BD 175

1956 Ardie BD 175 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Engineered by Ardie for the sport motorcycle segment, the 1956 Ardie BD 175 utilizes a 172 cc (10.5 cu in) air-cooled single cylinder, two-stroke layout. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 9 HP (6.6 kW) at 5,600 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through chain final drive. With a specific output of 52.3 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the BD 175 measures 108 kg (238 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.08 HP/kg (12 kg per horsepower).

Within MotoLibrary's Ardie archive, this model family spans 5 indexed model years from 1953 to 1957, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.