S-22720-0-1

249 N1926 Sarolea 494cc Model 23MFrame no. 13150Engine no. 30567Belgium’s premier marque, Sarolea was founded in 1850 when JosephSarolea set up a small workshop in Herstal for the manufacture ofsmall arms (like BSA in Britain) but these were not sold under the‘Sarolea’ name. In 1892 the firm diversified into making bicycles, whichwere marketed as ‘Royale Sarolea’. After Joseph Sarolea’s deathhis children carried on the family business and in 1895 hired MartinFagard, who for the next 50 years would be the driving force behindthe company. A small series of de Dion-Bouton powered tricycles wasmade around 1898 but these were not a big success. Then, around1901, Sarolea built its first powered two-wheeler by attaching a 250ccsingle-cylinder engine to one of its bicycles.Series production commenced soon after, following an order for 1,000Sarolea engines from Britain, and the supply of proprietary engines,both singles and v-twins, would continue to be an important part ofSarolea’s business for many years. In 1902, Sarolea introduced its firstproduction motorcycle, powered by a 381cc single-cylinder engine,and from then onwards the firm grew steadily, becoming one ofEurope’s leading motorcycle manufacturers by the start of WWI, duringwhich Saroleas were supplied to Allied forces.In the early 1920s AJS had conclusively demonstrated the superiorityof overhead valves, and in 1923 Sarolea followed suit, introducingthe Model 23G, a sports roadster capable of 75mph. Saroleas of the1920s and 1930s looked very British in appearance, and these stylish,well-engineered machines helped establish the marque’s reputationfor excellence. With their advanced overhead-valve technology,Saroleas were natural candidates for competition use, being racedextensively by the works and top privateers throughout Europe. Thefirm’s first major international successes came in 1923 when it won theprestigious Liége-Nice-Liége road race and the Belgian Grand Prix.The following year a production version of the works racer - the 23M -was used by Guido Premoli to win the gruelling Tour of Italy and manyfurther successes would be gained at international level before thefactory withdrew from racing at the end of 1926.Restored in 2013, this rare Vintage-era overhead-valve sports modelis described by the vendors as in generally very good condition andoffered with Italian registration papers.£18,500 - 22,500€26,000 - 32,000Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lotprior to bidding. All lots are sold “as is/where is” with all defects and faults.motorcycles | 43