DKW ZSW 500, 1929

In view of the overheating problems encountered by the twin-cylinder two-stroke engine of the Z 500, a motorcycle introduced in 1926, DKW launched a water-cooled version two years later, the ZSW 500. Its 15 horsepower engine not only set new standards in technical design and reliability, but was also the foundation of DKW‘s foray into the automobile sector: it also powered the DKW P 15 small car introduced in 1928.

Engine: 2-cylinder in-line, 2-stroke
Displacement: 494 cc
Power: 14 hp
Maximum speed: 62 mph
Series: 1928–1929
Production: 1,000 motorcycles