PONY

Pony mopeds - Swiss cultural heritage on two wheels

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The mopeds from Feuerthalen with the emblem of the lively little horse have been part of the typical Swiss street scene since the 1960s. Even if the two-wheelers have become somewhat rarer in recent years, Pony mopeds are still being built today, while Puch, Piaggio and other renowned manufacturers have long since ceased production. Let us take a closer look at this somewhat different and unusual manufacturer.

Seat
flag_swissSwitzerland, Feuerthalen
Status
Active
Foundation1961
logo_pony-mk1

Swissness at its best

Swiss knives, Swiss watches and Swiss tools are synonymous worldwide with unique quality, maximum precision and indestructible durability. The last point in particular also applies to the Swiss moped manufacturer Amsler & Co. From 1961 to the present day, mopeds have been built at the company headquarters in Feuerthalen using genuine craftsmanship. A specific calmness and impressive continuity are also reflected in the model range. The mopeds sold under the Pony Motos brand have only been available in two model variants since the start of production: the Pony Cross moped and the Pony GTX moped. These models have been built in almost unchanged form since the start of production. But for all its tranquillity, the moped manufacturer Amsler & Co has a long and rather eventful company history, which tells a lot about iron willpower, Swiss engineering skills and the little guy standing up to the big guy.

Malossi needle bearing 12/15/15
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For: Universal · Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Piaggio · Solex · Tomos · Bye Bike · Alpa Chopper / Turbo · Cilo · DKW · Fantic · Garelli · Honda · ILO / JLO · Kreidler · Malaguti · MBK / Motobécane · Miele · Monark · Peugeot · Victoria · Yamaha

21737

Malossi needle bearing 12/15/15

Bearing type: Needle roller and cage assembly · Bearing cage: Sheet steel cage · Dimension needle bearing: 12/15 x 15 · Manufacturer: Malossi · Ø outside: 15 mm · Ø inside: 12 mm · Width: 15 mm

EUR 22.40

For: Universal · Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Piaggio · Zündapp Belmondo · Solex · Tomos · Bye Bike · Alpa Chopper / Turbo · Cilo · DKW · Fantic · Garelli · Honda · Hercules · ILO / JLO · Kreidler · Malaguti · MBK / Motobécane · Miele · Suzuki · Monark · Peugeot · Victoria · Yamaha · Zündapp

24988

66HEROES License plate holder incl. mounting pin on the left side (CH version) Inox

Manufacturer: 66HEROES · Material: Chrome steel (colloquially known as stainless steel) · Surface: stainless · Number of fixing points: 1 pcs · Mounting type: Nuts & bolts

EUR 35.50

swiing® revival nozzle set M5 (80 - 100) Dell'Orto SHA, PHBG
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For: Universal · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Piaggio

17985

swiing® revival nozzle set M5 (80 - 100) Dell'Orto SHA, PHBG

Manufacturer: swiing® revival parts · Quantity: 10 pcs · Component group Carburetor: Spraying · Material: Brass · Carburetor type: PHBG · Carburetor type: SHA · Carburetor type: SHA (Piaggio) · Nozzle type: Main nozzle · Drive: Slot · Nozzle thread: M5x0.8 (standard thread) · Nozzle size: 80 · Nozzle size: 82 · Nozzle size: 85 · Nozzle size: 88 · Nozzle size: 90 · Nozzle size: 92 · Nozzle size: 94 · Nozzle size: 96 · Nozzle size: 98 · Nozzle size: 100 · Total length: 8 mm

EUR 24.80

Hot Hot
Brake cable Ø 1.8 mm x 220 cm (pear-shaped nipple)
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For: Universal · Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Piaggio · Zündapp Belmondo · Tomos

10174

Brake cable Ø 1.8 mm x 220 cm (pear-shaped nipple)

