Published October 14, 2025 by Michael Le Pard , Editor‑in‑Chief
The Complete Motorcycle Compendium
– O –
1985 Ossa 250 Copa
Oakes (United States) [Defunct – Early 1900s]
Oakes Motorcycles
Years Active: 1910s
Notable Models: Oakes Single
Oakes was a small American motorcycle manufacturer active in the early 20th century.
Their machines were bicycle‑derived motor‑bikes with clip‑on engines.
The brand disappeared quickly, leaving behind very few surviving examples.
💡 Did You Know? Oakes motorcycles were often sold through regional catalogs in the U.S.
OD (Germany) [Defunct – Ostner Dresden]
OD (Ostner Dresden)
Years Active: 1920s
Notable Models: OD 250cc
OD (Ostner Dresden) was a German motorcycle brand founded by Willi Ostner.
They produced motorcycles using MAG and other proprietary engines.
The company was short‑lived and disappeared before WWII.
💡 Did You Know? OD motorcycles were built in Dresden, a hub of German engineering in the 1920s.
OEC (United Kingdom) [Defunct – Osborn Engineering Company]
OEC Motorcycles
Years Active: 1901–1954
Notable Models: OEC Duplex Steering, OEC Commander
OEC (Osborn Engineering Company) was a British motorcycle manufacturer known for innovation.
They experimented with unusual steering systems, including the Duplex steering design.
OEC also produced motorcycles for the military and police before closing in the 1950s.
💡 Did You Know? OEC’s Duplex steering used two headstocks for improved stability.
OK (United Kingdom) [Defunct – Became OK‑Supreme]
OK Motorcycles
Years Active: Early 1900s–1926
Notable Models: OK Lightweight
OK was a British motorcycle brand that later merged into OK‑Supreme.
They produced small commuter motorcycles and racing machines.
The brand evolved into OK‑Supreme in 1927.
💡 Did You Know? OK motorcycles competed in early Isle of Man TT races.
OK‑Supreme (United Kingdom) [Defunct – Racing Heritage]
OK‑Supreme
Years Active: 1927–1946
Notable Models: OK‑Supreme 250cc TT
OK‑Supreme was a British motorcycle manufacturer formed from the OK brand.
They produced racing and road motorcycles, achieving success in the Isle of Man TT.
The company ceased production after WWII.
💡 Did You Know? OK‑Supreme won the 1928 Lightweight TT with rider Alec Bennett.
Olympic (United Kingdom) [Defunct – Lightweight Motorcycles]
Olympic Motorcycles
Years Active: 1930s–1950s
Notable Models: Olympic 125cc
Olympic was a British motorcycle brand producing lightweight commuter bikes.
Their machines were powered by Villiers two‑stroke engines and targeted budget riders.
The brand disappeared in the 1950s as competition increased.
💡 Did You Know? Olympic motorcycles were often sold through small regional dealers in the UK.
Omega (France) [Defunct – Interwar]
Omega Motorcycles
Years Active: 1920s–1930s
Notable Models: Omega 250cc
Omega was a French motorcycle manufacturer producing small displacement machines.
Their bikes were commuter‑oriented and regionally distributed.
The brand disappeared before WWII, leaving behind little documentation.
💡 Did You Know? Omega motorcycles were sometimes fitted with JAP or MAG engines.
Opel (Germany) [Defunct – Automaker’s Early Motorcycles]
Opel Motorcycles
Years Active: 1901–1930s
Notable Models: Opel Motoclub
Opel, better known today as a car manufacturer, also produced motorcycles in the early 20th century.
Their machines ranged from motor‑bicycles to larger motorcycles.
Opel ceased motorcycle production in the 1930s to focus on automobiles.
💡 Did You Know? Opel’s early motorcycles were displayed at the 1901 Hamburg Motor Show.
Orient / Orient‑Aster (France) [Defunct – Early Innovators]
Orient / Orient‑Aster
Years Active: 1900s–1910s
Notable Models: Orient‑Aster Motor Bicycle
Orient‑Aster was a French motorcycle brand producing some of the earliest motor‑bicycles.
They used Aster engines and were among the pioneers of the French motorcycle industry.
