Published October 14, 2025 by Michael Le Pard , Editor‑in‑Chief
The Complete Motorcycle Compendium
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2005 Laverda 1000 SFC
La Foudre (France) [Defunct – Interwar]
La Foudre
Years Active: 1920s–1930s
Notable Models: La Foudre 250cc
La Foudre was a French motorcycle manufacturer active in the interwar years.
They produced lightweight commuter motorcycles powered by Villiers and JAP engines.
The brand disappeared before WWII, leaving behind very few surviving examples.
💡 Did You Know? “La Foudre” translates to “The Lightning” in French.
La Mondiale (Belgium) [Defunct – Speedway & Road]
La Mondiale
Years Active: 1923–1934
Notable Models: La Mondiale Speedway
La Mondiale was a Belgian motorcycle manufacturer producing both road and speedway machines.
They used Villiers and JAP engines in their models.
The company closed in the mid‑1930s as competition increased.
💡 Did You Know? La Mondiale also built bicycles alongside motorcycles.
La Ray (United States) [Defunct – Motorized Bicycle]
La Ray
Years Active: 1940s
Notable Models: La Ray Powercycle
La Ray was an American company producing motorized bicycles in the 1940s.
Their Powercycle was a clip‑on engine attachment for bicycles.
The brand disappeared quickly as scooters and motorcycles became more practical.
💡 Did You Know? The La Ray Powercycle was marketed as “motor power for every bicycle.”
Laurin & Klement (Czech Republic) [Defunct – Predecessor to Škoda]
Laurin & Klement
Years Active: 1899–1908 (motorcycles)
Notable Models: Laurin & Klement Slavia
Laurin & Klement was a Czech manufacturer that began with bicycles and motorcycles before moving into automobiles.
Their motorcycles were among the earliest in Central Europe.
The company later merged into Škoda Auto, which continues today as a major carmaker.
💡 Did You Know? Laurin & Klement motorcycles won endurance races across Europe in the early 1900s.
Laverda (Italy) [Defunct – Legendary Sportbikes]
Laverda Motorcycles
Years Active: 1949–2000
Notable Models: Laverda 750 SF, Laverda Jota, Laverda SFC 1000
Laverda was an Italian motorcycle manufacturer founded by Francesco Laverda.
Known for large‑capacity sportbikes, Laverda gained fame in the 1970s with the Jota triple, one of the fastest bikes of its era.
The brand was acquired by Aprilia in 2000 and later absorbed into Piaggio, ending production.
💡 Did You Know? The Laverda Jota was named after a Spanish dance, reflecting its lively character.
Lea Francis (United Kingdom) [Defunct – Early Motorcycles]
Lea Francis
Years Active: 1911–1924 (motorcycles)
Notable Models: Lea Francis 350cc
Lea Francis was a British manufacturer better known for cars, but they also produced motorcycles in the early 20th century.
Their machines were powered by proprietary engines and were well‑built but never reached high production volumes.
The company shifted focus entirely to automobiles by the mid‑1920s.
💡 Did You Know? Lea Francis motorcycles were often praised for their reliability in endurance trials.
Lech (Poland) [Defunct – Interwar]
Lech Motorcycles
Years Active: 1929–1932
Notable Models: Lech 500cc
Lech was one of Poland’s first motorcycle manufacturers, producing large four‑stroke machines in the late 1920s.
Their motorcycles were intended for both civilian and military use.
The company collapsed during the Great Depression, making surviving examples extremely rare.
💡 Did You Know? The Polish Army tested Lech motorcycles for military service before the company folded.
Lectra (United States) [Defunct – Electric Pioneer]
Lectra Electric Motorcycles
Years Active: 1973–1975
Notable Models: Lectra Electric Commuter
Lectra was one of the earliest American electric motorcycle manufacturers.
Their commuter bikes were limited in range and speed but represented a bold experiment during the 1970s energy crisis.
The company folded after only a few years due to limited demand and battery technology constraints.
💡 Did You Know? Lectra’s electric motorcycles had a top speed of just 30 mph.
