Please Note: Information regarding these museum display vehicles was provided by the National Military History Center and has not been independently verified by Auctions America by RM ("AA"). As such, AA does not verify, warrant or guarantee any of this information. Prior inspection and research by the buyer is highly encouraged and recommended.
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Manufacturer: Zundapp-Werke GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany
Production Year: 1940
Engine: Zundapp HO over-head-valve, 597-cc, 28-hp, two-cylinder, air-cooled, gasoline
Transmission: Four-speed, foot / hand-change gearbox
Brakes: Mechanical
Length: 85-inches
Width: 32-inches
Height: 36-inches
Wheelbase: 55-inches
Weight: 452-pounds
Armor: None
Armament: None
Maximum speed: Approximately 75-mph
Crew: Up to two
Markings: German Army, Motorized Reconnaissance Unit
The Zundapp KS600 was introduced in 1937 and shared many features with the slightly smaller K500 introduced in 1933. They both had flat-twin engines and shaft drive as did most other Zundapp and BMW motorcycles built before and during World War II. The KS600 replaced the chain driven camshaft of the K500 with a gear driven system that necessitated changes to the valve gear and cylinder heads. These had rockers pivoting on shafts held to bearing pads and covers with fins to match the cylinder heads. The ignition coils were completely enclosed under the top cover along with the carburetor.
The carburetor supplied the fuel mixture via trunking to the cylinder heads on each side. The cover extended back over the gearbox. The gear change mechanism on the K500 was altered to provide a foot pedal on the left, while on the right, went a linkage rod from the selectors up to a hand lever on the frame beside the fuel tank. The longer cover necessitated moving the toolbox from under the seat to a compartment on the top side of the fuel tank covered by a lid. Most of the 18,000 Zundapp KS600s built between 1937 and 1941 were motorcycle / sidecar combinations. This example is a “solo.” The KS600 was the fastest German motorcycle of WW II.