NGC - Another 4 cylinder bike (K800)

[ohiorider]

What a beautiful and rare restoration.  1938 Zundapp K800.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8nZmS8gFZU

[jas67]

Wow, that IS beautiful!

[steven c]

 I had the pleasure of being able to take photos of one a few years back for my Classic and Vintage bike calendar,just a amazing looking bike just full of little details.

[guzziart]

Very nice, a work of art!

[BrotherJim]

Dang, that is incredible.  Zundapp!  Fun to say...

[LowRyter]

Zundapp built the first Gold Wing?   

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

For when a KS600 is too common and inexpensive... 

[ohiorider]

This is the best transmission pic I could find on line.  It shows that the tranny and engine were unit construction.  The thing I found unusual was the fact that each of the four gear ratios was made up of a pair of sprockets and a short chain linking them. 





As I was searching for this pic, I came across a paragraph that said the right side shifter used an "H" pattern to shift through the gears.  I've never owned or ridden a motorcycle with side shift, so would that be unusual?  Did Indians and Harleys use an automotive type shift pattern, or was the shift lever simply moved fore and aft?

Bob

[jas67]

I gotta wonder why they used chains instead of gears.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

As I was searching for this pic, I came across a paragraph that said the right side shifter used an "H" pattern to shift through the gears.  I've never owned or ridden a motorcycle with side shift, so would that be unusual?  Did Indians and Harleys use an automotive type shift pattern, or was the shift lever simply moved fore and aft?

I don't think the Harley or Indian ever did, but BMW certainly did. I worked on a '51 EMW R35 (East German built '39 BMW R35 copy) once and it had an H pattern hand shifter sticking out to the right side.

I gotta wonder why they used chains instead of gears.

I'm guessing easier and less costly to manufacture, with the side benefit of being quieter as well.

[ohiorider]

I don't think the Harley or Indian ever did, but BMW certainly did. I worked on a '51 EMW R35 (East German built '39 BMW R35 copy) once and it had an H pattern hand shifter sticking out to the right side.

I'm guessing easier and less costly to manufacture, with the side benefit of being quieter as well. 

My thoughts, too.  Looks fairly practical, too.  Thanks for the confirmation re the hand shift pattern question.