Tuesday 26 July 2011
MZ RE 125
When we picked up the Doppelport and the Pitty (oh and a MZ ES250/0 just to fill up the extra space) we stopped off at the Augustusburg bike museum just up the road from Zschopau. Starting with a Hildebrand & Wolfmülle the collection shows the development of the local bike industry through DKW to MZ, IWL and Simpson, as well as other prewar German manufacturers and a small collection from other countries. It also has probably the best collection of DKW and MZ race bikes. Acres of hand beaten ally to be seen, as in this 1956 MZ RE125.
Wednesday 20 July 2011
4 Strokes ... How did they get in?
After the end of World War II, the BMW plant in Eisenach found itself in the Soviet occupation zone. However this didn't stop the Soviets producing bikes badged as BMW until 1952 when a lawsuit from the West German BMW company forced a change of name. They must have thought long and hard to come up with the new name and tank badge
Pre 1952
Post 1952
So BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) became EMW (Eisenach Motorenwerk)
Anyway enough of the history lesson. I have a search set up on eBay looking for East Bloc motorcycles and one day up popped an EMW R35. Looking further I found out that the seller also had BMW R35 and an IFA BK350. Seeing that the bikes were in Southampton I bid on, and won, all 3 so I could fill the transit my ever suffering girlfriend would have to drive (didnt get round to getting a car licence till 2005, but thats another story). And thats why there are now a couple of 4 strokes to be restored!
1949 BMW (SAW) R35 ( rigid rear end and hand change and with an "aftermarket" Magneto bolted on the front of the engine!)
1954 EMW R35/2 ( plunger rear foot change, painted with a yard brush indicators and clock from a russian truck!)
The BK350 was sold on to MARK and is now with its new owner Alasdair ( Ive already got one, with a Stoye 1 sidecar if only I can find it!)
Pre 1952
Post 1952
So BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) became EMW (Eisenach Motorenwerk)
Anyway enough of the history lesson. I have a search set up on eBay looking for East Bloc motorcycles and one day up popped an EMW R35. Looking further I found out that the seller also had BMW R35 and an IFA BK350. Seeing that the bikes were in Southampton I bid on, and won, all 3 so I could fill the transit my ever suffering girlfriend would have to drive (didnt get round to getting a car licence till 2005, but thats another story). And thats why there are now a couple of 4 strokes to be restored!
1949 BMW (SAW) R35 ( rigid rear end and hand change and with an "aftermarket" Magneto bolted on the front of the engine!)
1954 EMW R35/2 ( plunger rear foot change, painted with a yard brush indicators and clock from a russian truck!)
The BK350 was sold on to MARK and is now with its new owner Alasdair ( Ive already got one, with a Stoye 1 sidecar if only I can find it!)
Sunday 17 July 2011
The new arrival
Well here is my latest addition.It is a 1956 IWL Wiesel. Its not totally original but theres nothing that cant be corrected. Its interesting to see the differences between this and the more common Berlin
Friday 15 July 2011
Forgive me father........
OK so I was meant to be concentrating on getting my bikes up and running and on the road. So how come there is a IWL Wiesel newly arrived from Germany sitting in Jan's garage? Well Ive got the set now, Pitty, Wiesel, Berlin and Troll. MARK would have been proud of me! Pictures to follow..............
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