This page lists brands for which we currently have only an historical precis.
For a more complete listing visit the Czech Index.
Aero Sidecars
Manufactured by Aero, an aircraft factory in Vysočany, in the late 1920s.
Most of the Aero sidecars were fitted on the left as before WWII Czech roads were navigated on the left side.
Böhmerland offered Aero sidecars in their catalogues. The standard Aero had wire wheels, but Albin Liebisch fitted them with cast wheels, and later with disc wheels.
Jan Anderle of Dalnik fame was an engineer with Aero.
Source: South-Bohemian MC Museum
AHRA
Established in Hradec Kralové by father and son team Vaclav and Karel Rathouski.
In the 1960s they produced a number of 50cc and 125cc road-racing machines. These continued into the 1970s, joined at times by 250cc models and a 175cc triple. In 2010, the firm announced a 5-valve supermono with 6-speed gearbox.
The marque has had many successes including a 5th place in the 1971 50cc Constructors World Championship.
Sources: cold-war-racers.com, motorkari.cz, ahra.cz, et al.
Avion
Sidecars built by Václav Keller in Prague from 1933. Sidecar Club Praha
Avon
Marketed by Augustin Vondrich, Prague-Karlín, Vinohradská tr.9, a bicycle dealer, this was a rebranded Premier 98cc Sachs.
Source: South-Bohemian MC Museum, et al.
AZA
Manufactured 1924 to 1926.
"Lightweight machines with 147cc engines. The same Prague factory also built the big 996cc JAP-engine MC V-twins."
Source: Tragatsch p.81
Babetta 1970-1999
Barry
Manufactured by the brothers Bardas in Moravia, 1932-1939
Friedrich Drkosch designed racing motorcycles with 247cc engines, and also the 98cc two-stroke "Barry Volksmotorrad".
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Bekamo (CZ)
The Czech branch of the German firm used the Westendarp & Pieper TX machines as the basis for their 129 cc and 173 cc motorcycles, using German Bekamo engines until 1925 when the engines were built locally. There is a suggestion of the use of frames built by Aeros of Kaaden.
The Bekamo factory in Czechoslovakia was active from about 1923 until 1930.
See also Bekamo of Germany
Sources: GTU Oldtimerservice, et al.
Bezdez
Manufactured in Bezdezem 1923-1926
The Czech factory built auxiliary bicycle engines and light motorcycles with 145cc single-cylinder engines.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Bistella
The "Bistella 500" was a ten-cylinder supercharged two-stroke built in 1953 by Czech engineer Marek Foltis, featuring ten 50cc (Jawa?) cylinders arranged in a twin-ringed radial pattern.
Source: Thomas Lee Lancaster at Motorcycles that are old FB Group.
Blata
Founded by Pavel Blata in Blansko, production began in the 1980s of scooters and minibikes. Blata himself had been a competition rider in off-road and endurance events. The firm remains active and markets 30 to 40cc machines.
Sources: www.blata.cz, wikipedia
Bohmerland 21 2020
Brilant-Alcyon
Built under licence to Alcyon using 98cc engines by the bicycle firm Fuchs & Co of Zuchmantel, only a small number were produced.
Source: Tragatsch p94
BV
Manufactured by Balzer & Vemola, Prostejova 1923-1930
The firm produced almost all components, including engines and gearboxes, in their own factory.
They built a 173 cc two-stroke, along with 346 cc and 496 cc single cylinder four-strokes, and in 1925 an OHC 496cc racing motorcycle, campaigned by Julius Vermola.
Sources: GTU Oldtimerservice, Tragatsch p99
CAS 1921-1924
Caslavia
Manufactured by Bohumil Hudec Velocipedy, Caslav 1902-1903
The Caslavia motorcycles had engines of 1¼hp and 1¾hp. They also built automobiles under the Hudec brand - a small two-seater and a Phaeton with four seats, both powered by De Dion-Bouton engines.
Sources: GTU Oldtimerservice; de.wikipedia.org.
Chorovsky
Sidecars manufactured by Josef Chorovký and sons 1940-41
Source: Sidecar Club Praha
Eisler
Manufactured by Tovarna na Stroje, Eisler & Spol., Morava 1920-1926
Established as a manufacturer of agricultural machinery, production of auxiliary bicycle engines began around 1920. These 148cc two-strokes were used in their motorcycles which had a bright red chassis.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
ERA Sidecars
Manufactured by Eduard Jíra, Prague VIII., Královská tr.
