Zundapp Super Sabre: German Engineering on a Budget
Motorcycles & ATVs
Motorcycles
It’s good to know that you can still acquire a stylish, rare, and practical classic motorcycle like this Zundapp Super Sabre, which was recently offered on eBay, without having to remortgage your house.
Zundapp?
As motorcycle names go, Zundapp might not stir the imagination like Harley-Davidson or Ducati. And it never earned a place in the motorcycling firmament like fellow Munich-based builder BMW. But until the 1970s, Zundapp was Germany's biggest motorcycle producer and had a glittering history in European enduro events.
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Established by the end of World War I, Zundapp soon began producing solid, large-capacity machines that earned a reputation for reliability. In World War II, it supplied around 18,000 of its KS750 sidecar outfits exclusively to the German Wehrmacht. At the same time, it displayed incredible innovation in the form of a 1,000-cc supercharged beast intended to take the land speed record from BMW. The war prevented it from being run in anger, but Zundapp’s engineers figured it should have done 243 mph.
Coming to America
In the wake of World War II, Zundapp focused on building affordable scooters, with the larger machines slowly fading out of production by the late 1950s.
But in 1956, Zundapp introduced the Super Sabre. It was a stylish, modern-looking piece of kit released when the company dominated the European off-road scene. Zundapps frequently won gold medals and championships in just about every class, so it seemed like a good time to see what appetite lay for their wares across the pond.
The Hungarian refugee Joseph Berliner began his New York-based motorcycle importing business with Zundapp in 1951 and eventually branched out to become a US agent for Moto-Guzzi - opens in new window or tab., Ducati - opens in new window or tab., and Norton - opens in new window or tab., among others.
In 1957, he took out a full-page ad in Cycle Magazine - opens in new window or tab. proclaiming the Super Sabre to be “the world’s fastest standard machine in its class.” It spoke proudly of “adjustable swingarm rear suspension” and “hydraulic shock absorbers,” and it boasted a top speed of “approx 80 mph” from its 250-cc two-stroke engine.
As fast as the Zundapp Super Sabre may have been in its class, North America didn’t need a lightweight, two-stroke economy vehicle at the time. Despite being a pretty machine, it had neither the comfort of a Harley-Davidson - opens in new window or tab. nor the performance of a British bike. And though Berliner was successful as an importer, the Super Sabre wasn’t a smash hit Stateside.
What About Owning One Today?
In today’s world, a Zundapp Super Sabre is quite a groovy thing. This one represents an excellent opportunity to ride around on a highly individual and practical bike.
This Zundapp Super Sabre has apparently been part of a museum collection in Bakersfield, Calif. It still displays its black California license plate - opens in new window or tab. from when it was last registered almost 50 years ago. The eBay listing explains that everything works, but it will need a battery and spark plug before running adequately.
Locating these items should be easy via eBay, although tracking down a suitable (or even the correct) seat will present more of a challenge. Maybe a more readily available seat from a Triumph Bonneville - opens in new window or tab. extending over the rear mudguard would be in keeping with the original look. Aside from that, the brick-red paintwork seems good enough to be show off at a local meet, even if it won’t scoop any trophies.
An important thing to consider before bidding is that the bike has no title. Although obtaining one is less of an issue for a motorcycle than for a car, check the requirements where you live. Then again, this Zundapp Super Sabre for sale on eBay would look amazing propped up in your garage or business, even if you couldn’t legally ride it.
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