HOFFMAN, GERMANY 1949-1954
Unlike other German motorcycle manufacturers, HOFFMANN didn't exist
before the second world war. The history of the make began
in 1949 in the town of Lintorf near Duesseldorf. HOFFMANN was licensed
to build the Italian VESPA scooter. These scooters were a success, and
they also built small twostroke motorcycles with ILO
engines which sold well.
The Hoffman range included:
Hoffmann HWL 125, 123cc, 5.2 HP, 3-speed transmission, top speed 75
km/h, built 1949-1951
Hoffmann MHF 125, 123cc ILO onecylinder twostroke engine, 5.2 HP, 3-speed
transmission, top speed 75 km/h, built 1949-1954
Hoffmann 175, 174cc ILO onecylinder twostroke engine, 7.65HP , 3-speed
transmission, top speed 85 km/h, built 1951-1953
Hoffmann MR 175-2, 173cc ILO onecylinder twostroke engine, 8.2HP , 4-speed
transmission, top speed 90 km/h, built 1954
Hoffmann MR 200-1, 197cc ILO single cylinder twostroke engine, 11HP
, 4-speed transmission, top speed 100 km/h, built 1954
Hoffmann MR 200-2, 197cc ILO single cylinder twostroke engine, 9.3HP
, 4-speed transmission, top speed 92 km/h, built 1954
Hoffmann 250, 248cc ILO single cylinder twostroke engine, 9 HP, 4-speed
transmission, top speed 95 km/h, built 1954
Hoffmann MR 250 248cc ILO single cylinder twostroke engine, 12.8 HP,
4-speed transmission, top speed 106 km/h, built 1954
HOFFMANN also built a self-designed 248cc flat-twin fourstroke engine
that looked like the larger BMW engines, but had a very sleek design (with
overheating problems due to the sleek covers). The Gouverneur model was
available as the MP 250 (248cc, 11 HP, built 1951-1954), the MP-250 -2
(built 1954) with 248cc and 14.8 HP, top speed 112 km/h and in the 298cc
version, the S 300, with 17 HP and a top speed of 118 km/h. The construction
of this engine led to financial trouble for the company; in 1954 it went
out of business.
Information
courtesy by Hartmut
Schouwer
Fri Jan 02 2009
Justin
simcoedesigns.com
Hoffmann Motorcycle Motorrad information
Hoffmann mr 250 or mr 200
Hello all,
I have the opportunity to pick up a 1954 Hoffmann Mr200 (could be a
mr 250..not sure yet) I am looking for a good lead for ILO /JLO engine
parts. Are there any groups or sites, or fellow owners who can help
me out. This bike is complete, but in rough shape and is in need
of a complete restoration. My main concern is getting engine parts.
I should be able to source out and substitute the rest of the parts as
it would seem that many of the german models from this era share a lot
of common parts. I found a place in Germany that is supposed to specialize
in Hoffmann motorcycles and scooters but have yet to find any contact information
other than a phone number. Any help would be great.
Thanks,
Justin
Ontario Canada
Thu Jul 19 2007
somwangk
csloxinfo.com
Hoffman S300 1954 HO Twin
I looking for Hoffman S300 1954 HO Twin engine If available please
contact me.
Mr.Somwang from Thailand.
Wed Jun 27 2007
jimkringlen
yahoo.com
hoffman motorcycles
125 hoffman
abouytmy dad always talks about a hoffman125 he had when he was a kid.this
is the first info Ihave found and been looking for awhile are there any
pics availble or any bikes you know of for sale.thank you for your time
oklahoma city,ok
Sat Dec 23 2006
somwang947
hotmail
I want to buy hoffman engine
250 cc
want to buy engine for hoffman
thailand
Wed Dec 20 2006
vladimir.bucalo
gmail
HOFFMAN MR 250 FOR SALE
Hoffmann MR 250 248cc ILO, 12.8 HP
I have a Hoffman 250 in very good condition which I would like to sell.
