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{{Infobox Company
{{Infobox company
| company_name = EMC Motorcycles
| name = EMC Motorcycles
| company_logo = [[image:EMC Logo.jpg]]
| logo = [[image:EMC Logo.jpg]]
| fate = Wound up
| fate = Wound up
| successor =
| successor =
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Dr Joseph Ehrlich was a wealthy Austrian and keen motorcycle enthusiast who became the acknowledged authority on two-stroke single racing bikes. Ehrlich moved to the UK and set up EMC after the Second World War with a factory at [[Isleworth]]. Production focused on a 350&nbsp;cc split single motorcycle based on German engineering using two cylinders and pistons with a common combustion chamber. One cylinder housed the exhaust ports and the other the transfer ports. EMC also imported [[Puch]] 125&nbsp;cc split single, four-speed engines from [[Austria]] as there was nothing to compete in the UK market at the time.<ref name="IOW" />
Dr Joseph Ehrlich was a wealthy Austrian and keen motorcycle enthusiast who became the acknowledged authority on two-stroke single racing bikes. Ehrlich moved to the UK and set up EMC after the Second World War with a factory at [[Isleworth]]. Production focused on a 350&nbsp;cc split single motorcycle based on German engineering using two cylinders and pistons with a common combustion chamber. One cylinder housed the exhaust ports and the other the transfer ports. EMC also imported [[Puch]] 125&nbsp;cc split single, four-speed engines from [[Austria]] as there was nothing to compete in the UK market at the time.<ref name="IOW" />
[[Image:EMC Twin 1950.jpg|thumb|right|EMC Twin 1950]]
[[Image:EMC Twin 1950.jpg|thumb|right|EMC Twin 1950]]
Dr Ehrlich worked throughout his life to improve engine performance. In 1948 he built a three-cylinder motorcycle engine that was banned from racing circuits as "too powerful".<ref name="EE">{{cite web|url=http://www.docscipark.com.au/ee_tech.html|title=History of EE technology|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> EMC racing motorcycles (and cars) were used by some of the leading riders, including [[Mike Hailwood]] who rode an EMC to fifth place in the [[1962 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1962]] 125&nbsp;cc [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|world championship]] and won the 1962 Saar Grand Prix.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/1962/ARG/125cc/World+Standing|title=1962 125cc world championship standings|publisher=motogp.com|accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=751&fArticleId=2814075|title=Works EMC bikes on the auction block|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> From 1981, 250&nbsp;cc EMC motorcycles won 4 [[Junior TT]]s at the [[Isle of Man]] and an EMC was the first 250&nbsp;cc motorcycle to break the {{convert|110|mph}} lap record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iomtt.com/TT-Database/Machine-Analysis.aspx|title=TT Race analysis|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> Ehrlich went on to develop [[Formula 3]] racing cars and although he retired from EMC in 1967 his interest in racing motorcycles continued and he produced one-off 250&nbsp;cc [[Rotax]]-engined bikes in the 1980s and his last competitive motorcycle in 1995 – when he was in his 80s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f3history.co.uk/Manufacturers/Ehrlich/ehrlich.htm|title=Ehrlich EMC|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref><ref>''{{cite book | last = Brown | first = Roland | title = Classic Motorcycles | publisher = Anness Publishing | date = 2002 | pages = pp. 137 | isbn = 1-84038-433-6 }} </ref>
Dr Ehrlich worked throughout his life to improve engine performance. In 1948 he built a three-cylinder motorcycle engine that was banned from racing circuits as "too powerful".<ref name="EE">{{cite web|url=http://www.docscipark.com.au/ee_tech.html|title=History of EE technology|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> EMC racing motorcycles (and cars) were used by some of the leading riders, including [[Mike Hailwood]] who rode an EMC to fifth place in the [[1962 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1962]] 125&nbsp;cc [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|world championship]] and won the 1962 Saar Grand Prix.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/1962/ARG/125cc/World+Standing|title=1962 125cc world championship standings|publisher=motogp.com|accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=751&fArticleId=2814075|title=Works EMC bikes on the auction block|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> From 1981, 250&nbsp;cc EMC motorcycles won 4 [[Junior TT]]s at the [[Isle of Man]] and an EMC was the first 250&nbsp;cc motorcycle to break the {{convert|110|mph}} lap record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iomtt.com/TT-Database/Machine-Analysis.aspx|title=TT Race analysis|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> Ehrlich went on to develop [[Formula 3]] racing cars and although he retired from EMC in 1967 his interest in racing motorcycles continued and he produced one-off 250&nbsp;cc [[Rotax]]-engined bikes in the 1980s and his last competitive motorcycle in 1995 – when he was in his 80s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f3history.co.uk/Manufacturers/Ehrlich/ehrlich.htm|title=Ehrlich EMC|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref><ref>''{{cite book | last = Brown | first = Roland | title = Classic Motorcycles | publisher = Anness Publishing | date = 2002 | pages = 137 | isbn = 1-84038-433-6 }}</ref>


