I owned a 1954 Max with over 39k miles when I bought it in the mid 60’s. It was my first motorcycle over 80cc’s and it was the most reliable motorcycle I ever owned. It had two individual saddles instead of a single long seat. The front end would rise a little when you hit the brake, a result of the leading link suspension. I never like the looks of the bike at the time. I was 15-16 and not crazy about the “stamped” frame. I wish I owned it today!
HI, I am German based southwest on the border to France. My NSU MAX Special ist exactely as old as I (1954) am but other than me, she is still looking like "out of the box". I bought it, when I was seventeen, first driving without a license, because I still was too young to pass it. I still use it very often also for normal use. Sometimes I capture our rides with go pro on my helmet. It is a great, reliable motorbike, twice in her life I restored her, thats why she is working well and looking good. Her voice is unique and I would recognise any max only by hearing her sound…
@@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel I could send you photos if you want, uncut videos I have too, but not on youtube yet. I could edit some and upload it. If you´d like photos, please send me your mail adress to > tilmannkrieg@web.de
Ich besitze eine NSU Max, Baujahr 1954. Diese Baureihe hatte damals noch sogenannte "Dosendeckelbremsen", d.h. keine durchgängigen Bremstrommeln. Deshalb hat damals mein Vater in beiden Rädern die Bremsen von einer Maschine Baujahr 1955 umgebaut. Die Max bekam auch den größeren Tank der 55er. Ich bin in der glücklichen Lage, eine zerlegte zweite Maschine und zusätzlich etliche Ersatzteile zu haben. Da ich nicht mehr im passenden Bike- Alter bin, werde ich mich wohl in den nächsten Jahren von ihr trennen.
a friend had one of these, and it was impressive for simplicity and easy maintenance. but i was young and 'had to have' the power of the honda hawk 250. a lot of young men thought that way, so honda thrives and nsu is a charming bit of history.
Maravilloso adoro la NSU doy gracias a Dios por tener una de echo la única actualmente rodando por las calles de cuba 🇨🇺 con mucho trabajo ya que no tengo recambios pero la amo y no la cambio por nada es una máquina fabulosa saludos
Thx for showcasing this wonderful NSU motorcycle. I remember when someone came out with a Clymer Mammoth 4 cylinder motorcycle in the late 60s that used an NSU 1 Litre car engine.
Incredible restoration. Thanks to Sammy and your group both. Does anyone know for a fact whether with enclosed chain systems like this and on Jawas, if there was a self-lubricating system, such as either an oil bath or a drip? It seems that owners would be inclined not to do ad-hoc lubrication and/or adjustment since it would require removal of the enclosure and inspection. Thanks
First saw one of these shortly after getting my first motorcycle while a sophomore in h.s. in 1957. I rode to all the area dealerships and one handled the NSU, BMW, AJS-Matchless brands. I recall the 250 was then called a Super-Max and perhaps had slightly more horsepower but was painted a darker blue. A year or so later, the Super-Max scrambler came out, painted a bright orange, had external dampers on the front forks and an upswept exhaust system. They were high quality, cost a good bit more than my humble Zundapp 200cc and I sort of always wanted one but in time, got a BMW R-26 instead, super machine for my purposes. The NSU engine was very mechanically quiet and I recall not quite as loud as Sammy's here in the video. Years later, I found a 175cc NSU Maxi and bought it to commute on. It had the same mechanical workings of the Max, just a smaller engine and overall size. It was disappointing for power, passed it on to another owner.
As a teenager in the mid-1960s I had a Supermax on which I did several trips in England, Scotland and Ireland. It was totally reliable and mechanically silent but I have to agree with Titch Allen who rode George Brough's Max and found it “over-styled, over-engineered and over- weight” (Legends in Their Lifetime, 2010). Spares were hard to get and very expensive, £12 for a silencer sounds OK but back then it was a week’s wages. Although I cannot say anything really bad about the NSU, I think now that I would have been happier with a 350 Ariel, Royal Enfield or BSA which is what I have now.
