Janoir
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorcycle manufacturing, coachbuilding |
| Founded | 1916 in Saint-Ouen, France |
| Founder | Louis Janoir |
| Defunct | 1927 |
| Headquarters | Saint-Ouen , France |
| Products | Motorcycles, sidecars, vehicle bodywork (carrosserie) |
The Janoir motorcycle was manufactured in France between 1919 and 1922, with production taking place in Saint-Ouen. This model was distinguished by its limited run and featured a 965 cc flat twin engine configuration.
Louis Janoir, an engineer born in Lugny (Saone-et-Loire) in 1883, had been a certified pilot since 1911. He worked alongside Louis Bechereau, the creator of Deperdussin aircraft, and took part in several aerial raids and contests. In 1916, he established Janoir Aviation based in Saint-Ouen. During the First World War, the company specialized in repairing and manufacturing SPAD fighter aircraft. Following the war, as was common among aviation enterprises, Janoir redirected efforts toward motorized vehicles, entering the expanding sectors of automobiles, cyclecars, and motorcycles alongside firms such as Sopwith Aviation Company, Martinsyde, and Louis Blériot.
Janoir Motorcycle
At the 1919 Paris Salon, Louis Janoir unveiled his motorcycle design. It incorporated a tubular steel frame equipped with front and rear suspension systems, along with a rear chain drive. The motorcycle accommodated two riders with separate seating. Its powertrain combined the flat twin engine, gearbox, and cylinders into a single aluminium casting that included steel liners and removable cylinder heads. The engine employed roller bearings and featured gear-driven lubrication pumps.
By the time of the 1920 Paris Salon, the motorcycle had undergone significant updates: it now utilized an entirely pressed steel frame—excluding the luggage rack—and incorporated pressed steel front forks alongside a rear swinging arm supported by half-leaf spring suspension. Additional enhancements included dual drum brakes on the rear wheels and wheels designed for tool-free removal without affecting the chain drive or braking system. The inline twin engine measured 85mm by 85mm (965cc), featured overhead valves, was rated at 8 horsepower but delivered 11 brake horsepower at 2000 rpm and could reach up to 16 brake horsepower at 3200 rpm.
Other products
Beyond motorcycles, Janoir manufactured sidecars and vehicle bodywork (carrosserie). A notable project involved producing bodies for Peugeot electric vans in 1926. Furthermore, they provided custom coachwork for prestigious automobiles such as Delahaye around 1923, Lorraine-Dietrich circa 1924, and Delage vehicles from 1925 through 1927.
References
- David Burgess Wise, The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Automobiles
- Louis Janoir (1885–1968), aviator and vehicle builder in Paris. See "Aeroplanes to Automobiles" by J.P. Merrington for his contributions.