Production included lightweight sidecars suitable for the Jawa 350, and a swinging model (possibly a one-off).
Mesrs. Strommer Uhr rode through Africa on a Praga BD fitted with an ERA sidecar.
Source: South-Bohemian MC Museum
Es-Ka 1931-1941
Favorit Sidecars 1932~1956
FGR
Built by Miroslav Felgra in his workshops at Ústí nad Orlicí
Development began in 2001, and the first of their single-cylinder two-stroke 120cc road racing engines were produced in 2003. This was fitted to their own frame.
Oldřich Kreuz, a former designer with ČZ Strakonic looked after the technical aspects of the project.
Source: motohouse.cz
GH
Built by Gustav Heinz 1924-1925 using 172cc Villiers engines. Heinz was also the creator of the Sirocco and Velamos marques.
Source: Tragatsch p145.
Grizzly
Built in 1925-1932, designed by Joseph Matyas. Models included a 246cc two-stroke, and IOE and OHC 348cc MAG-engined models.
Source: Tragatsch p152
Grus
Sidecars manufactured by V. Grus Kojetín from 1927 to 1930, built mainly for BV motorcycles.
Source: Sidecar Club Praha
Itar 1921-1929
JAC
Manufactured by Tovarna na Motocykly, JA Cvach, Horazdovice 1929-1932
The motorcycle has a unit-construction 498cc engine with cardan shaft drive and a steel frame, and a very low saddle.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Jelinek
Manufactured by Josef Jelinek, Vyroba Motocyklu, Prague 1902-1908
The motorcycles used engines from Orion, Minerva and Fafnir. A Fafnir model is on display at the Museum Burg Kámen.
Jelinek 1904 397cc, 2.5 hp, 60 km/h max speed, 65 kg weight. An example of this machine is exhibited at the National Technical Museum, Prague.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Jessy
Sidecars manufactured by Antonín Perman, Slovanka-Lány, 1921 to 1933.
Source: Sidecar Club Praha
JRM Jawa 1989-2024
Jules
120cc bicycle engines built in 1929-1934, they were also sold complete with Praga bicycles (no relation to Prada motorcycles). They had rudimentary leaf-spring rear suspension.
Source: Tragatsch p181
KBM
Manufactured by Josef Kielar, a locksmith from Brno, in the late 1940s.
Using engines and parts from various suppliers they were assembled in very small numbers of which but a few survive, one of which sports a modified DKW 500 SB engine.
Source: Sidecar Club Praha
Kilear
Built in Brno 1924-1926 using 247cc 3-port two-strokes of their own manufacture.
Source: Tragatsch 184.
Kleva
Manufactured by
Josef Křížek built a single-cylinder 125 road-racer in the mid-1960s which produced 23 hp at 11,000 rpm. This was followed, in the early 1970s, by a 50cc engine of 9 h.p at 11,000 rpm and a 120cc developing 20 h.p. at 12,000 rpm.
Although they were apparently excellent machines designed for youthful road-racers, the project was not smiled upon by the socialist authorities and thus came to naught.
Source: motohouse.cz
Kobras
Sidecars manufactured by Kobras spol.sro, Prague. Initially the firm built car trailers before adding one- and two-wheel motorcycle trailers. The firm produced its first sidecars in 2007.
Models offered are the Sport, Standard and Exclusive.
Source: Sidecar Club Praha
Koch
Built in 1934-1935
When Praga
ceased motorcycle production the chief designer, J.F. Koch established a factory building limited numbers of advanced OHC machines. See also Druzeta.
Source: Tragatsch p185.
N.B. In the 1980s there was a German sidecar manufacturer named Koch.
Kohout 1904-1906
Kuberg
Electric MX, street and junior motorcycles. Introduced at the Munich Motorcycle Show 2012.
Resources: kuberg.com, fb.com/kubergmotorcycles
MAT
Built in 1929-1930
Shaft-drive four-cylinder sidevalve machines built by Bugatti racer Milos Bondy. The engine was a very compact square four but suffered from overheating.
Source: Tragatsch p202, François-Marie Dumas
MB
Built in the Avia factory of Milos Bondy. The 498cc engine, designed by Slechta, had a rotary valve head similar to the Soyer face-cam design. It did not achieve production and was replaced by another Bondy marque, the MAT.
Source: Tragatsch p205.
