Motorcycles and mopeds - Poland: books - history

Motorräder des Ostblocks - Bulgarien, Polen, Sowjetunion 1945-1990 (Typenkompass)

It was not only MZ and Simson that drove in the former GDR: in the course of so-called compensation deals, vehicles were repeatedly imported from Eastern Bloc countries.
Since the GDR was given sovereignty over motorcycle construction up to 250 cc by the CMEA states, the CZ and Pannonia, the CZ and Ural were hardly to be found on the road, but all the more so in the countries of origin.

In his usual meticulous manner and extensively documented in numerous, often historical photos, Frank Rönicke offers a comprehensive overview of two-wheeler production in the Eastern Bloc in this Typenkompass.

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Polskie motocykle 1918-1945

In the interwar period, there were about 20 factories of motorcycles, mopeds and auxiliary motors for bicycles in Poland. In addition to the famous Sokoł, which can be still encountered today, motorcycles of less known brands were also produced.
Nowadays sought after and highly valued by collectors are makes such as MOJ, Perkun, Podkowa, Niemen, Wul-Gum, Lech, Tornedo, SM, and Zuch.

The history of these motorcycles, their manufacturers and people involved in the creation of Polish two-wheelers can be found in this book. Its third edition features 30 new, unique photographs (including Lech, Lot, Wul-Gum-I motorcycles). The whole is a treasury of knowledge about Polish design and production achievements in the field of two-wheelers in the period of the Second Polish Republic.

Reprint of the 2005 edition. Text in Polish.

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Polskie motocykle 1946-1985

For several years after the end of World War II, a motorcycle was the only motor vehicle available to ordinary citizens in Poland. In later years, it motorized the Polish countryside. In total, by the end of production in 1985, nearly 3 million motorcycles and scooters had left Polish factories.

This book presents almost forty years of history of the Polish post-war motorcycles and scooters and the people who created them.
Older readers will be reminded of the ancient times when vehicles of the following brands reigned on our roads: WFM, WSK, SHL, SFM, while younger readers will be introduced to these vehicles.

Text in Polish.

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Motocykle w PRL: rzecz o motoryzacji i nie tylko...

Commonly they were known as "PRL motorcycles", the bikes of domestic production: WFM, SHL, WSK, Junak.
However, this is a great simplification, because apart from the aforementioned two-wheelers, on the Polish roads you could also meet a dozen or so brands of imported motorcycles: Jawa, MZ, CZ, IFA, IŻ, M-72, K-750, Panonia, Lambretta, Peugeot. Also: BMW, Triumph, Norton, BSA, AJS, Harley-Davidson and many more.

This is what this book tells about. The actual state of Polish motorcycling in the years 1945-1989 is shown here for the first time. This volume in the series "... and not only ..." evokes memories of people who played an important role in motorcycling during the People's Republic of Poland - designers, mechanics, sports drivers, creators of motorcycle movements and great motorcycle enthusiasts. It deals with topics that were previously left unsaid. The multithreaded story is illustrated by an impressive number of over 650 unique photographs, most of them published for the first time here.

Text in Polish.

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Motorowery w PRL

Mopeds hold a significant importance in Polish history. While modern cars and fast motorcycles dominate today, it was the humble Komar, Romet, or imported Jawka that marked many people's first experience with motorized vehicles - their first ride.

Pre-war history saw domestic "hundreds," the predecessors of mopeds. Remembered brands include SHL, Podkowa, Niemen, Perkun, Wul-Gum, and a variety of foreign models. Post-war moped history began in 1956 with models like Ryś and Żak, soon followed by the iconic Komar.
Mopeds became the most numerous motorized vehicles produced in Poland, with 150-200 thousand hitting the market annually, supplemented by imports from brands like Simson and Jawa.

In the 1960s, Komars dominated the Polish roads in various versions, while the 1970s and 80s belonged to Romets, especially their popular models. Mopeds played a significant role in our country's automotive and social history, serving as practical vehicles in rural areas and dreams for city-dwelling teenagers. They were used for various purposes and provided countless adventures.
This book is dedicated to the history, development and models of mopeds in Poland.

Text in Polish.

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Motorowery w PRL. Historia Motoryzacji w PRL. Tom 9

NEW

This book is the first comprehensive review of Polish post-war mopeds and minibikes, covering both mass-produced models and rare prototypes or limited series.
The final chapter presents Polish bicycle engines along with their little-known history.
Mopeds played a crucial role in Poland's post-war motorization - they were lightweight, simple in design, and affordable, making them widely popular on the roads.
Although brands like Ryś, Komar, and Romet are the most recognized, many others existed, some slightly different and others entirely unique.
Today, collectors search for these vehicles for restoration or fully operational models.
This monograph aims to help in the selection, which is not easy due to the lack of literature.
The author, Jerzy Kossowski, editor-in-chief of Automobilista magazine, enriched the text with 147 color photos and 6 technical drawings.

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