Zundapp - I must be nuts?

[bmwhacker]

.....I had a "weak moment" last night and decided to list my Zundapp on EBay.
I set a reserve to match my investment + a few bucks to cover EBay fees.
If my investment amount isn't met then I'll continue with the project a little at a time.
I have 4 bikes sitting and my funding to keep everything going is minimal.
After figuring the amount of dollars needed to restore this bike, I may die of old age before I could ever see it run.
If it doesn't sell, I might try to convert it to a BMW drive train, but I hate to ruin a matching #'s bike.
Maybe someone out in EBay land has enough money & resources to properly restore the machine.
So we'll see where it goes....

[D.Bachtel]

Sorry to hear about the weak moment and the auction.
Guess we'll see how that goes.
Wish I could have run over to your place and swap some of the "less rusty than mine" prior to listing.

I've been fortunate so far and it's been a by the book preservation with lots of fluids, gloves, scrubbing and careful wrenching.
About two weeks of fiddlin has got me this far with the topends...




















Bores seem to be within standard spec, pistons have about .005 clearance in the bores.
One ring still stuck in right piston.
Top ring squared in bore 1 inch down measures .022 gap.
I think a set of rings, gaskets and a bit more cylinder prep will do it.


Don in Nipomo

[D.Bachtel]

Looks like the auction is doing well... reserve must be close.

Hope the new owner checks in here or with the Zundapp Fool.


Don in Nipomo

[bmwhacker]

Originally Posted by D.Bachtel

Looks like the auction is doing well... reserve must be close.

Hope the new owner checks in here or with the Zundapp Fool.


Don in Nipomo

Reserve is getting closer but has a little ways to go. I've kept track of my expendatures and will basically break even (plus enough to cover EBay fees) if it hits my reserve. If I don't get the reserve I'll continue on with the project as I can.

My sidehack rig lost a rear main seal last weekend, needs a timing chain replacement and a cylinder base reseal. ....oh and tires (again) ....I ride a lot and should have stock in a tire company.
I have a "new to me" R75 / R60 Rat bike project to start and also need to do some fiddling with my R65 before I can sell it.
Plus I have an emminant $1200.00 + Cummins Diesel repair in my near future.
When it rains, it "poors".

I paid (what I thought) was top dollar for the Zundapp but the seller I got it from had dropped his price $2000.00 from what he originally wanted. I visited with the "Fool" before buying mine and he thought the price was reasonable considering it was an original numbers matching mostly complete machine.

Your KS601 Elastic purchase was an absolute steal. Which I am sure you are aware. To find an EL stored in that condition and at that price is unheard of.

[D.Bachtel]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the EL. So far so good.
I've been rotating the engine using the bare small ends of the rods.
Cages and needles are feeling good and spinning freely within the confines of the big ends.
No perceptible radial play just a bit of axial. Real smooth...
I'm not even sure there's a need to pull the caps and drop all the needles.

I'm done with my GEO, Volvo, DaeWoo too late preventative maintenance for now.
I hate when all that stuff stacks up at once.
I should know better but have been able to skate around that stuff for years without much damage.

Don in Nipomo

[bmwhacker]

I'm somewhat surprised but the 1953 Zundapp hit my reserve price tonight.
I really didn't think it would go that high.
I have mixed emotions that my short term owned bike will be going to a new owner, but I just couldn't justify the cost of a proper restoration. I am much more comfortable working on my BMW projects due to parts availability and reasonable parts prices.
I hope inmate D.Bachtel will carry on with this Zundapp thread and keep everyone abreast of his Zundapp EL progress.

[D.Bachtel]

Still goin' up!

Hope the new fool checks in here.

Don in Nipomo.... combustion by Halloween.

[bmwhacker]

Originally Posted by D.Bachtel

Still goin' up!

Hope the new fool checks in here.

Don in Nipomo.... combustion by Halloween.

Alright!
I'd love to see and hear a video of the initial run up!
I always wanted to hear mine run but that is not to be....

[D.Bachtel]

Well I might as well continue and pick up where Doug left off.
Progress has been slow but deliberate and I've having good results all the way around.

Lapped in the valves today and they came out very well.
Excellent definition on the edges, completely concentric and only a few small pockets.
They all snap into place with a sweet sucking sound.
11/2 - 2 mm contact with a clean edge leading into the ports.


Here's a few shots from last week and a few from this evening....























Bing gasket kits and new slide springs are on their way, got to get some rings from Greece. Gaskets from Texas.

Don in Nipomo

[bmwhacker]

Looking good!
(hope you can video the initial start up?)

[D.Bachtel]

Originally Posted by bmwhacker

Looking good!
(hope you can video the initial start up?)

Don't know about that, I'll be blasting down the driveway out to the country for some quick loading and unloading.
Guess I could always "stage" a startup afterwards, but I know I'll be more interested in riding and tweeking on it.

Still a few systems to check out but I'm guessing this one will come together. I've got my fingers crossed.

You know Doug specs for these bikes are very hard to come by.
Ring gap, piston/skirt clearances minimum and maximum just don't seem to be out there.

There was never a published workshop manual.
I think they just assumed eveyone who would work on these were qualified engineers.

I'm not, but I'm slow and careful and this bike makes sense. Very little confusion.


Don in Nipomo

[bmwhacker]

Originally Posted by D.Bachtel

Don't know about that, I'll be blasting down the driveway out to the country for some quick loading and unloading.
Guess I could always "stage" a startup afterwards, but I know I'll be more interested in riding and tweeking on it.

Still a few systems to check out but I'm guessing this one will come together. I've got my fingers crossed.

You know Doug specs for these bikes are very hard to come by.
Ring gap, piston/skirt clearances minimum and maximum just don't seem to be out there.

There was never a published workshop manual.
I think they just assumed eveyone who would work on these were qualified engineers.

I'm not, but I'm slow and careful and this bike makes sense. Very little confusion.


Don in Nipomo

Don, I purchased a DVD Copy of a KS601 riders manual. It has some information contained in it. PM you're address to me and I'll mail it off to you. DS

[D.Bachtel]

Will do Doug. Does the CD contain any more information than the Parts List and the Operators Manual ?

Don in Nipomo

[bmwhacker]

Originally Posted by D.Bachtel

Will do Doug. Does the CD contain any more information than the Parts List and the Operators Manual ?

Don in Nipomo

I think I saw the same manual somewhere on the "Fools" site.
Has general engine / drive train specs, piston clearance, valve settings etc. I was never able to find ring gap #'s either.....maybe the "Fool" can help you out with more specifics..

[D.Bachtel]

James does not know...
I think I need to ask Germans in Nuremberg.

Bike came with Parts and Operators, little tattered but they do.

Don in Nipomo