Project Bike

Message

IronPonies · #1 Post by **IronPonies** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:11 am

Gummi wanted to see the pictures of my project bike, so I'm putting them up for everyone to see. I'm in his debt for he graciously helped me identify it for I was all screwed up.

Anyway it is an ex-Wehrmacht 1942 Zundapp KS750. It's not in the best of shape but I hope to change this. However, it did start this morning after a few more kicks than I thought I had in me. You remember kickstarting, don't you.

Anyway, I hope this is enough for now. This was all my body would take in this 'cold' weather. The next ones should happen when I've got more done on the bike.

#2 Post by **Wrider** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:28 am

That's really cool man. You should definitely post up more pictures sometime, that thing is amazing!

Gummiente · #3 Post by **Gummiente** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:51 am

That right there is one beautiful looking piece of history. Thank you for the photos!

I am deeply envious.

bandit600 · #4 Post by **bandit600** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:00 am

Is that the same motorcycle that was in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade ?

Gummiente · #5 Post by **Gummiente** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:14 am

bandit600 wrote:Is that the same motorcycle that was in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade ?

That was actually an Ural sidecar rig.

Gummiente · #6 Post by **Gummiente** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:06 am

Something I did not know until one of the members of my CURD group pointed it out, but the Zundapp motor is not quite horizontally opposed - the cylinders are at an angle of 170 degrees, which makes it a V-twin.

bandit600 · #7 Post by **bandit600** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:02 pm

Gummiente wrote:
bandit600 wrote:Is that the same motorcycle that was in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade ?
That was actually an Ural sidecar rig.

Hmm, the Zundapp would probably have been more historically accurate right? Maybe it was easier to get a hold of a fleet of Urals than the Zundapps...?

There's probably not too many people outside this forum that would know the difference

Gummiente · #8 Post by **Gummiente** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:05 pm

bandit600 wrote:Hmm, the Zundapp would probably have been more historically accurate right? Maybe it was easier to get a hold of a fleet of Urals than the Zundapps...?

There's probably not too many people outside this forum that would know the difference

Somehow I don't think historical accuracy is a prime mandate in any Hollywood movie, especially ones like the Indiana Jones series.

And you're right, very few people would know the difference anyway.

IronPonies · #9 Post by **IronPonies** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 1:34 pm

bandit600 wrote:
Gummiente wrote:
bandit600 wrote:Is that the same motorcycle that was in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade ?
That was actually an Ural sidecar rig.
Hmm, the Zundapp would probably have been more historically accurate right? Maybe it was easier to get a hold of a fleet of Urals than the Zundapps...?

There's probably not too many people outside this forum that would know the difference

Guys, I'm glad you like it esp. you, Gummi. I take it was worth the trouble though.

As for numbers of existing Zundapps, They're quite small. This is what I heard over lunch. OF the 1000's of KS750's made, less than 500 exist in any shape or form and less than a hundred are runable and collectable. And mine has no rot, runs and only needs to be massaged for the most part though it will take a lot of accessories to bring it up to mint condition.

The problem is that while I know a lot about car mechanics, I'm at a lost about bike mechanics. However, I restore cars and trucks so I have the right attitude, I guess.

Anyway, the other problem is cost. The fact is that the BMW K75 has become such unobtainium, that KS750's are the new gold standard. Actually a lot of collectors rather KS750's.

I estimate that the tab will be the price of a small car or the down payment on a house. I don't work at a menial job but I'm only taking it on because mine and my wife's family said they would help finace this project. And that is if I do all the work myself except for the engine, transmission and rear drive hub.

But I'm really excited. I'll start soon. And here I thought that I would restore my police bike as my next project.

As far as Indian Jones and reality, this is the motorcycle they built for the last movie. It shiould be a knuckle or panhead. But look at it close and see what it really is.

bandit600 · #10 Post by **bandit600** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 4:07 pm

As Gummi said it's a piece of history and sounds like it's in the right hands to be well preserved and looked after. No matter your area of expertise the bike looks good and I'm sure you'll do it justice. Keep us posted.

PS - I wonder if you could offset some of the restoration costs by renting it out as an extra in old WWII movies or something... as long as they don't want it for a crash scene