1958 FN 500 grand Prix Motocross
FN won a remarkable 395 victories in its
motocross career. For a long time this sport, which dramatically grew in
popularity in the postwar years, was dominated by Belgian bikes and riders. The
most successful of the Belgian motorcycles was the FN 500 Grand Prix motorcross
which appeared at the end of 1947 and was still winning events in 1958. That
year the Herstal factory, in financial difficulty, announced its retirement
from competition to concentrate on lightweight machines.
Ten Years at
the Top
few machines won as many honors, as did the FN 500 during its long
career which, on the international front alone, took the Championship of Europe
three times -- in 1952 with Victor Leloup, then in 1953 and 1954 with Auguste
Minguel -- a World Championship in 1951, 1952, and 1953.
All Aluminum
and Magnesium
Though it looked particularly massive, the engine of the FN
was nevertheless extremely light thanks to ;extensive use of magnesium and
aluminum; the bike weighed just under 300lb. In athe final version the FN500
was not only powerful - it developed 40hp at a mere 2000rpm. Over the years the
engine scarcely changed, though in 1948 the frame acquired trailing link front
suspension.