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DKW RT 125 E — 1973

An unusual lightweight, with only two owners and 4630 km in an outstanding original condition, makes this 'bike' something unique.

Tore Thallaug
Inspector
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Rebecca R Bengtsson
Case manager
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"A complete and thoroughly original lightweight, both in its entirety and in details. Everything that was there in 1973, remains 50 years later. Nothing has been touched or modified. This is a somewhat improbable time capsule, which in its time was exclusive with seventeen horsepower, six gears, and solid German quality throughout."

COUNTDOWN
CURRENT BID
ENDED
43 500SEK
LOT NUMBER
LOCATION
16648
BROMMA
RESERVE PRICE
Reached
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Tore Thallaug
Inspector
Send message
Rebecca R Bengtsson
Case manager
Send message

"A complete and thoroughly original lightweight, both in its entirety and in details. Everything that was there in 1973, remains 50 years later. Nothing has been touched or modified. This is a somewhat improbable time capsule, which in its time was exclusive with seventeen horsepower, six gears, and solid German quality throughout."

Description

This motorcycle was registered in Sweden and acquired its first owner in October 1973. In September the following year, it was purchased by its current owner. Just over a year later, on November 11, 1975, he put the bike away for the winter and since then it has not been driven. The two owners thus only managed to drive 463 miles in just over two years. For 48 years, it has been sleeping its 'Sleeping Beauty' sleep. Now it's time for a new owner, perhaps a Prince, to discover it.

Over the years, it has been well stored. It has been protected from light and moisture, and the tires have always been inflated. Unfortunately, the keys for the right lockable cover for the battery, among other things, are now missing

Technical data

  • Year
    1973/1973 
  • Registration date
    1973-10-10 
  • Mileage
    4,628 km 
  • Kw / hp
     
  • Fuel Type
    Petrol 
  • Transmission
    Manual 
  • Interior finish
    Galonlimpa i svart 
  • Colour
    Yellow/black 

Condition

  • Mechanical condition:

    A motor from Sachs is a quality machine and, as here, has been used very little. A careful review is recommended. Otherwise, everything seems to be in good order and should work without problems. The tank has been emptied during the storage period.

  • Interior condition:

    The saddle is in very fine condition, with some usage patina on the sides and a small hole on the back loaf, probably caused by some luggage. Rubber details on footrests and kick are almost like new.

  • Exterior condition:

    Both the paint and the chrome, rubber, and glass are in fine original condition. There are surely details that need some lubrication and care, but everything appears to be in very fine original condition. The tires from Continental are original and in fine unworn condition. They should probably be changed to new ones if the bike is to be driven. A little wear on the rear shock absorbers. All decals are in top condition, nothing removed or added, except for a decal from the importer H. Flöter in Stockholm, a piece of Swedish motorcycle curiosa. Additionally equipped since new, with an original luggage rack, the rubber strap is somewhat dry (Denfeld).

  • General condition:

    Sometimes it's a bit tricky to know which keys to press... However, one thing is certain, a DKW RT 125 E from the early 70s is an unusual machine. If it is also sold in Sweden and in impeccable original condition with minimal wear, and with only two owners and 463 miles, then we have here a classic and motorcycle history with collector's status.

MOT (tech. insp.)

Fordonsstatus: Avst 1975-11-11
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1973-10-10 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1973-10-10
Senast godkända besiktning: 1973-10-10
Besiktigad tom: 1975-10-31
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Ja
Antal ägare: 2

Facts about the model

DKW was founded and owned for many years by the Dane, Jörgen Skafte Rasmussen, who was educated in Germany and subsequently started various businesses there. There is some debate about what DKW stands for: Deutsche Kraft Wagen, Dampf Kraft Wagen, or Der Kleine Wunder, the latter referring to the motorcycle production. Leaving that question aside, it's notable that Rasmussen started manufacturing motorcycles in 1922, and the business developed to become the largest in the world, a position DKW held until World War II. DKW became part of Auto-Union in 1932, alongside Audi, Horch, and Wanderer. Motorcycle manufacturing was thriving, and in 1939, the RT 125 model was introduced. It is said to have been a model for Yamaha's first motorcycle, among others. After the war, motorcycle production was split between West Germany under Auto-Union and East Germany under IFA. The RT 125 model was produced in 450,000 units and is the most manufactured motorcycle in Germany. DKW's motorcycle factory in Zschopau, East Germany, was nationalized and renamed Zschopau Motorradwerk, or MZ, which later became a relatively large motorcycle brand.

DKW continued manufacturing in the West, but sales declined in the mid-1950s, and production ceased as more people had the opportunity to buy an affordable car. However, DKW continued with mopeds into the 1960s. Many German manufacturers made light motorcycles and mopeds at this time. To gain strength and remain competitive, they formed a union, Zweirad Union, producing the EM 50 engine, which powered Victoria, Hercules, DKW, Fram, and Rex. Competitor Sachs made their engines, which also ended up in various brands.

In the early 70s, DKW reintroduced the RT model, now with a Sachs engine. For a few years, DKW and Hercules produced similar bikes, including a motocross and racing machine based on the 125 theme. The exact market segmentation and division are difficult to overview, but in competition with brands like Zündapp and new Japanese brands, the DKW RT 125 E was also sold in Sweden, imported by H. Flöter, who also handled Zündapp and other German brands. By the mid-1970s, DKW had disappeared as a motorcycle manufacturer, at least for that time.

Location and viewing Information

Location: Bromma

For viewing the vehicle, contact the valuator/depot:

Tore Thallaug
+46 705 90 23 65
tore@bilwebauctions.se

Pick up

Collection must take place before: 2023-12-07.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.

Auction information

General information about the condition of the vehicles .
  • At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
  • During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
  • Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
  • When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
  • If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
  • If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
  • Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
  • For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.

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