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Austro-Omega - Austria 1932 - 1939

After the official production of Omega had been stopped in 1927, Omega motorcycles were still sold in Austria and Czechoslovakia. These motorcycles were built by the former Austrian importer of Omega motorcycles (since 1923), mr. Robert Sturm in Vienna, who had taken over the remainders of Omega.
Probably new frames were still built in the former Omega works by mr. Green, as in the 1927 catalogue was spoken about the "new robust construction of the 1927 frame", which is "original Omega from the best English tubing". Many parts were still bought from the same suppliers as Omega used, like engines from JAP and front forks from Brampton. The sheet metal parts, like the (saddle type) tank, separate oil tank and chain guards, were of different design than the Conventry Omega's. They were built in Austria by Joseph Pruckner. In the description of the frame it is mentioned that this robust design is especially for "bad quality roads in English colonies and successor states". Therefore these Austrian Omega's are also known under the name "Colonial Omega".

It is not completely clear how long Omega motorcycles were sold my mr. Sturm, as he also started in 1927 to build motorcycles under the name York. Probably he wanted to continue his business on the good reputation of Omega, as the following advertisement shows:

This is probably an announcement for the introduction of the new York brand on some motorcycle exhibition, as it is referred to "stand (= booth) no. 7162".
The second advertisement is probably of a later date, but still referring to the name Omega. It is also said that the Omega models in 250, 350 and 680cc are "now again immediately avaible". This might be the Colonial Omegas.

In 1929 Robert Sturm moved his motorcycle production from Vienna to Halle-Trotha in Germany, as he expected to build his motorcycles cheaper over there. Up to this moment 104 York motorcycles had probably been built (source: "101 Jahre Österreichische Motorradhersteller" ("101 years Austrian Motorcycle manufacturers") by Gabriela Klinger and Andreas Winter).

The remainders of the York motorcycle production in Vienna were taken over by mr. Joseph Pruckner, York's supplier of sheet metal parts. Using this he established, probably in 1932, the new brand Austro-Omega in Korneuburg (Austria). As Austro-Omega started from the remainders of York, it had a (weak) relation with the English Omega from Coventry. The Austro-Omega logo also hints in this direction, as the "Omega" part of it is the same as the logo of the English Omega (watch especially the sloping "O", "e" and "a" and the tail of the "g"):

The Austro-Omega were sturdy bikes, equipped with 350, 500 and 750cc JAP sidevalve engines. There were also racing successes with overhead JAP and Sturmey-Archer engines. From 1934 on Austro-Omega also built sidecars.
Production was ceased at the beginning of the 2nd World War. After the war Austro-Omega resumed the production of sidecars in 1948, but no motorcycles were built anymore. In 1960 also the production of the sidecars was ceased.

A nice example of an Austro Omega can be found in the book "Österreichische Motorradraritäten der Vorkriegszeit" written by Hannes Denzel. This motorcycle is from 1931, and is equipped with a 350cc sidevalve JAP engine. This motorcycle is in the Motorrad Museum Krems-Egelsee (Austria):

In the book "101 Jahre Österreichische Motorradhersteller 1899-2000" there are 2 pictures of Omega sidecar combinations:

Unfortunately no details are given, and the motorcycle itself is not very well visible. It looks more complex and "filled" than the one above, which has a lot of open space in the frame. The front forks however look very similar. The sidecar is of a quite exuberant design, with the very thick round bar and the chromed half spheres on the sides. Probably this is the "Strom-Luxus model" with the "slipper-shaped" sidecar body.
On the next picture a very similar combination is shown. The picture is made during the 1952 "spring classification ride" of the Arbö Vienna (Austrian auto, motorcycle and bicycle association, Vienna branch).

