MOTA

MOTA was a German two-wheeler brand associated with MOTA Maschinenbau GmbH, a mechanical engineering company founded in Nagold, Baden-Württemberg. The company was established in 1946 by Wolfgang Schlegel, an amateur pilot and constructor, initially producing components for the automotive and general mechanical-engineering industries. In 1950, the business adopted the name MOTA Maschinenbau GmbH and expanded into motorcycle engines, mopeds, lightweight motorcycles, and related mechanical products. The brand's best-known vehicle was the Wiesel, a compact two-wheeler developed between 1948 and 1952. It was designed as a hybrid of a scooter and a motorcycle, combining motorcycle-style running gear with leg shields and a rear carrier. MOTA manufactured its own engines for the model in 50 cc, 75 cc, and 98 cc forms. The Wiesel also used components supplied by established German manufacturers, including Hella lamps, Veleda saddles, Pränafa hubs and brakes, and Veigel speedometers. In 1950, the product manager and several engineers participated in an ADAC-organized tour of Germany using three Wiesel vehicles, an event intended to demonstrate the vehicle's practical touring capability. Despite international interest, production remained limited to approximately 300 units and ended in 1952. MOTA's motorcycle activities continued through a later small scooter known as the Motte 1. This model was produced by Metzger & Schlegel KG in Fellbach between 1954 and 1959 after MOTA Maschinenbau merged with Eugen Metzger in 1954. The Motte 1 used a one-speed, 43 cc engine and was sold for approximately 485 Deutsche Mark. Its compact sheet-metal-framed design weighed about 36 kilograms and included a 5.5-litre fuel tank, 26-by-2-inch tires, a front brake, and a rear backpedal brake. The corporate structure changed several times. In 1954, MOTA Maschinenbau GmbH and Eugen Metzger merged to form Metzger & Schlegel KG. The combined company moved from Nagold to Fellbach near Stuttgart, where it sought to supply engines to other businesses and motorcycle manufacturers while continuing to make bicycle frames, mopeds, lightweight motorcycles, and workshop equipment such as vices. In 1959, the company was renamed Schlegel KG, relocated to Öhringen near Heilbronn, and discontinued motorcycle production. The later separation of the vice-manufacturing operation in 1979 led to the creation of Durbal GmbH & Co. KG, a company focused on industrial mechanical components rather than motorcycles. MOTA is therefore primarily of historical and collector interest. It represents the small-scale German postwar motorcycle industry, in which engineering firms experimented with economical scooters, mopeds, and lightweight motorcycles before consolidation and changing market conditions pushed many manufacturers out of vehicle production. Archival material concerning MOTA Maschinenbau GmbH and Metzger & Schlegel KG is held by the Deutsches Museum in Munich.

MOTA's origins trace to MOTRA Maschinenbau, founded in 1946 in Nagold by Wolfgang Schlegel. Schlegel was described as an amateur pilot and constructor, and the early business concentrated on components for the automotive and mechanical-engineering sectors rather than complete vehicles. This background shaped MOTA's later approach: the company treated motorcycles and scooters as an extension of its engineering and component-manufacturing capabilities. In 1950, MOTRA Maschinenbau changed its name to MOTA Maschinenbau GmbH and broadened its production program. The new range included motorcycle engines, mopeds, lightweight motorcycles, and vices. Before and around this transition, the company developed the Wiesel, a compact two-wheeler intended to combine the convenience of a scooter with characteristics of a motorcycle. Development and production of the Wiesel ran from approximately 1948 to 1952. The vehicle used leg shields, a rear carrier, a toolbox behind the saddle, and MOTA-built engines in 50 cc, 75 cc, and 98 cc versions. Its equipment included components from Hella, Veleda, Pränafa, and Veigel. A 1950 ADAC-organized tour through Germany, using three Wiesel vehicles, provided a public demonstration of the model's touring potential. Production remained small, at roughly 300 units, and ended in 1952. MOTA's subsequent two-wheeler activity was carried forward through its corporate combination with Eugen Metzger. In 1954, MOTA Maschinenbau GmbH merged with Eugen Metzger to create Metzger & Schlegel KG. The merged company moved from Nagold to Fellbach near Stuttgart. Its activities included the manufacture of bicycle frames, mopeds, lightweight motorcycles, vices, and engines intended for sale to other companies and motorcycle producers. During this period, the firm produced and sold the Motte 1, a small scooter with a 43 cc, one-speed engine. The model was manufactured from 1954 to 1959 and reportedly sold for around 485 Deutsche Mark. Its lightweight, sheet-metal-framed construction and simple braking system reflected the practical and low-cost character of the product. In 1959, Metzger & Schlegel KG changed its name to Schlegel KG and relocated to Öhringen near Heilbronn. Motorcycle production stopped at this point, marking the end of MOTA's presence as a vehicle manufacturer. The company's industrial activities continued in other areas. In 1979, the vice-production operation was separated and a new company, Durbal GmbH & Co. KG, was established. Durbal's product scope included vices, clevises, angle joints, throttle-control linkages, heavy-duty plain bearings, and anti-friction bearing rod ends. MOTA's surviving importance is historical rather than commercial. The brand illustrates the breadth of Germany's postwar small-vehicle sector, when engineering companies produced niche motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters alongside industrial components. Its limited production volumes and early discontinuation make surviving Wiesel and Motte 1 examples relevant to vintage-motorcycle and scooter collectors. Records concerning MOTA Maschinenbau GmbH in Nagold and Metzger & Schlegel KG in Fellbach are held in the archives of the Deutsches Museum in Munich.

