Germany's Motorcycle Industry

Written and compiled by Olbert Antal Cand. Ingenieur

Automobil Motorsport (Hungary), September 15th 1928.

The development of the German motorcycle industry only started after the World War. This was the reason that in the first years after the war, only English machines were imported to Hungary, which were years ahead of those manufactured on all other continents. The German motorcycle industry had a very difficult start after the war. Operating costs were too high and motorcycles were initially only accessible to the privileged classes. As conditions improved, German motorcycle factories mushroomed, reaching two hundred in number in 1925. At that time, the Great Depression came and most of the factories in the capital were forced to close their doors. Approximately 80-90 factories remained, but only 66 of these can be taken into account today, because the rest put their products on the market in such small numbers that they are not even worth considering.

In Germany, the situation is quite different from ours in Hungary. In Hungary, if a factory is established, the public does not support it because it has the false perception that Hungarian production cannot be good because the factory does not have enough experience and cannot compete with the large English, French and American factories. Since the public does not support the factory, it is forced to find in one or two pieces what it should be able to find in 10-15 machines. That is why Hungarian production is expensive. (The Méray factory is an exception in this respect, because it is well known that it already brings its machines to the market in such large series that prices can be reduced to a minimum and they can compete with foreign production in everything.) In Germany, the situation is exactly the opposite. The chauvinistic German primarily supports his own factory, thinking that the more machines he brings to the table, the greater his experience will be and the better his products will be. Machines made in Germany have a special characteristic.

First of all, there are many motorcycles under 200 cubic centimeters. The advantage of these types is that they are exempt from tax and driver's license. These types have had a cheap belt drive for a long time and have only recently switched to a chain drive. The cardan drive was first used by Allright K. G. Today it is very widespread and has been adopted by the largest factory, the German BMW. The cardan drive has already proven itself excellently not only for large but also for machines with small cylinder capacities. Among the German factories, 23 foreign engines are currently installed in their frames, the rest work with their own engines. Of course, the English JAP and Blackburne, as well as the Swiss MAG, lead among the foreign engines, but there are also many Villiers, DKW, Kühne. Columbus, DKW and the K motors.

In the last two years, pressed sheet frames have begun to spread. Among these factories, the Neander factory is in first place, because it not only produces pressed steel frames. but also uses duralumin for small-capacity machines. Neander is the first factory that deviated from the ordinary motorcycle saddle and builds its much more sturdy 'leaf spring' saddles on the model of the horse saddle. Among the German factories in Hungary today, BMW, DKW, NSU, Zündapp, Windhoff, Ardie, D-RAD, HOREX, Wanderer and Victoria are represented, although other excellent products such as Arco, Ermag, Ernst-MAG, Iimperial-MAG, Mabeco, Neander, Schiüttoff, Standard-MAG and TX definitely deserve to be represented. Below we list all German motorcycle manufacturers along with their main types, and for comparison we also include the prices of each machine in marks. (1000 marks corresponds to 1333 Hungarian pengs.) Of course, these prices are not for Budapest, as shipping, customs, taxes, packaging, etc. must be added to them.

ADRIA. Motorradfabrik P. Mühlbach, Kamenz i/Sa
175 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, 3 speed
326 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed

ALBA. Möhringer Prdzisionswerk GmbH, Möhringen bei
175 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 2 speed
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 2 speed

ALGE. Motor u. Fahrzeugwerke. A. Geissler, Knautheim
123 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed
250 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine,
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine,

ANDREES. H. W. Andrees, Düsseldorf.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine,
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 2 versions.
750 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine,

ARCO. Arco Motorenwerke, Speyer a. Rhein.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3

ARDIE. Ardie Werke A. G. Nürnberg.
500 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed
750 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed

AUTINAG. Paul Linke, Motorenbau, Düsseldorf.
123 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 2 speed

ATLANTIS. Motor und Fahrzeug Werk Paul Artur Kreuzer Kiel.
344 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed chain drive 985. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, 3 speed, chain drive 1295. - M
750 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1495. - M
1000 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1650. - M

BAIER. Baierwerk GmbH. Berlin.
500 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1175. - M

BMW. Bayerische Motorenwerke A. G., München.
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed, cardan drive, 2 cylinders 1510. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, cardan drive, 2 cylinders 1850. - M
750 ocm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed, cardan drive, 2 cylinders 1850. - M

CAMBRA. Dr. Carl M. Brandt GmbH., Berlin S. H.
195 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 695. - M

CURWY. Curt Szymanski, Sommerfeld Bez. Frankfurt a. O.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 1050. - M

DIAMANT. Elité Diamant Werke A G., Siegmar i/Sa.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, Kühne, 3 speed, chain drive 1275. - M

DIAG. Diag GmbH. Motorenbau. Leipzig.
175 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 875. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, Kühne, 3 speed, chain drive 1150. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, Kühne, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1275. - M

