NSU Max

Make Model	NSU Max
Year	1951-56
Production	96 373 units
Engine	Single cylinder, 4 stroke, OHC
Capacity	247 cc / 15 cub in
Bore x Stroke	69 x 66 mm
Cooling	Air/Oil cooled
Lubrication	Dry sump with external oil tank and filter
Oil tank	2 L, SAE 20 (Winter SAE 10)
Clutch	Multi-plate
Starting	Kick start
Ignition	Light battery igniter
Spark plug	W240 T11, Gap: 0.7 mm
Carburetor	BING 2/26/25
Exhaust System	Single steel exhaust
Max Power	11 kW / 15 hp @ 6500 rpm (1956: 13.2 kW / 18 hp @ 7000rpm)
Compression Ratio	1:7.4
Transmission	4 speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Solid NSU sheetmetal frame
Front suspension	Kurzarmschwinge, outside hydro shock absorbers
Rear suspension	Swingarm, Kurzarmschwinge, outside hydro shock absorbers
Dimensions	Length 2051 mm / 80.7 in
Wheelbase	1311 mm / 51.6 in
Wheels	3.25 x 19 (sidecar: 3.5 x 19 rear wheel)
Brakes (front and back	160 mm drum brakes
Wet Weight	165 kg / 364 lbs (1956: 174 kg384 lbs)
Tank Capacity	12 l / 3.2 US gal
Average Consumption	3.2 l/100 km / 31.3 km/l / 73.5 US mpg
Top Speed	126 km/h / 78.3 mph

In 1951, NSU launched the Max as an especially sporty and racy motorcycle. With 15 hp, it had the most powerful engine in the 250 cc class in Germany. From 1954 onwards it was given full-hub brakes, a "buffalo-style" tank and a power boost to 17 hp. In 1956, it was upgraded with front and rear forks to form the "Supermax". In this time, the Max was the best selling motorcycle in Germany.

The Max and Sport Max were very successful racing bikes. The following statistics is proof thereof;

World champion 250 ccm road racing:

1953 Werner Haas, Augsburg, on Rennmax (R22), NSU works team
1954 Werner Haas, Augsburg, on Rennmax (R22), NSU works team
1955 H.P. Müller, Ingolstadt, on Sportmax (R21), as private rider!

German champion (250 ccm, road racing):

1953 Werner Haas, Augsburg on Rennmax
1954 Werner Haas, Augsburg on Rennmax
1955 Hans Baltisberger, Reutlingen on Sportmax
1956 Hans Baltisberger, Reutlingen on Sportmax
1957 Horst Kassner, Schwabhausen on Sportmax
1958 Horst Kassner, Schwabhausen on Sportmax
1960 Heiner Butz, Aspisheim on Sportmax
1961 Horst Kassner, Schwabhausen on Sportmax
1963 Heiner Butz, Aspisheim on Sportmax

German champion (250 ccm, off road racing):

1955 Werner Sautter/Karl-Heinz Piwon (With sidecar)
1956 Werner Sautter/Karl-Heinz Piwon (With sidecar)
1957 Werner Sautter/Karl-Heinz Piwon (With sidecar); Eberhard Graf (Solo)
1958 Josef Kelle/Gerhard Geiger (With sidecar); Erwin Schmieder (Solo, 350 ccm class)