Description

1939 Gillet Herstal 720 AB

In 1919, the Ateliers Gillet, S.A. motorcycle factory appeared in Liège, Belgium. Ateliers Gillet's first motorcycles were hard to distinguish from the competition, but soon it became one of Belgium's three largest motorcycle manufacturers, along with such well-known companies as Saroléa and Fabrique Nationale de Herstal. Of course, like other market leaders, Ateliers Gillet, S.A. supplied two-wheelers to the Belgian army.

The crisis of the late 1920's and early 30's had a significant impact on the Belgian economy and the country was not prepared for a new world war. The last funds were thrown into the development of military production. Despite the Belgian King Leopold III declared neutrality, he still feared a surprise attack by Nazis. Mindful of the lightning-fast motorized German army, the Belgians immediately began replenishing the ranks of military motorcycles for their country's needs.

When the requirements for a new military two-wheelers were made before the outbreak of World War II, Ateliers Gillet, S.A. was the first company to supply the army. Belgian engineers from Ateliers Gillet, S.A., who had vast experience with two-stroke engines, came up with their own design – the Gillet Herstal 720 AB.

The motorcycle is proudly called as the Golden Age model with the biggest 2-stroke motor. Well, does not 728 ccm engine sounds serious? The crankshaft has two cranks, turned 180° to each other. The motorcycle has a 4-speed gearbox with an additional reverse gear. The rear wheel is driven by a chain, and from the rear wheel hub to the sidecar wheel comes a shaft located inside the rear tube of the sidecar frame.

Already in 1940, due to the occupation of Belgium by Germany, production of the 720 AB model was stopped. All new-produced motorcycles were mobilized to the Wehrmacht with the corresponding instructions for operation and maintenance.