DKW. Zschopauer Motorenwerke, Zschopau i/Sa.
200 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 2 speed, belt drive 750. - M
250 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 886. - M
300 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 960. - M
500 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1275. - M

D-RAD. Deutsche Industrie Werke, Spandau.
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 1190. - M

EBER. Kraftfahrzeuge, Ebersbach i/Sa.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, 3 speed, chain drive 1150. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, 3 sebe sség, chain drive 1275. - M

ED. Eberwein & Diener GmbH., Tuttlingen i. W.
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 935. - M
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 2 speed, chain drive, water cooling 995. - M
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 2 speed, chain drive, water cooling 1110. - M

EBS. Ernst Bauermeister & Söne, Berlin - Baumschulenw. lenw.

400 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 997. - M

400 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive, 3 wheels 1350. - M

ERMAG. Erlanger Motoren A. G., Ertangen.
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive, sport 1150. - M
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive, competition 1450. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed, chain drive, touring 1150. - M

ERNST-MAG. Schlesische Motorbau A. G., Breslau, 6.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG ioe, 3 speed, chain drive 1450. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, loe, 3 speed, chain drive 1385. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1450. - M
600 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, ioe, 3 speed, chain drive 1495. - M
750 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, ioe, 3 speed, chain drive 1695. - M
1000 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, ioe,3 speed, chain drive 1800. - M

FLOTTWEG. Ottó Werke GmbH., München.
183 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 985. - M

FORTUNA. Kraftfahrzeuge GmbH., Nürnberg Doos.
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed, chain drive 680. - M
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 750. - M

GRUHN. Gruhn Richárd, Berlin - Steglitz.
184 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, direct belt drive 575. - M
184 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 2 speed, cardan drive 800. - M

HANSA. Hansa Prázisimswerk A. G., Bielefeld.
200 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 2 speed, chain drive 850. - M

HECKER. Fahrzeugfabrik Hans Hecker, Nürnberg.
300 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 950. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 1190. - M
750 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1450. - M

HOREX. Horex Fahrzeugbau A. G., Bad Homburg.
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed 900. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed : 1290. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, 1850. - M
600 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed 1390. - M
600 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed 1540. - M

HULLA. Hulla Werke Hagen Bez., Bremen.
200 ccm, 2 stroke, DKW, 3 speed, chain drive 780. - M
250 ccm, 2 stroke, DKW, 3 speed, chain drive 900. - M
300 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 103Ó. - M

IMPERIA Imperia Fahrzeugwerke GmbH., Godesberg.
500 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, 3 speed, chain drive 1425. - M
600 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, ioe, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1620. - M
750 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, ioe, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1550. - M
1000 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, ioe, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1620. - M

HIEKEL. Hiekel Motorfahrzeugfabrik, Leipzig.
350 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 1150. - M

K. G. Paul Henkel Kraftafhrzeugbau, Mabendorf, Suhl.
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 1450. - M

K. S. B. KSB. Fahrradbau Kurt Schieback, Bautzen.
300 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 1000. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, 3 speed, chain drive 1074. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 1100. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1495. - M

LEOPARD. Leopard Fahrzeuge, Magdeburg - Neustadt.
250 ccm, 4 stroke, Columbus, 3 speed, chain drive 960. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, Columbus, 3 speed, chain drive 1250. - M

LUTRAU. Ludwig Traunspurger GmbH.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 1030. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 1130. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1250. - M

M. A. Johann & Kari Müller, Nürnberg-Doos.
955 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 1400. - M
955 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 1620. - M

MABECO. Mabeco Werke GmbH., Berlin No. 55.
749 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 1400. - M
749 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 2100. - M

MAMMUT. Mammut Werke Bemer & Co., Nürnberg.
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, belt drive 830. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, belt drive 1050. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, belt drive 1140. - M
600 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed, belt drive 1380. - M

MAURER. Automobilfabrik L .Maurer, Nürnberg.
250 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 2 speed, belt drive, water cooling 900. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 1300. - M

M. F. Z MFZ. Molorfahrzeugfabr. GmbH., Berlin Cöpinek.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 965. - M

M. G. F. Mühlbaver fi- Co., Berlin Friedenau.
122 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 2 speed, belt drive, compressor 650. - M
175 ccm, 2 stroke, T. X.. 3 speed, chain drive, compressor 695. - M

NEANDER Neander Motor fnhrzeua GmbH.. Düren Uölsdorf.
122 ccm, 2 stroke, Villiers, 2 speed, belt drive 900. - M
175 ccm, 2 stroke, Villiers, 3 speed, chain drive 1000. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, 3 speed, chain drive 1400. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG. OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1450. - M
750 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, SV, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1500. - M
1000 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG. SV, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1550. - M

