Fwd: Re: [CR]Now: Durkopp postcard Was: Durkopp? mystery bike & Vopel-Kilian

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Avocet)

Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 10:25:57 +0000 (GMT)
From: "Michael Butler" <pariscycles@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Fwd: Re: [CR]Now: Durkopp postcard Was: Durkopp? mystery bike & Vopel-Kilian
To: CR Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>


Michael Butler <pariscycles@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2004 23:48:18 +0000 (GMT) From: Michael Butler

Subject: Re: [CR]Now: Durkopp postcard Was: Durkopp? mystery bike To: chuckschmidt@earthlink.net

Dear Chuck, Many thanks for sharing the postcard. Sorry not much about their bicycle production but he is a little about the firm. Durkopp are more famous for motorcycles in the UK and especially for their beautidul 198cc. Diana scooter. This came out in 1953 and was made until the late 50's or early 60's when the Durkopp factory stopped producing two wheelers. Think Durkopp's stopped producing motorcycles prior to World War 1. In the 1930's they built motorised bicycles and in 1949 resumed motorcycle making with a Sachs engined 98 & 123 cc. two-strokes. They also fitted Ilo engines. After 1951 they built 147cc, 174cc and 198cc two-strokes designed by Goslau. Great this is what I look forward to on the CR list a little bit of history. Great bikes and riders. Think that pair had a lot of victories in the US which included several New York Sixes. Heinz Vopel born Dortmund 5th.April 1908 famous Six Day rider mostly with Gus Kilian. Very successful prior to 1939. Kilian & Vopel returned after the war and although older still were good riders and managed wins at Hanover 1950 & Berlin in 51. Heinz died sometime in the early 60's. Gus Kilian born Luxembourg 3rd.November 1907 to German parents. The family later returned to Dortmund Germany where Gus started his cycling career. Numerous successes in Europe with his partner Heinz Vopel. They went to the USA in the early1930's to try there luck. Numerous New World victories. Gus was a German track coach in the 1960's.

Thats all for now. Keep those wheels spinning, in your memories if not still on the road. Be lucky Mick Butler Huntingdon UK.

Thats all for now. Keep those wheels spinning, in your memories if not still on the road. Be lucky Mick Butler Huntingdon UK.