Orbea Motorcycles

Orbea Velosolex c.1955

Orbea 1957 Mosquito

Orbea Velosolex 1957

Established in Eibar by the brothers Juan Manuel, Mateo, Casimiro and Petra Orbea Murua in 1840, the famed and progressive small-arms firm split up in 1926, with one part going on to produce bicycles and motorcycles.

In 1935 they agreed to manufacture motorcycles for the Simó firm, which were to be produced in 250cc and 500cc versions. This venture came to naught.

A document on the orbea.com site reads

"Orbea’s thirst for innovation led to investment in new sectors that were all the rage in other parts of the world. In 1944, it took its first steps in the automotive industry with Electrociclos S.A., releasing an electric motorcycle and two carrier tricycles with the box at the front."

See Electrociclo.

Orbea began production of Velosolex cyclemotors under licence in the 1950s, in addition to the bicycles they had been building for some time. They also built cyclomoteurs with Mosquito engines, and used the Iresa 48cc and 53cc engines.

In the late 1960s the firm experienced severe financial difficulties. The factory workers formed a consortium and bought the company, which today is thriving.

Sources: OTTW, orbea.com, bergara.eus.

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