OSA

Warsaw · Poland · 1962

Osa

M-52Warszawska Fabryka Motocykli

The wasp from Warsaw — built for rough country roads, and one of the most stylish things ever to come out of the Iron Curtain. On the main floor now.

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Data plate

ManufacturerWFM

Model year1962

ModelM-52

Production1959–1965

Units built≈ 25,000

Wheels14 in

Front suspensionEarl’s fork

CountryPoland

The wasp
from Warsaw

Osa was made by WFM Warszawska Fabryka Motocykli in Warsaw. Osa production started with model M-50 in 1959. Model M52 replaced M-50 in 1962.

Approximately 25,000 units were produced over 6 year manufacturing cycle, which ended in 1965. Production of WFM motorcycles and scooters ended abruptly.

Osa is Polish for wasp — the name the factory gave the machine, and the reason its badge carries a black-and-gold hornet.

Full pressed-steel bodywork · single-sided rear swingarm

From the display card

Manufactured by WFM (Warszawska Fabryka Motocyklowa), a leading Polish company. This was a unique design with large 14″ wheels & tires, which made the scooter more stable on Poland’s rough country roads. The front suspension utilized a modified Earl’s fork for better handling.

Perhaps the most surprising element to emerge from the Communist era Iron Curtain is the very stylish design. Osa is considered a National Treasure that could not be exported.