Ø nipple: 3.5 mm · Ø nipple: 6 mm · Manufacturer: Made in Germany · Material: Steel · Surface: galvanized (blue) · Number of components: 1 pcs · Ø Stranded wire: 1.8 mm · Cable length: 2200 mm · Nipple shape: Pears · Nipple length: 10 mm · Area of application: Standard

EUR 2.85

GPO Leaf Gauge Set 0.05–1.00 mm, 13-piece
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For: Universal · Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Piaggio · Zündapp Belmondo · Solex · Tomos · Bye Bike · Alpa Chopper / Turbo · Cilo · DKW · Fantic · Garelli · Honda · Hercules · ILO / JLO · Kreidler · Malaguti · MBK / Motobécane · Miele · Suzuki · Monark · Peugeot · Victoria · Yamaha · Zündapp · Franco Morini

10131

GPO Leaf Gauge Set 0.05–1.00 mm, 13-piece

Measuring range: 0.05 - 1 mm · Manufacturer: GPO · Material: Metal · Surface: blank / oiled · Number of components: 13 pcs · Thickness: 0.05 mm · Thickness: 0.1 mm · Thickness: 0.15 mm · Thickness: 0.2 mm · Thickness: 0.25 mm · Thickness: 0.3 mm · Thickness: 0.4 mm · Thickness: 0.5 mm · Thickness: 0.6 mm · Thickness: 0.7 mm · Thickness: 0.8 mm · Thickness: 0.9 mm · Thickness: 1 mm · Total length: 105 mm · Width: 13 mm · Area of application: Measuring tool

EUR 14.10

swiing® revival snap ring low control bearing set
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For: Universal · Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Piaggio · Zündapp Belmondo · Tomos

10143

swiing® revival snap ring low control bearing set

Manufacturer: swiing® revival parts · Material: Spring steel · Thickness: 0.6 mm · Nominal diameter: 20 mm · Nominal diameter: 28 mm · Height: 7 mm · Puch OEM number: 349.1.30.015.1 · Sachs OEM no.: P0521

EUR 2.95

Hot Hot
KMC drive chain 415H (reinforced) 128L
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For: Universal · Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Zündapp Belmondo · Tomos · Bye Bike · Alpa Chopper / Turbo · Cilo

10040

KMC drive chain 415H (reinforced) 128L

Chain pitch: 1/2" x 3/16" · Chain type: 415H · Ø bore: 4 mm · Manufacturer: KMC · Material: Steel · Surface: blank / oiled · Color: gray · Number of chain links: 128 pcs · Chain lock type: Spring lock · Rolling circumference: 1626 mm · Ø Pin: 3.94 mm

EUR 14.80

Plastic license plate holder (CH version)
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For: Universal · Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Piaggio · Zündapp Belmondo · Solex · Tomos · Bye Bike · Alpa Chopper / Turbo · Cilo · DKW · Fantic · Garelli · Honda · Hercules · ILO / JLO · Kreidler · Malaguti · MBK / Motobécane · Miele · Suzuki · Monark · Peugeot · Victoria · Yamaha · Zündapp · Franco Morini · KTM

10227

Plastic license plate holder (CH version)

Manufacturer: Made in Switzerland · Material: Brass · Material: Plastic · Color: black · Thread type: M5x0.8 (standard thread) · Ø mounting hole: 6 mm · Number of fixing points: 9 pcs · Hole spacing: 50 mm · Thread length: 6 mm · Mounting type: Nuts & bolts · Total length: 175 mm · Width: 108 mm · Height: 11 mm

EUR 9.40

Guide Win Fuel Cap, 30 mm, Lockable Bayonet, Chrome
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For: Universal · Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Tomos · Alpa Chopper / Turbo · Hercules · Kreidler · KTM

10183

Guide Win Fuel Cap, 30 mm, Lockable Bayonet, Chrome

Ø External head: 55.4 mm · Manufacturer: Guide Win · Material: Chrome steel (colloquially known as stainless steel) · Material: Steel · Surface: galvanized (blue) · Color: Chrome · Fuel filler cap: Bayonet 30 mm · Lockable: Yes · Vented: Yes · Height: 28.6 mm

