► Photothread: Motorcycles of Wehrmacht

[Akira Takizawa]

I have these three images in my hard dis listed as Type 97 Japanese motorcycles.

In fact, if you look closely you can see that, despite being similar, these three bikes are different: front fork, exhaust, front fenders, .....
Can anyone confirm that all three are Type 97 models?

Though it is delayed reply.

The first photo is Type 95 Motorcycle. The second photo is Rikuo 1200cc. It is not Type 97. Type 97 is military model. But, it is commercial model. The third photo is Harley-Davidson. So, there is no Type 97 in your photos.

Taki

[Sturm78]

Taki wrote
The first photo is Type 95 Motorcycle. The second photo is Rikuo 1200cc. It is not Type 97. Type 97 is military model. But, it is commercial model. The third photo is Harley-Davidson. So, there is no Type 97 in your photos.

Thank you very much for your answer, Akira.

I also have this other image identified as a Type 97. Is this correct in this case ?
Which are the differencies between Type 95 and Type 97 ?

Type 95 was manufactured by Kurogane and Type 97 by Rikuo ??

Sturm78

[Akira Takizawa]

> I also have this other image identified as a Type 97. Is this correct in this case ?

Upload that other image. I will identify it.

> Which are the differencies between Type 95 and Type 97 ?

The most significant difference is the bolt on the front fork. Type 97 has one bolt and Type 95 has two bolts.
https://twitter.com/Taki2121/status/1324573013468094464

> Type 95 was manufactured by Kurogane and Type 97 by Rikuo ??

Type 95 was manufactured only by Kurogane. Type 97 was manufactured by both Kurogane and Rikuo.

Taki

[Sturm78]

Thank you very much for your answers, Taki... Very useful!!

Taki wrote
Upload that other image. I will identify it.

Oppsss...sorry....Here is:

Based on your information, I assume that it is a Kurogane type 95 motorcycle

Sturm78

[Akira Takizawa]

Yes, it is Kurogane Type 95.

Taki

[Sturm78]

Thanks...

Sturm78

[Hans1906]

Hi Herr Sturm,

here a nice website about the "Rikuo" motorcycles, probably interesting for you...

The Rikuo Motorcycle https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/clas ... z07jfzraw/

Enjoy!


Hans

[Sturm78]

Thanks, Hans

It is not very clear to me what is the origin of the beginning of the manufacture of these motorcycles of origin Harley by Rikuo if the license had been bought by Sankyo....

On the other hand, a nice image from Ebay. I am not sure about the exact model...

Sturm78

[SIS 5]

Hi Sturm 78,

that could be a NSU 351 OSL. Here a pic of such a motorcycle from the year 1935.

Best regards

Bert

[Sturm78]

Thanks, Bert..

Regards
Sturm78

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

Could this motorcycle be a DKW SB500 ??

Image from Ebay
Sturm78

[kerryboo]

Hi Sturm,
I think that you are right. I lightened the scan and the radial finning on the 2-stroke motor's head is very indicative. The SB350 is very similar, but as far as I know it was purely a solo machine. I am sure that those more expert than I will spot other diagnostic features, but, for my money, a DKW SB500 combo.
Cheers,
Kerry.

[Sturm78]

Thank you, Kerry...

Regards
Sturm78

[Hans1906]

The DKW SB 500 is a motorcycle that Auto Union built from 1934 to 1939 at the DKW plant in Zschopau. It is the most powerful model of the SB series, which was introduced in 1934 and comprised five displacement classes and ended with the SB 500. The successor to the SB series is the NZ series, introduced in 1938. An SB 500 built on February 6, 1939 was the 500,000. DKW motorcycle. The anniversary machine was put into operation by world record driver Walfried Winkler.

Source and link: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/DKW_SB_500

Sturm78, the civilian sidecar versions are rare nowadays, many civilian sidecar motorcycles were confiscated by the Wehrmacht, repainted, and worn out at the fronts. Very rare these days, but still seen at typical German Oldtimer gatherings...


Hans

[arminfreitag]

Hi
nice recent E-bay picture.
Armin