A Brief History of the Marque
Wanderer-Werke, Winklhofer & Jaenicke AG
A manufacturer of bicycles since 1892, the Chemnitz factory began motorcycle production in 1902. Between 1902 and 1929* they built their own single cylinder and V-twin engines. Wanderer machines were of advanced design boasting unit construction engines and front and rear suspension as early as 1915, at which time they were supplied to the German army - Wanderer supplied almost half of all machines used by the German forces during the Great War, and by 1918 had built over 10,000 motorcycles and had begun to build automobiles.
By 1924, chain drive unit construction V-twins were available.
The company also produced typewriters, calculators and bicycles, and during the 1920s had as many as 6000 employees.
In the 1920s book From Leipzig To Cabul , German author Stratil-Sauer writes of riding a V-twin Wanderer motorcycle to Afghanistan.
In 1929 the Wanderer K500 design was licensed to Czech manufacturer Janeček who also bought the production tooling, resulting in the Jawa marque.[1]
Wanderer motorcycles with 98cc Sachs engines were produced in Germany in the 1930s and 40s, and post-war until around 1958.
Wanderer Models
Wanderer Models 1930 to 1945:
Stanley Show 1910
The Service Co., Ltd.
London. Stand No. 84.
On this stand will be shown the latest models of the now well-known Wanderer machines. They will be made as last year in the 1 1/4 H.P. single-cylinder lightweights, and the 3 H.P. twin types. Wanderer machines have a number of special features, including patent carburetter, tapless oil pump, etc. The prices of the machines are the same as last year, namely, 34 guineas for the 1 1/4 H.P.., and 42 guineas for the twin.
Notes
1. Wikipedia writes that the motorcycle section of Wanderer was sold to František Janeček by Dresdner Bank. Another source indicates that this took place in 1931.
2. There are differences of opinion on the dates on the 700/750cc 2 and 4 valve models.
The Chemnitz Museum had an exhibition devoted to Wanderer which ran from May to November 2014, "Herr Janecek und die Wanderer"
Sources: Graces Guide, moto-collection.org, audi.com, altes-chemnitz.de, et al.
Paul Andreas Lang identified it as a 2½ PS 327 cc side valve single. Yesterdays has a 1920 machine which appears identical, and this model was first produced in 1919.
Tue, 14 Nov 2017
Hmeyer1940 at aol.com
Wanderer
As a young boy I rode many times as a passenger with my Father. All I know about the Motorcycle is that he had it when he married my Mother in 1930. In all the Photos I have seen so far I have not seen a Model with a one Cylinder horizontal Engine. If you have any info on this Model Wanderer Motorcycle, I would like to know what model year it was and any other info you might have. Thanking you in advance, I remain, yours Sincerely Hermann Meyer
Hermann Meyer
Milton, Kansas USA
Fri Jul 17 2015
robertdkw at btinternet.com
Motorcycle
Wanderer 1sp
I have just acquired this 1936 model and would like to know what petrol to oil ratio is correct mixture to run it on. Where can I get spare parts, and any further information from?
Spalding. UK
Mon Feb 02 2015
paul.witham at nike.com<
Wanderer 1939
Hi, I have just acquired this bike and am looking to track down and operating and maintenance manual
Amsterdam
Fri Feb 20 2015
jan.gor at btinternet.com
wanderer 2-cyl. 408cc?
help required please, to identify & date this motorcycle, V twin IOE valvegear, I know the g/box is a later addition. engine no 11181, fr no237516. best regards, Gordon
london
English
Mon Apr 15 2013
mark.seagrave<at>yahoo.co.uk
fuel oil mix
wanderer 1938 sachs 98ccm
please can you give me the oil to fuel ratio for this machine please.
regards mark.
england
Tue Oct 04 2011
fodeneka<at>ntlworld.com
ignition coil
wanderer 11 as 36/38 11 as 38
i need a ignition coil can you help
northampton
Sat Nov 27 2010
aguerrini78<at>libero.it
informazioni
wanderer 1
Sono in possesso della seguente moto, avete della documentazione da
mandarmi? Anche le scede tecniche. Ringrazio anticipatamente
romanengo
Italian
Thu Apr 15 2010
ron.adi9<at>gmail dot com
Wanderer Wreke bike
Hello,
I found your information while searching the web for information about
the "Wanderer" make (I found very Little information).
I understand that you are an expert of old motorcycle, so maybe you
can help us with an old bike that my friend grandfather have.
It is "Wanderer Wreke" motorcycle, we don't know the model and year.
It was standing is his storage for many many years and was found just
recently.
Please see attached pictures may be you can help us to identify it?
We appreciate your help,
Adi Ron
Images are too small for reproduction.
Do you have larger versions? Ed.
Tue Jan 13 2009
adik33 at gmail dot com
Wanderer Book
Just a quick question. I have no idea about motorcycles, but I would
like to get a gift for a person in the form of a book about the Wanderer
motorcycles. I have been looking a little bit online, but have not found
anything interesting. It would be great if the book could have a lot of
good illustrations inside with of course significant information. Could
you guide me in the right direction maybe? It would be best if the book
was available in the USA. Thank you for all your help.
FL
Thu Jun 21 2007
rhdmgman at hotmail dot com
Wanderer Motorcycle
1921
I was in Rothenburg Germany in September 2003 and took two pics of
a 1921 wanderer in nice running condition. Attached if you are interested.
It was a bike show. I do not know the owner.
Sun Jun 10 2007
marek.belan at atlas.sk
Wanderer motorcycle
Wanderer model 1 Sp and others
You can see to website www.motorovebicykle.sk
, my brother-in-law Milan Jezik has there photos of some motor bicycles
Wanderer.
Banska Bystrica
Fri May 04 2007
rad-doc2 at hotmail dot com
wanderer
'41 99cc
I own a '41 Wanderer 99cc motorcycle. From your text it sounds like
the company only existed until 1929, I know for a fact that they where
around into the 40s.
Fargo, ND
........
At this time, it is taken apart and covered with primer in my parents attic in germany. A re-build project that sort of fell asleep after other obligations took up too much time.
There is a Wanderer Archive somewhere in germany. They actually provide spare parts and documents like manual copies etc. Last time I talked to the elderly guy running it was about 10 years ago, I haven't been able to find it on the web though.
The company actually still exists: wanderer.de (404)
However, nowadays they are just a financial holding company that doesn't even have significant archival materials regarding their past.
They where actually a bicycle manufacturer. Their 'motorcycles' used the 4hp 99cc Sachs 'nose-piston' 2-stroke engine. Back then, there where dozends of small manufacturers who bought OEM Sachs engines and put them in what where beefed up bicycle frames. They would go up to about 35km/hr and where the most affordable way of transportation. The engines where easy to service and anyone who can change a light-bulb without assistance was able to un-coke a piston or clean out a carburetor.
Greetings,
F Weilke
Tue Feb 20 2007
stian.gundersen at hotmail dot com
The price of an 1914 Wanderer 3PS
Wanderer 3 PS 1914 mod.
I know someone who has an Wanderer 3PS 1914 mod. He also has the original
registration-papers from 1914 (400 ccm v-twin). The bike is in good condition
and not restored. 99,9% original. It`s registrated i Norway 1914, so the
bike may be older (1908-1914).
Do enyone know how much money this can be worth???
Oslo
See the page on Vintage Motorcycle Prices
Mon Feb 05 2007
stevecaz at orcon.net.nz
Wanderer 1916?
I have a photo of a Wanderer with my great uncle? on its delivery trip.
would like to know more about it.
ashburton, New Zealand
