Barbed wire to world tides
Kreidler Fahrzeugbau, of Kornwestheim, Stuttgart, supplied stock and semi-finished metals to German industry. They also made barbed wire, leading many to suggest their emblem was representative of it. If so, a clever ploy as it is also a pair of letter Ks back to back.
The business was founded in 1903 by Anton Kreidler (in business since 1889) as metals and wire specialists. Quickly, they gained a reputation for quality products and expanded their range and expertise into many steel, aluminium and other alloys to suit specific industrial needs, plus a selection of wire products. Anton's son Alfred restarted the business after the Second World War and, having an interest in motorcycles, saw the home market need for lightweight machines.
Launched for the 1951 season, Kreidler's first motorised two-wheeler was the 55kph ( 34.5mph) K50 piston ported two-stroke moped, with a single cylinder 49cc (38x44mm) two-speed engine. Although similar in style to the new machines from rivals, the maker aimed at quality, rather than economy of price. Although also heavier than some, the K50 sold well to the transport-hungry German market.
Encouraged, Kreidler added the better equipped K51, making a two-model range for the 1953 season. The Junior and scooterette-like RSO appeared a year later.
Manipulations in permitted power output and top speed for German market mopeds in 1955 led Kreidler to research both power restriction and increase. At this time, they were developing methods to hard chrome aluminium alloy cylinder bores for both durability and in the
