A Brief History of the Italian Marque
Umberto Dei, like so many other motorcycle manufacturers, began his love of two wheels as a competitive cyclist.
Having worked in different workshops he had no difficulty starting his own business in 1894, and by 1903 he was fitting auxilliary engines to bicycles.
In 1908 he entered into partnership with Pietro Febbre and Emilio Bozzi.
The new partners injected capital into the enterprise and in 1909 the first Dei light motorcycle appeared.
Production continued until halted by the Guns of August in 1914, resuming, after a considerable hiatus, in 1933. In that year, the Ancora company was acquired.
Engines used were Sachs and Villiers for lightweight motorcycles, and they also built JAP engines of 250cc and 500cc under license from the British company.
Until the end of the thirties production was of light motorcycles with Sachs engines along with motorized bicycles with the Saxonette rear wheels.
There was also a bicycle powered by an electric motor, but in 1943 Dei ceases production until after the war, subsequently building mopeds and light motorcycles with Garelli Mosquito and Sachs engines.
* Production dates vary according to source, with one giving 1903-1914 and 1934-1966, and another 1906-1966.
Sources: Moto di Lombardia, Henshaw
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