motorcycles-need info!

darkertomcat · Post by **darkertomcat** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:41 am

I am trying to find out what motorcycles were used by both the germans and allied powers in WW2 as I am considering attempting to find an example of one, any help would be most grateful.

-Mike

phylo_roadking · Post by **phylo_roadking** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:58 am

Britain

BSA M20 500cc sv
Norton 16H 500cc sv
Matchless G3 and G3L 350cc ohv
Royal Enfield WD/CO 350cc ohv
Ariel 350cc ohv
Triumph 3HW 350cc ohv
Royal Enfield Flying Flea 125cc two stroke

Also used Harley Davidson WLA 750cc sv and WLC 750cc (the Canadian licence-built copy that didn't have interchangeable wheelhubs)

Also Indian 741B 500cc sv - used by the RAF

Knox · Post by **Knox** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:24 pm

Short summary / Zündapp, BMW, DKW, NSU

Link: http://www.panzerplatte.de/Radfahrz.html

BMW R75: http://www.bmw-r75-wh.de/

Zündapp KS750: http://www.stoeberl.org/wmg/index.html

Knox

darkertomcat · Post by **darkertomcat** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:25 pm

THank you both the great links:)

-mike

Pirx · Post by **Pirx** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:40 am

In Polish Army 1939 Sokół 1000 (Falcon 1000) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sok%C3%B3%C5%82_1000

darkertomcat · Post by **darkertomcat** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:20 am

does anyone know where I can purchase a working cycle form either side but axis would be prefered

phylo_roadking · Post by **phylo_roadking** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 11:35 am

Your only practical location for that would be the specialist classic motorcycle press - magazines Like Classic Bike and The Classic Motorcycle in the UK, Old BikeWorld(?) in the US etc.

OR the classic military vehicle press - Classic Military Vehicle in the UK has a large monthly classified section.

A warning however - Axis vehicles will be VERY hard to find and command a premium. 'Cos obviously - they lost and a lot just got destroyed. The winters of 1941 and 1942 for example did for a lot of the Wehrmacht's motorcycles.

And I have to say - although an old BMW if you can find it is a longlasting and relatively reliable machine...compared to British types LOL

....the British machines DO have an advantage along with Harley WLAs of having a LARGE pile of spares still on the market, whether pattern parts or NOS (new-old stock)

Also, when it comes to buying "BMW" combinations - you need a good eye - if you haven't done this before - to make sure youre not buying a RUSSIAN Cossack/Ural BMW replica. This is whats used in most war films.

darkertomcat · Post by **darkertomcat** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 11:46 am

Thanks for the advice Phylo:) after looking it seems that vintage bikes are a little out of my range, lol, do you know of any good modern cycles that does have about same stylings as I do love the looks of them.

Regards,
Mike

phylo_roadking · Post by **phylo_roadking** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:25 pm

Yep....

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/mdl_military.html

http://www.imz-ural.com/gearup/

http://www.chang-jiang.com/bmw/welcome.html#CJ750

All available new and thus in hire purchase/payback/finance, whatever its called in the US.

But I SHOULD warn you - make sure you have the services of a good mechanic to hand if you should need; these are 1940's and 50's technology and design...and have a tendancy to show it

ratdog · Post by **ratdog** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:14 am

Look no further!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.vintage-imports.com/