Zundapp - I must be nuts?

wow...looking good.. ..are you riding it yet?

Roller chain is a very efficient way to transfer power... and in an oil bath probably lasts quite well.

This is a pretty cool thread to stumble upon.

Any more progress?
You have a lot more patience than I.
I would sure like to see a video (with sound) when you fire the old girl up!:eek1

Sure wish I could have restored my KS601. But mine was in such poor shape that it was going to empty my bike fund for eons and then some.

An Elastik-modell? You got lucky, only 700? were made before four-stroke production was halted, and very few got to the USA.
Ernst Leverkus road tested a KS601 EL / Steib TR500 for Das Motorrad when it was new, and I think he ended up buying the outfit.
There was also a gelandesport model for the ISDT with high pipes etc., I have seen them on the ISDT history sites.
I had a humble Zundapp 200 Confort for a while, charming machine.

Nice to see the...er...period...adverts up there.

Well I have made some progress, just not enough to start it up.
FD install, oilpan and a couple of check-checks should fire it up.

I've got the fuel system all ready but may do another vinegar soak on the tank.
I've been polishing the dull chrome on the sidepanels with 1000 and 1500 grit hoping to hit undisturbed copper. I like the look.

Two years isn't a long time for me. Like some of you, I've never bought a bike that ran. Most of them didn't roll.
All came with multiple milkcrates and boxes. I take in orphans.. neglected, abandoned souls that nobody knows what to do with.
It's always a ressurection process to return them to the operational status they deserve.

I think when I get it running it will be a great thrill, hope it's not enough to give me a heart attack.
We will see just what this Zundapp thing is all about.... hope I'm worthy of the privilege!





There's wanna dos, ought to dos, and gotta dos.
Lately I've had more of the latter. I work on a reward system.
Messing around with old bikes is such a selfish pursuit that I attempt to justify and rationalize the hours spent by offsetting.
Too many mechanical failures on other ends of my life the last few months to get a clear shot on concentrating.
I do not like being distracted by guilt.

Today I serviced my Volvo, VW and Mercedes.
I should have some credits built up... but I still need to rototil the garden!
I might invest a few hours this evening on the Greevorex magneto.
Little sucker seems to destroy a high tension bakelite pickup every other year.
Left me stranded omna dirt road last Easter Eve, so glad it was a main dirt road....


Whacker....
I guessed right on the HODAKA toolcan only because that was my first bike also. ACE 90, 1969.
Rode hard and had to rebuild that little winger a few times running up and down the SF Penisula on old stagecoach roads.
For a 13 yr. old it was a fantastic adventure and a real step up from my Taco 100 with a Mac 101.

Oh and about that dog of yours...
Here's a picture of my 90lb buddy.




I'll post when I get it running, or if I fail to.
Hoping for a one kick pop off then a quick tune for idle.


Don in Nipomo

Thanks for the update Don. You can pat yourself on the back for a fine job. Looking very good. Quite an original speciman. I'd say you are more than worthy!

I hope to make a trip up to meet you and the bike next winter. I (unknowingly) got within a few miles of you while on a sidehack road trip in early 2012 along the Coast Highway. I saw a small road sign for a little road off Hiway One (in a eucalyptus grove) that pointed to "Nipomo", I think it was only 12 miles or so.(?). Later that day I told my Wife that I knew the name "Nipomo" from somewhere but couldn't remember where.
Can't wait to hear the old girl come back to life.

Yupp, sounds like you were at the intersection of Willow Road and HWY 1.
Theres a Golf Resort just pass that before you drop off the Nipomo Mesa into the Santa Maria Valley and the town of Guadalupe.

Next winter? I certainly hope by that time I will have run it solo enough to attach this sidecar...





Belongs on a Nimbus. Danish manufacturer. Hey, Germany invaded Denmark so it will kind of fit. Got Danish Army Green under the black.
I still have the original canvas side curtains, super cool. They go from the top of the windshield back to the studs behind the seat.
You can make them out laying in the foot well. It's real comfy, with plenty of legroom. I should be able to sleep in it. I'm 190lbs 6' tall in the am.
The seat bottom has two positions, sunk down into a hidden trunk for snoozey time or lifted up above for a more alert and upright monkey.





Don in Nipomo... working very carefully on a 34A Villiers ignition!

Video as soon as my son finds the from/to for his smart phone.
What a thrill! Start up was exceptionally smooth.
Resurrection successful, after 40+ years of hibernation the Black Bear awakens.

Think I'll drink a beer.....

Don in Nipomo

Who the hell rides a Zundapp?
No one rode them when I was a kid, and you are going to ride one now?

What will people think?

It runs, it's fast and it doesn't leak much.
Just missing a tool box mounted for complete...
Until I start adding racks and panniers and a sidecar.
I've never ridden anything like it, 3rd gear will go faster than I want to on these decades old tires.
Got to fix that with 19" deep center alloys and SS spokes.

Long legs with plenty of growl I would describe it best. Not a long stroke but an oversquare. Raps up well and the overrun is nasty! Hotrod. Autobahn or Alpenphart.

Got it done in under 2 years, it's a 56.
I was born in 56, got it running on Fathers Day this year. Everything was 56.
Tank went on today. Fun stuff here in Nipomo.

Here's the whole story in pictures...
http://s25.photobucket.com/user/dbeezer/slideshow/ZUNDAPP August 2011

Way to go Don!
I'm curious how the engine sounds? (since I never got to hear mine run.)

OMG: 2 things I like in the same post: Zundap and Nipomo (Jacko!!).

Sounds like my BSA Lightning but revs a little harder. Really raps up quick.
Nothing like a BMW.

There are some unedited videos on Photobucket from the early tuning stages last month. Sounds better now!

Yep, home to Jockos and Dorthea Langes "Migrant Mother" photographic images.

Heart attack on a plate I tell ya.
It's a dustbowl beanfarmer town on a Dana Mexican Rancho landgrant.

Now all you need is a Harro Elefantenboy tank bag und ein Romerhelm.
I am pretty envious of that maschine.
Nimbus side cars were used by the post office in DK, maybe that is what the old green is about.

1940s or so oil pressure gauge. Made a bracket out of 1/8" sheet aluminum after modeling a cereal box template. Fits right in and works. Gunna add a volt gauge on the other side, gotta find the correct ebay purchase. 0 to 10 volts.




Don in Nipomo

I've been following the progress. When you rebuild the wheels, sidecar tires are available in 18 or 19. It will look good with alloy rims.
You need to find a vintage Harro Elefantenboy tank bag now. It's kind of fun looking at the Geramn bike accessories on the e-spend.

Any chance of more photo's of the Jawa outfit?

If you look at the back of the sidecar, it's an Awaj.