Levis (United Kingdom) [Defunct – Famous Two‑Strokes]
Levis Motorcycles
Years Active: 1911–1940
Notable Models: Levis 211cc Two‑Stroke, Levis 350cc OHV
Levis was a British motorcycle manufacturer renowned for its two‑stroke machines.
They were successful in racing and trials during the 1920s and 1930s.
Production ended in 1940, but the brand was revived in the 2010s with modern retro‑styled motorcycles.
💡 Did You Know? Levis was nicknamed “The Master Two‑Stroke” in its heyday.
Lightning (United States) [Active – Electric Superbikes]
Lightning Motorcycles
Years Active: 2006–present
Notable Models: Lightning LS‑218, Lightning Strike
Lightning is an American electric motorcycle manufacturer producing high‑performance superbikes.
The LS‑218 is one of the fastest production electric motorcycles in the world, with a top speed over 215 mph.
Lightning continues to push the boundaries of electric performance and innovation.
💡 Did You Know? The Lightning LS‑218 set a land speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats in 2011.
Lilac (Japan) [Defunct – Postwar Manufacturer]
Lilac Motorcycles
Years Active: 1950–1967
Notable Models: Lilac LS‑18, Lilac R92
Lilac was a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer producing high‑quality machines in the postwar years.
Known for their shaft‑drive models, Lilac bikes were advanced for their time.
The company was eventually absorbed by Showa and disappeared by the late 1960s.
💡 Did You Know? Lilac motorcycles were sometimes called “the BMW of Japan” due to their engineering.
Lincoln Elk (United States) [Defunct – Early 1900s]
Lincoln Elk
Years Active: 1913–1914
Notable Models: Lincoln Elk Twin
Lincoln Elk was a short‑lived American motorcycle brand producing V‑twin machines.
Their motorcycles were marketed as premium touring bikes but failed to compete with Harley‑Davidson and Indian.
The company closed after only a year of production.
💡 Did You Know? Surviving Lincoln Elk motorcycles are among the rarest U.S. antiques.
Linto (Italy) [Defunct – Racing]
Linto Motorcycles
Years Active: 1967–1970
Notable Models: Linto 500 GP
Linto was an Italian racing motorcycle manufacturer founded by Lino Tonti.
Their 500cc twin was highly competitive in Grand Prix racing during the late 1960s.
Despite strong results, financial struggles ended the project by 1970.
💡 Did You Know? Lino Tonti later became famous for his engineering work at Moto Guzzi.
Lion‑Rapide (France) [Defunct – Interwar]
Lion‑Rapide
Years Active: 1920s–1930s
Notable Models: Lion‑Rapide 250cc
Lion‑Rapide was a French motorcycle brand producing lightweight commuter bikes.
Their machines were powered by proprietary engines and sold regionally.
The brand disappeared before WWII, leaving behind little documentation.
💡 Did You Know? “Rapide” means “fast” in French, a popular marketing term of the era.
Lito (Sweden) [Defunct – Racing]
Lito Motorcycles
Years Active: 1958–1963
Notable Models: Lito 500 GP
Lito was a Swedish racing motorcycle manufacturer.
Their 500cc four‑stroke singles were competitive in Grand Prix racing, challenging MV Agusta.
Despite strong engineering, the company folded after only a few years.
💡 Did You Know? Lito motorcycles were hand‑built in very small numbers, making them highly collectible today.
Little Giant (United States) [Defunct – Early 1900s]
Little Giant Motorcycles
Years Active: 1911–1915
Notable Models: Little Giant Single
Little Giant was an American motorcycle brand producing lightweight single‑cylinder machines.
Their motorcycles were marketed as affordable commuter bikes but failed to compete with larger manufacturers.
The brand disappeared quickly, leaving behind very few surviving examples.
💡 Did You Know? Little Giant motorcycles were sometimes sold through mail‑order catalogs.
LLoyde (United States) [Defunct – Early 1900s]
LLoyde Motorcycles
Years Active: 1910s
Notable Models: LLoyde Twin
LLoyde was a small American motorcycle manufacturer active in the 1910s.
Their machines were V‑twin powered and marketed as premium touring bikes.
The company disappeared quickly, overshadowed by Harley‑Davidson and Indian.
