Sarolea 1926 23M 500cc 1 cyl ohv

Sarolea 1926 23M 500cc 1 cyl ohv.

Sarolea  1926  494 cc OHV  “23  M  Super Sport”
The firm was established in  1850 at  Herstal( Liege)  as an arms factory by Joseph Saroléa.
In 1892 the production of bicycles was started.

Joseph died in 1894 and under the management of his sons the company grew bigger and bigger.
In the early years of the new century the company  started to develop motorized bicycles and soon Saroléa was a force to reckon with: around 1907  the firm employed some 200 labourers and had 4000 m2 of production facilities.

In the early years of the century  Saroléas were sold  in Britain under the “Kerry” brand.
Both singles and V twins were made and the firm supplied engines to a number of  firms in several countries.

In turn,  Saroléa used a number of British components such as Sturmey Archer gearboxes and AMAC carburettors.

In the 20s the firm got  successfully involved with  long distance runs, reliability trials and hill climbs.

The first OHV model, a 500 cc was presented for the 1924 season and had long stroke engine configurations of  80.5 x 97 mm.
This “ 23 G Super Sport” could reach a speed of 120 km/ h.
One year later a 350 cc version was presented, the “ 25 F Sport”.
Both OHV models were consequently further developed and became very popular with sports riders.
New detail improvements  for 1926  were the fitting of a steering damper and more powerful brakes.
This attractive, restored vintage  sportsman’s machine with 85.5 x 97  long stroke engine configurations is equipped with Sturmey Archer  3 speed gearbox and Marelli magneto  and has an impressive top speed.