Ehrlich's experience with early two-stroke designs led to work on the 'Environmental Engine' that had variable compression and variable capacity to improve emission and fuel consumption. Potentially the future of engine technology, Josef Ehrlich died in September 2003 aged 89 without seeing his engine designs developed commercially.<ref name="EE" />
Ehrlich's experience with early two-stroke designs led to work on the 'Environmental Engine' that had variable compression and variable capacity to improve emission and fuel consumption. Potentially the future of engine technology, Josef Ehrlich died in September 2003 aged 89 without seeing his engine designs developed commercially.<ref name="EE" />


==Models==
==Models==



{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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==External links==
==External links==

* [http://www.ozebook.com/az/emc.htm EMC Image Gallery]
* [http://www.ozebook.com/az/emc.htm EMC Image Gallery]


{{British motorcycle manufacturers}}
{{British motorcycle manufacturers}}

[[Category:Companies established in 1946]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1946]]
[[Category:Companies disestablished in 1977]]
[[Category:Companies disestablished in 1977]]

Revision as of 12:52, 15 February 2015

EMC Motorcycles
IndustryManufacturing and engineering
Founded1946
Defunct1977
FateWound up
HeadquartersIsleworth, UK
Key people
Dr Joseph Ehrlich
ProductsMotorcycles

EMC Motorcycles or the Ehrlich Motor Co was a British motorcycle manufacturer. Based in Isleworth, the business was founded by Joseph Ehrlich who emigrated to Britain from Austria in the 1930s.[1]

A specialist engine tuner, Joe Ehrlich made unique two-stroke motorcycles. EMC stopped mass production in 1952 but Ehrlich used his knowledge of German technology to re-engineer the DKW Rennsporte Ladempumpe production racers, which he developed as one-off EMC racing bikes and won several events over the next 25 years.[2] The EMC 125 cc racer was considered among the fastest of its size in the early 1960s. Ehrlich left in 1967 and the company was wound up in 1977.[1]

History

Dr Joseph Ehrlich was a wealthy Austrian and keen motorcycle enthusiast who became the acknowledged authority on two-stroke single racing bikes. Ehrlich moved to the UK and set up EMC after the Second World War with a factory at Isleworth. Production focused on a 350 cc split single motorcycle based on German engineering using two cylinders and pistons with a common combustion chamber. One cylinder housed the exhaust ports and the other the transfer ports. EMC also imported Puch 125 cc split single, four-speed engines from Austria as there was nothing to compete in the UK market at the time.[2]

EMC Twin 1950

Dr Ehrlich worked throughout his life to improve engine performance. In 1948 he built a three-cylinder motorcycle engine that was banned from racing circuits as "too powerful".[3] EMC racing motorcycles (and cars) were used by some of the leading riders, including Mike Hailwood who rode an EMC to fifth place in the 1962 125 cc world championship and won the 1962 Saar Grand Prix.[4][5] From 1981, 250 cc EMC motorcycles won 4 Junior TTs at the Isle of Man and an EMC was the first 250 cc motorcycle to break the 110 miles per hour (180 km/h) lap record.[6] Ehrlich went on to develop Formula 3 racing cars and although he retired from EMC in 1967 his interest in racing motorcycles continued and he produced one-off 250 cc Rotax-engined bikes in the 1980s and his last competitive motorcycle in 1995 – when he was in his 80s.[7][8]

Ehrlich's experience with early two-stroke designs led to work on the 'Environmental Engine' that had variable compression and variable capacity to improve emission and fuel consumption. Potentially the future of engine technology, Josef Ehrlich died in September 2003 aged 89 without seeing his engine designs developed commercially.[3]

Models

Model Year Notes
EMC 350 cc 1948 Split single cylinder
EMC Model T 1953 Jap engine
EMC 125 cc 1963 Water-cooled twin

References

  1. ^ a b "EMC Motorcycles". Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  2. ^ a b Hogan, Peter (2002-11-30). "Racing Split Single Two Stroke Motorcycles in Post War England". Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  3. ^ a b "History of EE technology". Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  4. ^ "1962 125cc world championship standings". motogp.com. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  5. ^ "Works EMC bikes on the auction block". Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  6. ^ "TT Race analysis". Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  7. ^ "Ehrlich EMC". Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  8. ^ Brown, Roland (2002). Classic Motorcycles. Anness Publishing. p. 137. ISBN 1-84038-433-6.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=EMC_Motorcycles&oldid=647240104"