Dihl Motoren G.m.b.H was founded in Berlin by Rudolf Heßler in 1921. Located in Boedikerstraße in the Friedrichshain district, in 1924 the company name was changed to "Minerva Kraftfahrzeugvertriebs AG".
Motorcycle production began in 1923, the first model having a 269cc (70 x 70mm b/s) engine of 3 hp and two-speed gearbox, with neutral and kick starter. Induction was via Variat or Pallas carburettor. The machine had very good weather and road grime protection for the rider. The engine was displayed at the German Automobile Exhibition in Berlin in late 1923, described as "the culmination of ten years of testing based on the patents of Dipl.-Ing. Heßler."
The 1924 model had chain final drive. That year it was discontinued. Company records are rather convoluted, and it seems there were two branches which were legally separate entities, one in Bremen and the other in Berlin.
The Dihl engine was employed on the Hoco motorcycle.
Heßler also developed a crude oil two-stroke twin-cylinder 4 PS marine engine.
Sources: GTU Oldtimerservice; Rudolph, W. Bootsmotorenbau in Berlin (bis 1945); Tragatsch p115; Motopedia.
