Published October 15, 2025 by Michael Le Pard , Editor‑in‑Chief
The Complete Motorcycle Compendium
– W –
1985 WSK 175 Kobuz
Wanderer (Germany) [Defunct – Prewar Innovator]
Wanderer
Years Active: 1902–1929
Notable Models: Wanderer 616cc, Wanderer 750cc
Wanderer was a German manufacturer producing motorcycles, bicycles, and cars.
Their motorcycles ranged from small singles to large V‑twins.
Wanderer exited motorcycle production in 1929, focusing on automobiles, later merging into Auto Union (Audi’s predecessor).
💡 Did You Know? Wanderer’s motorcycle division was sold to NSU in 1929.
WFM (Poland) [Defunct – Postwar Commuters]
Warszawska Fabryka Motocykli (WFM)
Years Active: 1951–1965
Notable Models: WFM M06, WFM M50
WFM was a Polish motorcycle factory that took over production from Sokol after WWII.
They produced simple, rugged commuter motorcycles, often powered by 125cc–175cc two‑stroke engines.
WFM merged into WSK in 1965, ending the brand.
💡 Did You Know? WFM exported motorcycles to Cuba and other Eastern Bloc nations.
West Coast Choppers (United States) [Active – Custom Choppers]
West Coast Choppers
Years Active: 1992–present
Notable Models: CFL Chopper, El Diablo
Founded by Jesse James, West Coast Choppers builds custom Harley‑style choppers.
Known for radical styling, stretched frames, and celebrity clientele, the brand became a cultural icon in the 2000s.
Today, WCC continues to produce limited‑run customs and merchandise.
💡 Did You Know? Jesse James’ WCC bikes have appeared in films, TV shows, and celebrity garages worldwide.
Whizzer (United States) [Defunct – Motorized Bicycles]
Whizzer
Years Active: 1939–1964, revived 1997–2009
Notable Models: Whizzer Pacemaker, Whizzer NE5
Whizzer produced motor kits for bicycles, later complete motor‑bikes.
Popular in postwar America, Whizzers were affordable and practical.
The brand was revived in the late 1990s with retro‑styled motorized bicycles before closing again in 2009.
💡 Did You Know? Whizzer engines were originally sold as bolt‑on kits for Schwinn bicycles.
Wilkinson (United Kingdom) [Defunct – Luxury Touring]
Wilkinson Sword Motorcycles
Years Active: 1903–1914
Notable Models: Wilkinson Touring Four
Wilkinson Sword, better known for razors and swords, briefly produced motorcycles.
Their most famous model was a water‑cooled inline‑four touring bike with shaft drive, advanced for its time.
Production ended with the outbreak of WWI.
💡 Did You Know? Wilkinson’s motorcycle division was repurposed for military sword and blade production during WWI.
Wooler (United Kingdom) [Defunct – Experimental Designs]
Wooler Motorcycles
Years Active: 1911–1956
Notable Models: Wooler Flat Four, Wooler 500
Wooler was a British manufacturer known for unusual engineering.
They experimented with flat‑four engines, shaft drive, and unique styling.
Despite innovation, Wooler never achieved mass success and closed in the 1950s.
💡 Did You Know? Wooler’s flat‑four prototype was nicknamed “the flying banana” due to its shape.
WSK (Poland) [Defunct – Postwar Production]
WSK (Wytwórnia Sprzętu Komunikacyjnego)
Years Active: 1955–1985
Notable Models: WSK 125, WSK 175
WSK was a Polish state‑owned motorcycle manufacturer producing simple, rugged two‑strokes.
Their 125cc and 175cc models were ubiquitous in Poland during the communist era.
Production ended in the 1980s as imports became available.
💡 Did You Know? WSK motorcycles were exported to over 20 countries, including India and Egypt.
Walton (Bangladesh) [Active – Regional Manufacturer]
Walton Motors
Years Active: 1977–present
Notable Models: Walton Fusion 125, Walton Leo 90
Walton is Bangladesh’s first domestic motorcycle manufacturer.
They produce small displacement motorcycles (80cc–150cc) for local and regional markets.
Walton has expanded into exports across Asia and Africa.
💡 Did You Know? Walton also manufactures electronics and appliances, making it a diversified conglomerate.
Waratah (Australia) [Defunct – Rebadged Imports]
Waratah Motorcycles
Years Active: 1911–1950s
Notable Models: Waratah 250
Waratah was an Australian brand that imported British motorcycles and rebadged them for local sale.
They became known as “Australia’s own motorcycle,” despite being assembled from imported parts.
Waratah closed in the 1950s as Japanese imports arrived.
💡 Did You Know? Waratah was Australia’s longest‑running motorcycle brand.
Werner (France) [Defunct – Early Pioneer]
Werner
Years Active: 1897–1909
Notable Models: Werner Motocyclette
Werner was a French company founded by the Werner brothers, credited with popularizing the term “motocyclette.”
They pioneered the placement of the engine within the frame rather than above the front wheel.
Werner’s innovations influenced motorcycle design worldwide.