NESTORIA. Bisrhoff fi Pedáll. Nürnberg 23.
350 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 2 speed, belt drive 950. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, 3 speed, chain drive 1250. - M

N. S. H NSH Motorradbau, Herschfeld.
250 ccm, 2 stroke, Villiers, 3 speed, chain drive 965. - M
350 ccm, 2 stroke Villiers, 3 speed, chain drive 1040. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 1175. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 1480. - M

N. S. U. NSU Vereinigte Fahrzeugwerke A. G., Neckar sulm.
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, ioe, 3 speed, belt drive 975. - M
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1100. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed, chain drive 1225. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, ioe, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1225. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, ioe, sport, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1250. - M
1000 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, ioe, touring, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1500. - M

PHANTOM. Phantom Motorenfabrik Berlin-Neuköln.
182 ccm, 4 stroke, Phantom engine, 3 speed, belt drive 695. - M
175 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 875. - M
300 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 995. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 1095. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 1275. - M

R. M. W. RMW. Motorradwerke GmbH. Neheim, Ruhr.
150 ccm, 2 stroke, RMW engine, 3 speed, belt drive 735. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, ioe, 3 speed, chain drive 1250. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1350. - M
600 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, ioe, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1400. - M

RENNER. Renner & Poppe GmbH., Dresden A.
550 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 1325. - M
680 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1650. - M
1000 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1850. - M

RENNSTEIG. Rennsteig Motorradwerk, Hermann Schil ing, Suhl.
250 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, 3 speed, chain drive 945. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, 3 speed, chain drive 1090. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1285. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, SV, 3 speed, chain drive 1250. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1445. - M

SCHLIHA. Schlüpmannsche Industrie und Handelsgesellschaft, Berlin - Niederschönewei.
150 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive, kompresszor 750. - M

SCHÜTTOFF. Schüttoff A. G., Chemitz i/Sa.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 1290. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1435. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed, chain drive 1395. - M

S. u. G. Maschinenfabrik Scharrer & Gross, Nürnberg.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed, chain drive 1150. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1375. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, SV, 3 speed, chain drive 1230. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, lánchajitás 1460. - M

SPIEGLER. Gebrüder Spiegler, Aalen, Württemberg.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1140. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1140. - M

STANDARD. Standard Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH., Ludwigsburg.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, ioe, 3 speed, chain drive 1325. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, ioe, 3 speed, chain drive 1375. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1425. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, OHV, competition, 3 speed, chain drive 1750. - M
750 ccm, 4 stroke, MAG, ioe, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1650. - M

STOCK. Stock Motorrad A. G., Berlin S. O. 16.
119 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, direct belt drive 385. - M

T. A. S. Fahrradwer A. G., Saarbrücken.
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 1300. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1525 - M

TORNAX. Tornax Motorfahrzeug Fabrik, Barmen hangerfeld.
550 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive - 1325. - M
600 ccm, 4 ültem, JAP, 3 speed, chain drive 1475. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1550. - M

T. X. Waldemar Hauman Motorenbau, Berlin, W. 35.
175 ccm, 2 stroke, T. X., 2 speed, belt drive 650. - M

UNI-RAD. Uni-Rad Verkaufsgesellschaft GmbH., Dresden A. [1]
250 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, belt drive 1050. - M

U. T. Bergmüller & Co. Vaihingen a F., Stuttgart.
250 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 890. - M
250 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, sport, 3 speed, chain drive 980. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1300. - M
550 ccm, 4 stroke, JAP, SV, 3 speed, chain drive 1450. - M

VICTORIA. Victoria Werke. A. G., Nürnberg.
350 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1018. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1484. - M
600 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1596. - M
600 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1795. - M

WANDERER. Wanderer Werke A. G., Schönau b. Chemnitz.
200 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 2 speed, chain drive 950. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive - M
750 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1650. - M
750 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive, 2 cylinders 1945. - M

WIMMER. Motorenfabrik Wimmer, Sulzbach a. Inn.
175 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHV, 2 speed, belt drive 836. - M

WINDHOFF. Hans Windhoff Motorenbau, Berlin - Johannistahl.
122 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive, water cooling 800. - M
175 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive, water cooling 900. - M
750 ccm, 4 stroke, own engine, OHC, 3 speed, cardan drive, oil-cooled 1750. - M

WÜRTTEMBERGIA. Württembergia A. G. Motorradwerk. Velten b. Berlin.
175 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, 3 speed, chain drive 800. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, SV, 3 speed, chain drive 990. - M
350 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1060. - M
500 ccm, 4 stroke, Blackburne, OHV, 3 speed, chain drive 1190. - M

ZÜNDAPP. Zündapp Werke GmbH., Nürnberg.
200 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 800. - M
250 ccm, 2 stroke, own engine, 3 speed, chain drive 860. - M