Description
Zündapp 1935 K800 Four cylinder Frame #140916 Engine # 2735 .
Founded at the height of WWI to manufacture armaments, Zündapp found a new role post-war as a producer of motorcycles under the direction of new owner, Dr Fritz Neumeyer, building its first machine, a Levis-powered two-stroke, in 1921.
The firm began making its own engines in 1924, selling more than 10,000 machines that year, and at the Berlin Motor Show in 1933 introduced the first of the horizontally opposed, four-stroke twins that it is best remembered for.
These formed part of an extensive and diverse range of models, all but the smallest two-stroke being designated by the letter 'K' (for kardan, meaning 'shaft'). Among the models premiered were the K400 (398cc) and K500 (496cc) sidevalve twins, both of which employed designer Richard Küchen's unconventional all-chain four-speed 'gearbox' and, as the designation suggests, shaft final drive. Introduced at the same time was another Küchen design: a horizontally opposed four made in 598cc (K600) and 798cc (K800) capacities.
Common to all the larger models and eminently suited to withstanding the stresses and strains imposed by travel on unmade roads, the robust frame and girder forks were made of pressed steel, an advanced feature at the time.
The new Zündapp range was an enormous success and in September 1933 the firm produced its 100,000th machine, quite an achievement after little more than a decade as a motorcycle manufacturer.
The larger Zündapps saw service in substantial numbers with private riders as well as the German Army .
The K800, presented here, has an opposed four cylinder engine with an 797cc capacity producing 26hp and drives the shaft driven rear wheel via a 4-speed manual transmission.
The design of the K800 is un-mistakingly beautiful, the profile of the motorcycle looks like a work of modern art and the aesthetically appealing engine design sets it far above the usually boring looking opposed cylinder power plants of the era.This rare Zündapp K800 has been restored to a very high standard and no expenses were spared rebuilding the entire machine. Invoices over a total of 23.000 Euros come with the machine. She is running very well and is ready for the open road.