1. 1979Durbal is established

   The vice-production operation is separated from Schlegel KG and a new industrial-components company, Durbal GmbH & Co. KG, is formed.

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2. 1959Motorcycle production ends

   After becoming Schlegel KG and relocating to Öhringen, the company stops motorcycle production.

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3. 1954MOTA merges with Eugen Metzger

   MOTA Maschinenbau GmbH and Eugen Metzger combine to form Metzger & Schlegel KG and move operations to Fellbach near Stuttgart.

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4. 1954Motte 1 enters production

   Metzger & Schlegel begins producing the Motte 1, a small 43 cc scooter with a one-speed engine.

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5. 1952Wiesel production ends

   Production of the Wiesel stops after approximately 300 vehicles have been made.

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6. 1950Company adopts the MOTA name

   MOTRA Maschinenbau becomes MOTA Maschinenbau GmbH and expands into motorcycle engines, mopeds, lightweight motorcycles, and vices.

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7. 1950Wiesel participates in an ADAC tour

   The MOTA product manager and engineers take three Wiesel vehicles on an ADAC-organized tour through Germany.

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8. 1948Wiesel development begins

   MOTA develops the Wiesel, a compact two-wheeler intended to combine scooter practicality with motorcycle characteristics.

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9. 1946MOTRA Maschinenbau is founded

   Wolfgang Schlegel establishes MOTRA Maschinenbau in Nagold, initially making components for the automotive and mechanical-engineering industries.

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A small German postwar engineering brand focused on practical, lightweight, and economical two-wheel vehicles, combining in-house engine development with components sourced from specialist suppliers.

• WieselLightweight motorcycle / scooter1948

  The Wiesel was MOTA's principal early two-wheeler, developed between 1948 and 1952 as a hybrid of a scooter and a motorcycle. It featured leg shields, a rear carrier, a toolbox behind the saddle, and a saddle that could generally be adjusted forward or backward rather than vertically. MOTA supplied engines in 50 cc, 75 cc, and 98 cc capacities. The vehicle used specialist components from Hella, Veleda, Pränafa, and Veigel. Approximately 300 examples were produced.

• Motte 1Scooter1954

  The Motte 1 was a small scooter produced by Metzger & Schlegel KG from 1954 to 1959. It used a one-speed 43 cc engine and a sheet-metal frame. The approximately 190 cm long, 62 cm wide, and 95 cm high vehicle weighed about 36 kg, carried 5.5 litres of fuel, and used a front brake together with a rear backpedal brake. Its reported price was about 485 Deutsche Mark.

• MOTA motorcycle enginesMotorcycle engines1950

  MOTA expanded its manufacturing program to include motorcycle engines, including engines used in the company's own two-wheel vehicles. After the 1954 merger, the combined business also sought to sell engines to other companies and motorcycle producers.

1. MOTA (motorcycles)