«TIGRA»

Tigra and his elegant 2-stroke wildcats

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Tigra mopeds are popular classics today and are extremely rare, especially in their original condition. Anyone who can call one of these gems their own is therefore truly to be envied. We take a closer look at the history of the manufacturer behind the Tiger emblem and the coveted Caravelle and Pionier models.

Seat
flag_swissSwitzerland, Gränichen AG
Status
Out of stock iconNot active
Foundation1930
logo_tigra

From popular motorbikes and robust bicycles to the first mopeds

The company behind the brand name was originally founded as Maschinenfabrik Gränichen in the Swiss town of the same name. More precisely, the company was created by taking over the bankruptcy estate of the two-wheeler manufacturer J. Zehnder & Söhne Gränichen AG. This manufacturer is certainly familiar to some motorbike enthusiasts, as it was the company that produced the legendary "Zehnderli" light motorbike. This inexpensive and particularly reliable two-stroke motorbike, powered by a 110 cm3 Gockerell engine, was one of the most popular Swiss motorbikes in the mid-1920s. After J. Zehnder & Söhne Gränichen AG had to file for bankruptcy, Alfred Gautschi took over the company and transferred it to the newly founded Maschinenfabrik Gränichen AG (MAFAG). As a result, the "Zehnderli" model continued to be produced, now by MAFAG, until the end of the 1930s. In addition to the production of the popular "Zehnderli" motorbike, simple metal products were also manufactured in Gränichen. However, vehicle construction developed into the company's most important mainstay during the 1940s and from the 1950s at the latest.

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Chrome-plated frame guard | Puch Tigra / Sachs Tigra Caravelle, Standard, Bodan
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For: Puch · Sachs

31362

Chrome-plated frame guard | Puch Tigra / Sachs Tigra Caravelle, Standard, Bodan

Manufacturer: Made in Switzerland · Material: Metal · Color: Chrome · Surface: chrome-plated · Mounting type: Rivets · Width: 43 mm · Total length: 310 mm · Thickness: 1 mm

EUR 259,10

"Tigra" sticker

For: Puch · Sachs

18964

"Tigra" sticker

Width: 82 mm · Height: 13 mm · Rear side texture: Adhesive · Consistency: petrol resistant · Place of use: Frame (+ tank)

EUR 16,80

Not in stock

"Tigra" sticker - new version

For: Puch · Sachs

16099

"Tigra" sticker - new version

Width: 84 mm · Height: 12 mm · Rear side texture: Adhesive · Consistency: petrol resistant · Place of use: Frame (+ tank)

EUR 12,30

Not in stock

"Tigra" sticker in italics

For: Puch · Sachs

18966

"Tigra" sticker in italics

Width: 66 mm · Height: 29 mm · Rear side texture: Adhesive · Consistency: UV-resistant · Consistency: petrol resistant · Place of use: Frame (+ tank)

EUR 14,50

Tigra" coat of arms sticker 42x57

For: Puch · Sachs

17919

Tigra" coat of arms sticker 42x57

Color: Chrome · Width: 42 mm · Height: 57 mm · Rear side texture: Adhesive · Consistency: UV-resistant · Place of use: Frame (+ tank)

EUR 17,40

"Tigra" sticker 62 x 10 mm

For: Puch · Sachs

18965

"Tigra" sticker 62 x 10 mm

Width: 62 mm · Height: 10 mm · Rear side texture: Adhesive · Consistency: petrol resistant · Place of use: Frame (+ tank)

EUR 13,40

Not in stock

Inox
swiing® revival strut fender arch Inox | Tigra Caravelle / Pionier
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For: Puch · Sachs

31401

swiing® revival strut fender arch Inox | Tigra Caravelle / Pionier

Manufacturer: swiing® revival parts · Material: Chrome steel (stainless steel) · Color: Chrome · Surface: electropolished · Mounting type: Nuts & bolts · Ø outside: 27 mm · Ø mounting hole: 5.4 mm · Number of fixing points: 1 pcs · Total length: 51 mm

EUR 33,70

Nameplate | Tigra Pionier (Gränichen)
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For: Puch

17084

Nameplate | Tigra Pionier (Gränichen)

Manufacturer: Made in Germany · Color: black · Height: 17 mm · Total length: 44 mm

EUR 39,30

Nameplate | Tigra Caravelle (Gränichen)
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For: Sachs

17085

Nameplate | Tigra Caravelle (Gränichen)

Manufacturer: Made in Germany · Color: black · Height: 18 mm · Total length: 52 mm

EUR 39,30

Not in stock

Tigra coat of arms Ø 45 mm (pioneer)

For: Puch · Sachs

18581

Tigra coat of arms Ø 45 mm (pioneer)

Diameter: 45 mm · Rear side texture: Adhesive · Consistency: UV-resistant · Consistency: petrol resistant · Place of use: Frame (+ tank)

EUR 16,10

swiing® revival fender arch chrome | Tigra Caravelle / Pionier
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For: Puch · Sachs

24731

swiing® revival fender arch chrome | Tigra Caravelle / Pionier

Manufacturer: swiing® revival parts · Material: Steel · Color: Chrome · Surface: chrome-plated · Mounting type: Screws · Ø outside: 12 mm · Number of fixing points: 2 pcs · Total length: 215 mm · Hole spacing: 35 mm · Hole spacing: 40 mm · Wide intake: 110 mm

EUR 39,30

Tigra coat of arms sticker Ø 45 mm (Caravelle)

For: Universal · Sachs

18580

Tigra coat of arms sticker Ø 45 mm (Caravelle)

Diameter: 45 mm · Rear side texture: Adhesive · Consistency: UV-resistant · Consistency: petrol resistant · Place of use: Frame (+ tank)