💡 Did You Know? The Werner brothers’ 1901 design is considered the first true motorcycle layout.
Welbike (United Kingdom) [Defunct – WWII Military Scooter]
Welbike
Years Active: 1942–1945
Notable Models: Welbike Paratrooper Scooter
The Welbike was a miniature folding motorcycle designed for British paratroopers in WWII.
It could be dropped in a container and quickly assembled for use behind enemy lines.
Though underpowered, it was a clever solution for airborne mobility.
💡 Did You Know? The Welbike inspired the postwar civilian Corgi scooter.
Wild West (United States) [Active – Custom V‑Twins]
Wild West Motor Company
Years Active: 1987–present
Notable Models: Wild West Vigilante, Wild West Dragoon
Wild West builds high‑end custom V‑twin motorcycles in the U.S.
Their bikes feature billet aluminum frames, powerful S&S engines, and radical styling.
Production numbers are low, making them rare and collectible.
💡 Did You Know? Wild West was one of the first to use CNC‑machined billet frames in production.
Williamson (United Kingdom) [Defunct – Early Four‑Stroke]
Williamson Motorcycles
Years Active: 1912–1920
Notable Models: Williamson Flat Twin
Williamson produced advanced motorcycles before WWI, including a water‑cooled flat‑twin with shaft drive.
Production was interrupted by the war and never fully recovered.
Today, Williamson motorcycles are extremely rare collector’s items.
💡 Did You Know? Williamson’s flat‑twin was inspired by Douglas and ABC designs.
Wisconsin Wheel (United States) [Defunct – Clip‑On Engines]
Wisconsin Wheel Works
Years Active: 1910s
Notable Models: Wisconsin Wheel Motor
Wisconsin Wheel produced clip‑on engines for bicycles, turning them into early motorcycles.
These motor‑wheels were part of the first wave of U.S. motorized transport.
The company faded as purpose‑built motorcycles took over.
💡 Did You Know? The Wisconsin Wheel was similar in concept to the British Wall Auto‑Wheel.
Minor “W” Manufacturers
Other W‑Brands
In addition to the major names, several smaller or short‑lived “W” brands existed:
- Widmayer (Germany): 1920s–1930s lightweight motorcycles.
- Williams (UK): Early 1900s experimental motorcycles.
- Winged Wheel (UK): BSA’s bolt‑on bicycle engine, 1950s.
- Wolf (Canada): 1950s scooters and mopeds.
- Woods‑Meagher (Canada): 1900s experimental motorcycles.
- Wulfruna (UK): 1910s Wolverhampton‑based motorcycles.
- Wul‑Gum (Australia): 1920s–1930s lightweight motorcycles.
💡 Did You Know? The BSA Winged Wheel was a direct competitor to the British Cyclemaster clip‑on engine.
Wabo Dutch, 1950’s
Wagner USA, 1904 Minneapolis
Wall England, 1912 – 1925, Made an engine kit for bicycles
Walter Germany, 1903 – 1942
Wanderer Germany, 1902 – 1929 They had engines between 616cc, and 750cc.
Waratah Australia
Wasp England
Waverly USA, 1905 – 1913, Had 500cc OHV single. Also made Jefferson, PEM and sold engines
Welbike UK, 1940, collapsible military scooter
Wendax Germany, 1930
Werner France, 1897 – 1908, The Russian brothers Werner, built and had patented the cradled frame engine location that most motorcycles now use, in 1901. They had a front wheel drive bike in 1898 but decided that it would improve handling to mount the engine between the wheels
West Coast Choppers USA, Custom V-Twin Choppers by Jessie James
Westlake England, Speedway bikes and engines
WFM Poland, 1951 – 1965, Took over Sokol in 1951
Whipple USA, 1905 – 1907, actually a tricycle with two wheels in front, Aurora Mfg engine
Whiting Australia-England, 1915 – 1920?, Saville Whiting designed several motorcycle prototypes but could never get them put into mass production in England or Australia. They used engines made by Douglas, JAP and the last used a V – Four of Whiting’s design
Whizzer USA, 1939 – 1964, Motorized bicycles
Widmayer USA, 1901, If any were produced
Wild West Motor Company USA, Harley Clones
Wilkinson England, 1903 – 1914, Wilkinson Sword Co., Made a touring bike that had a water cooled inline four engine with shaft drive in 1913
Williams USA, 1910’s J.N. Williams built a three cyl. engine that was put inside the wheel on several prototypes
Williamson England
Winged Wheel England, A bicycle engine kit made by BSA
Wisconsin Wheel Smith Motor Wheel
Wolf see Wearwell
Wood USA, 1914
Woods-Meagher USA
Wooler English 1920’s John Wooler. One model was called the “Flying Banana” because of it’s strange styling and yellow tank
WSK Poland 1954 – 1985, Wytwornia Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego which translates as “Communications Equipment Factory”.
Wulfruna see Wearwell
Wul-Gum Poland, 1937 – 1939, Sachs engines
Wysecycle USA