Jonghi
Jonghi is a Italian-French company thata produced motorcycles from 1930 to 1957.
Jonghi was founded in Milan from the remains of "Nagase & Ray" and was moved to France taking the brand "Constructions Mécaniques Jonghi" and later became both "Prester-Jonghi and Motos Jonghi".
History
Everything started from the crisis in which, in 1929, saw the collapse of "Nagase & Ray". The technical director and engineer Joseph Remondini, tried to save the company looking for new backers who could float the funds needed to produce new motorcycle model designeds. Attracted to the appeal, the industrialist, Argentine Tito Jonghi, who added his surname as the new name for the marque and then decided to transfer the company to France.
In 1932, in Choisy-le-Roi (an industrial suburb on the outskirts of Paris), began the production of the French "Jonghi" motorcycles from the very sportiveggianti, which performance was everything. A 350-Jonghi TJ4 (Tito Jonghi 4T) valve in the head, derived from the Prededente model made by "Nagase & Ray", was released just before the Grand Prix of Nations in Rome in 1932 which was led by Louis Jeannin. Under the gaze and astonishment of the fans and critics, the Jonghi triumphed in the 350 cc Class, with an average of 134 km/h and a three-minute advantage over the second place motorcycle.
In those years, they also produced a cheaper version, the TJ4, with a 350 cc side valve engine. But despite the efforts and successes in sport racing, sales would not be sufficient to cover the substantial start-up costs and the company had to declare bankruptcy in May of 1933.
The company was acquired by the Eichel brothers (already owners of "Prester") and restarted production under the brand name "Prester-Jonghi".
The spread of motorcycles was hampered by the higher than average price other competitors, but many owners of "Prester Jonghi 350 cc Culbuteurs", while competing, were claiming a successful and a significantly spread of a sports winning appeal.
In 1936 a Prester Jonghi 350 cc Bialbero, specially designed by Remondini and driven by George Monneret, achieved the world record speed with a performance of 170,840km/h that was added to the previous record that was set the year before.
Even the level of glory was not enough to overcome the low priced Eichel so the brothers decided to start production of an engine for bicycles, designed by Remondini, which resulted in significant success. In 1937 the production of a motor bike with a 100 cc 2 stroke engine was to help the bottom line. The welcome was warm and to dispel any doubts about the robustness of the small displacement bike, they successfully crossed the desert Sahara in 1938. The demonstration turns into an immediate commercial success.
It seemed that Prester-Jonghi could finally surf in calm waters, but then came World War II . During the Nazi occupation of France, the brothers were deported to the Eichel camps, and like millions of other Jews, and would not return home.
In 1944, the Prester-Jonghi SatAM comapny was created. The company specialized in refrigeration and distribution of fuel, which forced Remondini to leave the technical direction. The factory was relocated to a larger location at La Courneuve and the marque was changed to Motos Jonghi.
Production at "Motos Jonghi" began in 1945 re the bike with an engine of 100 cc that was increased to 125 cc the following year. A model that would produced more than 12,000 copies.
Remondini could now devote himself to his true passion, 4-stroke sport engines. The war is now a thing of the past and the European economy began to flourishe and the time was ripe to propose a new bike. The Salon of Paris in 1948 was introduced to the "125 cc Jonghi ACT" (an acronym forArbre en Tête à Cames, with the camshaft in the head) that surprised many by its advances. Powered by a 4 stroke under 125 cc engine developing a 8 Hp of power, it would be able to reach 100km/h.
In 1951 they presented the "250 H", a utility with two stoke engine with low power relation to displacement. Followed in 1953 by the "Pole 125" model, a motor scooter with a two stroke engine clearly "inspired" by the "Moto Guzzi Galletto". It would be the last launch for Jonghi.
With the advance of the Italian market, the fifties would mark the decline of the French motorcycle market. The manufacturing of a car, like the economic "Citroën 2CV", completely changed the balance of the market. The 1948 production rate was at over 100 cars a month, and in 1950, the 2CV had even reached 400 units produced daily. From year to year the sale of automobiles had increased exponentially in comparison to motorcycles and the popular desire to move on four wheels rather than two.
It was a swift and devastating crisis that manufacturers expected in French and their European competitors did not understand. In just a few years, dozens of motorcycle companies were forced to reduce production or close down overnight, including the 1957 shutdown of Jonghi. Joseph Remondini died in 1959 and his son Henry was hired by Matra and key in the development to the famous V12 engine for Formula 1.
Sporting Activities
Particularly intense was the focus on sport for the Jonghi marque, which Remondini allocated much of his inventiveness, creating engines specially designed for competition. At that time, as still, the races were an important promotional vehicle for Remondini, an important system for testing. With both private and official riders, Jonghi participated in numerous individual competitions, championships and record attempts. Pilots such as Jeannin, Monneret Dagan, Perrin and Michel, in the decade preceding the Second World War, had captured a remarkable series of victories, by providing a impressive visibility for a company of such a modest size. Many of the successes in the conquest was do to Jonghi's speed records, providing a type of "competitive distance" between the manufacturers, and closely followed by the European public. Many of these records were won by Henry, son of Joseph Remondini, mechanic, and test pilot of significant capability.
