Vintage German Motorcycles
Classic Motorcycles AT
BMW Museum, Munich
This page lists brands beginning with the letter "R" for which we currently have only an historical precis.
For a more complete listing visit the German Index.
Raakete c.1919
Rapier
Manufactured in 1953 and 1954 by Rapier Fahrradfabrik, Märkische Straße 23, Bielefeld. Initially they offered kits into which appropriate engines from JLO, Sachs and Zundapp could be installed, and also produced complete mopeds.
Sources: Moped Archive, GTU Oldtimerservice
Ratingia
Raumo
Richard Rauscher of Ludwigshafen built Raumo mopeds from 1953 to 1956. Four models were built using 48/49cc Sachs, JLO and Zundapp engines
Ludwigshafen is on the Rhine between Frankfurt and Strasbourg.
Source: mo-ped.se, et al.
Record
1922-24
Built basic machines using two-stroke 147cc engines of their own construction. The engine was mounted high in the triangle of a strengthened bicycle frame, with belt drive to the rear wheel.
Source: Tragatsch p259, motor-hist-foto.de.
Reform
The Reform-Motorrad of 1930 is very similar to the Fels of 1931 and the 1930 Presto Ballon.
Source: oldsachsmotor.de
Rehling
Founded by Carl Rehling of Bielefeld in 1919, the company changed ownership but not the name and produced 247cc motorcycles in 1924 and 1925.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Rennsteig 1925-30
Rex of Behringersdorf
Rex Kraftfahrzeug GmbH, Behringersdorf near Nuremberg. 1923 - 1925
The company produced a small number of two-stroke motorcycles. At least one remains, and has chain drive to the gearbox and belt-drive to the rear wheel, which has a rim brake. No front brake.
Source: meisterdinger.de
N.B. Several firms used the Rex brand.
Ribi
Manufactured by Binnewies & Sprecher, Berlin 1923-1925
These were quality machines of 200 and 250cc which took advantage of the tax and licence-free laws then in effect. They had kickstarter, clutch and a two-speed gearbox.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Rinne
Rinne-Motorengesellschaft mbH of Berlin, 1925-1930, was primarily an engine manufacturer of air-cooled and water-cooled two-strokes of 124, 173 and 247cc which they supplied to other motorcycle firms including Bücker, Lesshafft, Leto, Wecoob, Slevogt and Schlimme. They also built complete motorcycles designed and raced by Max Hucke, the last of which was produced in 1928.
The 131cc engine was air-cooled and horizontal, and was mounted in a very elegant loop frame with a cylindrical tank.
The 8545[1] site reports that they built Lastendreiräder (cargo tricycles) in 1923.
N.B. Possibly related to Flugzeugwerke Albert Rinne.
Sources:
1. Automobilia 85-45
2. GTU Oldtimerservice
Rinnerberger 1927-1929
Riwina
Manufactured by the Ridder Brothers of Bielefeld, 1923-1924
Herford König supplied 233cc engines for these machines.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Robako
1924-26
Berlin firm which fitted Bekamo 129cc and MGF 132cc engines to lightweights.
Source: Tragatsch p272
Roco
Manufactured by Roco Motorfahrzeuge AG, Berlin-Charlottenburg, 1922-1925
These were robust machines powered by horizontal two-strokes of 110 and 147cc with Bosch magneto ignition. The engines were possibly supplied by Cockerell.
Motorcycle racer Johannes Rössig was associated with the company, along with brothers Hermann and Heinrich Rossner. Rössig went on to form Roconova
Sources: GTU Oldtimerservice, wikipedia.nl, Tragatsch p262
Roeder
Manufactured by Roeder & Co., Hanover, 1906-1914
Known as Auto-Phaetons, these were effectively two heavy bicycles running side by side with an engine in one and a seat or carrier in the centre, driving via a chain.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
Roland
Manufactured by Hugo Marschin in Berlin, 1923-1924.
These were light motorcycles with 132cc Bekamo and 175cc DKW engines.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
N.B. Roland of Dessau, automobile manufacturer 1924-26, is unrelated.
Rolifix
Manufactured by Alfons Lipp, Frankfurt / Main, Freiherrvom-Stein-Strasse 11, 1956-1958
Introduced in 1956 as the Blitz 57, it was renamed to Rolifix in 1957. Powered by a 47 cc Sachs engine, it had good handling characteristics, brakes on all three wheels, and a payload of 250kg.
Source: Axel Oskar Mathieu Archive
Rollfix 1923-1936
Roter Teufel
1923-25
Bismarck Motoren GmbH, Berlin-Charlottenburg, Bismarckstraße 102
Berlin firm which fitted their own 170cc four-stroke sidevalve engines to light motorcycles.
Source: Tragatsch p263
RS
Two different German companies built motorcycles under the RS marque concurrently.
Rogge & Stiller of Berlin built two-stroke engines 1924-1925
Scheid-Henniger of Karlsruhe built RS motorcycles 1925-1928. These were also marketed under the SH brand.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice, Tragatsch p272.
RUD
1927-30
Dresden firm which built handsome roadsters using Kuhne, MAG and JAP engines of 348cc to 748cc.
Source: Tragatsch p265
Ruppe 1928-1932
RUT
August Gernet, Motorfahrzeugbau, Nürnberg
Built motorcycles with an external flywheel 132cc two-stroke engine.
Source: meisterdinger.de
Runge 1923-1926
Ruwisch
Karl Ruwisch of Cologne built a light scooter powered by a Victoria 32cc two-stroke mounted above the front wheel, 1949-1959(1).
Notes: 1. Dates vary with some sources giving first production as early as 1947, which would make it Germany's first post-war scooter. Tragatsch gives 1948-49, Wikipedia NL 1948-59.
Source: GTU Oldtimerservice
RWN 1927-1930
Rarer German Marques
