New owner of DKW 3PS

[Chris Haynes]

Once upon a time a long long time ago I had a WWII German NSU Dispatch bike. It was a war prize brough home by a bomber crew. It was missing a couple parts and I had it sitting in my back yard. The weather started getting to it and I didn't want that to happen. There were no interested buyers so I gave the bike to Bud Ekins. Of course Bud found a home for it. I have often wondered what became of that bike.

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Once upon a time a long long time ago I had a WWII German NSU Dispatch bike. It was a war prize brough home by a bomber crew. It was missing a couple parts and I had it sitting in my back yard. The weather started getting to it and I didn't want that to happen. There were no interested buyers so I gave the bike to Bud Ekins. Of course Bud found a home for it. I have often wondered what became of that bike.

Sehr geil. It would be great to get another WWII bike like that, one with more HP.

[HarleyCreation]

Another possibility...

Seems like I read somewhere that modern car oils are so slippery that they can sometimes make motorcycle wet clutches slip.

MG.42, eh? Did it also come out of the East Bloc, say from the former Czechoslovakia? Did you stock up when cheap Turkish and Yugo 7.9mm was selling at give-away prices?

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

The MG-42's import history is unknown. I suspect it came out of France in the 1950's like many others did. I did stock up on 8mm, mostly Turk (not safe for use in any automatic firearm) and soem Yugo (works okay), but mostloy Romanian 8mm (the best stuff out there)

A local Harley enthusiast and mechanic had some good suggestions for getting the clutch to grip better. I'm still trying to find time to take the engine apart once again and dig into the problem. It still rides well, it's just that the kickstarter slips (it's tied into the clutch, so the clutch is the problem).

Check out my website at www.stormthewalls.kicks-ass.net. Remember to spell "kicks" and not "kick" or you go to a porn site (and a weak one at that!)

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

So while a big BMW or Zuendapp might seem cooler today, there ought to be a water obstacle, barbed wire, or tank trap that re-enactors should have to negotiate with their bikes and where "The Little Wonder" could show its stuff!

Is there anything like that?

I have not had a chance to maneuver the DKW around obstacles yet, but in light woods, it will certainly allow me to go where BMW's fear to tread. I was pleasantly surpised to learn that the DKW uses standard 26" mountain bike tires. So, today I took off the Czeck Barus road tires and put new mountain bike tires with a more correct knobby style for offroad use. They look much better and are twice as wide so they won't slip in mud. The new tires make for a much softer ride, and are noticeably heavier when turning the handlebars.

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Hi fellows,

A WWII reenactment was held in Rockford, Illinois a week ago. I was a motorrad dispatch rider there. Awesome even with tanks, halftracks, aircraft, motorcycles, and anti-tank guns.



Here is a small video with pictures of most of the vehicles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuGz_rU_YFk

[HarleyCreation]

Gosh, it looks like you guys have an awful lot of fun doing the re-enactment scene!

Those look like MP-40 magazine pouches you're wearing, but I don't see a weapon. Do you have a sidearm/Pistole on you? What is the tank emblem on the bike? Are those boots replica Wehrmacht? The sole looks too thick to be the DDR surplus boots that I have like six pair of and make excellent riding boots ($200 boots for $25!)

Did you ever fix your clutch problem?

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

It's slung across my back and the stock is folded. That's why you can't see it. The emblem on the bike is the DKW emblem. The boots are wehrmacht correct and have hobnails and heelplates. They are thick, strong fine leather and not DDR surplus. The clutch is currently under repair, as is the electrical system, which is not generating enough voltage to create a spark anymore. Could be anything, points, coils, grounds, etc.

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Update: The bike's in the repair shop (no spark.. bad points?). While it's all apart, I'm going to do some work on the clutch. It'll all work out.

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Got the spark back.. bad points was the cause. Set the gap at 0.016" and not it works much better!

[RGTHARLEY]

Hey Darivs,

I have a 59 DKW 125, and I'm looking for a few things. Most notably, the enclosed spring that holds the kickstand up. Any sources for parts for these bikes?
Thanks!!
Bob T
AMCA 1829

[LouieMCman]

I don't take offense to them...we did kick their arses a couple times...just like those pesky southern seceders (just kidding of course).

[LouieMCman]

I think the re enactors should use live ammo. :-)

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[WLA chris in fl]

hi im chris i live in florida im looking for a DKW or zundapp basket case to restore ... if any info thanks baylissautobody@aol.com