Simson Star

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Samson
Unrestored SR4-2, built in 1967.jpg
Simson Star SR4-2 from 1967, unrestored original condition
Simson SR4-2 Star
Manufacturer VEB vehicle and equipment factory Simson Suhl
Production period 1964 to 1975
class Moped
Motor data
Single-cylinder two-stroke - gasoline engine
Displacement  (cm³) 49.6
Power  (kW / PS ) 2.5 / 3.4
Top speed (  km / h) 60
transmission 3-speed
drive Chain
Brakes drums
Wheelbase  (mm) 1200
Dimensions (L × W × H, mm): 1880 × 715 × 1220
Empty weight  (kg) 75
Previous model None
successor Simson S50
Simson Star, older version (restored)
Simson Star, last version

The Simson SR4-2 "Star" ([ ʃtaːɐ̯ ]) is a two-seater moped from the so-called bird series of VEB Simson in Suhl . The model was called "SR4-2" from 1964 to 1968 and "SR4-2 / ​​1" from 1968 to 1975. In Germany, due to an exception, the Star can be driven as a moped with an insurance license plate, despite the maximum speed of 60 km / h (driving license class AM). From 1996 Simson again produced a model SRA 50 Star , but it was a small scooter .

Development history

After motorcycle production of the Simson 425 with four-stroke engine was ended in 1961, the plant could (and should) focus fully on the production of mopeds with two-stroke engines . In addition to the further development of the types SR2 E to the SR4-1 "Spatz" and KR50 to the Schwalbe , the concept of the new M53 KHL engine created the basis for further small motorcycles. It was designed in such a way that it could be built with two to four gears and manual or foot control for different vehicle models. With a 3-speed footshift it formed the basis for a sporty, two-seater moped, which was known as the SR - (Simson-Rheinmetall) - 4-2 "Star". The name is misleading insofar as the engine did not come from the former Rheinmetall plant in Sömmerda , but was manufactured directly by Simson from the start.

For the purpose of standardization, the modular principle was also applied beyond the motor. The central tubular frame with stamped sheet metal part was taken over from the Spatz. Only the steering head was different, as the long-arm swing arm of the Schwalbe (105 mm spring travel) integrated into the fender was adopted on the front wheel . The wheels and drum brakes as well as the rear swing arm with 85 mm of spring travel were the same for all models of the bird series . The tank was identical to that of the Spatz 'and allowed a free passage despite the knee joint. The handlebars and bench corresponded to those of the Schwalbe, the Star also had the same extensive electrical equipment with lead collector , turn signals, brake light, flasher and parking light. The specialty of the star was the equipment with the new fan-cooled 50 cm³ two-stroke engine in foot-shifted 3-speed-version (type M53 KF) with footrests and kick starter , which made him a favorite of the new model range from Simson, especially among young people. The star's top speed was officially 60 km / h in order to qualify as a moped . The engine was originally designed as an "open" 50 series, so that, under favorable conditions, considerably higher top speeds of up to 70 km / h could be achieved.

Production of the Simson "Star" officially began in the autumn of 1964, but in fact stable series production did not seem to have started until 1965. In any case, it represented the third model in the series of birds that went into series production. The retail price (EVP) of the Simson “Star” was 1200 marks in the GDR . In Germany the star was not offered.

Facelift

Starlings of the type SR4-2 (until the beginning of 1968), like early swallows, have a number of peculiarities that are rarely found today in the original. Among other things, friction-damped aluminum struts with ivory-colored plastic sleeves, "ox-eye flashers" (until 1967), a mostly beige-colored bench seat with a chrome strip, an aluminum chain case, a round spacer on the rear brake anchor plate, a two-tone orange-red rear cap (the brake light was in the GDR orange at the time), a luggage rack with a round mount for the luggage rack rubber, a speedometer with an arrow-shaped pointer, an aluminum spacer between the throttle grip and indicator, aluminum kidney mirror, four-ribbed chain hoses and a wheel hub cover, angular on the outside, with a groove on the front. In 1965 a new carburetor with a separate idling system was installed, which allowed the engine to run more economically and without interference. The swab operation was also omitted . In 1966, the helix angle of the toothing of the primary drive was changed from 20 ° to 26 ° due to excessive driving noise.