MBS
Bohumil Staša was a successful Czech road-racer who built and raced his own 125cc and 250cc machines in the 1960s. These did well in Czech competition but were no match for the factory machines he faced in international competition. He later campaigned with the CZ team and achieved 8th place in the 350cc class in 1968 and again in 1969. His racing career spanned the years 1961 to 1973.
Source: motohouse.cz
MC
Built 996cc V-twins designed by Vladimir Guth in 1924-1927.
Source: Tragatsch p205
Merfait
Manufactured by Bedrich Merfait, Prague 1905-1916
Presented the 2hp belt-drive v-twin motorcycle at the 1905 Prague Motor Show,
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Meteor
Built by František Radvan, 1909-1926
Initially they built bicycle attachment engines of 211cc, and these were followed by 3-port two-strokes of 147 and 169cc. After 1924 they built the Radvan using DKW engines. Production ceased in 1926 due to hyperinflation.
Source: Tragatsch p208
Motex Sidecars
Manufactured by Motex, výrobní družstvo, Reckova 6, Praha 11
After the Soviet takeover, many firms were nationalised including that of Tuma Žižkov, producer of the Favorit sidecar. Motex built modified versions in the 1950s for Jawa 250, 350 and 500cc motorcycles.
Source: South-Bohemian MC Museum
Motor Company
Built by Motor Company, Prague
These were the most expensive motorcycles built in the country at the time. They used JAP engines, Sturmey Archer transmissions and Brampton forks. Production figures were low.
Motor Company 1000 (1924) 980cc, 22 hp, 100 km/h max speed, weight 177 kg. An example of this machine is exhibited at the National Technical Museum, Prague.
Nawratil
Manufactured by Emanuel Nawratil, Dombrová 1907-1908
The 3 hp motorcycle ran an evaporative carburettor.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Neco
Built small numbers motorcycles powered by 346 and 490 JAP SV and OHV engines from 1923 to 1927.
Source: Tragatsch p225.
Orlice 1904-1908
Pavlicek
Manufactured by Hynek Pavlicek, Tischnowitz 1909-1913
Using Kohout engines, the firm built motorcycles with a very long wheelbase requiring very long handlebars as the saddle was situated well to the rear.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Peta
Between 1921 and 1924 the firm built small numbers of lightweight motorcycles and scooters using 170cc two-stroke engines.
Source: Tragatsch p248
Polanecky
Manufactured by Zdenek Polanecký, Prague 1913-1915
The small firm produced motorcycles with its own patented engines.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Procházka
Sidecars manufactured by Alois Procházka, Velké Mezirící, offering medium-weight and heavier models.
Source: Sidecar Club Praha
Poustka 1924-1934
P.T.
Manufactured by Laurin & Klement, 1902
Destined for export markets, this was a cheaper version of the L&K motorcycle. It is not clear whether it entered production.
Source: libormarcik.cz
Radvan
Built in 1909-1926
Fitted DKW two-strokes 145 and 174cc. Radvan also built the Meteor.
Source: Tragatsch p258.
Ravo
Vlastimil Rain and Jaroslav Voňka built several 125cc and 250cc road-racing motorcycles in the 1950s and 60s and achieved commendable results in Czech competition. Fero Srna competed for the Czech national championship on the 250 in the mid-1960s, but did not win. Subsequently their designs were taken by Jawa, presumably on order of the communist regime.
Source: motohouse.cz
Rösler & Jauernig 1902-1907
R&K Richter & Kroboth, 1924-1926
Rozehnal
Manufactured by Vladimir Rozehnal, Paskau 1905-1909
The entire motorcycle including the engine was built in the small factory. The engines were vertical singles with an external flywheel and transmission was by belt.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Rulliers
Built in 1924-1929. Fitted with Villiers engines of 147, 172 and 346cc.
Source: Tragatsch p267
"S" Marque Sidecars ca.1929
Sagitta
Built a small number of motorcycles using Villiers 247cc engines betweeen 1928 and 1930
Source: Tragatsch p268
Satan
Schmidt
Manufactured by Adolf Schmidt, Bohemian-Leipa 1901-1902
The second-oldest motorcycle firm in Czechoslovakia, their machines used frames from Dürkopp and Styria fitted with Kelecom engines.
There was also a Schmidt marque in Germany in the 1920s.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
S-Fortis
Built a small number of motorcycles in 1929-1931 fitted with 598cc OHV Sarolea engines.