It might seem strange that the sidecar is on the left side of the motorcycle, but in a few parts of Austria, amongst which the Vienna region, right hand traffic was introduced not earlier than end of 1938! Thus up to 1938 the Austro Omegas were probably made with the sidecar mounted on the left side. Note that at the moment the picture was taken (in 1952) this combination, with Austro Omega motorcycle, was probably more than 12 years old, and had survived the 2nd World War.
The next motorcycle riding in the back of the picture has the sidecar on the right side, as normal for the European mainland.

On the internet I found, except from a picture of the motorcycle in the Krems motorcycle museum, just 1 other Austro-Omega picture. This one comes from a Russian site, and it should be a 1934 Austro Omega with 500cc JAP overhead valve engine:

The last picture shows a similar Austro Omega with 490cc OHV JAP engine from 1932 (image from Tragatsch):

I also found on internet some pictures of an Austro-Omega in the USA. Strange is that the owner says the motorcycle is from 1915, and the brand logo on the tank is completely different from the logo above! It depicts the name "Austro" around a big Greek letter "Omega".
Looking at the tank in between the frame tubes, the "inlet over exhaust" type of engine and the belt drive of the rear wheel, this motorcycle really looks to be from around 1915-1920 and not from the 1930's. I also see little resemblance with any other Omega, neither the (Austro) Omegas from Pruckner nor the Green Omegas from Coventry.
So I don't know if this is an actual Austro-Omega from mr. Pruckner, or from another manufacturer some years before using the same name. But despite quite a lot of searching, I did not find any info related to this machine or another (Austro) Omega brand.

Here a view of the text on the info panel:

Unfortunately I did not find a good picture of the left side of the bike, but this picture shows at least part of it. The man behind the motorcycle is the owner, Bruce Williams:

And finally a close-up of the engine and gearbox:

Both engine and gearbox don't look like any others that I know, and the carburettor looks like an American Schebler. I am still puzzling to find out more about this curious bike, so if you know something, please let me know.

After the motorcycle production was stopped, Austro Omega still sucessfully built sidecars until 1960. At this time a new logo was used:

The word "Motorradbeiwagen" is German for Motorcycle Sidecar.
Here some examples of Austro Omega sidecars:

The "Sport-Aero" type

The "Good-Look Sport" type

A completely Austrian combination of a Puch 250 SG (built from 1953 to 1970) with an Austro Omega sidecar, probably also the type "Good-Look Sport":

Look at the Austro Omega logo on the back of the sidecar

The Puch - Austro Omega combination in action

Austro Omega was also active in motorcycle sidecar sports, both on circuits and on the open roads. Here a normal road combination with a Puch 250 SG motorcycle, participating in the 1956 International Austrian Alps ride, held in Mariazell. Probably the sidecar is one from the Aero-series, as it has a solid drum brake in the sidecar wheel, while the Good-Look series did not have a brake.

The next picture shows some spectacular action on snow or ice, with a 3rd man being dragged along by the combination. Look at his well-protecting clothes and safety hat!
I can't judge whether the motorcycle is an Austro Omega or other, as there are too few details visible. The sidecar has the same chromed half spheres as the combination shown above. Probably the original half-circular bar over the body has been replaced by a more flat one, to provide better grip for the passenger for this kind of sports activities.

The next picture is taken at the 1953 Road Race in Baden. The sidecar is a special racing version, and probably has nothing to do with the normal sidecars for road use. The motorcycle is probably a Norton, looking at the typical tank painting. Look at the concentration on the face of the passenger, and again at the non-protecting clothes (knitted sweaters, no gloves for the passenger!) both driver and passenger are wearing:

On the last picture we see a Norton Manx in action during the 1955 Road Race in Sankt Pölten. The driver is Viktor Pongratz, the passenger his wife.

Finally some paperwork. First an advertisement from 1949:

Here a nice brochure, showing an Austro-Omega sidecar connected to a Puch TF 250 motorcycle. This Puch type was built from 1949 to 1953, so looking at the text, the advertisement must be from the period 1950-1953. Look at the nice Omega-shaped picture on the left:

And finally a complete catalogue, probably from 1954.

Of the inside I only have these small images of rather low quality:

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