East moped: Simson Schwalbe

Simson Schwalbe - development of the series

The Simson Schwalbe is an eastern moped that belongs to the bird series of the VEB vehicle and hunting weapons factory Simson Suhl. This collective term was used for the mopeds that were built there from 1964 to 1975, with the exception of the Schwalbe until 1986. Because these vehicle types were all referred to with a bird name. In addition to the swallow, there was also the sparrow, the starling, the sparrowhawk and the hawk.

• The Simson Schwalbe with the type designation KR51 was the first moped in the Vogel series. This small scooter was first developed as a two-seater. The east moped was originally designed without a speed limit and was therefore designed for a top speed of 68 km / h. However, after negotiations with the responsible ministers, the speed was reduced to 60 km / h and limited. The throttling took place from 1963. It was implemented by changing the translation in the 3rd Corridor.
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• In terms of driving characteristics and performance characteristics, the Schwalbe was quite competitive compared to the world class at that time. However, this did not apply to the design, because the designers had to take a lot of criticism for it. The moped was available in the colors blue, orange and gray. The KR51 series with fan-cooled 3-speedengine was built from 1964 to 1968. The Schwalbe had an output of 3.4 hp at 6400 rpm.
• In the successor series KR51 / 1, the output has been increased slightly, to 3.6 hp. The extraction and exhaust system has also been improved, which also had a positive effect on the noise level. Externally, however, there were hardly any changes until 1970. In the 1970s there were some innovations in terms of design. The seat, but also rubber and plastic parts were changed as well as the shape of the exhaust and the rearview mirror.
• In the following years, numerous optimizations were made with other series. Among other things, the Schwalbe was equipped with an automatic starting and switching clutch and the performance of the headlights was increased. The model KR 51 / 2L, equipped with a maintenance-free electronic ignition system and a Headlight output of 35 / 35W, available in the colors red and green, was the last series of the Swallow.


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Eastern mopeds of the bird series

• Like the swallow, the sparrow is an eastern moped that belongs to the bird series. The Sparrow was built from 1964 to 1971. It was equipped with a wind-cooled 50 cubic centimeter two-stroke engine and reached a top speed of 50 km / h.
• The star also belongs to the bird series. Production of the vehicle type began almost at the same time as the Schwalbe in 1964 and ended in 1975. The star was equipped with a fan-cooled 50 cubic centimeter two-stroke engine and a foot-shifted three-speed gearbox that was started with a kick starter.

All Eastern mopeds in the bird series had bird names in addition to the official type designation. This was printed on the tank sticker together with the Simson logo. In the case of the Schwalbe, the lettering was riveted to the knee plate.