Bismarck Motorcycles

A Brief History of the Marque
Manufactured: 1904~1957 (3 periods)

Between 1904 and 1908 Bismarck made large V-Twins with engines from Zedel. Data on this first phase of motorcycle production is scant - a German museum devoted to the marque awards a single sentence to motorcycles of this period which reads, in essence, "At the beginning of the 20th century, Bismarckwerke began developing motorcycles. As there were no engine manufacturers in Germany at that time contracts were signed with a Swiss and a French engine factory, and the first motorcycles were manufactured on a small scale."

Zedel had plants in both France and Switzerland at the time.

They ceased manufacture of motorcycles in 1908, resuming in 1931 with motorized bicycles of 75cc & 98cc from JLO and Sachs. After WWII they produced two-strokes of 98cc to 175cc with Sachs and ILO engines in a frame designed by Emil Fischer, and also built mopeds and bicycles.

The company filed for bankruptcy in 1957 and production ceased.

In 1956 Bismarck mopeds were also produced under licence in Slagelse, Denmark.

Sources: GTU Oldtimerservice, Tragatsch, ig-bismarck.de, bismarck-zweiraeder.de, et al.

NB. It is written elsewhere (as of Jan 2022) that 1904-1908 models were fitted with Minerva, Anzani and Fafnir engines of up to 1300cc. This appears to be incorrect, as two German sites devoted to Bismarck state that only Zedel engines were used in that period.

Sat Mar 02 2013
yocool-84<at>yahoo.com
Bismarck 1952
Germany 150cc, twostroke engine
Hi, I am Johannes Kurniawan, I come from east java, Indonesia. I found Bismarck motorcycle made in 1952 Germany. As long as i know this motorcycle is still one item only at Indonesia with special condition, It's about 95% original painted and spareparts. There are only three items which are not original: stop lamp, cover chain drive, and rubber tank. Beside that, I also have the police paper as you can see in the picture. if you want to share about this motorcycle you can call me at +6281703335054/+6281913115444
Indonesia

Bismarck-1952-150cc-Java-1.jpg

Mon Feb 27 2012
wcohill001<at>yahoo.com
decals
1949 Bismarck Bismarck LM98
I am looking for information on where to purchase the decals used on this moped. Any help
USA

Fri Sep 09 2011
quadrosarun<at>yahoo dot com
bismarck engine needed
1937 probably 98cc
found one chassis of bismarck would like to know if engine n other spares available
India

Mon Jan 07 2008
mick at solannmick.org
Bismarck
Bismarck, Post WW2, 98cc
Spotted hung up in a bike hire shop in Formentera,Spain
Essex UK

Sun Sep 09 2007
eduardo.rodrigues71 at gmail dot com
BISMARCK MOTORCYCLE
Hi, I'm Eduardo Rodrigues and i'm writing from brazil to say you taht i have a Bismarck Motorcycle. I bought in this year of germany that lives in Brazil...would you like receive a picture to add in you gallery?
Brasil
.......
I'll be reforming to have it much better. You can publish this picture in your web site. If you knew some about it (documents that can help me with reform), please send me...if you have also some site with Old motorcycle information please let me know...

Show/Hide Comments