Zündapp Bella

The Zündapp Bella is a motor scooter manufactured by motorcycle manufacturer Zündapp from 1953 to 1964.[1][2] Approximately 130,000 Bella scooters were sold, with engine sizes ranging from 150 cc to 200 cc.[1]

Zündapp Bella
1958 Zündapp Bella R 154
ManufacturerZündapp
Production1953–1964[1][2]
ClassScooter
Engine146 cc (8.9 cu in) or 198 cc (12.1 cu in) two-stroke, air-cooled, single;[3]
Bore / stroke150: 57 mm × 58 mm (2.2 in × 2.3 in)
200: 64 mm × 62 mm (2.5 in × 2.4 in)[3]
Compression ratio150: 6.7:1
200: 6.3:1[3]
Top speed150: 50 mph (80 km/h)[1]
200: 75 mph (121 km/h)[4]
Power150: 7.3 hp (5.4 kW) @ 4700 rpm[1]
200: 10 hp (7.5 kW) @ 5200 rpm[2]
Transmission4 speed manual, primary chain drive, final chain drive[4]
Frame typetubular steel[2]
Suspensionfront: leading link, single spring on left
rear: swingarm with coil springs and dampers
Tyres3.50" X 12" [4]
Wheelbase51.5 in (1,308 mm)[4]
DimensionsL: 78 in (1,981 mm)[5]
W: 24 in (610 mm)[5]
Weight150: 302 lb (137 kg)
200: 322 lb (146 kg)[4] (dry)

The design of the Bella was heavily influenced by that of the Parilla Levriere, also known as the Parilla Greyhound.[6][7] Along with being similar in general appearance, both designs have prominent air tunnels along the centreline of the scooter to allow fresh air to cool the engine without a fan.[2][6]

As introduced in 1953, the Bella had a 146 cc[3] two-stroke single cylinder engine,[1][3] 12 inch wheels,[4] 6 V electrics, a kick starter, and an undamped telescopic fork. The fuel tank was mounted under the seat.[6]

A version of the Bella called the Suburbanette was made for the United States market from 1953 to 1954.[8] The Suburbanette was stripped of the body panels enclosing the engine.[9] 370 Suburbanettes were sold.[8] An export version of the last 150cc Bella, the R154K (K for kickstarter), with higher "Western" (buckhorn) bars and no dynastarter, came to the United States in the later 1950s.[10]

A 197 cc (12.0 cu in) engine producing 10 hp (7.5 kW) became available in May 1954.[1] The front suspension was later changed from a telescopic fork to an Earles-type leading link fork with a single suspension unit on left side of the fork.[2] Later Bella scooters also had 12 V electricals[4] powered by two 6 V batteries. Electric starters also became available on the Bella.[4]

The Bella was imported into the United Kingdom by Ambassador Motorcycles,[6] and into the United States by International Motorcycle Company.[5][9]

  • Early Bella with kick starter and telescopic fork
  • Dashboard

See also

References
  1. Wood, Bill, ed. (December 1993). "Classics: Zundapp Bella". American Motorcyclist. Westerville, OH USA: American Motorcyclist Association. 47 (12): 63. ISSN 0277-9358. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
  2. Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The A-Z of Motorcycles". The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 208. ISBN 0-7513-0206-6.
  3. Porter, Eric. "Technical Data". Zündapp Bella Information Center. Archived from the original on 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
  4. Walton, Harry (July 1957). Allaway, Howard (ed.). "All About the New Scooters". Popular Science. New york, NY USA: Popular Science Publishing. 171 (1): 67 71. Retrieved 2012-06-27. Big wheels and a 10-hp. two-cycle engine give the Bella 200 a high speed for a scooter—75 m.p.h. It has foot shift, enclosed chains, and a 12-volt electric starter system.
  5. Ismon, Alton Jr., ed. (July 1956). "Zundapp's New Bella 150 Scooter". American Motorcyclist. Westerville, OH USA: American Motorcyclist Association. 10 (7): 19. ISSN 0277-9358. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  6. Dan, Michael (2007-05-01). "19". The A-Z of Popular Scooters & Microcars (illustrated ed.). MBI Publishing. pp. 157, 172. ISBN 978-1-8458-4088-4. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  7. Dregni, Eric; Pete, Pixel (2005). "Chapter 7: Clubs". Scooters: Everything You Need to Know. MBI Publishing. p. 130. ISBN 978-0-7603-2217-8. Retrieved 2012-08-31. The influential Parilla Levriere (or "greyhouhd" in English) was the basis for Sweden's Husqvarna, Germany's Victoria Peggy scooter, and the main influence behind Zündapp's first Bella.
  8. "Jurassic Pick". American Pickers. Season 3. Episode 13. 2011-11-28. History Channel. In 1953, Zundapp released the first Bella Scooters in Europe. They also made 370 of a limited model in the US from 1953-54 called the 'Suburbanette.'
  9. Ismon, Alton Jr., ed. (February 1955). "Zündapp for quality and value!". American Motorcyclist. Westerville, OH USA: American Motorcyclist Association. 9 (2): 5. Retrieved 2012-09-01. ZUNDAPP "Suburbanette": same as Bella with 150 cc engine not enclosed....$396.65
  10. See ad in American Motorcyclist (Westerville, OH USA: American Motorcyclist Association, 1956), 10 (7), 6: https://books.google.com.jm/books?id=6fsDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false Accessed 21 February 2016
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