Zehnder

1923 Zehnder Motor model Grand Prix, water-cooled Swiss engine.

Zehnder is a Swiss company founded by Jakob Zehnder in Gränichen in 1895. In 1912 it was renamed to J. Zehnder & Sohns.

The firm began as a small engineering company: they were repairing and selling all kind of mechanical devices, like sewing machines, typewriters, washing machines, bicycles and motorcycles. During WW1 they produced ammunition. When the war was over, the number of their workers fell from 118 to 25 people: Zehnder brothers were in great need of a new product. In 1923 they bought licence to produce a two-stroke 110cc engine developed by Fritz Gockerell, German engineer and inventor from Munich. Gockerell (also known as Cockerell, this is the name he used in his patents) was also manufacturing this engine: it was sold as Cockerell auxiliary engine for bicycles. German and Swiss versions are not identical: Cockerell is air-cooled, while Zehnder engine made in Switzerland is cooled by water.

Gockerell's engine

Zehnder used to sell auxiliary engines, too, but most of their engine production was used to power belt-driven light motorcycle named Zehnderli ("little Zehnder"). Zehnderli bikes become quite popular in Switzerland in 1920s. In their best time, the company hold about 10% of Swiss motorcycle market. Zehnder developed sport model, too, and by 1925 Zehnderli was a winner in 125 cc class. A striking feature of this motorcycle is location of the petrol tank: it's on top of the engine, under the frame tubes. The low position of the tank helps to keep the center of mass low and contributes to good road holding.

Zehnderli. Photo from www.zehnderli-systems.com

Zehnder marketed also 148cc Zehnderli motorcycle, and in 1927 they introduced 225cc model. It didn't sell well due to several shortcomings of its construction and soon the company was in serious financial trouble. It was revived as Maschinenfabrik Gränichen AG, but their motorcycle production was stopped in 1930 and never continued (some Zehnderli machines could be bought in the beginning of 30s, but they were leftovers from previous decade). The company focused upon radiator production and as Zehnder Group AG is operating until today.

Zehnderli Ladies