Another "soldier" is back on the trail

Details: Category: Motorcycle premieres; By Spiker; 23.May; Parent Category: Workshop; 23 May 2023; Last Updated: 29 June 2023; Hits: 61

Jacek from Minsk's "Magnet" has been collecting NSU motorcycles for a long time, which are a springboard for him from faster riding on slightly younger motorcycles. This time he presented the newly completed 251 OS WH project. Previously, he had already restored another copy of the same model, but it was "from one piece", which was a great help. This time he undertook a more demanding reconstruction of a less complete copy of the "military quarter" (0.25l) from 1941. He did not avoid buying replicas of some parts, e.g. fenders. As it happens with replicas, it took a lot of time to fit them with the rest of the motorcycle. The carburetor was regenerated in a well-known NSU workshop in Lublin, so there is no problem with idle speed or regulation (to quote Jacek: "it runs like gold"). The motorcycle represents the war series, but still with aluminum casings of the drive unit and a typical Bosch lamp with an integrated ignition switch, but with a rocking seat (the popular "catapult"). However, the painting reflects a slightly later standard, i.e. a sandy color known as Dunkelgelb (in force since 1943 and according to some sources even since 1942). There is no mistake here, because vehicles from earlier years were successively repainted into new colors during the war, provided they survived the front conditions of course.

The repair was done in two attempts, because the first time after the first firings and rides (only 60 km) it turned out that the crankshaft had been regenerated in an unprofessional way on an unhardened journal, which almost led to its disintegration. It was therefore necessary to dismantle the engine again and make necessary adjustments. And now, after the next months of fighting, we can see the premiere photos of the motorcycle finally brought to running condition and, according to the owner's feelings, having more potential than the civilian OSL 251 also owned. Of course, as is usually the case with premieres, there are still minor elements to improve. However, wanting to start this motorcycle relatively quickly, Jacek decided to make some temporary compromises, assuming their subsequent elimination (for example, the signal is mounted from the "donkey" BMW R-35). Ultimately, the motorcycle can be supplemented with courier panniers and other elements of the characteristic equipment of the WH liaison motorcycle, such as a headlight "darker" or, for the purposes of historical reconstruction, tactical markings or license plates imitating those from the era. Over time, with use, the motorcycle will also acquire a suitable "patina", which will bring it even closer to the appearance of a war motorcycle. But before that, of course, there must be hundreds, if not thousands of kilometers of test drives to make sure that all possible "childhood diseases" have been eliminated and you can set off on the farthest route without fear. So there is a chance of encountering this motorcycle somewhere on Mazovian roads.

A handful of photos taken shortly after the repair of the motorcycle was completed:

And for the future, Jacek timidly comes up with ideas for railway projects, including the dream OSL 500 or 600 ccm. We support this approach and keep our fingers crossed!