Zündapp Bella

Zündapp Bella
1958 Zündapp Bella R 154
ManufacturerZündapp
Production1953–1964[1][2]
ClassScooter
Engine146 or 198 cc
8.9 or 12.1 cu in
two-stroke, air-cooled, single;[3]
Bore / stroke150: 57 mm × 58 mm
2.2 in × 2.3 in
200: 64 mm × 62 mm
2.5 in × 2.4 in[3]
Compression ratio150: 6.7:1
200: 6.3:1[3]
Top speed150: 50 mph (80 km/h)[1]
200: 75 mph (121 km/h)[4]
Power150: 7.3 hp (5.4 kW) @ 4700 rpm[1]
200: 10 hp (7.5 kW) @ 5200 rpm[2]
Transmission4 speed manual, primary chain drive, final chain drive[4]
Frame typetubular steel[2]
Suspensionfront: leading link, single spring on left
rear: swingarm with coil springs and dampers
Tyres3.50" X 12" [4]
Wheelbase51.5 in (1,308 mm)[4]
DimensionsL: 78 in (1,981 mm)[5]
W: 24 in (610 mm)[5]
Weight150: 302 lb (137 kg)
200: 322 lb (146 kg)[4] (dry)

The Zündapp Bella is a motor scooter manufactured by German motorcycle manufacturer Zündapp from 1953 to 1964.[1][2] Approximately 130,000 Bella scooters were sold, with engine sizes ranging from 150 to 200 cc (9.2 to 12.2 cu in).[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]

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.[citation needed] 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] An export version of the last 150cc Bella, the R154K (K for kickstarter), with higher "Western" (buckhorn) bars and no dynastarter, came to the United States in the later 1950s.[10]

A 197 cc (12.0 cu in) 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.[citation needed] 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]

  • Early Bella with kick starter and telescopic fork
    Early Bella with kick starter and telescopic fork
  • Dashboard
    Dashboard

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wood, Bill, ed. (December 1993). "Classics: Zundapp Bella". American Motorcyclist. 47 (12). Westerville, OH US: American Motorcyclist Association: 63. ISSN 0277-9358. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The A-Z of Motorcycles". The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 208. ISBN 0-7513-0206-6.
  3. ^ a b c d e Porter, Eric. "Technical Data". Zündapp Bella Information Center. Archived from the original on 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Walton, Harry (July 1957). Allaway, Howard (ed.). "All About the New Scooters". Popular Science. 171 (1). New york, NY US: Popular Science Publishing: 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. ^ a b c Ismon, Alton Jr., ed. (July 1956). "Zundapp's New Bella 150 Scooter". American Motorcyclist. 10 (7). Westerville, OH US: American Motorcyclist Association: 19. ISSN 0277-9358. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  6. ^ a b c d Dan, Michael (2007-05-01). "19". The A-Z of Popular Scooters & Microcars (illustrated ed.). MBI Publishing. pp. 157, 172. ISBN 978-1-8458-4088-4. 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b Ismon, Alton Jr., ed. (February 1955). "Zündapp for quality and value!". American Motorcyclist. 9 (2). Westerville, OH US: American Motorcyclist Association: 5. Retrieved 2012-09-01. ZUNDAPP "Suburbanette": same as Bella with 150 cc engine not enclosed....$396.65
  10. ^ American Motorcyclist. American Motorcyclist Assoc.
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