 3-20 60024 washer $5 M10 x 0.8 x 19 3-21 60849 spacer – bearing race $12 M10 x 14 x 13.3 rod needle bearing N/A DL1413 20 od,14 id,13w piston needle bearing N/A DL1212 18 od,12 id,12w 3-22 60497 rod with piston N/A
3-24 62255 motor raising crank N/A 4600 ’73-74 has no roller 50025 motor raising crank N/A 4600 ’75-on has a roller 3-30 60817 ring (3) 39.5 x 1.7 $10 each, takes 3 3-31 61297 piston bare N/A see Velocruz engine #40 The Solex fuel pump membrane and maybe the plastic seats and balls are needed often to replace deteriorated 30-50 year old ones. It’s easier to replace the entire pump, membrane, and membrane seat, but more costly. When the top cap or post is unscrewed, the top check ball easily falls out and gets lost. Often a not working fuel pump only needs a ball, or a new membrane. The pump check balls can be tested by blowing and sucking through a piece of small rubber hose or fuel line. The lower line only blows and does not suck. The upper line only sucks and does not blow. ===================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 4
Air Filter and Cylinder
4-20 60437 head gasket $7 4-21 60821 cylinder head $40 good used 4-22 60858 decomp valve N/A
==================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 5
Carburetor and Gas Tank
5-4 61376 gas tank lid $15 good used black
5-5 60976 overflow pipe $15 5-8 60753 muffler exhaust pipe N/A 5-9 60964 gas return pipe N/A
5-10 60793 bolt $3 M6 x ?? 9hex 5-12 60854 cable bracket $12 5-13 60925 throttle lever $10 5-17 fuel jet 26cc $9 5-17 fuel jet 27cc $9 5-17 60183 fuel jet 28cc std $12 5-17 fuel jet 29cc $12 5-17 fuel jet 30cc $9
5-17 fuel jet 31cc N/A
5-17 fuel jet 32cc $9 5-19 60501 choke lever $5
5-20 60923 carburetor – USA N/A 5-22 60441 air filter gasket $3 5-23 air jet 275cc $8 5-23 air jet 301 $8 5-23 air jet 401 $8 5-23 air jet 551 $8 5-23 air jet 601 $8
5-23 60406 air jet 651 $8
5-23 air jet 901 $8
5-24 60440 choke assembly $10
5-26 60442 inlet pipe gasket N/A
5-27 60445 inlet pipe nut $7
5-28 60041 pipe gasket $7 5-29 60785 inlet-exhaust pipe $20 good used
Left, Z822 metal tank $90
1958-59 Solex 1400
Right, plastic tank N/A
1973-79 4600,5000
Solex Parts Figure 6
Engine Supports
6-3 60981 engine plate right $10 black 6-6 60031 silentbloc $8 motor mount rubber tube 6-8 60935 engine mount bolt $3 6-9 60982 engine plate left $10 black 6-14 60824 washer $1 M8 x 14 x 2.0
6-15 60474 bolt $3 M8 x 15 x 1.0 thin flange hex
6-18 60987 suspension spring $5 6-20 60021 friction washer $2 M6 x 20 x 1.5
6-21 60778 friction plate $5 curved slot + hole 6-22 60022 friction washer $2 M8 x 20 x 1.5 6-24 60800 special nut $5
===================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 7
Main Frame
Solex Parts Figure 8
Steering and Fork Assy
===================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 9a
Solex 4600 V2,V3 only
Left Magura Controls
Solex Parts Figure 9b
Solex 4600 V2,V3 only
Right Magura Controls
Solex Parts Figure 10
Front Brake Assembly
10-8 60070 brake shoe block N/A says Sphinx (can use bicycle) 10-12 60502 brake support $5 10-15 61296 brake pad assy $15 plain shiny new
===================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 11
Pedal Assembly
11-6 61371 cable end $5 like bicycle one but smaller 11-8 60465 crank spindle $20
11-10 60061 cotter pin assy N/A 9.0mm special wedge
11-12 60063 left pedal M14-1.25 thread “French”
11-13 60064 right pedal M14-1.25 thread “French”
11-14 pedal set L and R see Pedal Parts French pedals
===================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 12
Saddle Assembly
Solex Parts Figure 13
Luggage Carrier
13-8 61379 connector air pump $5 green, presta valve end ===================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 14
Front Wheel
14-9 60052 hub cap N/A
14-10 61217 outer washer $1 use 3/8″
14-11 60079 nut 9.5×1 14hex N/A use 3/8×26 15hex bike
14-12 61360 rim N/A no spokes 19″ 28 hole
After the take-over of VeloSolex by Motobecane in 1974, the front hub changed from Atom to Leleu, in 1975. 1. The balls changed from 18 (9 per side) of 1/4″ balls (Atom) to 22 (11 per side) of 7/32″ balls (Leleu). 2. The outside of the cones became larger, or the inside of the cup became smaller for the smaller balls. 3. The front axle stayed the same, 9.5 x 1.0mm ≈ 3/8 x 26tpi. So did all of the axle nuts, spacers, washers. ===================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 15
Rear Wheel
15-7b brake plate Ø83 assy N/A for pre-75 Atom hub 15-8a 62598 brake shoe Ø80 ’75-on see wheel parts/brakes #2
15-8b 12355 brake shoe Ø83 ’66-74 N/A 15-12a 17187 ball 7/32″(22) ’75-on see wheel parts/universal 15-12b ball 1/4″ (18) pre-75 see wheel parts/universal 15-11a 60955 rear axle set 75-on N/A M9.5 x 1.0 x ??? long 15-11b rear axle set pre-’75 N/A M9.5 x 1.0 x ??? long 15-11c bearing cone N/A use 3/8×26 bicycle cone
15-11d lock nut M9.5x1x 4 N/A use 3/8×26 bicycle nut
15-13 61217 outer washer $1 use 3/8″ 15-14 60079 nut 9.5×1 14hex N/A use 3/8×26 15hex bike
15-15 61365 cable end see Cable Parts/Parts #P3c 15-16 61360 rim F & R N/A (no spokes) 19″ 28 hole
After the take-over of VeloSolex by Motobecane in 1974, the rear hub changed from Atom to Leleu, in 1975.
