DEMM 175 RACE BIKE

1957 DEMM 175 PRODUCTION RACER

Engine no.: -/-
Frame no.: -/-

ALUMINIUM FUEL TANK

Engine: Single cylinder 4-stroke OHV
Starter: Kick-starter
Bore & stroke: 60 x 61 mm
Compression ratio: 7.0:1
Engine Capacity: 172.4cc
Maximum power: 9 bpm [HP] @ 6,500 rpm
Power-to-weight ratio: 3.25
Cylinder: Cast in special iron, cylinder head in aluminum, fitted with withdrawable valve seats and guides
Valve: OHV (Single shaft operating overhead valves which are set off the vertical. Valve operating through two pairs of ‘Gleason’ helical cut bever gears
Valves per cylinder: 2
Ignition type: Automatic advance dynamo coil - 45 Watt, 6 Volt
Carburettor: Dell O’rto
Cooling system: Air cooled
Sparks per cylinder: 1 (Auto-Lite)
Lubrication: Forced lubrication of crankshaft and rocker system from a mechanical gear pump
Transmission: Primary transmission through helical cut shaved gearing, chain final
Clutch: Cable operated with multiple wet disc in oil bath
Gearbox: 4-Speed foot-change
Throttle: Cable operated
Frame type: Open cradle tubular and pressed steel
Suspension: Telescopic front fork with hydraulic damping
Rear Suspension: Dual Hydraulic shock absorbers
Front Brake: Drum, hand operated
Rear Brake: Drum, pedal operated
Front tire: 2.75 x 19 Inches
Rear tire: 2.75 x 19 Inches
Seat: Duck tail race seat
Fuel tank capacity: ca. 19 Liter (5.0 gallons)

​Daldi e Luigi Matteucci established a small company in 1919 in Milan named Società Anonima Daldi, which built automotive parts. In 1928, the company name changed to Officine Meccaniche Daldi and Matteucci and finally, in 1939, to DEMM, an acronym for Daldi and Matteucci Milan. The registered office remained in Milan, and a factory in Porretta Terme was erected which produced precision instruments and then, in 1952, building of mopeds and light motorcycles started.

In 1956, Demm established 24 world speed records in the 50cc class; this was followed by more competition success in the sixties, winning the Italian 50cc championship with their DOHC machine. While most of DEMM's proprietary engines and smaller models were two-strokes, it also built overhead-camshaft 4-strokes in capacities of up to 175cc. Demm two-stroke engines of 50, 53 and 75cc, and 4-stroke 125cc and 175cc bevel-driven OHC engines were sold to many motorcycle manufacturers. Engine production ended in 1983, but they continued selling motorcycle related products until 1988 when focus shifted entirely to gears for vehicles and machinery and were eventually absorbed by ZF.

NB: DEMM or Demm? The term DEMM is used to refer to the company itself, whereas Demm is most commonly used in Italy and elsewhere in Europe to refer to the brand, e.g., Demm Super Sport 1971.