Böhmerland

Böhmerland or Čechie (as it was known domestically) was a motorcycle produced in Czechoslovakia from 1924 to 1939, when World War II begun. Almost all aspects of this distinctive motorcycle were designed by Albin Leibisch, including the extremely long, all-welded tube-frame chassis, the built-up leading-link front forks, the overhead valve single-cylinder engine (typically of 600cc / 78x120mm), and the solid cast wheels, which were an industry 'first' (not widely adopted until the 1970s). The Böhmerland was produced in several wheelbases; a two-seat 'Sport', a 3-seat 'Touren', and a 4-seat 'Langtouren'. Even the longest model was quite fast; its top speed was 121 km per hour. An experimental machine built for the military seated 4 soldiers, and used two gearboxes (see: Bohmerland four seat type). The 'Langtouren' model is notable for having the longest wheelbase of any production motorcycle, 10.5 feet (3.2 m). Around 3000 total machines emerged from Leibisch's factory in Schönlinde, Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia. The factory employed 20 workers, assembling parts manufactured locally to Leibisch's specification. Not all Böhmerlands are alike; Leibisch was accepting custom orders and many individual changes were introduced.

Above: Czechoslovakia, winter 1930. Photo from www.vintagebike.co.uk.