1929 Universal 175 Modell-F 2 hp
1929 Universal 175 Modell-F
Rare Survivor.
Universal, one of the three Swiss motorcycle marques to survive into the 1950s, began in 1928 near Lucerne. The company then set up production at an old airplane factory in Oberrieden, where its motorcycle manufacturing finally ended in 1958.
First Job
The company’s founder, Dr. Antonio Vedova, first worked in Paris with the Métropole company on rue Richter, then joined S.A.S. before founding his own company. However, Vedova’s first job in Switzerland was as designer in a works at Willisau that built a little motorcycle known as the Helvetia Modell-F. It was powered by a two-stroke engine made by Praillet & Antoine (P&A) of Herstal, Belgium.
Change of Identity
His first catalogue, published in 1929, presented that same Modell-F as the first Universal motorcycle, powered by the same P&A 2 hp engine as the Helvetia, with a detachable cylinder head and external inertia flywheel. The number of units produced by Universal remains uncertain. According to its catalogue, Universal offered, alongside the Modell-F, a full range of 350 and 500cc bikes fitted with side valve and ohv JAP four-stroke engines. This marked the real beginning of the marque, although only a sole example of the Modell-F survived; it was ridden by a member of the Vedova family in the Klausenrennen Memorial hill-climb in July 1993. This superbly restored example has a separate magneto. The three- speed gearbox was driven by chain via the clutch; the final drive was also by chain.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 175cc air-cooled Praillet & Antoine fixed-head single-cylinder; external inertia flywheel
Power Rating: 2 hp Valves: two-stroke
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: 3-speed, chain primary and final drive
Suspension: girder forks (front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: drum (front & rear)
Wheels: 650x55mm clincher (front & rear)
Weight: 121 lb
Maximum Speed: 34 mph
This rare machine, still in the hands of its maker’s family, is the sole surviving example of the first production model built by the Universal company.
This and many other Atlas Editions Classic Motorcycle cards are available for purchase.
