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Details: Category: Motorcycle premieres; By Radek; 19.Jan; Parent Category: Workshop; 19 January 2026; Last Updated: 19 January 2026; Hits: 18

It so happened that at the beginning of the 21st century, I was ripe for owning a pre-war motorcycle. I stumbled upon a 1939 NSU 251 OSL, which I purchased in parts after selling a Junak M10 with a W03A sidecar and a full trailer of spare parts. A few years of restoration and I could enjoy a running quarter-liter-size motorcycle, which made me realize how interesting NSU motorcycles are in terms of design. The combination of "English character" and German craftsmanship resulted in a very capable vehicle (for less than 250cc). Of course, while assembling, restoring, and operating the 250, I deepened my knowledge of the brand's history and the models produced at the factory in Neckarsulm. Larger models increasingly fired my imagination. What if I tried to tackle the "big OSL"? And so it happened. In December 2019, I acquired the remains – an NSU 351 OSL from 1936. Remains, because what I brought home couldn't really be called a motorcycle in need of restoration. But there were plenty of parts. It was just a "mixed mess" - parts from various years, gathered into a pile of junk from which someone wanted to build a motorcycle. The kit also included documents matching the frame and engine numerically.

Preparations

So the word was out. I invited our colleague Grzegorz Guzek to join the organization, because, as we all know, it's more fun with two – if one doubts, the other inspires action. After exploring the available options, I selected a resort in Piaski Królewskie, picturesquely situated on the outskirts of the Kampinos Forest, as our base camp. The "Dolina Słońca" ("Valley of the Sun") resort offered accommodation in a two-story building with 50 beds, each room with a bathroom. We were also assured that if that wasn't enough, there would be plenty of sleeping space arranged at the resort. The facility, equipped with a dining hall, offered the option of catering. So, the resort was booked, the date was set for June 27-29, 2025, and we began collecting declarations of participation from those interested. Once we had gathered the necessary number, there was no turning back. Preparatory work began, and we began sharing further information in a dedicated thread on the NSU forum. A logo and banner for the event were created, allowing for online advertising. Finally, we established a plan of activities for each day, and all that remained was to implement it consistently.

Details: Category: Motorcycle premieres; By Radek; 04.Nov; Parent Category: Workshop; 04 November 2025; Last Updated: 07 November 2025; Hits: 210

Some time ago, I received an NSU 351 motorcycle purchased in Lithuania by my friend Krzysztof. He brought it to me straight from abroad with the order to bring this "safety pin" back to life. From the description over the phone, it was supposed to be a 1937 motorcycle, somewhat incomplete. OK, it arrived, so I'll have to take care of it.

As usual, I started my inspection and determining what was missing and what wasn't from the given year. On the surface, it was quite complete (fenders, tanks, suspension, wheels, and even the headlight were all original). The mechanics, as the seller put it, were "as seen," but apparently the clutch cover couldn't be removed, so no one had looked inside, let alone dug into it, because the starter was missing and the gearbox was "locked." I was a bit surprised to find that the bolts (only three) had come loose on their own, but after opening it up, it became clear why it "couldn't" be removed. The engine block was missing a shaft, the valves were fake stems, and the gearbox was missing some gears and one shaft. Well, the fraud was exposed, but it didn't change the owner's decision to rebuild the machine.