Demm Motorcycles

The two brothers Daldi e Luigi Matteucci established a small company in 1919 in Milan named Società Anonima Daldi which manufactured automotive parts. In 1928 the company name changed to Officine Meccaniche Daldi and Matteucci and finally, in 1939, to DeMM, an acronym for Daldi e Matteucci Milan.

The administratif office was based in Milan while the factory based in Porretta Terme produced the industrial parts as well as precision instruments and after WW2 diversified into motorcycle production.

Demm is best remembered for its fast and stylish mopeds and lightweight corsa and competition machines.

In the 1950s the company held many world speed records in the smaller classes, and in 1961 one of its twin-cam racers won the Italian 50cc Championship.

The company began by making proprietary engines before launching its first complete machine - the Dik Dik moped - in 1956.

While most of Demm's proprietary engines and smaller models were two-strokes, it also built overhead-camshaft four-strokes in capacities of up to 175cc alongside a range of three-wheeled delivery trucks.

Demm's mopeds were widely exported to other parts of Europe and to North America, and sold well despite model names such as 'Smily' and 'Ping-Pong'.

Production of Demm motorcycles ceased in the mid-1980s Their engines were sold to a variety of other manufacturers including Legnano and Testi, particularly the 49cc, three speed twostrokes. In the late 1950's these were used by some 50cc racers to compete in the races for that new class.

While selling two-stroke engines to private owners, Demm created a fast piece of four-stroke machinery for its works riders, winning the Italian 1961 championship of the 50cc class.

The 50cc race engine was equiped with double overhead camshafts driven by a vertical shaft and bevel gears plus the usual spur gear over the head, with double ignition by battery and coil, a five speed gearbox, primary drive by gears and 16mm carburettor with elastic-mounted float chamber.

Demm even started working on a 50cc twin cylinder racer but the single cylinder double overhead cam was considered the principle weapon for the 1962 season by the Demm racing department.

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 they were eventually absorbed by ZF.

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 marque e.g. Demm Super Sport 1971.

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