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Horex 350 1954
The Horex motorcycle was little known as a Grand Prix racer
outside Germany, but at home it was highly prized. The Horex turned in
consistently fine performances in the minor races it entered.
Fritz Kleeman founded the Horex company in Frankfurt in 1923. After the first
few years the company concentrated on producing sports models. Many of the
riders who purchased the Horex modified their motorcycles for racing on
secondary circuits.
In 1950 Horex finally built a racer of its own. This was
derived from the Regina model, which had a 350-cc. four-stroke engine. In 1953
Horex became more deeply involved in racing. The company built a new 350, a
four-stroke model that had double overhead shaft distribution with bevel gear
shafts. This vehicle was very similar to the NSU 350 and 500. Although the
motorcycle was never an outstanding racer, its clean design and fine detailing
attracted much attention.
The German rider Georg Braun raced a Horex in 1953 and 1954,
but his popularity did not extend beyond Germany.
In subsequent years the Horex company continued to enter races occasionally. One
of their motorcycles, the Horex Grand Prix 350, appeared at Monza in 1960. It
was a two-shaft model but had chain control and a single-bar chassis.
Motorcycle: Horex 350 Manufacturer: Horex, Frankfurt Type:
Racing Year: 1954
Engine: Horex two-cylinder, four-stroke, double overhead shaft drive with bevel
gear shafts. Displacement 350 cc.
Cooling: Air
Transmission: Four-speed block
Power: About 36 h.p. at 10,000 r.p.m.
Maximum speed: About 125 m.p.h.
Chassis: Upper cradle in tubular elements with suspended engine. Front,
swinging-link suspension; rear, telescopic shock absorbers
Brakes: Front and rear, central drum
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