A to Z Reference

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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Harley-Davidson WLC, produced for the military Hagglund 1973-78 Sweden Limited production of pressed steel monocoque framed 345cc two-stroke Rotax engined military motorcycle with automatic transmission, the XM 74 was developed solely for the Swedish military by AB Hagglund and Soner, Ornsklosvick. Drive problems brought the project to a premature halt. Despite its problems, examples are…

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Early Bultaco four speed model Buchet 1900-11 France Well known French manufacturer in the period of proprietary engines, offered single and twin cylinder motorcycles in varying capacities. They also built three wheelers, early racing motorcycles, often with massive engines, and cars, from 1910-30. Bucker 1922-55 Germany Built large numbers of motorcycles pre-WWII using proprietary engines…

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Yamaha YA1 motorcycle was a near copy of the DKW RT125 Yamaha 1955- Japan Born in 1851 at Wakayama, Torakusu Yamaha began a 10-year engineering apprenticeship in Nagasaki, often tutored by an English clockmaker. He soon learnt an appreciation of highly accurate precision engineering. Aged 30 Torakusu started a further apprenticeship at a medical shop…

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1924 Sirrah lightweight side car outfit Sirrah c1921-25 UK Manufactured by Alfred Wiseman and Son of Glover Street, Birmingham, who also built Weaver ultra lightweight machines and the dearer but better equipped Verus models. It’s stated in many sources the name Sirrah is derived by reversing the name of the designer Mr Harris. Sirrah –…

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Vespa was launched onto a transport-starved Italian market in 1946 Piaggio 1945-present Italy Rapidly became, first, a national then world leader in terms of production. By 1978 they’d sold over 6,000,000 machines and 15 years later hit 10,000,000. A true international player, Piaggio remain among the world’s leading motorised two-wheel makers by volume, on occasions…

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Mercury offered this 99cc Villiers 6F-powered Grey Streak Meister 1949-56 Germany Cycle maker Meister Fahdradwerke began motorcycle production in 1949 using Sachs and Ilo two-stroke engines, many with neat telescopic front forks and plunger style rear suspension. Later, a Zundapp-engined moped joined the range. The 98-197cc motorcycle range, designed by Alfred Osterag, was also marketed…

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