💡 Did You Know? Surviving LLoyde motorcycles are considered extremely rare collectibles.
Lohner (Austria) [Defunct – Scooters & Early EVs]
Lohner Motorcycles
Years Active: 1949–1960s
Notable Models: Lohner L125, Lohner‑Porsche Hybrid
Lohner was an Austrian manufacturer producing scooters and small motorcycles after WWII.
They are also historically significant for producing the Lohner‑Porsche, one of the world’s first hybrid vehicles.
Motorcycle production ended in the 1960s as the company shifted focus.
💡 Did You Know? Ferdinand Porsche designed the Lohner‑Porsche hybrid in 1900, decades ahead of its time.
Lomart (United Kingdom) [Defunct – Mopeds]
Lomart
Years Active: 1950s–1960s
Notable Models: Lomart 50cc
Lomart was a British moped brand active in the postwar years.
Their machines were lightweight and commuter‑oriented, often powered by small Villiers engines.
The brand disappeared by the 1960s as larger manufacturers dominated the market.
💡 Did You Know? Lomart mopeds were sometimes sold through department stores in the UK.
Long (United States) [Defunct – Early 1900s]
Long Motorcycles
Years Active: 1902–1906
Notable Models: Long Single
Long was an American motorcycle manufacturer producing early motor‑bicycles.
Their machines were typical of the pioneering era, with clip‑on engines and bicycle frames.
The brand disappeared quickly, leaving behind very few surviving examples.
💡 Did You Know? Long motorcycles were displayed at some of the earliest U.S. motor shows.
Lot (France) [Defunct – Interwar]
Lot Motorcycles
Years Active: 1920s–1930s
Notable Models: Lot 250cc
Lot was a French motorcycle manufacturer producing lightweight commuter bikes.
Their machines were powered by proprietary engines and sold regionally.
The brand disappeared before WWII, leaving behind little documentation.
💡 Did You Know? Lot motorcycles are so rare today that few examples exist even in museums.
Lucznik (Poland) [Defunct – Mopeds]
Łucznik Motorcycles
Years Active: 1950s–1960s
Notable Models: Łucznik 50
Łucznik was a Polish manufacturer producing mopeds and small motorcycles.
Their machines were commuter‑oriented and regionally popular.
The brand disappeared in the 1960s as Romet and other Polish manufacturers consolidated production.
💡 Did You Know? Łucznik was also a major firearms manufacturer in Poland, producing pistols and rifles.
Lady Belgium 1924 – 1939? Rudge, Villiers, JAP engines. Also built Speedway bikes
La Foudre France
La Mondiale Belgium, 1923 – 1934
La Ray USA, 1940’s? La Ray Powercycle was a motorized bicycle
Laurin and Klement Austria, Early 1900’s (1899? – 1908?)
Laverda Italian, Founded in 1949 by Francisco Laverda. Huge name around the world for fine motorcycles.
Lea Francis England, 1911 – 1937
LDE England, 1951
Lech Poland, 1929 – 1932
Lectraa USA, 1995, makes electric motorcycles powered by a brush-less Variable Reluctance “VR” motor that has no magnets. Made by Electric Motorbike Incorporated (EMB)
LEM Italy, They make high end mini dirt bikes and off road racers for kids, since 1974
Leopard German Panthers were badged as Leopard’s when they were sold in England because Phelon & Moore (P&M) owned the rights to the Panther name in England
Levis England, 1911 Built motorcycles and sold engines
Lewis USA
Light Thor-Bred see Aurora
Lightning USA, V-8 trikes
Lilac Japan, see Marusho
Lincoln Elk England
Linto Italy, 1970’s, The Linto 500 racer used two Aermacchi 250cc engines that were coupled together
Lion-Rapide Construction between 1935 – 1963 by Steveninck & Sons , Alost (Aalst) in Flanders – Belgium. Also manufacturing of bicycles.
Lito Speedway bikes and engines
Little Giant England, 1913 – 1915
LLoyde Germany
Lohner Austria, 1950’s
Lomart USA 1970’s, mini-bikes
Long USA, 1880, steam tricycle
Lot Poland
Lucznik Poland, 1938 – 1939