HOREX
350 Double Tree / Roland Schnell - 1952
Fast by name, fast in nature
Less
typically Germanic than their compatriots, the Horex bikes have a special place
in the history of German mororcycles in the 1950s, for they combined Teutonic
thoroughness with technical ideas that were more reminiscent of Italy. The
reason is very simple: The rider/ engineer responsible for the development of
the 1952-54 Horex singles, Roland Schnell, had recently been working miracles
at Parilla in Milan.
An Appropriate Name
In 1951 Horex
concentrated its racing efforts on 500cc twins, then decided the following year
to broaden its program with 250 and 350cc singles. Its development was enrusted
to the talented Roland Schnell (which means "fast" in German). While
the twins proved highly unreliable, the 250 and 350 singles were augmented by a
500cc derivative in 1953 and, while they were often well placed, never quite
managed to beat the bikes backed by the big battalions like DKW and Moto Guzzi.
Superb Engines
The engines
designed by Schnell were genuinely superb. A handsome magnesium casing on one
side of the generously finned cylinder housed the chain that drove the intake
camshaft; on the opposite side, a second chain drove the exhaust camshaft. The
frame was reminiscent of the famed Norton Featherbed, except that its tubes
didn't cross behind the steering head. The rear end had an aerodynamic aluminum
fairing.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 348cc
(74x81 mm) air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
Power Rating:
32 hp @ 7500 rpm
Valves: twin
overhead camshafts driven by separate chains; hairpin valve springs
Fuel System:
Dell 'Orto carburetor
Transmission:
4-speed; chain final drive
Suspension:
telescopic forks (front); swinging fork with twin spring/dampers (rear)
Brakes: drum
(front & rear)
Wheels: 19
inch (front & rear)
Weight: 342
lb
Maximum
Speed: 112 mph
With its generously finned cylinder and massive tank, the
Horex Schnell was reminiscent of another great racing bike of the day, the 7R
AJS.
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