The "Bricklayer's Bike" that Humiliated Japanese Women: The Incredible Story of FAMEL
If you close your eyes and think about the sound of a motorcycle tearing down a Portuguese national road in the 80s, what do you hear? Probably not the deep rumble of a Harley, but the shrill, metallic hum of a 2-stroke engine, accompanied by a cloud of blue smoke and the unmistakable smell of burnt oil.
We are talking, of course, about FAMEL .
For decades, Portugal was a European powerhouse in motorcycle production. Águeda was our "Detroit," and FAMEL (Fábrica de Produtos Metálicos Lda) was the undisputed queen.
But how did a factory in northern Portugal create a machine capable of challenging the world's giants?
The Perfect Marriage: Portuguese Soul, German Heart
FAMEL was founded in 1949, but the "game-changer" came when they decided they needed the best engines in the world. They partnered with the German company Zundapp . The recipe was simple, but lethal: FAMEL built robust frames (capable of withstanding the cobblestone and dirt roads of Portugal) and Zundapp supplied indestructible and powerful engines.
The Legend: The XF-17
In 1975, the legend was born. The FAMEL XF-17 . Equipped with a 5-speed Zundapp engine and liquid cooling (in the rarer versions) or air cooling, this motorcycle wasn't just for commuting. It was for winning races.
With a Bing 21 carburetor and performance exhaust, the XF-17 reached speeds that put motorcycles with twice the displacement to shame. It became the dream of every young person (and the nightmare of every mother). It was the "drag race" bike, the bike that could carry 3 people if necessary, the bike that could climb walls.
The End and the Rebirth
Unfortunately, Portugal's entry into the EEC, the influx of Japanese plastic scooters (cleaner and easier to drive), and the bankruptcy of Zundapp in Germany dictated the end of FAMEL in the 1990s.
The factory closed, but the cult following never died. Today, a restored XF-17 can cost more than €4,000 or €5,000. And the good news? FAMEL is back. The brand was bought and is relaunching the legendary XF-17, now in a 100% electric version, maintaining the classic design but embracing the future.
From the Past to the Future: What's Missing from Your Motorcycle?
The history of FAMEL teaches us an important lesson: the passion for two wheels is eternal, but technology has to evolve.
We love classic design and nostalgia, but let's be honest: nobody misses getting lost on the road because they didn't have a map, or stopping to ask for directions.
Whether you have a restored classic in your garage or a modern 2024 machine, there's something that unites all eras: the need to arrive at your destination safely.
Motoplay is the bridge between the freedom of yesteryear and the convenience of today. Just as FAMEL is modernizing with electric motors, you can modernize your cockpit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto .
It retains the soul of the motorcycle, but gives it 21st-century intelligence.
👉 [Don't get left behind. Modernize your riding with Motoplay here]