In 1968 the model name of the star changed to SR4-2 / ​​1. The background was an improvement of the engine, which was named M53 / 1 KF. The maximum output of 3.4 hp remained the same, but it was already reached at 5750 rpm. Even more important was the increase in the maximum torque from 0.38 to 0.45 kpm, which was now available at 5000 rpm instead of the previous 6000 rpm. This significantly improved the star's pulling power. At the same time, the achievable maximum speed was brought down to the official 60 km / h, although Vmax in practice was still more 65 than 60 km / h. The carburetor was changed from the BVF 16N1-1 to the BVF 16N1-6, the average fuel consumption decreased by 7%. The entire intake system as well as the cylinder, the crankshaft, the kick starter and the fan wheel were also changed.

In the course of further production, mostly optical retouching was carried out in detail. Most of the rubber and plastic parts, such as rubber grips, headlight rings, protective covers for the hand levers, luggage racks, star grip nuts and tank piping, were initially in an ivory shade and were always black at the end of production. The seat bench also got some changes: From a two-tone (gray / light gray) with aluminum trim and Simson emblem to a monochrome gray and later only black without trim or emblem. In addition, the cigar-shaped tailpipes were replaced from July 1972 by those with a blunt finish.

With the expiry of the Spatz 'and the appearance of the SR4-4 "Habicht" , the star took on a new, rather subordinate role in the model range of Simson small motorcycles in the 1970s, before it was replaced in 1975 by the newly developed S50 . A total of 505,800 starlings were sold.

Color variations

During the entire production period, it was mainly painted, like the sparrow , in wine red (color approx. RAL 3003 ) with side panels, fuel tank, rear light holder and handlebar shell in a gray to greenish shimmering beige (color approx. RAL 6019 ). Instead of wine red, several different shades of red were used in the beginning. In addition to the above-mentioned wine red, there was also a lighter and a darker red, as well as a dark red-brown (color name “Maron”). In the late 1960s, however, the star was only offered in the wine red that is typical for it. This color was not very stable to daylight, so that today vehicles with their original paintwork have faded to such an extent that the original red paintwork can only be seen in areas protected from light.

General data

Parameter Simson SR4-2 Simson SR4-2 / ​​1
engine Two-stroke gasoline engine
cylinder 1
starter Kickstarter
cooling Centrifugal fan
drilling 40 mm
Hub 39.5 mm
Displacement 49.6 cm³
compression 9.5: 1
Torque 3.73 Nm at 6000 rpm 4.41 Nm at 5000 rpm
power 3.4 HP (2.5 kW) at 6500 rpm 3.4 hp at 5750 rpm
Top speed 60 km / h
Transmission gears 3, foot control
fuel Regular petrol 1:33
Consumption per 100 km 3.0 l 2.8 l
Carburetor NKJ 153-5 (from 1965 16N1-1) BVF 16N1-6
Tank capacity 8.5 l
Empty weight 75 kg
maximum weight allowed 230 kg
Brake front / rear Full hubs, 125 mm drum diameter
Wheel guide front / rear Long swing arms with friction-damped struts (105/85 mm spring travel front / rear)
Seats 2
Number of pieces built 505,800
construction time 1964-1968 1968-1975
Others Motor M53 KF Further developed motor M53 / 1 KF

literature

  • Erhard Werner: Simson bird series - a guide for sparrows, starlings, sparrowhawks and hawks . MZA publishing house. Vellmar 2004, ISBN 3-9809481-1-0
  • Schrader type chronicle: Simson Schwalbe & Co 1955–1991 . Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 978-3-613-02813-5

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Star and Schwalbe Motor M53 KHL. In: Motor vehicle technology 9/1964, pp. 335–338.
  2. ↑ Mokick SR4-2 "Star". In: Motor vehicle technology 3/1964, pp. 97-99.