A Brief History of the Marque
Cyklon Maschinenfabrik m.b.H. Berlin built motorcycles, tricycles and automobiles.
The company was founded by Paul Schauer and was best known for its Cyklonette tricycle model, introduced at the Leipzig Motor Show in 1902. The Cyklonette was imported to the UK by New Era Motor Co of London, who also imported the Phenomobile tricar. During the same period Schauer built the Progress motorcycle.
From 1901 to 1905 Cyklon built motorcycles in the manner of the French Werner models. The strengthened bicycle frame mounted a 1.5 h.p. engine on the front forks, driving the front wheel via a belt.
Designed by engineers Franz Louis Hüttel and Svetescu, production of the Cyklonette tri-car began in 1902. Initially powered by a 3½ h.p. single cylinder 450cc engine, a 1290cc twin-cylinder model was introduced in 1907 for the four-seater models. The last of the single-cylinder Cyklonettes left the factory in 1923, and the twin was discontinued in 1927.
For some years they produced automobile chassis for Schebera. In 1927 they began producing their own cars with the Dixi concern handling sales; Dixi company was purchased by BMW in 1929, and as the international financial crisis took hold sales plummeted and production ended 1931.
N.B. This page earlier stated that it was possible that some later Cyclon machines had four cylinders. That is not correct - however, the very similar Phanomonen fitted 1536cc 4-cyl. engines on some models built in 1912 and later.
Sources: GTU Oldtimerservice, motor-car.net, wikipedia.de, phanomobil.co.uk.
17-Dec-23
sorensenclan at bigpond dot com
I am in Australia and own a 1907 Cyklonette. I do not have a gearbox for it and am seeking help in making contact with some one that may be able to help me.
Thanks, Ron Sorensen
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