Ex army motorcycles, engines from what they call 'Army Surplus' or 'the dump'. There is growing interest in this. And not even from historical classic circles, but from the growing group of re-enactment enthusiasts.
Army motorcycles: Nice to pretend
The hobby of those people is based on 'seriously pretending'. Re-enactment players can dress and behave like Vikings, Medieval people, Indians (oops. That is also not allowed: 'native Americans'). As figures from Star Wars, fairy-tale characters and as soldiers from the time of Napoleon and the first or second world war. And if it is important that during the re-enactment of a camp or battle, even your underwear and socks are historically correct, then as a WWII motor courier you cannot of course rage across the fields with good decency on an 900 cc Ducati SS. No matter how army green you sprayed it.
The expensive ones
Now the case is that the most striking army motorcycles from WWII were Harleys and BMWs. And those things have meanwhile become mercilessly expensive. That is why there are already sets to disguise a youngtimer Harley 883 as Libeator. That is of course a weakness. What a pity. The use of M72 motorcycles from what was once the USSR is then more obvious. Those things were almost 1 on 1 replicas of the BMW R71 side valves that the Germans used. They are therefore bravely disguised in German army colors and designations.
For decoration there are even racks in which six imitation Panzerfaust shells can be taken. Such a beautiful 'almost BMW' can also cost a euro or four and a half thousand to more than five mille. The original now generates amounts of between the 14-20.000 euros. Real, correct Harley WLA and WLC army motorcycles scour against the 25.000 euro. Where machines that are completely factory correct according to the Harley Bible are ticked off much more.
But if playing soldier isn't your thing, but when you just want to ride a classic motorcycle for a nice price and you have no objection that such a machine is army green? Then you have plenty of choice.
And because they usually have civilian models as a basis, you can always equip an ex army bicycle with a more colorful coat if you are in a sunny mood. That used to be, when 'dump engines' just cheap transport were also done. So it's historically justified.
The choice is huge
From 125 cc two-stroke to 650 cc four-stroke boxers. 350 and about 500 cc single-cylinder four-stroke engines. Engines from Germany (BMW, DKW, Hercules), England (BSA, Matchless, Triumph, Armstrong), Italy (Cagiva, Moto Guzzi), Japan (Honda CB 250's), Switzerland (Condor), USA Haley with Bombardier engine. You name it and choose. Army motorcycles are generally not off road motorcycles. They may be able to handle a piece of dirt road, but they are intended for courier work. In addition, they are usually a bit slower than their civilian brothers. They are often compressed lower in order to withstand bad petrol. The valves could be a bit smaller. And the wiring is often somewhat adapted to their work.
But a former army motorcycle is usually a budget-friendly way to drive a classic motorcycle. And the parts supply is usually still good. Be careful when purchasing an oh so nice former Danish R65 GS. These machines are used for off road training. And if you buy one, you are pretty sure that there are gearbox problems with the purchase. The BMWs have only driven in the first three gears.
I once owned a Hercules 125cc. In Germany they were used as an entrepreneur for falling exercises. When an esquadron drove across a plain and a barrage was opened, the soldiers had to drop themselves as quickly as possible. You noticed that ...
I do not share your opinion Dolf; ex-army is not cheap at all, apart from a few.
For a handsome BSA, Norton or Triumph is also seriously paid money, that also applies to a Condor with Duc-block ..
A scuffed French CB may cost two marbles and a dead fish's head, but so does its burger brother.
Even Herculesjes and MZjes from the Bundeswehr or their DDR version are more expensive than their citizen version.
Really early M72s and Russia's “own” design PMZ750 have been rediscovered by the Russians and are going back to Mother Russia for substantial money.
Hi Pascal, I think cheap is relatively relative in the crazy classic market. But I think we could agree that ex army that ex army stuff is still affordable for ordinary enthusiasts. And you're right MZs go back to the former East Germany, perfect WLAs go back to the US from A for a lot of money and Richard Busweiler has had a very difficult time getting two perfectly restored M72s on the wheels. And they also went back home from Genemuiden.
In the list I miss an important player: the Zundapp KS600, nickname Der grune Elefant and also the cause of the creation of the Elefantentreffen at the Nurburgring. Together with BMW and TWN (Wustenratte) the main part of the engines used by the German Wehrmacht in the 2nd World War.