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NSU Max

 

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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)