Motorrad
Universal, Modell 580 B 30 (Cardan-Boxer Touren)
Dating
1951Description
stehende Ventile (sv = Side Valves) - 4-Gang-Getriebe, Fussgeschaltet - Kardanantrieb - Zylinderbohrung: 72, Kolbenhub: 72 - Motor-Nr. 60329, Fahrgestell-Nr. 60329 - Soziussitz - Typen-Schein-Nr.: 409Signature / Inscription
Signatur / Beschriftung: Beschriftung: "Universal"Object type
Object (three-dimensional)Material / Technique
Metall, Leder, KunststoffDimensions
210 x 60 x 110 cm 190 kgInventory number
VHS-3486Legend
Universal 580 B 30
Switzerland 1951
From Willisau to Oberrieden
The first location of Universal is Willisau, where Dr. Antonio Vedova from Ticino takes over the „Helvetia“ bicycle factory in 1928. The company moves to Oberrieden on lake Zurich in 1936, into the former working premises of the aircraft manufacturer Comte, which became bankrupt in 1935.
Police bike
In many areas of Switzerland during the 1950’s, the Universal is regarded as the classic police bike. More than 20 police corps order the robust machines from Oberrieden and value the quality and reliability of the „Cardan Boxer“.
No future for the two-wheeler
In 1958, Universal stops its motor bike production in favour of garden equipment (lawn mowers). New insurance rules have suddenly made motor cycling massively more expensive and the spread of the car as an everyday vehicle does the rest. Anyone who was still riding a motorbike in 1960 was either in the police or the army, or was from yesterday. The Universal company, which moved to Schübelbach SZ in the meantime, goes into liquidation in July 2007.
Technical data
Main colour
schwarzNumber of crew
1Number of passengers
1Top speed [km/h]
110Type of propulsion
Kolbenverbrennungsmotor (Benzin)Engine design
Boxer, LuftkühlungPower [kW]
15Capacity [l]
0.5782
Speed [rpm]
4000Systematics
• without pedals