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Today in Motorcycle History

Opti Motorcycle Engines

A Brief History of the Marque

Designed by Küchen and built at a garment manufacturer in Esses in 1953-54, the Opti 247cc OHC twin-cylinder engine developed 14 hp at 6,500 rpm.

It reportedly suffered from several problems including cooling, camshaft drive chain, and conrod lubrication. Some of these faults did not become apparent until the engine had been run for around 10,000 km, and it appears that the Opti factory, with no automotive background, lacked the necessary expertise to tackle them.

The Opti engines were used by Motosacoche, Rabeneick, Tornax and UT. All suffered financially as a result, and for Tornax it was the death knell.

Sources: wirtemberg.de, et al.


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