Late '30s Killinger and Freund: It’s hard to find images of this motorcycle online as it’s so rare. Contributions welcome! Looks like this picture was taken in maybe 1945?
Like the Megola, its engine is mounted in the front wheel (actually its described as 3 separate 2 stroke singles). This one is apparently 600cc and the styling is obviously art deco influenced. More here plus comments and a slide show.
6 comments:
The dynamics of that bike must have been something, with all the torque, most of the weight, and probably the bulk of the braking happening at the front wheel. I guess you had to be careful not to steer it too hard, at least until you got used to it. Different tires probably affected behavior as well. I'm just trying to imagine what it must have felt like to ride (behind).
Something* about it recalls a style-before-substance "city bike" from the 1990s. That bike was finished in matte silver and BSA Victor yellow, had a Rotax 500c engine (or was it a 4-valve Yamaha 600 single?), and featured in a photograph of the singer Blondie. Was it badged as an Aprilia, maybe? Very cool at first glance; then it seemed to me as if the designer was trying too hard and had little sympathy for a motorcycle's function. I can try to find an image, but I bet everyone who reads this (lovely) blog knows the bike I'm thinking of. The resemblance is more in spirit than in literal similarity.
--J. rats, esq.
I tried looking for that picture but had to stop when I read that Deborah Harry turned 80 years old this month. My head is still reeling at being hit with that sobering bit of reality.
And she’s still hot! Something about that rock and roll lifestyle…:-) Rats, I think you’re thinking about the Philippe Starck-designed Aprilia 6.5. I’m not really a fan, felt it was more design-y (yes, that’s a word:-) than functional. I don’t think I ever saw one in real life.
Never realized it was a 5 valve motor!
Yes - it sounds like you are referencing the Aprilia "Moto 6.5". Dont know about the Blondie photo, but it was a very 'Art Deco' design in silver and yellow. Very cool bikes.
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