The brand disappeared by the 1910s as the market consolidated.
💡 Did You Know? Orient‑Aster motorcycles were exported to several European countries before WWI.
Orionette (Germany) [Defunct – Berlin Manufacturer]
Orionette
Years Active: 1921–1925
Notable Models: Orionette 350cc
Orionette was a German motorcycle manufacturer based in Berlin.
They produced innovative two‑stroke motorcycles but faced financial difficulties.
The company closed in 1925 after only a few years of production.
💡 Did You Know? Orionette experimented with rotary‑valve two‑stroke engines in the 1920s.
Orle (Poland) [Defunct – Postwar]
Orle Motorcycles
Years Active: 1950s
Notable Models: Orle 125
Orle was a small Polish motorcycle manufacturer active in the postwar years.
Their lightweight two‑stroke motorcycles were commuter‑oriented and regionally distributed.
The brand disappeared quickly as larger Polish firms like Romet dominated the market.
💡 Did You Know? “Orle” translates to “Eagle” in Polish, a patriotic name choice in the 1950s.
Oscar (Italy & UK) [Defunct – Small Displacement]
Oscar Motorcycles
Years Active: 1930s–1950s
Notable Models: Oscar 125cc
Oscar was a name used by both Italian and British small‑scale motorcycle makers.
They produced mopeds and lightweight motorcycles, often powered by Villiers or Sachs engines.
Both iterations of the brand disappeared by the mid‑20th century.
💡 Did You Know? Oscar motorcycles were sometimes sold under license in multiple European countries.
Ossa (Spain) [Defunct – Trials & Motocross]
Ossa Motorcycles
Years Active: 1924–1982, revived 2010–2015
Notable Models: Ossa MAR, Ossa Phantom
Ossa was a Spanish motorcycle manufacturer founded by Manuel Giró.
They became famous for lightweight two‑stroke motorcycles used in trials, motocross, and enduro.
Ossa closed in 1982 but was briefly revived in the 2010s before merging with GasGas.
💡 Did You Know? Mick Andrews won multiple trials championships on Ossa motorcycles.
Over (Italy) [Active – Racing & Street]
Over Motorcycles
Years Active: 1990s–present
Notable Models: Over Racing 450
Over is an Italian boutique motorcycle manufacturer producing racing and street bikes.
They focus on lightweight, high‑performance machines, often in limited production runs.
Over continues to operate in small numbers for enthusiasts and racers.
💡 Did You Know? Over has also built custom racing frames for other manufacturers.
Oz (Australia) [Active – Custom Motorcycles]
Oz Motorcycles
Years Active: 2000s–present
Notable Models: Oz Custom Choppers
Oz is an Australian custom motorcycle builder specializing in choppers and cruisers.
Their bikes are hand‑built and tailored to customer specifications.
Oz represents the modern custom scene in Australia with unique, one‑off builds.
💡 Did You Know? Oz motorcycles often feature locally sourced parts and Australian‑themed designs.
Oakes USA
OD Germany, 1920’s. Built by Willi Ostner in Dresden, Ostner Dresden, OD. Used MAG and other engines
OEC England, 1900 to 1954, Osborn Engineering Company.
OK England, early 1900’s, Became OK-Supreme
Okay USA,1916 – 1917, Built a motor wheel for bicycles
OK-Supreme England, 1927 – 1946
Olympic England, Frank Parkyn built a few motorcycles in the early 1900’s and then stopped until 1919. Built motorcycles using the New Courier name in 1922 closed in 1923
Olympus Japan
Omega England, had a factory in Hillfields in 1909. Designed by A.J. Dorsett
Opel built motorcycles long before GM took them over
Orbit England, 1919 – 1924, Used Blackburne, Bradshaw and their own engines. Designed by A.J. Dorsett
Orient Orient-Aster see Metz
Orionette Germany, 1921 – 1925
Orle Poland, 1933 – 1934
Oscar Italy
Oscar England, 1950’s, A prototype scooter, never put into production
Ossa Spanish, 1951 – 1985. One of the most charismatic motorcycle manufacturers in the history of Spanish motorcycles.
Over Japan
Oz USA