Lech - the first Polish motorbike.
The manufactury "'Lech" existed from 1 January
1929 (created by industrialist Waclaw Sawicki and engineer Wladyslaw Zalewski
- re-emigrant from the United States - constructor of the vechicles) to
1932. First bikes were presented on General National Exhibition in Poznan.
The bike was not big but reliable, equiped with a four stroke, V-twin,
5 hp engins. Pipe frame went over and under fuel tank (10l of petrol,
2l of oil). Both brakes (hand and leg) worked on rear wheel.
It was drum brake: inner shoe brake and outer band brake. Gear
box was separate and was driven by chain transmition. The engine was very
modern. Light alloy pistons, removeable cylinder heads, pressure
lubrication and roller bearings on crankshaft necks.
Production of other models (also one cylinder ones) were
prepared to ride solo or with sidecar. There was also sport version of
Lech prepared for races.
The "Lech" manufactory produced all the main elements.
There was even a private foundry there. The motorcycles were
as good as foreign constructions. The upgraded version of Lech
(with drum front brake, redesigned frame, with tank over it) got 'commendatory
letter' on Turist and Comunication Exhibition in Poznan in 1930, as 'high
quality, home article".
Some small parts were imported. E.g.: bearings, carburators,
electric instalation (Bosh). Lech was a successful bike, as the press stated:
'...knowledge and practice gained (by the constructor) in foreign factories,
preceded by couple of years of experiments and tests gives full guarantee
for good quality and reliability of polish products...'
Facts confirmed that statement: Motorcycles took part
in sport competitions and, although they didn't win, they always
place highly.
The factory cared about the client. They had a spare parts
stock and also replaced old bikes (with surcharge) with new. They
also gave free lessons how to ride to all new happy owners of Lech.
The factory was developing but couldn't survive the great world crisis.
In 1932 the production was stopped. A couple tens of bikes were produced.
Lech model 1929:
Engine: V-twin, four stroke, side valve, about 500cc,
5 hp
Gear box: 3 speeds, changed by hand
magneto ignition;
Front suspension: springing
Rear suspension: hard
Max speed: about 75 km/h
Few words about the name 'Lech'. The legend says that
before Poland was formed there were three guys (brothers?): Lech, Czech
and Rus. They met and decided to go their own ways. Rus
went east, Czech went south and Lech saw a tree with white eagle and its
nest and decided to stay there. Lech was first Pole, the city formed on
that place was called Poznan ("poznac" = meet) and the white eagle
is the polish national emblem. After one thousand years, near Poznan,
comes first polish bike: LECH. Isn't that fascinating?
Submitted by: Marek Kowalski dwusuw
at polbox
Some information from: 'Polskie
motocykle 1918 - 1945' by Jan Tarczynski.
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