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]
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Early Bella with kick starter and telescopic fork
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Dashboard
See also
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.'
- ^ 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
- ^ American Motorcyclist. American Motorcyclist Assoc.
External links
- Zundapp Bella R150 on YouTube – Zündapp Bella test ride
- ZÜNDAPP BELLA MOTORROLLER R201 on YouTube – 360° view of Zündapp Bella
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