Tornax was a motorcycle manufacturer based in Wuppertal, Germany.
Tornax built its first motorcycle in 1926. It had a 600-cubic-centimeter JAP (English) engine with an output of 15 horsepower.
In 1930, Tornax produced its first two-cylinder motorcycle. It was equipped with a 1,000-cubic-centimeter JAP engine producing 26 horsepower. In 1931, a sports version was also released, which had 72 horsepower and a top speed of 190 km/h. Since such a motorcycle was very expensive, very few were sold due to economic conditions (the Great Depression).
In 1934, Germany banned the import of parts. Since several German motorcycle manufacturers sourced engines, transmissions, forks, and other parts from England or Switzerland, it was difficult to find German-made replacements on short notice. As a result, several motorcycle manufacturers ceased operations, but Tornax survived by scaling back production to a single model, which was aptly named “Universal” (it had a 600-cubic-centimeter engine).
In 1935, Tornax expanded its production, introducing additional motorcycles with 600-cubic-centimeter engines, as well as motorcycles with 800-cubic-centimeter engines. Tornax also began producing a small sports bike called the “Rex” with a 700-cubic-centimeter DKW engine. Only 158 of these bikes were produced.
During World War II, Tornax scaled back its production and continued to manufacture only one motorcycle model with a 125-cubic-centimeter engine. Tornax ceased motorcycle production in 1945, when the factory was destroyed during a bombing raid.
In 1948, Tornax resumed production of motorcycles with 125-cubic-centimeter engines and continuously expanded its product line.
Tornax ceased motorcycle production in 1955. During its 29 years of operation, the company produced approximately 50,000 motorcycles.