World Record Speed
- On km class launched 250 cc to 160km/h in the 1934
- At km 350cc class launched a 170,840km/h in the 1936 Pilot George Monneret
- On 50 km 125cc class at 122,724km/h in the 1948 Pilota Arrigo Remondini
- On 50 miles 125 cc class at 123,146 km/h in 1948 Pilota Arrigo Remondini
- On 5 and 10km 125cc class at 124,280km/h in 1948 Pilota Arrigo Remondini
- On 5 and 10miles to 125cc class 120,984km/h in 1948 Pilota Arrigo Remondini
- Of the 100km to 125cc class 122,897km/h in 1948 Pilota Arrigo Remondini
Trivia
- In September 1943, with clear view to the future post-war period, the torinese SIATA (Società Italiana Applicazioni Tecniche Auto-Aviator) decided to design an engine to be provided to manufacturers of bicycles. The top management chose to make a propeller "type Remondini" at the time considered the best example of an auxiliary motor. In a clandestine meeting (the war was still in progress) Remondini SIATA delivered to the drawings of his engine on which to work. Made with very different technical and put on sale on July 26 1945 with the name "Cub", was the first realization of the postwar European motoring. The engine was so successful that the SIATA failed to meet the demands and had to turn to a company Bologna supply electromechanical (at that time managed by IRI) that in this way began to produce motorcycles: the Ducati.
- On October 15 1948 is the day fixed for the wedding of Henry Remondini. Contrary to custom, the bride has to wait a long time her future husband, who does not wish to lose the ideal conditions for groped to beat the speed record of 125 class on the distance of 100 km. The marriage will be celebrated in the late afternoon, won a world record, as a tribute to the bride.
- Jean Pierre Beltoise, one of the most famous French F1 drivers of the'60s and'70s, began his sporting career in the saddle "Jonghi bialbero ACT 125 (ex Michel), which won the Trophy Montlhery in 1959.
Italian
History of the series production
- Culbuteurs350
Motorcycle 4T single cylinder engine with a valve in the head (the continuation of the pattern "Nagase & Ray Sport 350"). Approximately 20 specimens produced in 1930. - TJ4 Culbuteurs350
Motorcycle 4T single cylinder engine with a valve in the head. Power of 20hp at 5800rpm and maximum speed of 135km/h. Some 300 copies produced from 1931 to 1939. - TJ4 laterales350
Motorcycle 4T single cylinder engine with a valve in the head. Power of 14Cv to 3800rpm and maximum speed of 115km/h. Approximately 500 products from 1931 to 1939. - T 100
Motoleggera with single-cylinder engine 2T (carburetor left side) produced from 1938 to 1945
- T 125
Motoleggera with single-cylinder engine 2T (carburetor left side) produced from 1946 to 1949. 4.5 Cv power to 5400rpm and maximum speed of 70 km / h. - E50 125
Motoleggera with single-cylinder engine 2T (carburetor rear) produced about 12,000 copies in 1949 to 1956. 6 Cv power at 6,800 rpm and maximum speed of 75km/h. - ACT 125
Motoleggera with single-cylinder engine 4T (distribution with overhead camshaft) produced in about 500 individuals from 1949 to 1955. 8 Cv power at 7,000 rpm and maximum speed of 100km/h. - H250
2T Motorcycle with single-cylinder engine. 9 Cv power to 4,500 rpm and maximum speed of 100km/h. About 1,200 copies produced from 1951 to 1953. - H54T250
2T Motorcycle with single-cylinder engine and telescopic fork. 9 Cv power to 4,500rpm and maximum speed of 100km/h. Produced from 1954 to 1957. - Polo 125
Motorcycle Scooter-2T single cylinder engine with horizontal produced about 1,000 copies from 1953 to 1957. 6 Cv power at 6,800rpm and maximum speed of 80km/h.
Technical Data
| Engine | Otto mono vertical cylinder cycle (4T) air-cooled |
| Capacity | 124 cc (Bore x race 54 x 54mm) |
| Distribution | overhead camshaft |
| power max | 8 CV at 7000rpm |
| Clutch | Hard multiple oil |
| Change | 4 relations |
| Final | Chain |
| Goodwill | A pedal |
| Frame | Tubular double cradle open |
| Suspension ant. | Fork with adjustable shock Central |
| Suspensions post. | Forcellone oscillating with shock |
| Brakes | ant. and post. drum by 130 mm; |
| Tires | ant. 25 x 2.75; post. 25 x 3.00 |
| Wheel | 1280 mm |
| Curb weight | 100 kg |
| Tank | 10 liters |
| Acceleration | 13.7 seconds about 400 meters from detention |
| Speed Maximum | 100km/h |
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