Dear Sammy Miller, I admire You as being a former motorbike pilot on NSU Sportmax. Even today at Your age You sit on the motorbike as born for that...In this Video is very nicely explained the NSU Max and it's features...I personally have 2 pieces of NSU Max manufactured in 1955 both. I wish you many joyfull days with these lovely machines. Your museum is very fine and rare collection of past era. Many thanks for sharing your video for the others to view it...greetings Alexander
The OHC was a good idea but not the idea to drive it. Instead of this tremendous complicated drive Mr.Soichiro Honda used some years later a simple chain drive which was cheaper & much better as the NSU item.The Honda engines ( used at the C 72 / CB 72 ) worked at 10 000 rpm ! Nevertheless the NSU MAX/ Supermax/ Specialmax were nice and good bikes of course.
I from Argentina. My father had an NSU motorcycle in 1957. He was very happy with it.
I owned a 1954 Max with over 39k miles when I bought it in the mid 60’s. It was my first motorcycle over 80cc’s and it was the most reliable motorcycle I ever owned. It had two individual saddles instead of a single long seat. The front end would rise a little when you hit the brake, a result of the leading link suspension. I never like the looks of the bike at the time. I was 15-16 and not crazy about the “stamped” frame. I wish I owned it today!
HI, I am German based southwest on the border to France. My NSU MAX Special ist exactely as old as I (1954) am but other than me, she is still looking like "out of the box". I bought it, when I was seventeen, first driving without a license, because I still was too young to pass it. I still use it very often also for normal use. Sometimes I capture our rides with go pro on my helmet. It is a great, reliable motorbike, twice in her life I restored her, thats why she is working well and looking good. Her voice is unique and I would recognise any max only by hearing her sound…
Thank you for your comments, have you got any TH-cam videos where we could see your bike on the road?
@@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel I could send you photos if you want, uncut videos I have too, but not on youtube yet. I could edit some and upload it. If you´d like photos, please send me your mail adress to > tilmannkrieg@web.de
@@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel At the moment she sleeps under a warm cover, because we have 30 cm ice and snow…
Ich besitze eine NSU Max, Baujahr 1954. Diese Baureihe hatte damals noch sogenannte "Dosendeckelbremsen", d.h. keine durchgängigen Bremstrommeln. Deshalb hat damals mein Vater in beiden Rädern die Bremsen von einer Maschine Baujahr 1955 umgebaut. Die Max bekam auch den größeren Tank der 55er. Ich bin in der glücklichen Lage, eine zerlegte zweite Maschine und zusätzlich etliche Ersatzteile zu haben. Da ich nicht mehr im passenden Bike- Alter bin, werde ich mich wohl in den nächsten Jahren von ihr trennen.
a friend had one of these, and it was impressive for simplicity and easy maintenance. but i was young and 'had to have' the power of the honda hawk 250. a lot of young men thought that way, so honda thrives and nsu is a charming bit of history.
Hello i am from indonesia...this is the first video i watched, i am a fan of old bikes too ... and nsu 250 supermax is my dream bike
Beautiful paint and chrome, lovely bike
Really nice and smooth ride it seems.
I’m actually restoring a Standard Max from 1954.
Maravilloso adoro la NSU doy gracias a Dios por tener una de echo la única actualmente rodando por las calles de cuba 🇨🇺 con mucho trabajo ya que no tengo recambios pero la amo y no la cambio por nada es una máquina fabulosa saludos
Como me gustaría tener una, saludos desde bs as
Thx for showcasing this wonderful NSU motorcycle. I remember when someone came out with a Clymer Mammoth 4 cylinder motorcycle in the late 60s that used an NSU 1 Litre car engine.