Source: Tragatsch p272
Sibrava 1920~1925
Sirocco
Built from 1925 to 1928 by Gustav Heinz using Villiers engines of 147cc to 346cc. Heinz also built the Velalmos
Source: Tragatsch p274.
SKO
Frantisek Skopec built a 498cc two-stroke 3-port single in limited numbers, 1924-1926.
Source: Tragatsch p274.
Stefania
Manufactured by Möldner & Skreta, Liberec 1903-1904
The Czech bicycle factory briefly built motorcycles with 305cc engines.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
SRK
Stanislav and Rudolf Kubicek from Ceské Budejovice built a single example of a two-stroke motorcycle. It is worthy of mention because of the interesting tale with which it is involved.
Source: South-Bohemian MC Museum
Sumava
Built by Jaroslav Pichner, Klatovy, Šumava, 1938
The small firm produced a lightweight pedal-assisted 98cc Sachs machine.
As the machines were very similar to the Tripol of 1938 built in nearby Rokycany, it is likely that the two firms co-operated. Both were bicycle manufacturers.
Sources: South-Bohemian MC Museum, http://historickakolapisek.cz.
Tachecí
Sidecars manufactured by Ing. Tachecí of Prague, 1928 to 1930.
Two hundred of these were built in several styles including a taxi version for an adult with one child.
Source: Sidecar Club Praha
TAP
Manufactured by Adolf Tlustoš of Prague, 1930s
"Adolf Tlustoš was not only an exceptionally good craftsman, but he was also well aware of the effects of advertising, so he advertised his sidecars quite intensively."
Source: South-Bohemian MC Museum
Tlustoš
Sidecars built by Adolf Tlustoš after the Second World War. These featured a sprung wheel and were usually fitted to war-surplus Harley-Davidsons. They resembled the TAP Liliput and Tuma sidecars of the period.
Source: Sidecar Club Praha
Torpedo 1903-1912
Torpédo
Sidecars manufactured by the FJ Sviták factory from 1931. Established in 1922, in the thirties they also produced a range of accessoriess including tandem saddles, reflectors, horns and radiators.
Source: Sidecar Club Praha
Tragatsch 1946-1949
Tripol
Built by Tripol Fahrradfabrik GmbH., Rokycan (near Pilsen), 1925~1938
The small firm produced motorcycles with 246 cc Villiers engines, and in 1938 marketed a pedal-assisted 2-speed 98cc Sachs machine.
Sources: South-Bohemian MC Museum, Tragatsch p284.
Tripolino
Designed and built by Alois Wolf in 1950, the Tripolino three-wheeler had a single rear wheel powered by a 350cc air-cooled Jawa twin.
A two-seater with quite sleak bodywork, the rear section could be raised to allow access to the engine compartment. It is likely that only a single prototype was built, and this is believed to still exist.
Source: Autopasion18.com
Vechet
Manufactured by Vojmir Vechet, Nymburk 1906-1908
The majority of the motorcycles produced by the factory were sidecar combinations with engines which were most likely from Laurin & Klement.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Velamos 1927-1930
Velox
Built in 1923-1926 by motorcycle racer Hynek Vohanka using 147cc Villiers and 123 and 174cc Bekamo engines.
Source: Tragatsch p291.
N.B. A Velox automobile was built in Prague 1906 to 1910.
VM Motor 2004-2009
VOA
Sidecars manufactured by Vilém Hyánek Auto-moto workshop in Litovel, 1930.
Four models wee available, A, B, C (sports, aluminium body) and D, a tradesman's outfit.
Source: Sidecar Club Praha
Vulcan (Vulkan) 1904-1907
Wacek
Manufactured by Augustin Wacek, Pecha 1908-1914
The small firm marketed modified rebadged Orlice motorcycles.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Wagner
Built in 1930-1935, these were fitted with sidevalve, ohv, ohc and two-stroke engines of 98 to 499cc. It appears that none survived the ravages of war, but there is documentary evidence of their existence.
Source: Tragatsch p294.
N.B. There was also a Wagner of Minnesota.
Weber & Reichmann
Manufactured by Weber & Reichmann, Maschinen- und Kettenfabrik, Warnsdorf (1923-1926)
Built 142cc and 172 cc two-stroke motorcycles with pressed metal frames under DKW licence.
Source: Tragatsch p295
Yuki
Established in 2006 the marque produces motorcycles using 50cc, 125cc and 250cc engines.
Source: en.yuki-club.net
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