Zündapp Bella

Zündapp Bella

1958 Zündapp Bella R 154
Manufacturer Zündapp
Production 1953–1964[1][2]
Class scooter
Engine two-stroke single cylinder engine; 146 cc or 198 cc[3]
Bore / stroke 150: 57 mm × 58 mm (2.2 in × 2.3 in)
200: 64 mm × 62 mm (2.5 in × 2.4 in)[3]
Compression ratio 150: 6.7:1
200: 6.3:1[3]
Top speed 150: 50 mph (80 km/h)[1]
200: 75 mph (121 km/h)[4]
Power 150: 7.3 hp (5.4 kW) @ 4700 rpm[1]
200: 10 hp (7.5 kW) @ 5200 rpm[2]
Transmission 4 speed manual, primary chain drive, final chain drive[4]
Frame type tubular steel[2]
Suspension front: leading link, single spring on left
rear: swingarm with coil springs and dampers
Tyres 3.50" X 12" [4]
Wheelbase 51.5 in (1,308 mm)[4]
Dimensions L: 78 in (1,981 mm)[5]
W: 24 in (610 mm)[5]
Weight 150: 302 lb (137 kg)
200: 322 lb (146 kg)[4] (dry)

The Zündapp Bella is a motor scooter manufactured by motorcycle manufacturer Zündapp from 1953 to 1964.[1][2] Approximately 130,000 Bella scooters were sold, with engine sizes ranging from 150 cc to 200 cc.[1]

The design of the Bella was heavily influenced by that of the Parilla Levriere, also known as the Parilla Greyhound.[6][7] Along with being similar in general appearance, both designs have prominent air tunnels along the centreline of the scooter to allow fresh air to cool the engine without a fan.[2][6]

Early Bella with kick starter and telescopic fork

As introduced in 1953, the Bella had a 146 cc[3] two-stroke single cylinder engine,[1][3] 12 inch wheels,[4] 6 V electrics, a kick starter, and an undamped telescopic fork. The fuel tank was mounted under the seat.[6]

A version of the Bella called the Suburbanette was made for the United States market from 1953 to 1954.[8] The Suburbanette was stripped of the body panels enclosing the engine.[9] 370 Suburbanettes were sold.[8]

A 197 cc engine producing 10 hp (7.5 kW) became available in May 1954.[1] The front suspension was later changed from a telescopic fork to an Earles-type leading link fork with a single suspension unit on left side of the fork.[2] Later Bella scooters also had 12 V electricals[4] powered by two 6 V batteries. Electric starters also became available on the Bella.[4]

The Bella was imported into the United Kingdom by Ambassador Motorcycles,[6] and into the United States by International Motorcycle Company.[5][9]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Wood, Bill, ed. (December 1993). "Classics: Zundapp Bella". American Motorcyclist (Westerville, OH USA: American Motorcyclist Association) 47 (12): 63. ISSN 0277-9358. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The A-Z of Motorcycles". The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 208. ISBN 0-7513-0206-6.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Porter, Eric. "Technical Data". Zündapp Bella Information Center. Archived from the original on 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Walton, Harry (July 1957). Allaway, Howard, ed. "All About the New Scooters". Popular Science (New york, NY USA: Popular Science Publishing) 171 (1): 67 71. Retrieved 2012-06-27. Big wheels and a 10-hp. two-cycle engine give the Bella 200 a high speed for a scooter—75 m.p.h. It has foot shift, enclosed chains, and a 12-volt electric starter system.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Ismon, Alton Jr., ed. (July 1956). "Zundapp's New Bella 150 Scooter". American Motorcycling (Westerville, OH USA: American Motorcyclist Association) 10 (7): 19. ISSN 0277-9358. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Dan, Michael (2007-05-01). "19". The A-Z of Popular Scooters & Microcars (illustrated ed.). MBI Publishing. pp. 157, 172. ISBN 1-8458-4088-7. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  7. ↑ Dregni, Eric; Pete, Pixel (2005). "Chapter 7: Clubs". Scooters: Everything You Need to Know. MBI Publishing. p. 130. ISBN 978-0-7603-2217-8. Retrieved 2012-08-31. The influential Parilla Levriere (or "greyhouhd" in English) was the basis for Sweden's Husqvarna, Germany's Victoria Peggy scooter, and the main influence behind Zündapp's first Bella.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Jurassic Pick". American Pickers. Season 3. Episode 13. 2011-11-28. History Channel. In 1953, Zundapp released the first Bella Scooters in Europe. They also made 370 of a limited model in the US from 1953-54 called the 'Suburbanette.'
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ismon, Alton Jr., ed. (February 1955). "Zündapp for quality and value!". American Motorcycling (Westerville, OH USA: American Motorcyclist Association) 9 (2): 5. Retrieved 2012-09-01. ZUNDAPP "Suburbanette": same as Bella with 150 cc engine not enclosed....$396.65

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