Terrot RD500
French motorcycle production is largely about the two brands Gnome-Rhone and Terrot, both of which had their heyday before World War II. We've taken a closer look at a Terrot from 1939, a 500cc that truly showcases French finesse in terms of detail.
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French-made motorcycles are relatively rare, but there are a few examples here from the two manufacturers Gnohme-Rhone and Terrot. Charles Terrot, who lived in the small town of Dijon (best known as the birthplace of the architect of the Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel), built his first motorcycle in 1902. Like so many others, he started by building his own frames with a “borrowed” engine from the Swiss “Zedel”.
Own factory in Czechoslovakia
The model range was gradually expanded, and after World War I Terrot made motorcycles with its own 2-stroke engines and “borrowed” 4-stroke engines from JAP and Blackburn respectively. The design was typical of the time, with a rigid frame, single seat, low flat fuel tanks and girder forks. In the 1930s, Terrot began producing its own 4-stroke engines, which included both top-ventilated and side-ventilated engines. The brand also focused on racing, which was considered important marketing, and they could be found on the starting line on the Isle of Man towards the end of the 1930s. It is also worth noting that Terrot built a 350-cc engine in its own factory in what was then Czechoslovakia from 1933-1935.
Survived the war years
When World War II broke out, Terrot experienced the same as many other motorcycle manufacturers, that demand fell sharply. However, Terrot supplied motorcycles to the French military in the period 1937-1944. This was a military version of the RD, the RD-A. There was no question of any large volume. The income from the contract with the military was rather modest, but Terrot managed through the hard war years. Production gradually picked up again after the war. Now the focus was on smaller 2-strokes, a scooter model and a larger 4-stroke of 500 cc. At the beginning of the 1950s, there were many brands competing for customers, including BSA , which was the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer. Terrot tried to meet the competition by merging with Peugeot in 1954, but this was not sufficient, and in 1961 production was ended.
