Zundapp Bella

[statik]

Picking up a little Zundapp Bella model R201 from 1955 on Saturday.  It's a runner but been hand painted black many years ago.  I like doing bodywork, filling and sanding so looking forward to the challange.  I don't know much about them and never owned a scooter before but I understand they are a bit heavy and have a little 200cc motor.  Sounds slow but I don't care about that.  Kick start model with two seats. 

Any information is welcome.  I'll put up more photos as I take them.   

[statik]

Got it home yesterday and decided it needs to be a total basket case and start with paint on the frame and bracketry.  Looks promising so far.  What I expected for a 56 year old bike.  No manual so took lots of pictures.  If you want to see the photos follow the link. 

http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/nn233/statikly/Zundapp%20Bella%2001/20-11-11/

[statik]

I found a copy of the manual on-line which I thought would be useful.  The first time I needed it was for the wheels.  I fitted new bearings and seals taking care and kept everything very clean. 

All went well and the wheels spun OK.  When I clamped them on the axle the wheels locked solid.  It's all caused by a shim number 748.  The book shows it between the 6302 bearing 747 and the center spacer 752.  What it doesn't show is the shoulder in the wheel hub the bearing fits tight against.  When everything is clamped together the shim locks against both races of the 6302 bearing like a brake and stops the wheel turning.  When I had a closer look the shim fits into a recess in the locking ring and keeps the grease in the bearing nicely. 

I wonder how many of these bikes were assembled like the book indicates and ended up causing damage or even worse an accident.  See what you think. 

[statik]

All the parts loaded in the van for stripping in the morning.  Dropping it off on the way to work and hope to have it all back on Saturday. 

[statik]

All the parts came back from the strippers.  I didn't go for a chemical strip and had it blasted off with a very fine grit.  It came out OK with very little rust.  A coat of etch primer was put on to protect it until I get the body work finished.  Quite happy with the result and would use them again and the price was reasonable. 



Got a few dents to hammer out but remarkable condition thanks to layers of horrible black paint (possibly Dulux or other home gloss).  The ally parts came out like new. 

[statik]

I did get a day in the garage to do a rough build.  I needed to fit all the parts together to see how bad they are.  Most are OK.  There is a nasty crease in the legshields I may have to take to a specialist but the rest I can knock out myself (I hope). 



When I painted some of the parts I didn't think they would be quite so obvious.  May go over the green in black. 



Never mind. 

Have a good new year.

[statik]

The piping arrived in old english white from Woolies, very happy with the quality and looking forward to the final build.  Still not sure of the colours yet but it's going to be light and two-tone. 

[statik]

Sorry the photo's seem to have gone somehow.  If you want to see them follow the link.

http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/nn233/statikly/Zundapp%20Bella/

[Jonny The Goat]

I have also just got a Bella. Your photos should come in handy for me. Cheers. Would like to see the finished project.