EUR 17.70

Shaft seal 15/24/5 Pinion shaft | Beta 521, 521 (A8041)
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For: Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512)

24545

Shaft seal 15/24/5 Pinion shaft | Beta 521, 521 (A8041)

EUR 5.20

Gas Throttle Grip 233, Black, Round Sheet Metal Lever

For: Universal · Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Zündapp Belmondo

22206

Gas Throttle Grip 233, Black, Round Sheet Metal Lever

Material: Aluminum · Surface: varnished · Color: black · Color: silver

EUR 59.20

66HEROES speedometer 60 km/h Ø 48 mm "mofakult" beige
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For: Universal · Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Piaggio · Cilo

30116

66HEROES speedometer 60 km/h Ø 48 mm "mofakult" beige

Manufacturer: 66HEROES · Material: Metal · Material: Plastic · Surface: chrome-plated · Color: Chrome · Color: beige · Color: black · Ø Receptacle: 48 mm · Thread type: MF10x1 (fine pitch thread) · Maximum speed: 60 Km/h · Lighting: Light slit · Ø outside: 52.4 mm · Signal type Tacho: analog · 4-edge speedometer cable: 1.8 mm · Depth: 50 mm · Total height: 70 mm

EUR 82.90

Saddle "PONY" lettering black
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For: Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512)

18226

Saddle "PONY" lettering black

Manufacturer: Made in Portugal · Color: black · Spring-loaded: Yes · Lettering: Yes · Total length: 300 mm · Height: 110 mm · Width: 250 mm

EUR 71.10

Nos
Magura 250 Handlebar Grip, Grooved, Black, NOS
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For: Universal · Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Zündapp Belmondo

18195

Magura 250 Handlebar Grip, Grooved, Black, NOS

Manufacturer: Magura · Material: Plastic · Color: black · Color: gray

EUR 40.20

66HEROES Custom gold number frame (CH version)
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For: Universal · Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Piaggio · Zündapp Belmondo · Solex · Tomos · Bye Bike · Alpa Chopper / Turbo · Cilo · DKW · Fantic · Garelli · Honda · Hercules · ILO / JLO · Kreidler · Malaguti · MBK / Motobécane · Miele · Suzuki · Monark · Peugeot · Victoria · Yamaha · Zündapp · Franco Morini · KTM · Batavus · Motograziella · Moto Guzzi · Rixe · VéloVap · Italjet · Lista · Suzuki

35594

66HEROES Custom gold number frame (CH version)

Manufacturer: 66HEROES · Material: Aluminum · Surface: gold-plated · Color: gold · Thread type: M4x0.7 (standard thread) · Mounting type: Nuts & bolts · Total length: 153 mm · Height: 7.5 mm · Number of fixing points: 2 pcs · Ø mounting hole: 5.2 mm · Width: 111 mm · Hole spacing: 50 mm

EUR 65.20

Nos
Magura Throttle Grip 273 Black NOS
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For: Puch · Sachs · Pony / Cilo (Beta 521 & 512) · Zündapp Belmondo · Cilo

10009

Magura Throttle Grip 273 Black NOS

Manufacturer: Magura · Material: Aluminum · Housing material: Aluminum · Material lever: Aluminum · Surface: varnished · Color: black · Ø inside: 22 mm · Brake light switch: No · Total length: 177 mm

EUR 189.70

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Wayward company foundation

The former company founder Carl Theodor Amsler was born in 1825 as the son of a doctor in the Swiss town of Schinznach. After finishing school, the young Carl Theodor emigrated to America and founded his first company there, which manufactured optical and mathematical instruments. His company is successful and expands, and it seems as if Carl Theodor Amsler is experiencing the proverbial American Dream. But fate had a different plan in store for him and struck mercilessly. His factory in Philadelphia is completely destroyed in a devastating fire, Carl Theodor Amsler loses almost his entire fortune trying to rebuild it and returns to his old home almost penniless. But even though his first factory was destroyed in the flames, his entrepreneurial spirit and proverbial Swiss tenacity remained unbroken.

