Bird series (Simson)

In the GDR, the “ bird series ” was the name given to the small motorcycles manufactured by the then Thuringian VEB Fahrzeug- und Jagdwaffenwerk Simson Suhl .

With the exception of the swallow, the vehicles in the bird series bear the type designation SR 4- (number). The previous series were called SR1 , SR2 and SR3 (only study, not in series). The SR 4-x models had the bird's name and the Simson logo printed on both sides of the tank badge, and the aluminum swallow riveted to the knee plate.

The Simson bird series includes the following vehicles:

image	Surname	Type	Years of construction
	"Swallow"	KR 51, KR 51/1, KR 51/2	1964-1986
	"Sparrow"	SR 4-1	1964-1970
	"Star"	SR 4-2, SR 4-2 / ​​1	1964-1975
	"Sparrowhawk"	SR 4-3	1966-1972
	"Hawk"	SR 4-4	1972-1975

All vehicles were equipped with a 50 cc two-stroke engine and were small motorcycles . The sparrowhawk, however, had a special position. While he was a moped by former German law, he was in the GDR for its top speed of about 75 km / h as a motorcycle . Today it is legally classified as a light motorcycle . The swallow (60 km / h) was a small scooter, the star (60 km / h), the hawk (60 km / h) and the sparrow (50 km / h) were mokicks . The latter was also produced as a moped with pedals and crank from 1964 to 1966 .

The vehicles were designed in a modular system in which many components and assemblies were standardized and built into all models of the "bird series". The vehicles of the SR4-x series do not differ significantly in their basic structure. The electrics are the same for all models except for the "Spatz"; Wheels, brakes, headlights, motor housings and frames (except for "Schwalbe") are largely the same and interchangeable. The vehicles were exported to many countries (mostly socialist and developing countries).

Web links

Commons : Simson  - collection of images

• Simson.de - Homepage of the brand owner
• MZA Portal - Homepage of the Simson successor with dealer search
• Mopedfreunde Oldenburg Simson bird series - technical data and development history.
• Eastbikesunited Simson Pages - Information about the Simson two-wheelers (operating instructions , pictures, ...)