Incredible restoration. Thanks to Sammy and your group both. Does anyone know for a fact whether with enclosed chain systems like this and on Jawas, if there was a self-lubricating system, such as either an oil bath or a drip? It seems that owners would be inclined not to do ad-hoc lubrication and/or adjustment since it would require removal of the enclosure and inspection. Thanks
First saw one of these shortly after getting my first motorcycle while a sophomore in h.s. in 1957. I rode to all the area dealerships and one handled the NSU, BMW, AJS-Matchless brands. I recall the 250 was then called a Super-Max and perhaps had slightly more horsepower but was painted a darker blue. A year or so later, the Super-Max scrambler came out, painted a bright orange, had external dampers on the front forks and an upswept exhaust system. They were high quality, cost a good bit more than my humble Zundapp 200cc and I sort of always wanted one but in time, got a BMW R-26 instead, super machine for my purposes. The NSU engine was very mechanically quiet and I recall not quite as loud as Sammy's here in the video. Years later, I found a 175cc NSU Maxi and bought it to commute on. It had the same mechanical workings of the Max, just a smaller engine and overall size. It was disappointing for power, passed it on to another owner.
Heck of a nice colour! A fine machine, for sure.
Ride safe!
My father had a Max in early '60s that I mostly rode. Compared to rubbish BSA & AJS etc it was like a jewel. I moved on to a Puch sgs 250 😊
Beautiful motorbike
The Sportmax was renowned as a race bike in its time many wins recorded by riders such as the late great Mike Hailwood.
Our father had a blue Max in the fifties, his father was selling NSU mopets and bikes.
Very cool bike
Fantastic video so slick keep up the good work subscribed
Stunning! I wish Audi would go back to its NSU roots and start making motorcycles. It sure would be nice to see more European motorcycles.
Enclosed is the final drive chain darling 😂
Also these grips omg ;)
Nice bike, and the Engine runs verry well :-)
That is beautiful
As a teenager in the mid-1960s I had a Supermax on which I did several trips in England, Scotland and Ireland. It was totally reliable and mechanically silent but I have to agree with Titch Allen who rode George Brough's Max and found it “over-styled, over-engineered and over- weight” (Legends in Their Lifetime, 2010). Spares were hard to get and very expensive, £12 for a silencer sounds OK but back then it was a week’s wages. Although I cannot say anything really bad about the NSU, I think now that I would have been happier with a 350 Ariel, Royal Enfield or BSA which is what I have now.
Good knowledge Alec, thanks for your comments!
Dear Sammy Miller, I admire You as being a former motorbike pilot on NSU Sportmax. Even today at Your age You sit on the motorbike as born for that...In this Video is very nicely explained the NSU Max and it's features...I personally have 2 pieces of NSU Max manufactured in 1955 both. I wish you many joyfull days with these lovely machines. Your museum is very fine and rare collection of past era. Many thanks for sharing your video for the others to view it...greetings Alexander
What a beautiful motorcycle, I never knew that NSU has a 4T engine.
🤣🤣🤣
I have two. One with a Steib LS200 sidecar. And on this particular one shown in the video, the rear light is not the correct original one.
Nice review, Greetings from Indonesia. If you don't mind, kindly review for Zundapp 200/201/250 S please as i am starting on restoration this bike.
1964 with my Wife: Budapest - Naumburg¸ > < (Hungary)
The OHC was a good idea but not the idea to drive it. Instead of this tremendous complicated drive Mr.Soichiro Honda used some years later a simple chain drive which was cheaper & much better as the NSU item.The Honda engines ( used at the C 72 / CB 72 ) worked at 10 000 rpm ! Nevertheless the NSU MAX/ Supermax/ Specialmax were nice and good bikes of course.
Honda based their engines on the 125 & 250 NSU Renmax Grand prix champions 🏆
Correct model name is "Specialmax". It did not have a chain primary drive... it has a gear primary drive.
Wow! This bike runs like hell 👹
That is cool Motor rare
Das ist super Motorrad
Muy linda
2:02 ....enclosed chain secondary drive.
mad old bugger
Feil Meadow