For this task, we were given responsibility for a 1921 Gnome-Rhone 500 cc – a rare French motorcycle with great historical value. Our task consisted of both ensuring a tailor-made packaging solution and handling the subsequent transport of the motorcycle from Denmark to Switzerland.
This required a combination of technical precision and careful handling, as the vehicle is both fragile and of great collector’s value.
The packing was carried out by our packing specialist, who was responsible for both measuring and manufacturing the custom-made wooden crate. The work began with a precise measurement of the entire motorcycle in order to construct a crate that both made optimal use of the space and effectively protected the vehicle.
After measuring, support boards were mounted directly in the crate. They are carefully positioned to keep the motorcycle stable without putting strain on the frame or pressing on delicate parts. For additional protection, the entire motorcycle was wrapped in thin foam, which protects the paintwork and metal from scratches and also protects against dust and small particles from the wood.
The motorcycle was then secured with cotton straps, which distribute the pressure evenly and provide gentle but secure fastening. Finally, the motorcycle was covered with clear plastic film, which acts as a barrier against moisture and dirt during the journey. The result was a wooden crate tailor-made for this particular motorcycle, where every detail was carried out with respect for the age and value of the vehicle.
Once the crate was ready, we took care of transporting the motorcycle all the way to Switzerland ourselves. Even though it was packed so that it could, in principle, be transported as regular freight, we chose to drive it in our own vehicles, which are specifically designed for transporting art and items of special value.
This meant that the transport was not carried out as a standard pallet shipment, but with the same care and attention we give to paintings, sculptures, and other unique works. Our vehicles are equipped to ensure a stable climate, careful handling, and proper securing, and our drivers are accustomed to handling particularly sensitive items. In this way, we could guarantee that the motorcycle received the same care and consideration as the other art and cultural objects we transport on a daily basis.
The French motorcycle in this assignment is a 1921 Gnome-Rhone 500 cc – an early and rare representative of the period when aircraft engine manufacturer Gnome et Rhône began producing motorcycles. The model is known as Model B and is a further development of an English ABC design, which the factory took over and refined after the First World War.
The motorcycle is built with a single-cylinder, side-valve engine of 499 cc, which produces around four horsepower. It has three gears with manual shifting, magneto ignition, and the characteristic “flat-tank” design of the time, where the fuel tank lies flat between the frame tubes. The braking system consists of a disc brake on the rear wheel and a brake on the flywheel—technologies that were typical of the early 1920s.
Weighing only about 95 kg and featuring a simple, robust construction, the model was easy to handle and reliable by the standards of the time. Production of this variant ceased in the late 1920s, and examples in original condition are now rare collector’s items.
Handling, securing, and packing a piece of mechanical history like this requires technical understanding, care, and respect for the vehicle’s historical value.
JH Packman ApS
Nimbusvej 7-9
DK-2670 Greve
Denmark
Tel.: +45 4373 5555
Email: info@jhpackman.dk
VAT: DK12673108
© 2025 JH Packman
