Zundapp Motorcycles Bella 1953–1964
1958 Zündapp Bella R 154
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| Manufacturer | Zündapp |
|---|---|
| Production | 1953–1964 |
| Class | Scooter |
| Engine | 146 cc (8.9 cu in) or 198 cc (12.1 cu in) two-stroke, air-cooled, single; |
| Bore / stroke | 150: 57 mm × 58 mm (2.2 in × 2.3 in) 200: 64 mm × 62 mm (2.5 in × 2.4 in) |
| Compression ratio | 150: 6.7:1 200: 6.3:1 |
| Top speed | 150: 50 mph (80 km/h) 200: 75 mph (121 km/h) |
| Power | 150: 7.3 hp (5.4 kW) @ 4700 rpm 200: 10 hp (7.5 kW) @ 5200 rpm |
| Transmission | 4 speed manual, primary chain drive, final chain drive |
| Frame type | tubular steel |
| Suspension | front: leading link, single spring on left rear: swingarm with coil springs and dampers |
| Tyres | 3.50" X 12" |
| Wheelbase | 51.5 in (1,308 mm) |
| Dimensions | L: 78 in (1,981 mm) W: 24 in (610 mm) |
| Weight | 150: 302 lb (137 kg) 200: 322 lb (146 kg) (dry) |
The Zündapp Bella is a motor scooter manufactured by motorcycle manufacturer Zündapp from 1953 to 1964.
Approximately 130,000 Bella scooters were sold, with engine sizes ranging from 150 cc to 200 ccThe design of the Bella was heavily influenced by that of the Parilla Levriere, also known as the Parilla Greyhound. Along with being similar in general appearance, both designs have prominent air tunnels along the centreline of the scooter to allow fresh air to cool the engine without a fan.
As introduced in 1953, the Bella had a 146 cc two-stroke single cylinder engine, 12 inch wheels, 6 V electrics, a kick starter, and an undamped telescopic fork.[citation needed] The fuel tank was mounted under the seat.
A version of the Bella called the Suburbanette was made for the United States market from 1953 to 1954. The Suburbanette was stripped of the body panels enclosing the engine. 370 Suburbanettes were sold. An export version of the last 150cc Bella, the R154K (K for kickstarter), with higher "Western" (buckhorn) bars and no dynastarter, came to the United States in the later 1950s.
A 197 cc (12.0 cu in) engine producing 10 hp (7.5 kW) became available in May 1954. The front suspension was later changed from a telescopic fork to an Earles-type leading link fork with a single suspension unit on left side of the fork. Later Bella scooters also had 12 V electricals powered by two 6 V batteries.[citation needed] Electric starters also became available on the Bella.
The Bella was imported into the United Kingdom by Ambassador Motorcycles, and into the United States by International Motorcycle Company.
Pictured
After the conflict of the second war, the German company Zundapp turned its attentions from four stroke motorcycle production to lower capacity two stroke power and also to scooters, there being a ready market for cheap transportation. Like most other manufacturers of scooters, Italian designs were used as a basis to either copy or generally follow. The Italian Parilla Greyhound design influenced Zundapp who also wished to duct cool fresh air to the motor rather than utilize an energy sapping cooling fan. Leading link forks and large wheels shrouded by a heavily valanced from mudguard were features of the Bella and around 130,000 examples were made from 1953.
Our example represents seven years of development having been made by 1960. It features the 200cc engine producing 10 horsepower and electric start and designated the model 204. All other Bella scooters of lesser engine size were discontinued in 1958 but the 204 continued until 1962 making a total production run of only 17000 units. The 204 is considered to be the best of the breed. After the company moved from Nuremberg to Munich in 1958, sales went into steady decline and produced nothing like the number of machines made up to 1945 in their heyday. Eventually Zundapp was sold to a Chinese company in the eighties.
TECHNICAL.
- 197cc over square air cooled engine. 70mm X 60mm bore and stroke
- Four speed gearbox
- 12 inch interchangeable wheels
- 12volt electric start
- Hydraulically damped suspension system
- New price in USA. $499