Small, light motorcycles

Small light motorcycles. Then from day 1 of motorcycle history we talk about such an 80 +% of all motorcycles that were made and become global. Because motorcycles were motorized transport for people without money for a car. And the step from a bicycle to a light motorcycle was made faster than that to an automobile. You weren't dry then. But you didn't have to pedal anymore.

Of course, there were heavy, expensive motorcycles from the early days of the motorcycle age. And there were people who bought them. Think of government services, cattle doctors and left and right a brave village notable.

Small is beautiful

But in all those small, light motorcycles there was quite a lot of clever thinking to make them as good and attractive as possible while maintaining affordability. And today there are quite a lot of those 'service bikes' from the past. The trade in it, however, has not experienced that explosion, which means that top pieces such as MVs and Münchs can now only be bought by investors. In fact, classic motorcycles up to - say - 200 cc are simply very attractively priced.

In addition, they naturally have their limitations

They are not very impressive, you can be mistaken by careless drivers for motorcycles, motorways are taboo. But light small motorcycles are great for a nice block to join.

But the funny thing is that the smaller stroke motorcycles are not so much appreciated by hard core riders, but by people with a technical background and interest. Because very nice constructions were also devised in the light segment. Just look at the Imme motorcycles.

Imme for example

The first motorcycle model of that brand, the Imme R 100, had an egg-shaped 98cc two-stroke block in which the carburetor and the air filter were concealed invisibly. The power source hung in a frame that had mono-suspension at the front and rear. The wheels were suspended on one side and interchangeable and the single rear fork tube also functioned as an exhaust pipe. The engine block hinged with the swingarm to keep the chain tension constant and the footrests were adjustable. The Immes were not a sales success. They were built from 1948-1949. But they are nevertheless still for sale with some regularity.

German success number

Light German engines that were successfully sold were Zündapps and Kreidlers. And Hercules and DKWs. Of that couple, serious prices are only paid for Zündapps and Kreidlers. Of course, these brands not only have an extremely impressive racing history, but for many collectors who were so young between the 8 and 12 in the time of the Kreidlers and Zündapps, those brands are almost at the height of nostalgia. Funny thing is that there is a kind of renovation virus in the Zündapp world where imaginative paintwork and exuberant chrome are the clearest symptoms. Fortunately there is no dispute about taste

The light brigade from Japan has always been sold worldwide

And funnily enough, classic traders regularly brought them as container filling from the States. Because they fit in the smallest corners, usually looked neat, often had driven few kilometers and cost nothing on the purchasing side. And such a Honda 125 cc twin? That is a wonderful piece of technology for every technician.

On the minus side

Light motorcycles are usually small motorcycles. And a full sized Dutchman on a light motorcycle? According to many, that does not look like. I still remember the cry "Look, there you have Dolf on his motorized hemorrhoid".
And that was the comment on the Honda C90S that I was quite proud of.
As a sixteen year old.

Incidentally, I expect the same comment on my much heavier 250 cc Honda Dream project. Because between my 16e and now I have become 25 kilo more muscular.