The Motorcycle: FN M70 Sahara

At the heart of Justine Tibesar’s remarkable journey was a machine that proved as resilient as its rider – a 1930 FN M70 350cc motorcycle. This Belgian-made motorcycle became her trusted companion across 22,000 kilometers of some of the world’s most challenging terrain, from the jungles of Southeast Asia to the deserts of Persia and the mountains of the Middle East.

FN M70 Specifications

The FN M70, nicknamed “Sahara,” was manufactured by Fabrique Nationale d’Herstal (FN), a prestigious Belgian firearms and motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1889. The specific model used by Justine was a 1930 FN M70 “Touring Standard” with the following specifications:

• Engine: 350cc single-cylinder side valve
• Bore/Stroke: 74mm x 80.5mm
• Frame Number: 62196
• Engine Number: 8045
• Transmission: Unit construction with 3-speed gearbox
• Year: 1930
• Top Speed: Approximately 90 km/h (56 mph)
• Origin: Purchased from Mr. Martiny, FN agent in Saigon

The motorcycle was known for its reliability and robust construction – essential qualities for the journey Justine was about to undertake. Perhaps most remarkably, Justine had never ridden a motorcycle before purchasing this one, receiving her motorcycle license just three days after the purchase on March 13, 1931, and departing on her journey on March 16.

Technical Details

The FN M70 “Sahara” earned its nickname through proven performance. In 1927, two French army officers and a Belgian mechanic had crossed the Sahara desert with M70s, covering 6,300 km without mechanical failure – a heroic accomplishment that brought considerable publicity to the factory and inspired confidence in the model’s capabilities.

Technical features that made the M70 suited for long-distance travel included:

• Unit Construction Engine: Integrated engine and gearbox design for improved reliability
• External Flywheel: Early models featured a distinctive red flywheel, earning it the nickname “Moulin Rouge” (Red Mill)
• Fuel Efficiency: Moderate fuel consumption that allowed for extended range between refueling
• Simple Mechanical Design: Critical for roadside repairs in remote areas
• Sturdy Frame: Built to withstand rough terrain and heavy loads

What made this motorcycle particularly remarkable was its accessibility to novice riders. Despite its capabilities, it was still manageable for someone like Justine who had no prior motorcycling experience. As she later remarked upon reaching Belgium: “I had no idea of the mechanical workings of the motorcycle. I just trusted it.”

Sidecar Addition

One of the most significant modifications to Justine’s motorcycle occurred during her journey through India. As she prepared to cross the challenging deserts of Baluchistan (now part of Pakistan), Justine realized she would need to carry substantial supplies of water and fuel.

To solve this problem, she purchased a sidecar in India, which was fitted to her motorcycle. This modification:

• Increased carrying capacity for water reserves and fuel
• Improved stability on loose desert terrain
• Created challenges of its own, as she noted: “A loaded sidecar was too heavy for my small 350cc FN, but I was still able to cross the Sin Desert very slowly”

The addition of the sidecar was a pragmatic solution to the extreme conditions Justine faced, though it also made handling the motorcycle more difficult, especially considering her limited experience. It’s unclear at what point she may have removed the sidecar, but its addition was crucial for the desert crossing portion of her journey.

Machine Performance

Throughout her journey, Justine’s FN M70 exhibited remarkable performance across extraordinarily diverse conditions:

• Jungle Environment: Survived the humidity and difficult terrain of Cambodia, though Justine noted: “At each stop, I had to protect my machine against the curiosities of the locals who showed an indiscreet taste for mechanics. Their familiarity with my motorcycle once caused a breakdown at night in the jungle of Cambodia.”
• Mountain Passages: While unable to cross the Burmese mountains due to lack of roads (requiring a sea passage from Singapore to Calcutta), the motorcycle performed well in the Himalayan foothills where Justine detoured to visit the Citroën Yellow Cruise expedition.
• Desert Crossing: Perhaps the motorcycle’s most impressive feat was traversing three separate desert stretches in Persia, each approximately 1,000 kilometers in length with minimal villages for resupply. As Justine described: “From Douzhab to Mashhad there were 1,000 kilometers of straight ahead, with two villages on this seemingly endless route. And then another thousand kilometers from Mashhad to Tehran, and then another thousand kilometers to Kermanshah.”
• European Return: After the extreme conditions of Asia, the ride through Turkey and Central Europe to Paris was, in Justine’s words, “a pleasure compared to the calvary I had just lived through.”

By the time Justine completed her journey on January 22, 1932, the motorcycle had covered approximately 22,000 kilometers (13,670 miles) across some of the world’s most challenging terrain. Despite occasional breakdowns and the hardships of the journey, the basic mechanical integrity of the machine remained intact – a testament to both its quality and Justine’s developing mechanical intuition.

Factory Connection

Justine’s journey created a special connection with the FN factory in Herstal, Belgium. When she arrived in France, she made a point of contacting the factory, planning to visit the birthplace of her faithful mechanical companion.

Upon her arrival in Belgium:

• She was greeted by a delegation led by M. Debruge, which included factory officials and FN representatives
• M. Debruge presented her with flowers and welcomed her on behalf of the FN factory
• She visited the FN plant the following day, where she was impressed by the enormous factory halls
• A breakfast was served in her honor
• She was greeted by M. Joassart, the general manager

The French magazine “L’Auto” noted on October 16, 1931: “When you honor this athlete, you also have to mention that this machine made a decisive contribution to her performance. Trusting the FN machine, which is rightly regarded as one of the most robust machines of our time, was the right decision, and the tour has confirmed this.”

Marcel Thiry Collection

The legacy of Justine’s journey has been preserved in part through the Marcel Thiry Collection. Marcel Thiry, a garage owner and well-known collector from Habay-la-Neuve, Belgium, has preserved historical motorcycles including an FN 350 identical to the one used by Justine during her epic journey.

Thiry has exhibited his remarkable collection at numerous exhibitions, including displays at City II in Brussels, where thousands of visitors have viewed these historic machines. His collection serves as an important link to the mechanical heritage of Belgium and preserves the memory of extraordinary journeys like Justine’s.

The inclusion of an FN M70 identical to Justine’s in this respected collection highlights the historical significance of both the motorcycle model and Justine’s achievement. While Justine’s original motorcycle has not been definitively located in any current collection, the preservation of identical models helps demonstrate the capabilities of the machine that carried her across continents.

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The FN M70 “Sahara” motorcycle represents more than just a mode of transportation in Justine Tibesar’s story. It was a faithful companion that proved its resilience in some of the world’s most challenging environments. From the jungles of Cambodia to the deserts of Persia, this Belgian machine demonstrated exceptional reliability that allowed an inexperienced rider to accomplish what many seasoned travelers would consider impossible.

In many ways, the story of Justine and her motorcycle embodies the growing global mobility of the interwar period and stands as a testament to human determination and mechanical ingenuity. As Justine herself was quoted: “Everything is possible, you just have to want it with all your heart, then it succeeds.”