H E I K O´S   S W A L L O W - P A G E S

INTRODUCTION AND SMALL ONE HISTORICAL HOUR

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The "VEB Fahrzeug- und Jagdwaffenwerk Ernst Thälmann, Suhl" (vehicle and weapon factory) started 1955 with the production of "small motor cycles". Beforehand one built, like the firm name already says, mainly weapons, in addition, already motorcycles. The first motor cycle was the "SR 1". It was produced in the colours grey and brown.

Specifications of the SR 1: Years of construction: 1955 - 1957, Performance: 1,5 PS (1,1 kW) Capacity: 47,6 ccm Maximum speed: 45 km/h Gear shift: 2 courses Consumption: 1,6 l/100 km Seats: 1

The SR 1, rather still another bicycle

The large demand in addition, bad road conditions at that time forced the developer of Suhl to the further improvement of this vehicle. Thus resulted the "SR 2". It was better fitted with springs and possessed smaller and wider wheels. The engine was taken over of the "SR 1". Also it was only produced in the colours grey and brown.

Die SR 2

Specifications of the SR 2: Years of construction - SR 2: 1957-59 Years of construction - SR 2 E: 1960-64 Performance - SR 2: 1,5 PS   (1,1 kW) Performance SR 2 E: 1,8 PS   (1,3 kW) Capacity: 47,6 ccm Maximum speed: 45 km/h Gear shift: 2 courses Consumption: 1,5 l/100 km Seats: 1

One started 1959 with the building of the "lady motorcycle" "KR 50". Many parts still came from the "SR 2", but the "KR 50" possessed a correct "body". Engine performance was drastically increased, also because of the higher permissible total mass. It possessed already a Kickstarter, was certified for trailers and resembles nevertheless already very strong the later "swallow". Colours of the "KR 50" were wine red or dark blue.

Specifications of the KR 50: Years of construction: 1959 - 64 Performance: 2,4 PS (1,6 kW) Capacity: 47,6 ccm Maximum speed: 50 km/h Gear shift: 2 courses Consumption: 2,5 l/100 km Seats: 1

The "lady motorcycle" KR 50

In the year 1964 one put the foundation-stone for the building of the "bird series". Starting from this time built one motocycles, which were based on the same basic modules. Like that wheels, engine, exhaust, parts of the body etc. were standardized with the "bird series". The first representative was the "sparrow". It still possessed as last copy that old Soemmerda engine. It became with pedals and later also Kickstarter manufactured. "sparrow" was produced only in red.

The sparrow

Specifications of the sparrow: Years of construction: 1964 - 70 Performance: 2,3 PS (1,6 kW) Capacity: 49,6 ccm Maximum speed: 50 km/h Gear shift: 2 courses Consumption: 2 l/100 km Seats: 1

Partly on "sparrow" constructing, the Mokick "starling" resulted. It possessed the new engine and all improvements, which resulted with the "bird series". With that new engine could the power be increased in such a manner, which one could along-carry a second person. It was blower-cooled, thus it also long upward gradients anything to wear could. The optics resembled very strong the motorcycles prevailing at that time. The maximum speed indicated in the specifications was far over-bid by most vehicles (generally in the "bird series"). Well maintained and cleanly retracted motorcycles drove partly far over 70 km/h. A technical bitebite bites is the full packaging of the chain. This caused not only a completely noiseless running, but also an extreme longevity of the chain by complete dust and wetness protection and constant contact with the lubricant. One looks for so a clean propulsion solution until today in vain at each two-wheeler. The red varnish of the "starling" was not particularly durable and in such a way came one, particularly with many flashes, quickly on the bright basic colour.

Specifications of the starling: Years of construction: 1964 - 75 Performance: 3,4 PS (2,5 kW) Capacity: 49,6 ccm Maximum speed: 60 km/h Gear shift: 3 courses Consumption: 2,6 l/100 km Seats: 2

The starling with 2 seats

Only small of the "starling" the "hawk" differed. The "starling" had still another "by pastes" between tank and seat (special for ladies), which with the "hawk" was omitted. Thus the limit became a little more rigidly and also the optics got the final touch. The rear foot rests were fastened not, as before to the rear wheel rocker, but to the limit. This prevented with the "starling" usual and merry springs of the passenger in the knees. The "hawk" had hydraulic suspension struts and four-course transmission as the first. The "hawk" was olivgruen painted.

the hawk first with four-course transmission

Specifications of the hawk: Years of construction: 1971 - 75 Performance: 3,4 PS (2,5 kW) Capacity: 49,6 ccm Maximum speed: 60 km/h Gear shift: 4 courses Consumption: 2,6 l/100 km Seats: 2

One a little later started with the building "sparrow hawk". This vehicle applied after GDR right than motorcycle. It was to be differentiated outwardly only by its blue colour and the omission of the engine fan from the "hawk", but possessed it a more efficient engine. This help it to acceleration of 0 to 50 km/h in only 8.5 seconds! With it the maximum speed particular is already rather realistic, because it drove hardly more quickly than the other "birds".

Specifications of the sparrow hawk: Years of construction: 1966 - 72 Performance: 4,6 PS (3,4 kW) Capacity: 49,6 ccm maximum speed: 75 km/h Gear shift: 4 courses Consumption: 2,8 l/100 km Seats: 2

the sparrow hawk - a motorcycle

With the "starling" the small scooter "swallow" (KR51) came nearlyat the same time on the market. this vehicle finds still today (!) large popularity. It made in their nearly 30-years old construction period very many technical advancements also. Outwardly it remained the same nevertheless constantly approximately. The body the users protected to a large extent against contamination. (Quotation out "I drives a small motor cycle" from 1970: "With "the swallow" the dirt protection for operators and front seat passengers was excellently solved. That Drive in good tightening on short trains is easily possible by it.") The "swallow" gave it also in a special design to "KR 51/1 S" with automatic clutch!

		Absolute point, today seen of some as curiosity, was the "duo"! From so easy means and using of mainly motocycle parts to build such a efficient and durable vehicle today times one is to copy.
The duo

Eine der ersten Schwalben (KR 51)

Specifications first swallow models: Years of constructions: ab 1964 Performance: 3,4 PS (2,5 kW) Capacity: 49,6 ccm Maximum speed: 60 km/h Gears shift: 3 courses, alternatively manual or foot circuit Consumption: 2,7 l/100 km Seats: 2

To the further development of the "swallow" on my swallow sides!

In the further development of the "VEB vehicle and hunting weapon plant Ernst Thaelmann Suhl" starting from about 1974 the types "S 50" were built and starting from about 1985 the types "S51". One built then a completely differently-arranged one kind of small scooters, the "KR 52" for endof the eighties. I mention these types only for the sake of the completeness. My personal interest is limited the special one only to the "bird series".

Those are three of the final models, which were produced in the Suhler vehicle plant after the " turn "!

The new starling	The new sparrow hawk	The new hawk