MČV

**Motociklistična Četa Vuzenica**, better known as **MČV**, is Vuzenica's national motorcycle company. Formed in 1919 by Marija Petek and Ivan Vidič, MČV is one of the oldest manufacturers of motorcycles and combustion engines in the world.

Its subsidiary, MČV Factory Racing, handles all competitive motorcycle development for prototype and production-based racing vehicles.

## History

#### Beginnings

According to Marija Petek in an interview conducted in 1943, one of the original founders of MČV, Petek and Ivan Vidic first met after Vidic nearly hit Petek with his pushbike in Pristanišče in early 1917.

Petek was carrying a few sketches of her idea for a 230cc single-cylinder piston engine to present to her boss at the time, which were flung out of her grasp at the moment of impact. Vidic apologised profusely, and helped Petek back up, then gathered her work back up for her. It was at this time that Vidic noticed that the drawings were of an engine. Vidic introduced himself to Petek, and presented the idea of mounting her engine to one of his pushbike frames.

Petek explained the drawings were for her boss, who, if all went well, would fund development for the engine to be used as a small, portable power generator. Vidic then suggested the two meet at a bar in the evening to discuss further.

Because of this 1943 interview with Petek, Vidic's response, "Stanislav's, 7:30, be there", is now a well-known phrase commonly used by the Vuzenican people, and Stanislav's Pierogi Bar in southern Pristanišče has enjoyed decades of continued patronage, from both locals and visitors from abroad.

#### 1920s

In 1922, MČV launched their first model, the 230A. The frame was very basic; it took a lot of inspiration from pedal bikes of the day. Additionally, the engine used was almost unchanged from Petek's original 230cc generator design. Because of this, the 230A was somewhat heavy, but incredibly robust. 112 examples were built between 1922 and 1923. 105 were sold to public consumers, and seven were kept by the company for testing purposes. It is estimated that one third of these original 230A motorcycles are still running, almost one hundred years after they were built. Chassis 230A-01, the very first MČV vehicle built, is situated in the Vuzenican National Museum, and is kept in mint, running condition.

MČV's first mass-produced motorcycle came in 1926, with the MČV L400A. It was powered by a 416cc 90-degree V-twin engine, which produced 14.3 bhp and 8 Nm. The L400A was also the first motorcycle in the world to have a disc brake; it had a 300mm steel front disc with a single piston caliper. Over 6,000 of these bikes were sold between 1926 and 1931.

#### 1930s

The hints of innovation first seen in the 1920s came to the fore in the 1930s, with MČV pioneering a single-spar chassis in 1935. C O N T I N U E !

#### 1950s-1980s

The local and global markets for motorcycles had been on a downturn for a few years before 1951, and after four years of consistent losses for the company, MČV decided to cease production of new motorcycles, and instead operate solely to maintain the vehicles currently existing. A number of dealerships were converted into garages, and many pieces of manufacturing equipment were sent into storage.

For the following few decades, MČV turned to producing power generators, which had the effect of making engine maintenance less of a strain on the company. MČV's generators, like their motorcycles, continue to have a remarkable reputation for longevity and robustness.

#### 1990s

In 1994, MČV's assets and buildings were purchased by the Vuzenican government, in an effort to boost the country's economy by exporting motorcycles around the world. The government takeover was intended to minimise changes to the company and mainly serve as a significant funding boost to MČV, along with several incentives to develop and market new motorcycles.

The takeover saw the company's staff increase tenfold, which then raised expenditure. To combat the costs, MČV began work on staple market motorcycles to drive profits and further fund development. These models included vehicles such as the ST250, a 250cc lightweight streetfighter, and the RS450, a 450cc three-cylinder sports bike. The ST250 proved to be immediately popular, selling over 2,000 units in its first year alone.