ALLRIGHT-KG

500 Krieger-Gnädig - 1926

Advanced design – until 1923

In 1919, the three Krieger brothers (formerly in military aviation) and the technician Franz Gnädig built what was almost certainly Germany's first series-production motorcycle.

Controlled Production

In 1922, the German economy went into free-fall and Krieger-Gnädig joined with the Cito marque to rationalize their respective products. Cito was in turn absorbed in 1923 by the old-established Allright firm. An unfortunate turn of events hastened the end of the excellent KG machine. Allright, based in Cologne, decided to concentrate its activities on the banks of the Rhine, while the recently introduced BMW flat-twin rendered all its rivals obsolete overnight. Despite a timid modernization by engineer Rudi Albert, the Krieger-Gnädig was dropped from the Allright catalog; production was continued near Suhl by Paul Henkel until 1932.

Fate of the Founders

Even before Allright halted the construction of the KG to concentrate on pedal cycles and components for other manufacturers (suspensions, brakes, etc.), the Krieger brothers and Franz Gnädig had already left the company. In 1925 the brothers briefly offered the Blackburne-engined "Original Krieger," while in 1924, Gnädig built a new design under his own name. In 1926 he joined Diamant, who was recommencing motorcycle production, and finally went to the Opel group.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 497cc (80x99mm) air-cooled single· cylinder four-stroke ; magneto

Power Rating: 12 hp

Valves: overhead

Fuel System: carburettor

Transmission: 3-speed hand change; shaft final drive

Suspension: girder fork (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

Wheels: wire

Weight: 266 lb

Maximum Speed: 62 mph

The photojournalist Robert Sexé, who wrote books about his world tours by motorcycle, is seen (inset) at Neustadt with his Krieger-Gnädig.