1. The rear drum brake diameter, brake plate, and brake shoes changed from 83mm (Atom) to 80mm (Leleu).
2. The balls changed from 18 (9 per side) of 1/4″ balls (Atom) to 22 (11 per side) of 7/32″ balls (Leleu).
3. The outside of the cones became larger, or the inside of the cup became smaller for the smaller balls.
4. The rear axle stayed the same, 9.5 x 1.0mm ≈ 3/8 x 26tpi. So did all of the axle nuts, spacers, washers.
========================== C E V H e a d l i g h t====================
Solex Parts Figure 16
1975-79 Solex 4600 V2 and V3
CEV (V2) or Luxor (V3) Headlight Assy
16-6b 19569 bolt M5 x 20 x 0.90 (not 0.80) see/Electrical(not done) 16-7b Luxor housing see/Electrical (unfinished) ===================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 17a
early 1975 Solex 4600 V2
CEV 9350 Tail Light
Solex Parts 17b
1975-79 Solex 4600 V2 & V3
U.L.O Tail Light
Solex Parts Figure 18
Engine Gaurd and Muffler
18-4 guard rail 3800 N/A 3800=no reflector mount
===================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 19
Control Cables
fig# part# length(mm) name price remarks
Solex right inverted lever with cable wires loose
Solex right inverted lever with cable wires taut
Solex right inverted lever, wires taut, end view
===================================================================================
Solex Parts Figure 19a
S 3800 Head & Tail Lights
19a-3b 14460 6V headlight bulb $2 E10 screw-in yellow
19a-4 60767 switch lever $5 19a-5 60834 contact lever N/A
Solex screw-in h.l. bulb
19a-11 t.l. bulb 6V4W ba9 $2
19a-12 tail light complete N/A
1959-66 Velosolex 1700, S2200, S3300
tail light by SEIMA
1966-67 S 3800 DOT
tail light by MALY
1966-76 S 3800
tail light by SEIMA
1977-79 4600 V3
tail light by ULO
1975 Solex 4600 V2
tail light by CEV
1976-88 S 3800
MB Hex black
1976-82 5000
MB Hex white
1999-05 Impex S 3800
05-08 Black’nRoll S 4800
tail light by Soubitez
Solex Parts Figure 20a
1964-66 S 3300
1966-73 S 3800
Head light ground tab
Solex Parts Figure 20
1973-74 S 3800 USA
Lights Wiring
Solex 4600 Wiring
Solex 3800 Impex Wiring
Where else to get parts:
http://www.difag-pro.com/en/446-pieces-detachees-pour-solex in France. This company offers most Solex parts. Translate from French.
Visit Solex 3800 USA, Brian’s Solex Parts for Sale and Brian’s Solex 4600 Website They are Velosolex Grand Central Station. From there you can buy things or link to resources around the world. Your Solex questions will all be answered. Brian is a brilliant engineer who has studied and documented every square millimeter of the Velosolex (including the magical check balls deep inside the fuel pump). He has extensive, accurate, excellent service procedures and photos to help people. You can ask technical questions, or you can browse and learn the complete history and engineering behind all things Solex.
https://www.treatland.tv/solex-s/424.htm Treatland.tv carries many Solex parts. A moped parts supermarket!
http://www.velocruz.com/home.htm Velocruz Inc in Utah USA still carries most Solex S 3800 parts, and sometimes used bikes, but not any more new ones. Velocruz founder Tommie Matthews brought back the Velosolex to the USA in 1998, becoming the exclusive US distributor for Impex, the manufacturer in Hungary. Son Jeff Matthews runs Velocruz now. The Hungarian S 3800, produced from 1999 to 2005, was well made, and nearly identical to the 1986-88 French S 3800.
Velosolex Solex HELP video channel: https://rumble.com/c/solex
Velosolex Solex video channel: https://rumble.com/c/velosolex
1973-74 Solex 4600 V1 Parts Catalog by VeloSolex, 1974, in English, Velosolex part #s 1975-79 Solex 4600 V2,V3 Parts Catalog by VeloSolex, 1976, in English, Velosolex part #s 1970’s Solex 3800 USA Parts List by VeloSolex, 1975, in English, Velosolex part #s 1986-88 Solex S 3800 Parts Catalog by MBK/Motobecane, in French, MBK part #s Solex Topics of Interest: The Velosolex in the USA by Solex Millenium, in English The Velosolex in Canada by Solex Millenium, in English Technical Specifications by Prof. Auguste Balls, in English