German Motorrad

Today in Motorcycle History

MW Motorcycles (Germany)

A Brief History of the Marque

Manufactured by Motorenwerke Paul Paffrath, Altenburg-Nobitz, Leipzig, 1923 to 1926

Designed by Paul Paffrath, an unorthodox design with a frame part of which was cast from light alloy and part made from pressed steel, welded and riveted. First version had a 249cc ohv single cylinder engine and 3 speed box. The second type, Model 24 L, had a 144cc two-stroke tandem twin of own design and manufacture. Both machines had rear suspension. The economic disaster in Germany caused production to cease in 1926.

After WWII, Paffrath, from East Germany, moved to West Germany and produced from 1949 to 1953 a bicycle attachment engine named the Eilenriede.

See also Paffrath

Sources: Tragatsch p223

N.B. MW Kleinwagen built light cars 1982-1988.


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