Zedel-Griffon

Griffon bicycle with Zedel engine 2HP, dated 1905-1910. See also: Vap4-Griffon.

"Founded on rue Louis Blanc in Courbevoie, a suburb of Paris (now the site of La Défense), the Griffon bicycle company became a pioneer motorcycle manufacturer by 1902, attaching a Swiss-built Zédel motor to front downtube of their bicycle. By the following year, Griffon displayed their commitment to the fledgling moto-cycle craze by displaying 10 models at the Paris Motor Show, which were purpose-built motorcycles with engines integrated into frames; these were among the first true motorcycles in the form we recognize today.

The great craze of arena bicycle racing swelled at the dawn of the 20th century, as did the fledgling sport of motorcycle racing; a new Griffon racer, specially built with an extra-long frame and ultra-light construction, utilized a twin-cylinder Zedel v-twin engine with battery and coil ignition, which was timed at 110km/hr in 1903, a remarkable speed for this date." (bonhams.com)