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New start and entry into the bicycle business

In 1865, he embarked on a new endeavour and founded a factory for fire extinguishers on the site of today's moped forge in Feuerthalen. Business was good again. Amsler & Co therefore begins to look for new business areas and expands its product range. As a result, Amsler was already travelling on two wheels by 1890, when the company entered the bicycle component business. Around 1900, the first contact was made with a German entrepreneur whose name is certainly recognised by every moped enthusiast: Ernst Sachs. The connection between Sachs and Amsler & Co, which began here, lasted for many years. It was not for nothing that the Pony-Cross mopeds and Pony-GTX mopeds were fitted with Sachs 503 engines at the factory in the 1960s. But more on that later. The company negotiated skilfully in 1903 and secured exclusive distribution for the ‘Torpedo freewheel hub’, a Sachs patent, for Switzerland. This rear wheel hub was a real bestseller and a veritable goldmine for the company from Feuerthalen. As a result of this first co-operation with Sachs, Amsler focused exclusively on the production and sale of bicycle components. However, business success did not always favour the company in the difficult 1930s and 1940s. In the period up to the end of the Second World War, Swiss bicycle manufacturers also had to overcome hard times. However, it is clear from the company's history that consistency, perseverance and tenacity were part of the DNA of the later moped manufacturer. This is how the company survived even these economically difficult decades.

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Mopeds are finally being built

From the 1950s onwards, the manufacturer returned to calmer waters and prospered. When the moped was about to start its triumphal march on Swiss roads, the future moped manufacturer reacted with lightning speed. In 1961, as soon as the motorbike class was officially approved in Swiss road traffic law, Feuerthalen was also at the starting line with pony mopeds. This early launch of the Pony mopeds proved to be a decisive advantage over the tough and actually overpowering competition from foreign moped manufacturers such as Piaggio, Puch and Tomos. The Swiss market was highly competitive during the onset of the moped boom in the 1960s, but as the Pony mopeds were there right from the start, a regular clientele quickly formed. The Pony-Cross and Pony-GTX mopeds, which were somewhat more simply equipped than the competitor models, also won over customers with their robustness and favourable price.

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What's under the Pony saddle?

The technical specifications of the two models have only changed marginally over the years; even the first Pony mopeds were powered by a fan-cooled single-cylinder two-stroke engine with 49 cm3 and an output of 1.2 hp or 0.88 kW. Initially, Sachs engines were used for Pony mopeds. Since the end of small engine production in Schweinfurt, the mopeds have been fitted as standard with an engine from the Italian company Betamotor. Then, as now, a Dell'Orto SHA 13.11 carburettor provided the ignitable mixture. Both models have identical engines and differ technically only in a few minor details such as the chain sprocket or tyres. Although the small but powerful steeds are no longer quite as affordable as they were when they were launched in 1961, they are still just as robust, frugal and endearing.

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The Ponys are still there!

Although a small moped manufacturer like Amsler could not and cannot completely do without suppliers from abroad when building its mopeds, Amsler mopeds still stand for the proverbial Swiss quality. To this day, no cheap parts from the Far East are used. As already mentioned, the 503 engine of the mopeds came from Sachs in Schweinfurt and numerous add-on parts and speedometers came from the Austrian vehicle manufacturer KTM. For a while, the Cross and GTX motorbikes were even completely assembled in the KTM factories in Austria. However, the assembly of the two-wheelers now takes place entirely in Feuerthalen again and many of the former co-operation partners are long gone or have given up the moped division. Only in Feuerthalen are mopeds still assembled. The supposedly small Swiss moped manufacturer obviously has the staying power and is keeping a wonderful piece of Swiss history alive.

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Popular PONY themes

#MOFAKULT #LIVINGICON

Freedom has never felt greater, joy never stronger — than at 30 km/h with the breeze as your companion.

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