Zundapp KS750 side | |
|---|---|
| Pays | Germany |
| Type | Moto |
| Période | Seconde guerre mondiale |
| Production | 20000+ |
Galerie photo sur une Zundapp KS750 avec sidecar, Zündapp est une ancienne marque allemande produisant entre autre des motos. Pendant la période du Troisième Reich, la marque Zündapp va développer un modèle de moto pouvant de tracter un canon et être capable de rouler quelque soit la configuration du terrain tout en ayant une consommation maxi d’environ 6,5l/100km, cette moto doit pouvoir quand même rouler en pointe à 95 km/h. Issue de ces recherches le modèle KS750 en mode side-car sort de l’usine courant décembre 1940. Cette moto KS750 sera produite tout au long du conflit et le total des exemplaires produits est estimé à 18 600.
Source: Vu sur le forum johkaz
| Zundapp KS750 side | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 63 |
| Zundapp KS-750 Motorcycle Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Michael Benolkin |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 24 |
| Zundapp KS-750 Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Igor Suhin |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 20 |
See also:
The Purpose-Built Soldier
The Zündapp KS 750 was not just a civilian motorcycle with a sidecar attached; it was a dedicated military vehicle designed from the ground up for the German Wehrmacht. Known for its incredible durability and off-road capability, it was the « Jeep » of the German forces. While the rival BMW R75 is often more famous, the KS 750 was arguably the superior machine, featuring a unique « war » gear system and a driven sidecar wheel that allowed it to traverse mud, snow, and sand that would stop any other two-wheeled vehicle in its tracks.
| Attribute | Technical Specification (KS 750) |
|---|---|
| Role | Heavy Military Motorcycle Combination |
| Engine | 751cc OHV 2-cylinder « flat-twin » (26 hp) |
| Transmission | 4 Forward, 1 Reverse, 4 Off-road gears |
| Top Speed | 95 km/h (Road) / 3 km/h (Slowest Crawl) |
| Fuel Range | Approx. 300 km (186 miles) |
| Weight | 420 kg (Empty) / 840 kg (Fully Loaded) |
| Armament | 1 × 7.92mm MG34 or MG42 (Sidecar Mount) |
| Total Produced | 18,695 units |
Design Engineering: Mechanical Ingenuity
- The Driven Sidecar Wheel: The KS 750 featured a locking differential and a drive shaft that powered the sidecar wheel. This turned the motorcycle into a 3×2 drive system, giving it traction comparable to a small light truck.
- The 170° Engine: Unlike the 180° « Boxer » engines of BMW, the Zündapp cylinders were set at 170 degrees. This slightly « V » shape gave the cylinders better ground clearance for deep ruts and protected the cylinder heads from rocks.
- The « Crawler » Gear: The transmission included a « Geländegang » (Off-road) reduction. This allowed the bike to maintain a steady 3 km/h—exactly the speed of marching infantry—without burning out the clutch or stalling the engine.
- Heating System: In extreme cold (like the Eastern Front), the KS 750 had a clever system that piped hot air from the engine to the rider’s handlebars and the sidecar passenger’s footwell.
Operational History: Desert Sands to Russian Mud
- Afrika Korps Workhorse: The KS 750 was a favorite of Rommel’s forces. Its massive tires and low-pressure footprint allowed it to float over soft sand where standard trucks would bog down.
- The Sidecar Squad: A standard Kradschützen (Motorcycle Infantry) platoon was a formidable scout force. With an MG42 mounted on the sidecar, a KS 750 could provide surprising suppressive fire while moving.
- Interchangeability: By order of the German government, 70% of the parts on the Zündapp KS 750 and the BMW R75 were identical. This simplified logistics significantly, allowing a mechanic to fix either bike with the same tool kit and spares.
- Post-War Legacy: After the war, the design was so respected that it influenced motorcycle engineering for decades, particularly the « Ural » and « Dnepr » bikes produced in the Soviet Union.
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