I'm not sure of the pricing but maybe you could help me. Thank you
in advance.
Novi Sad, Serbia
Tue Dec 12 2006
harhic
bellsouth.net
Hoffmann 250 single cylinder
If you have an Hoffmann 250 for sale, please advise. I will pay
a good price.
Atlanta, Ga
Tue Oct 31 2006
paultribug
hotmail
Hoffman Gouverneur Perteneciente al Presidente Perón
Hoffman-Gouverneur
Hola, en mi familia tenemos la moto Hoffman-Gouverneur que pertenecia
al Presidente Peron, el se la obsequio a mi Abuelo en el año 55
luego de haber participado y dejado en una muy buena posicion al pais argentino
en las Olimpiadas del mismo año.
Es una reliquia como mucha historia
Argentina
Robotrans: Hello, in my family we have moto Hoffman-Gouverneur
that pertenecia to President Peron, flattery to my Grandfathers in year
55 after to have participated itself and left in a very good position to
pais Argentine in the Olympic Games of the same year. It is a relic like
much history
Do you mean that this motorcycle once belonged to Juan Peron, and that
he rode it? Is that Peron aboard the machine in the photo? Ed.
Fri Oct 13 2006
dmainero
movinet.com.uy
Contact for Info
Hoffmann MP 250
Hello,
I've a Hoffmann MP 250 located in Punta del Este, Uruguay.I am looking
for info on Hoffmann motorcycles.
I need the Parts Manual and the Owners Manual
Thanks,
Diego Mainero
+598 94 444088
Punta del Este,Uruguay
July 22 2006
Here comes the photo of the HOFFMANN S300.
We are having problems with parts of the gearbox:
# part: 927210 (Kupplungswelle, vollstanding)
# part: 927212 (Schaltwelle)
# part: 927263 (Wickelfeder fur Fallhebel)
# part: 927056 (Handschaltwelle mit Schaltscheibe, vollstandig) as
you can check on the catalogue attached.
Thank you for your attention,
Hercules Perna
niper
uol.com.br
Wed Jul 19 2006
niper
uol.com.br
Peças de reposição para motocicleta
HOFFMANN S300
PRECISO DE ALGUMAS PEÇAS DO CÂMBIO DA HOFFMANN S300
SÃO PAULO/BRAZIL
Robotrans: Parts spare for motorcycle HOFFMANN
NECESSARY S300 OF SOME PARTS Of the EXCHANGE Of the HOFFMANN S300
Thu Feb 09 2006
cofran1
adinet.com.uy
Repuesto para mu hoffman
Tengo una motocileta Hoffman y necesito un repuesto para que funcione
nuevamente
Montevideo URUGUAY
Spanish
Robotrans: Spare part for mu a motocileta Hoffman
hoffman Tengo and I need a spare part so that it works again
Tue Nov 22 2005
rdsykes
comcast.net
Hoffman 100
I am listing a Hoffman 100cc sales brochure on ebay. I am only letting
you know as I was looking for year of manufacture and noted all sizes in
your forum except the 100cc model. Thought you all might to know. It is
a Model M.F. 10/98
Tue Sep 13 2005
erik_lukacs
hotmail
Hoffmann ILO 250
Hello, I found an Hoffmann ILO 250 in my shanty. It is in a bad condition
and so I'd need to restaurate it. Does anybody know where to get any parts?
After having restaurated I want to sell it. How many could I earn for
it?
Grettings,
Erik
Sat Sep 10 2005
djamartin1
btinternet
HOFFMAN 250 GOUVERNEUR
I have a complete bike, but I am missing a petrol tap and the points/retard
mechanism, if any body could help it would be much appreciated, bike could
aslo be for sale
Mon Apr 25 2005
Rapidross at aol
Hoffman moped
I cant seem to find any info. on a moped type hoffman. can you help?
