The extraordinary

By: Marina Block • Uit Auto Motor Klassiek number 12-2014

A motorcycle that looks like a scarecrow was not a common phenomenon in the motorcycle world and therefore caused quite a stir in 1947. The most characteristic part of the FN M13, the thing that looked so strange, was the very special front fork construction that the weapon and motorcycle manufacturer from Herstal had chosen for the FN M13 E. A pulled rocker arm fork with long swings, two thick tension springs and many rods and supports set the front wheel very far forward. This way the FN not only got an impressive length, but also its insect-like silhouette. Think "Alien 1.0"

Elastics

When FN, the Fabrique Nationale d'armes de Guerre, presented the M 13 at the end of 1946 at the Paris motorcycle exhibition, that model - and not just because of its appearance - received a lot of attention. Because although the appearance rather surprised the audience, the quality of the FN product was again convincing. The somewhat bizarre-looking front fork suspension worked better than what was on the market at the time because it is better to pull a wheel over an obstacle than to slide it over it. The rear wheel suspension also attracted a lot of attention. He worked with a system with rubber tires, "elastics". The M 13 was offered with different engine blocks. First he was available with an 250 cc head valve and the depicted 450 cc side valve. Soon he was also there with an 350 cc head or side valve. In 1945 another 450 cc head valve was added. Because of its impressive cylinder head, it was nicknamed "Grand Culasse", so "Large Cylinder Head". The head flaps were offered in Luxury version, the side flaps came as desired as Standard or Grand Luxe.

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