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MOJ[a] is a defunct brand of motorcycles that were manufactured in Katowice, Poland from 1937 to 1939. The name derives from the nickname of the founder, Gustaw Różycki, whilst he was a student[1] at the University of Leoben.[2]

History

In 1933, mining engineer Gustaw Różycki bought a small mining machinery factory in Załęże, Katowice from Alfred Wagner and renamed it Fabryka Maszyn Oraz Odlewnia Żelaza i Metali MOJ.[3] He set about expanding the company and by the time WWII broke out the number of employees had risen from 15 to 800.[4] The company produced mining equipment, boat engines, chain saws and other machinery.[3]

Różycki was a motorcycle enthusiast and wanted to produce his own machines. In 1935 he employed engineer Karol Zuber to head a new motorcycle division.[3][5] The first motorcycle, the MOJ 130, was produced later that year. It had a 128 cc two-stroke engine. A 250 cc machine was in development,[3] and there were plans to produce cars. Land had been brought in Sandomierz to build a second factory for car production. Car production was due to start in 1940/1 but the war brought an end to this plan.[5] A rotary engine was in development and Różycki was granted a patent for the design.[5][2]

Following the German invasion of Poland, the factory was commandeered by the Germans to produce mining equipment and ammunition, although a small number of motorcycles were manufactured for military use.[3] Różycki joined the resistance and as a result spent the rest of the war in concentration camps in Dachau and Gusen.[3]

After the end of WWII, the factory was nationalised[5] and it was decided not to re-establish motorcycle production.[3]

Models

MOJ 130

The motorcycle was modelled on German motorcycles of the time, with an emphasis on quality.[3] Prototype models were fitted with a Villiers engine, but production models used their own 128 cc single cylinder two-stroke engine. A rigid duplex frame was used with pressed steel girder forks. Most components were made by the factory or were from Polish manufacturers.[6] The motorcycle was presented to the press in February[5] 1937[4] and production machines were available in August of that year.[1]

In 1938 the engine was improved with dual exhausts exiting the cylinder at the rear and the carburettor moved to the side of the engine.[1] The gearchange was changed from hand to foot operated.[7] Some machines were purchased by the military, including the 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade. There was also a state-funded purchase scheme for officers to buy the motorcycle.[6]

A few competition versions of the model were made and on which Różycki entered various events, including the 1939 Tatra Rally, which he won.[4]

Around 600 units of the MOJ 130 were produced pre-war.[1][4]

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ^ Sometimes incorrectly translated as MOY

References

  1. ^ a b c d Szczerbicki 2010, pp. 84–86.
  2. ^ a b "Różycki Gustaw Michał - Wynalazki i odkrycia". wynalazki.andrej.edu.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Moj 1937". zabytkowemotocykleirowery.pl. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d "Motocykl MOJ 130 - przedwojenna perełka motoryzacji" [MOJ 130 motorcycle - a pre-war gem of the automotive industry]. New Polish Design (in Polish). Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e Szczerbicki, Tomasz. "Wizjoner i jego motocykl | MOJ" [A visionary and his motorcycle | MOJ]. Świat Motocykli (in Polish). Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  6. ^ a b Jońca 2013, pp. 34, 35.
  7. ^ Jońca, Szubański & Tarczyński 1990, p. 98.

Bibliography

  • Jońca, Adam (2013). Motocykle Wojska Polskiego [Motorcycles of the Polish Army] (in Polish). Warszawa: Edipresse Polska. ISBN 978-83-7769-570-8.
  • Jońca, Adam; Szubański, Rajmund; Tarczyński, Jan (1990). Wrzesień 1939: pojazdy Wojska Polskiego ; barwa i broń [September 1939: vehicles of the Polish Army; color and weapons] (in Polish). Wydawnictwa Komunikacji i Łączności. ISBN 978-83-206-0847-2.
  • Szczerbicki, Tomasz (2010). "Niecodzienna fotografia" [Unusual photography]. Militaria XX Wieku (in Polish). 5 (38).

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