1944 DKW NZ 350
The new NZ series of motorcycles was announced with two new models, a 250cc and a 350cc, for the first time in the DKW dealers bulletin of 28. Dec 1937. In the bulletin from 28 March 1938 the factory once again announced the launch of these new models and than the first NZs leave the factory in November 1938.
The new NZ series was the result of years of long technical research and innovations in the DKW's research centre. New revolutionary pressed-steel mainframe - Zentralkastenrahmen, more beautiful engine block, four speed gearbox, new starter mechanism, are the main characteristic features of this new civil motorcycle. The mainframe itself was a masterpiece of engineering: made from two pressed steel sheets which were electrically welded together.
From 1939 on NZ was also available in a version for the government, which later became the NZ 350/1943 and finally the NZ350-1. In June 1940 the rear end of the bike was shortened with 40 mm (from frame number 582559), which lifted the rear seat with 4 mm. In early 1941 the production of the NZ250 stopped. The NZ350 continued to be build for Wehrmacht use only (from VIN 595200 onwards only NZ350's were build). At the same time the gearbox was reinforced and the gear-ratio was changed to facilitate driving at low speeds in a convoy.
During the war the production of the company was restricted from the spectrum 125 - 500 cc of different types to just two models - NZ 350/NZ 350-1 and RT 125. The NZ 350 was adopted for army service and became the "middle-class 350 cc motorcycle" in the Wehrmacht's catalogue. In the company's catalogue it was known as NZ 350-1.
The new NZ series was the result of years of long technical research and innovations in the DKW's research centre. New revolutionary pressed-steel mainframe - Zentralkastenrahmen, more beautiful engine block, four speed gearbox, new starter mechanism, are the main characteristic features of this new civil motorcycle. The mainframe itself was a masterpiece of engineering: made from two pressed steel sheets which were electrically welded together.
From 1939 on NZ was also available in a version for the government, which later became the NZ 350/1943 and finally the NZ350-1. In June 1940 the rear end of the bike was shortened with 40 mm (from frame number 582559), which lifted the rear seat with 4 mm. In early 1941 the production of the NZ250 stopped. The NZ350 continued to be build for Wehrmacht use only (from VIN 595200 onwards only NZ350's were build). At the same time the gearbox was reinforced and the gear-ratio was changed to facilitate driving at low speeds in a convoy.
During the war the production of the company was restricted from the spectrum 125 - 500 cc of different types to just two models - NZ 350/NZ 350-1 and RT 125. The NZ 350 was adopted for army service and became the "middle-class 350 cc motorcycle" in the Wehrmacht's catalogue. In the company's catalogue it was known as NZ 350-1.
