Motorcycle identification

[Wannes]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if someone could help me identifying the bike on the image. It's me on my dad's bike 45-46 years ago. I think the picture is from 1965 and the bike from the 50'. Can't ask him as he died a couple years after the picture was taken. I have been looking at many pictures on the web but have not been able to identfy it yet.

Thank you for helping me out.

[esometisse]

I do not recognize your father's bike right away but I am pretty sure it's engine is a 98cc Sachs M50. These were produced from 1950 to 1953 so that narrows it down a bit - but not too much actually as these engines were used by a vast number of manufacturers, the early fifties being a time with a huge demand for cheap everyday transport.
I will research the use of the M50 a little and see what I can come up with.
Where in the world was the picture taken?

Cheers
Andy

[esometisse]

I think the German Hercules 212 comes pretty close. Front mudguard, headlamp, chain guard and luggage rack seem to be almost identical. The engine doesn't have a kickstarter like your father's bike but has pedals instead and lacks the magneto cover but is otherwise the same. Both engine versions were available depending on the market.
http://classic-motorbikes.net/images/gallery/13006.jpg

Cheers
Andy

[Wannes]

The picture is taken in Belgium. The Hercules comes indeed very close. Perhaps it was a modification for the Belgian market. Gone narrow down my search with both your advices.
Thank you Andy

[Wannes]

I think I found one that is very close thanks to you. This one has a kickstart: http://allegro.pl/gericke-sachs-m50-i1878512381.html
The design of the tank is a bit different but could be local change.

[esometisse]

yes, the Göricke is quite close, too. But like the Hercules, it doesn't cut it completely.
But you may want to look up the makes in the following list that all used the little Sachs engines in the early fifties.
There are a few Dutch and Belgian ones like Sparta, Batavus, Superia, Socovel, Sarolea and Royal Nord but most are German, of course:
Anker, Bismarck, Bücker, Dürkopp, Express, Gritzner, Hecker, Heidemann, Hoffmannn, Mammut, Mars, Meister, Miele, Panther, Patria, Phänomen, Rabeneick, Rixe, Torpedo, U.T. and Wittler.
That will keep you occupied for a while!

Cheers
Andy

[Wannes]

Thank you very much Andy. I have a week of next week and know what to do now.  Never heard of lots of these makes.
I'll let you know what I found.

Kind regards,
Johann