This is the second in a series of very imaginative vehicles that have been seen on the streets, roads and race tracks of France. This rig is called in French, the Moto Balayeuse Jacquelin, which translates to the Motorcycle Sweeper Jacquelyn. Why a woman’s name is associated with it we don’t know and perhaps a reader can help us out with the reason.
* Update * Thanks to Richard Armstrong: Jacquelin is the surname of the man riding the contraption, who presumably built it as well. His full name was Edmond Jacquelin and he was a former World Champion racing cyclist. The advertising on the side suggests that this was probably taken at the time of the annual Paris Salon de l’Automobile, which also featured commercial vehicles.
It may have also have been the origin of the first advertising on a motor vehicle, as it was no doubt so attention getting it was the perfect place for a businesses billboard.
We have a feeling this little personalized street sweeper may have been aimed at cleaning up the after affects of old dobbin (one can been seen eyeing it with suspicion in the top photo), which always seem to leave behind a bit of an odor. It also seems to be well equipped with a buddy seat and handlebars so that you could take an assistant along if needed.The advertising on the side suggests that this was probably taken at the time of the annual Paris Salon de l’Automobile, which also featured commercial vehicles.
This is the Part II of a series we will be doing on interesting motorcycles, cycle cars and other vehicle photos from the Bibliothèque nationale de France. You can see many more French creations (scroll down) we have already covered here and cycle cars (scroll down).
Sure beats going after road apples with a broom and shovel, David! Wonder what brand of motorcycle it is.
Don’t know who the maker is, hopefully a reader will be able to ID it.
Jacquelin is the surname of the man riding the contraption, who presumably built it as well. His full name was Edmond Jacquelin and he was a former World Champion racing cyclist:
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmond_Jacquelin
http://www.cyclingarchives.com/coureurfiche.php?coureurid=23255
An earlier version from 1922 – based on a simple one-Edmond Jacquelin-powered tricycle – can also be found on Gallica: http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b90547789
The advertising on the side suggests that this was probably taken at the time of the annual Paris Salon de l’Automobile, which also featured commercial vehicles.
Richard, Thanks for the great job of clearing this all up.