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 NSU - 500 OSL
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Photo ou archives : D. Prest
1013

Capacity : 500
Model : OSL
Production : 1934 -
Category : (R) Street Bike

NSU

500 OSL - 1934 

German through and through

The little world of the motorcycle created its own European community long before the politicians had the same idea. So it was that NSU, a pioneer of the German industry, achieved fame on the racing circuits in 1930 with a single overhead camshaft engine developed by Walter Moore, the English engineer who had just created the famous Inter models for Norton – and their German successors bore a strong family resemblance. In 1933, NSU profited from the experience gained from competition by introducing the OSL 250, 350, 500 and 600cc which, apart from their overhead-valve heads, were replicas of the overhead cam racers.

Built to Last

German-built quality is legendary: all the components of the OSL were designed for long service without problems. The chain was protected by chaincases, the crankshaft turned in three bearings and the overhead valves were enclosed in an aluminum casing atop the twin-port cast-iron head.

Exposed Valve Springs

Only the massive hairpin valve springs were exposed to the air – and these were rapidly replaced by coil springs with an ingenious means of taking up the valve clearances by eccentrics accessible from the exterior. To emphasize the relationship with the racing NSU "Bullus", the pushrods were enclosed in a tube designed to look like a racing overhead camshaft housing. The touring aspect resided in the enclosed chaincase lubricated by oil mist from the engine.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: air-cooled 494cc (80x99mm) single-cylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 22hp @ 5000rpm

Valves: overhead, hairpin springs

Fuel System: carburetor

Transmission: 3 speed foot change; primary and secondary chaincases

Suspension: girder forks (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: 6.25in offset drums (front/rear)

Wheels: 19in

Weight: 409 lb

Maximum Speed: 75 mph

Typical German motorcycles of the 1930s, the OSL series was particularly well made and remained in production until shortly after World War II.




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.