EUR 16,10

Decorative adhesive tank Tigra Caravelle

For: Sachs

18200

Decorative adhesive tank Tigra Caravelle

Rear side texture: Adhesive · Consistency: UV-resistant · Consistency: petrol resistant · Place of use: Tank (+ frame)

EUR 22,40

Not in stock

Decorative adhesive Tank Tigra Pionier

For: Puch

18201

Decorative adhesive Tank Tigra Pionier

Rear side texture: Adhesive · Consistency: UV-resistant · Consistency: petrol resistant · Place of use: Tank (+ frame)

EUR 22,40

Not in stock

swiing® revival tread strips | Puch Tigra Pionier
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For: Puch

17992

swiing® revival tread strips | Puch Tigra Pionier

Manufacturer: swiing® revival parts · Material: Aluminum · Surface: raw · Width: 40 mm · Height: 3.6 mm · Total length: 249 mm

EUR 56,20

Operating instructions | Tigra Pionier with X30 motor (Velux)

For: Puch

18348

Operating instructions | Tigra Pionier with X30 motor (Velux)

Material: Paper · DIN format: A6 · Number of pages: 80 pcs

EUR 33,70

Page 1 of 4

The Tigra brand is born

In the 1950s, MAFAG focussed almost exclusively on the construction of bicycles. The product range included bicycles for children as well as women's and men's bikes. It was supplemented by luxury and sports bikes as well as tandems and touring bikes. These were launched under the Jaguar brand name, among others. However, Maschinenfabrik Gränichen didn't hit the big time in the field of bicycle production until it took over the Tigra bicycle factory in the early 1950s. The Tigra brand became very popular within a very short space of time. It also owed its popularity to the bicycle racing team of the same name, which was led by the famous racing driver Eric Grieshaber. Even after the takeover by MAFAG, the Tigra racing team remained successful. The team included such greats as Robert Hagmann, Rolf Graf and Paul Köchli. However, the growing enthusiasm for motorised two-wheelers, both in Switzerland and in the rest of Europe, meant that the plan was made in Gränichen to no longer sell mainly bicycles under the successful brand name, but also motorised two-wheelers. This was not limited to the independent production of the frames and some add-on parts; final assembly also took place at times in the MAFAG factory halls. However, the engines for the mopeds, which were sold under the brand name Tigra, came either from Sachs in Germany or from the legendary moped manufacturer Puch in Austria. Although the mopeds enjoyed great popularity and were in high demand, the bread and butter business remained the manufacture, construction and sale of bicycles.

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Later years and closure of the company

After the bicycle boom and the subsequent golden age of the motorbike in the 1970s and early 1980s, the plant in Gränichen and the Tigra brand also experienced a slow but steady decline. Low-cost competition from the Far East and declining demand put the manufacturer under pressure. In order to counter the decline in sales in the two-wheeler sector, the Gränichen plant once again focussed on plant and mechanical engineering. The Tigra bikes and mopeds were replaced in their role as flagship products by single-disc cleaning machines for floor care. Unfortunately, their success was also short-lived, so that Maschinenfabrik Gränichen finally had to close its doors for good in 1990. The Tigra trademark rights were acquired by the traditional manufacturer Gretener AG, which at least still produced the bikes until this company also had to file for bankruptcy in the early 2000s. This meant that the last two-wheelers with the legendary Tiger brand logo also disappeared. However, anyone who has saved one of the beautiful Caravelle or Pioneer mopeds over the years or wants to restore one of these time-honoured gems can breathe a sigh of relief, at least as far as the supply of spare parts is concerned. This is because the spare parts market for the brand's mopeds offers significantly more than is the case with other rare gems. One of the reasons for this is that Sachs and Puch engines were installed, which were also used by numerous other brands. This means that many parts are still relatively easy to obtain today.

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The most successful moped models

The mopeds that were launched under the Tigra brand name are real rarities today, especially if they are in their original condition, and will delight every moped enthusiast. The model range was quite manageable, but very successful and popular. This explains why both the Tigra Caravelle moped and the Tigra pioneer moped were built in almost unchanged form for many years. We would therefore like to briefly introduce you to both models:

The Pionier gem

The Pionier moped was one of the later mopeds launched under the brand name Tigra. With its delicate and elegant lines and the strikingly shaped tank, the slicer resembled the Zündapp-Belmondo moped, but was fitted with a Puch X30 engine at the factory. In this respect, the model differed from its predecessors with the Tigra emblem, as these were powered by Sachs engines. The proven and reliable Puch X30-N engine had a displacement of 48.8 cm3 and produced 0.8 hp. The pioneering moped proved its worth in the challenging Swiss topography and impressed with its genuine mountaineering capabilities. The gem was equipped with a telescopic fork and half-height sports handlebars. Both the spokes and the rims were made of high-quality, rustproof stainless steel, which is why they are still in very good condition today on most of the original models.

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The Caravelle model

As befits its name, the Caravelle moped was the flagship of the Tigra moped segment for a long time. It was produced in many different versions over many years, all of which were powered by a Sachs engine, unlike the pioneering pearl. Depending on the model and year of manufacture, fan-cooled Sachs 50/2 engines with manual or automatic gearstick were used. In addition, these mopeds had a slightly smaller tank than the Pionier moped, which only held around 3.8 litres. The spokes of these mopeds were also made of stainless steel. However, unlike the Pionier gem, the mudguards were painted in a contrasting colour to the frame. What all mopeds from this manufacturer had in common was that they were characterised by extremely high-quality workmanship down to the last detail. This contributed significantly to the resounding success of the Tigra mopeds.

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