A to Z Reference

Zundapp 597cc KS601 OHV with Steib sidecar Zundapp 1921 (1917)-85 Germany An amalgamation of munitions companies who created ZUNDer (or Zunderund) APParatebau Gmbh in Nurnberg during 1917. Although another German giant, Krupps, was involved with the initial set up of Zundapp, they withdrew at the end of WWI when munitions manufacture ended. Another Zundapp founder,…

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1912 Sun motorcycle with Precision engine Sun 1911-33 and 1946-61 UK The Sun Cycle and Fittings Company ought to be better known than it is, as many of us who own older British-made light and medium weight motorcycles can thank this company for enabling their machines to be built. In addition to cycles, Sun Cycle…

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The new-for-1911 budget Premier 246cc sidevalve Premier 1908-1915/1933 UK, Germany and Czechoslovakia As Hillman, Herbert and Cooper, the forebears of Premier had been involved in the formative years of the cycle as opposed to the ‘Ordinary’ (Penny-Farthing). Their early offering, a front wheel drive high wheeler wasn’t that successful, but significantly it was given the…

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1931 Motobecane Motocomfort Morbidelli (MBA) 1969 – Italy Although captivated by road racing as a teenager during the Fifties, Giancarlo Morbidelli started a woodwork manufacturing and machinery business in his home town of Pesaro, only a stone’s throw from the Benelli works. As his business thrived, Morbidelli entered the road race scene as a sponsor,…

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Limited production run for the Hesketh doesn’t detract from its many qualities Hawker 1920-24 UK Small quantity production of 350/550 side-valve Blackburne engined models and a 293cc two-stroke built by the company run by aircraft maker Tom Sopwith and his test pilot Harry Hawker. Hawker died in a flying accident in 1921. Hawker production ended…

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Single cylinder roadster from CCM CCM 1971- UK Following the closure of BSA’s competition shop, Bolton based Alan Clews bought from Small Heath 12 BSA motocross frames, assorted wheels and sundries. Alan built one machine, installing a BSA engine, then another, then another – and CCM (Clews Competition Machines) was founded. Early models were named…

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Pair of Zenith Zerettes with Fred Barnes Zanella 1957- Argentina The Zanella brothers left war torn Italy and emigrated to Argentina in the late 1950s where they set up an engineering and associated metal business. By the mid-Fifties they'd begun manufacturing car components and then began looking at the assembly and manufacture of motorcycles. Zanella…

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Standard also took pride in building lightweight motorcycles. This is the FS200 motorcycle Standard 1925-c52 Germany and Switzerland Standard founder Wilhelm Gutbrod was previously associated with the Klotz marque, which specialised in excellent 246cc two-stroke models that performed well in national trials and at speed events. Gutbrod launched Standard (Standard Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH of Ludwigsburg) with…

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Villiers-powered 346cc Pouncy Piatti 1952-58 Belgium and UK A truly European venture, designed by a London-based Italian Vicenzo Piatti who also boasted a Milan home, they were initially put into production by the famed Brussels coachbuilders Les Anciens Etablissements D’leteren and then later by Cyclemaster of Byfleet, Surrey. Prototypes appeared at the 1952 Brussels Salon…

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Montgomery enjoyed some track success with JAP and Anzani-powered motorcycles Monark 1925 (1913, 1920-25)-c1978 Sweden Confusion, confusion! Varberg firm who, for the greater part of their motorcycle making life, traded as AB Cykelfabriken Monark. They had two attempts at becoming motorcycle makers before establishing the Monark brand in 1925 to become one of Sweden’s leading…

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