Tue Apr 26 2005
Rapidross at aol
Hoffman Moped
I have a Hoffman moped with a jLO motor. I would like to find out anything
i can about it. THANK YOU.
Sun Apr 17 2005
Lingham2l at aol
Hoffman Peddle Motorcycle
I came across a Hoffman peddle motorcycle that looks like a moped .
It is a smaller single cylinder . Do you have any info or what it might
be worth
Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005
subject: Hoffman motorcycles
Email: FMurrell10 at aol
message: Looking for any information or web sites pertaining to Hoffman
Motorcycles or parts. Email--FMurrell10 at aol.com or Fmurrell10 at wnyisp.com
I am looking for info on Hoffmann motorcycles. My Dad has owned one
for 30 years. It just sits in the garage. we still have the owners manual.
I believe It was produced in the 50's.
thank you
Lyla Bonzo62 at aol
July 4, 2003
I'm a seeker of info myself. I found a Hoffmann motorcycle fender (rear?).
Very rusted, but manufacturer emblem was easy to read. You seem to have
the most info. Any help would be appreciated. I will have to return to
the creek, where it was buried & look for more. Thank you
Deb --
txbluesmama at yahoo
February 15, 2003
I loved my Hoffman.
I purchased the smaller of two models in maybe 1948.
(I realize this conflicts with your 1949 date; however, I'm not certain.)
It was a war reparations deal. I paid something like a little over $300;
maybe it was $299 plus sales tax I bought it from a bicycle shop on Hennipen
just south of Lake in Minneapolis.
I was told Hoffmanns had been German Army scout cycles.
Mine was red with white and chrome trim.
I added saddle bags to hold my stuff.
One had to add about a mustard jar of oil to each tank of gas, so I
carried several mustard jars of oil in one saddle bag. It easily did 100mpg,
sometimes 110; the equivalent Harley got 75mph. One gallon of gas a week
was about what I needed. Top speed was slightly over 55mph; the equivalent
Harley did 45mph. Good acceleration against autos of that day, but larger
Triumphs and BSAs would leave it easily. The BSA was also an army scout
cycle, British. Harleys didn't seem to be very well thought of in those
days. Indians were hard to get and comparatively expensive. The small,
lighter, inexpensive Hoffman met my needs.
I used it to commute to the University of Minnesota. Motorcycles were
under the same parking rules as bicycles. Thus, I would just lean it against
a building and go to class. Mind you, it had no key lock, and I cannot
remember every locking or chaining it. One stopped the engine by shutting
off the fuel cock. It was stolen once, but the thief didn't know about
the cock.
On cold days, icy street car tracks were my greatest danger. The tracks
were particularly bad when hidden under snow. On a very cold day, I'd ride
with two sets of heavy gloves. Every red light was an opportunity to lay
my gloved hands on the cylinder head for a bit of warmth.
The Summer of the last year, one night I took a skid on a new cloverleaf.
There was invisible sand on top of the concrete. It damaged a metric bearing
on the kick starter. Although my mechanic was able to keep the Hoffman
going for a few months at a time, that bearing did the machine it. America
just did not have metric parts in those days.
The Korean police action took me the following Summer.
The Hoffmann was in the shop.
Eventually, the mechanic took it on a lean in my absence.
It has served me well.
I once saw a German war newsreel with a motorcycle that I thought was
my Hoffmann.
Les J. Kizer, 813 973-1333
pc.les.2 at juno
July 1, 2002
My Father has an old Hoffman motorcycle in the garage.
We've had it for at least 30 years +. hasn't run in 26. Just looking for
some info on this bike. what it might be worth. Thanks
Lyla St. Louis, Mo -- PickleBlu at aol.com
June 27, 2002
I have a lifelong obsession with trying to locate a mint or near mint
175 hoffman with a turquoise finish. If anyone has, or knows of such a
bike, please advise. -- harryhickson at msn
April 5, 2002
Enclosed is my newest headache as of yesterday.. a Hoffman motorcycle.
