Do We Need a Longer Ramp? And a Longer Truck?
Unloading and loading the Big B takes at least three.
The Whatzist? Question of Day
Kingly Kolors
The various models of the Böhmerland were built from 1934 until 1939 in what was once Czechoslovakia until Nazi Germany stomped on it. So where did it get its styling cues? Ah, literally out of thin Czech air. Seems the builder, one Albin Hugo Leibisch started with a clean sheet to draw up his vision of the ultimate road bike, one that could carry up to four passengers. Rear “rockets” actually house the fuel. And yes, an additional passenger seat can be attached to the yellow frame above the twin tubes that bare a disturbing similarity to artillery rounds.
While our side of Iron Curtain called it the Böhmerlander (Böhme related to the name of Bohemia, part of then Czechoslovakia), back in its home country it was known as the Cechie. The factory was located in the Czech city of Krasna Lipa aka known as Schonlinde since it was in German speaking area of the country known as the Sudetenland which Nazi German “absorbed” in October 1938. As WWII started a year later the 20-some assembly workers were out of a job but not before about 3,000 bikes were built, however few surviving to the present. Today, the town counts some 3500 residents.
Czech, Please
Here’s a bike and a half that you don’t see every day as in rare as dragon’s teeth. Owner Paul Greenstein, seen here with longtime riding companion Dydia DeLyser, usually can be found chugging along on vintage Indians, but when he chanced upon this bike he just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get hold of the Czech built masterwork even though it had meandered over the years from Czechoslovakia to Hungary to Germany, finally Paul having it shipped through Italy where it somehow then took a tangent across the Pacific Ocean to China for unknown reasons before finally arriving at the Long Beach port. Strangely, it had no customs problem…it was so old and weird they didn’t care. I still have to sort out some wiring and already rebuilt the transmission, made the taillight, found a new horn and the correct Bing carburetor…it’s about 90% done and I plan just to have fun with.”
Buy by the Foot
The factory offered your choice of a 2-seater Sport, a three passenger tourer (Touren) and the big boy Langtouren that could transport four (of various sizes) and which boasted the longest wheelbase. A military version with two gear boxes, one apparently operated by the rear soldier passenger was in the offing, but never made it into production as WWII began.
Proper Böhmerland Attire – Original Czech Postcard
In addition the company offered a sidecar that added further passenger capacity. The bikes were actually still in use into the 1960s but eventually most gave up the ghost as they wore out, replacement parts basically unavailable. Note this model’s variation in the red and yellow paint scheme and additional panniers, examples of the various options offered.
Spacious Accommodations
Strategically Placed Shrapnel Candidate
Bomb Proof
Front Leading Link Suspension Echoes the Rear
Can’t Beat Bosch
Large klaxon style horn was sourced from Germany’s pre-eminent electronics company.
Imprinted with History
While the engine case states the displacement and designers name, the 3-speed gear box to the left bears the stamp of the iconic British transmission maker Sturmey-Archer, best known for its applications to bicycles but also employed on many early motorcycles. Signs of grease and road grime indicate the Böhmerland is taken to the streets and well-enjoyed by Paul and Dydia.
Don’t Confuse the Petrol with the Lubrication
What would appear to be two gas tanks are in fact containers for engine lubricating oil and as a tool box.
Against All Odds – The Birth of the Böhmerland
A little backstory about Leibisch is certainly in order. His father ran a successful gardening company, and young Albin, one of five kids, was afforded a good education first in Switzerland, and then about 1905 he went to work in a shopping specializing in sewing machines, bicycles and eventually motorcycles. For some reason Albin moved on to a new job as a chauffeur after hankering to get involved with the new-fangled automobile, and was employed by a lawyer in 1907, the upgrade to chauffeuring for the inhabitants of a Bavarian castle where he met his wife to be, Hermina.
His interest in machines brought to a then leading edge in motorcycle development, one Jean Fuchs, but then 1914 and the outbreak of the First World War found Leibisch in the German infantry fighting in Russia where he was wounded. Recovering he work on cars for a few years and by 1920 was in Krasna Lipa/Schonlinde, assembling cars for Alfred Hielle, the two great friends and gearheads often taking long car trips across Europe. By 1925 he had designed and built his first Böhmerlands via his “Bohemia Motorbike Factory” and attracted a great deal of public attention for his unique creations. The sales network was not exactly up to speed, but you could buy a Böhmerland on the installment plan.
The Second World War and German occupation ended production, Leibisch forced into working for Nazi war effort. Although he was not political and did survive the war, the post-war authorities sent him and his only son to serve in a punishment labor camp where they were harshly treated but survived. In 1946 he was released went back to working on vehicles and attempted to revive his motorcycles but using a 200cc Zundapp engine, an unsuccessful effort. The workshop was damaged by a flood, and reportedly years later you could still dig up rusting bike parts in the area. On November 9, 1965 Leibisch passed away at age 87, his unusual vision of a motorcycle recognized as a milestone machine, testimony to creativity in all its various flavors…and still astounding people 70 years later!
2013-C
Commemorative Postage – National Hero
Issued on June 12, 2013 in the Czech Republic (Chechie), the special issue postcard again shows 2013C with its inventor Albin Hugo Leibisch.
Imitation is the Highest Form of Flattery
Seen here is recently built replica Böhmerland. The factory had also built models with top mounted gas tank model as well as offered solo seat option, but this clone’s frame may have taken a custom tangent. Cool nonetheless. Sold at a Berlin auction on September 16, 2016.
Inspired by the Böhmerland?
No doubt the wildest motorcycle (and its rider) was the 17-foot long ROADOG as conceived, built and ridden circa 1965 by William “Wild Bill” Gelbke. A four-cylinder Chevy II Nova powertrain was nudged into aerospace tubing matrix, the rear-end harvested from a one-ton Chevy truck differential, disc brakes from a Corvette. Other innovations include a claim that it was the first use of an automatic transmission for a motorcycle. Apparently Wild Bill would cruise around at 90+mph. It was however much heftier than the 700 lb. Böhmerland as it tipped the scales at 3200 lbs. and required four integrated hydraulic jacks to stand upright when parked.
Czech This One Out….The Böhmerland’s Sidekick Machine?
Cezeta Reborn!? 60th Year Celebration
Pick One
Have you hugged your Böhmerlander lately?
Dydia and Paul have sharing their passion for vintage motorcycles for
more than 30 years…as seen in the following photos.
Have Boat, Can Float – Flash from Past
Making an appearance in 2008 at the annual Los Angeles Griffith Park Rally, pre-beard Paul pilots Dydia’s original 1933 British made AJS Twin Sport 350cc single matched to U.S. Sidecar replica boatcar, the perfect combo to escape any impending earthquake/tsunami event. Bike still wears its English road registration i.d. housed in round badge attached to the upper forks. AJS stood for A.J. Stevens & Co., Ltd. Circa 1909-1931during which it claimed 117 world records. The iconic name continued in use until 1969 under new ownership via Matchless, Norton-Villiers and Associated Motorcycles.
Paul, Dydia and Harpo After a Successful Fishing Trip
