These ten pictures were mailed to us from Finland by Keijo Aatos Virtanen. The first picture has a pretty good likeness of Keijo astride his MZ on what might be a very nice (Spring?) day in Finland, snow and all!
MZ (Motoradwerk Zschopau), originally an East German (now just German) company, is credited with turning the 2-stroke into a 4-stroke beater in the GPs of the late 50's and early 60's. The defection of MZ rider Ernst Degner to Suzuki in 1961 gave the Japanese the rotary disk valve induction technology (developed by MZ's Walter Kaaden) which lead to Japanese dominance in GP racing.
Did you know that the Swedish company Husqvarna (bought by Cagiva in 1986) started making motorcycles in 1903? And that they make pretty good sewing machines too? They used to make mostly 4-strokes, sometimes using JAP engines — there's a couple of nice photos here.
Another motorcycle you don't see much of here in the USA is the Pannonia — a Jawa-like product of Hungary built from 1951 through 1969 or so. Keijo provides a nice shot of a 250cc model in concours condition.
Keijo Aatos Virtanen on his '63 MZ ES250/1 ISDT Replica.
Keijo's MZ packed for a tour...
1967 MZ ES250-2.
1976 MZ TS250.
1911 Husqvarna La Moto Reve, Model 65, 340cc, 3.5 hp.
1936 Husqvarna 112SV, 496cc.
1934 Husqvarna 350cc twin.
1934 Husqvarna 500cc single, DOHC.
1946 Ariel 500 Red Hunter.
1961 Pannonia 250cc TLF De Luxe.