It ran a year ago, then parked outside ever since. Opened the point
cover this morning and a cup of rusty water poured out. Now...not
even a hint of spark. The bike seems to be 100% complete, down to
the original tool boxes. I've had my eye on the bike for a couple of years
and now it has come my way for a price of FREE which is what I usually
want to get into a bike for when no one seems to know anything about them
or where to get parts. So, I'm emailing everyone who has posted any
kind of inquiry on the website http://www.narma.org/euro/brands/hoffman.htm
Just like everyone else probably is. .I'm looking for any and all info
about this bike (photocopies okay) which includes owners manuals wiring
diagrams, colors available, what parts were chrome plated versus cad plated
etc etc.
Also want to know if you honestly feel this is a bike worth holding
onto, or am I just in love w/ a loosing battle that I will never find parts
for? I'm just to used to looking at Harleys, BMWs, and own a couple
of Vespas and I just love the looks of this bike, but I want to know what
I'm getting into here.
thanks!
Eric Down -- 831-454-0909 --
critter at got.net
March 11, 2002
je possède une Hoffmann 125 en bon état que je veux vendre
je n'ai aucune idée du prix de vente
pouvez vous me donner une idée de prix car j'ai plusieurs amateurs
merci par avance
claude Laumonier de Tours -- laumonier at creaweb.Fr
Sheldon's lame translation:
I have a Hoffman 125 in very good condition which I would like to sell.
I'm not sure of the pricing but maybe you could help me. Thank you
in advance. Claude Laumonier de Tours --
laumonier at creaweb.Fr
December 29, 2001
Still looking for Hoffman's? I have one of the 250's in good
condition that might be available. Please email me at stevecrout
at hotmail
-- Thanks -- Steve Crout
June 21, 2000
Can you help me find people that can help me restore my 1952 Hoffmann?
-- Dustin Strayer --
dstrayer at lmjinc
June 18, 2000
52 hoffmann
Can anyone help me with this bike. is there a place to get parts. or
maybe even sell it! please help!! e-mail me at dustworth at earthlink.net
April 30, 2000
Hi, I have a 55 175-2 Hoffmann I am on a search for any info I can
gather, your web site has been helpful, and I have the original dealer
flyer with illustrations of all models for that year, otherwise I am in
the dark as I have never heard of the marque before buying it. I have found
out from bluemooncycles.com that some parts from other German marques will
interchange. if you have any info, literature, parts sources etc.. I would
greatly appreciate any little bit I can get. I will gladly e-mail
you a scan of my literature if you'd like....let me know....Mike -- Formichal
at aol
October 25, 1999
I JUST PURCHASED A 1955 175CC HOFFMANN. THE BIKE CAME WITH AN OWNERS
MANUAL AND REPLACEMENT PARTS BOOK. THE PARTS BOOK IS FROM A COMPANY
CALLED "G. JOANNON CYCLE COMPANY" I WONDER IF THEY HAD SOMETHING
TO DO WITH PRODUCTION AND OR DISTRIBUTION. ALSO YOU DON'T LIST
A 1955 175CC AND THIS SEEMS TO BE ONE. -- BERT
-- drbpi at mc.net
July 29, 1999
I OWN A HOFFMAN MP250 I 'M CURRENTLY TRYING TO OBTAIN PARTS TO COMPLETE
THE PROJECT COULD YOU PLEASE EMAIL MODEL AND PARTICULARS OF YOUR DADS HOFFMAN
AND WHEATHER YOU HAVE ANY SPARE PARTS AVAILABLE -- Val McIntosh
-- valmc at silknet.aunz
March 13, 1999
We are looking for anyone who can help us find info on Hoffman cycles.
We have bought a 1953 model 175MR. and can not find out much on them. Any
help would be greatly appreciated. -- sincerly spawn-2 at
swbell.net
If you have a query about Hoffman motorcycles, or wish to share your
knowledge of these classic German machines, please contact
us!
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