1959 Zundapp Falconette Type 438 70cc – Rare Export Model
Though they looked the same externally (see below), the Type 435 Falconettes manufactured for the German home market were only 50cc.
The Type 438 was a 70cc version that was only sold in Great Britain. Although well-received here, it was quite expensive for its day, so today this model is very rare.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Zundapps, since owning my first over 20 years ago, and different models at various times since.
I’d been looking for a 50cc Combinette for some time, so I jumped when this rarer Falconette came onto the market.
Zundapps are not only beautiful to look at but also great bikes to ride.
They were manufactured to a high standard, from designs innovative for their time.
This Falconette is an extremely well-built machine, distinctive by its double rear shock absorbers.
These are adjustable, inasmuch as you can make either one or both of them operational for a harder or softer ride.
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ZUNDAPP FALCONETTE Typ 435 and Type 438
The Zundapp Falconette sold in Germany was a 50cc version, known as the Typ 435. The British export model, however, was more like a small motorcycle, being a 3-speed with a kick-start, and engine bored out to 70cc. It was called the Type 438.
I assume that as it did not have pedals it could not be marketed in Britain as a moped even if it had been 50cc, so a bigger displacement was a reasonable marketing strategy.
As you might realize, Falconette means ‘a small falcon’ which, I suppose, sums up the idea of a speedy small 3-speed motorcycle that might be able to hunt out the larger machines of the day.
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This Falconette was restored by the previous owner many years ago. He owned it for 40 years. Since its restoration it was dry stored with the brightwork greased for protection – as you can see in the photo below, taken on the day I received it.
Compare that with the beautiful chrome finish below after de-greasing.
The mileage would appear to be genuine.
When a motorcycle has been stored for many years and you’ve put work into bringing it back to life, hearing its engine run for the first time is one of life’s greatest pleasures 🙂
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SHORT VIDEO of ZUNDAPP RUNNING
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There are a few minor blemishes and scratches here and there, as may be expected.
But the paintwork is still in excellent condition.
In fact I like to provide a critical assessment of a motorcycle to give a good idea of its condition. But, although this machine is not concours, I can’t actually find anything to criticize. The chrome wheels, seat and paintwork are all excellent. Mechanically it’s first class. It has had a lot of money spent on it, and it shows.
And, as you can see below, it has an excellent history file.
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XYN 344
This machine has an excellent history file, so I’ll use the opportunity to upload its old documents so you can examine these 50-year-old registration documents, MOT certificates, tax discs and insurance certificate.
It has a transferable registration. While I like to share important documentation such as the original logbook below, I’ve blocked out the exact details of the frame and engine numbers.
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CLAUDE RYE Ltd
895-921 Fulham Rd, London SW6
As you can see from the first entry in the old logbook, it was originally supplied by the well-known motorcycle dealers Claude Rye of Fulham. In the book Growing Up in Fulham, Harry Turner paints an interesting picture of the shop:
In 1949, the Labour Party’s local office was in Harold Lasski House at the junction of the Munster and Fulham roads. Just along from Harold Laski House were the sprawling premises of Claude Rye, the motor cycle retailer and bold exponent of capitalist free enterprise.
Laski House was a bleak, pinched-looking, modern building with morally uplifting posters in the window, some of which were of Clem Atlee, the Prime Minister, a weedy, bald-headed man with the demeanour of a provincial bank clerk.
Clause Rye, in stark contrast, had huge posters of exotic motor bikes in the window, great gleaming silver and black machines with girls in billowing skirts leaning against them, showing their stocking tops.
And, according to the excellent website Bernie’s Bike Shed http://berniesbikeshed.wordpress.com (from which I took these Claude Rye adverts) the Claude Rye salesrooms are now the Fulham football Club salesrooms.
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ZUNDAPP
In the middle of writing this page, I bumped into my friend Bernie at the Ardingly Classic Bike Show. He runs the German A-Z (Adler to Zundapp) Club, and had taken his Zundapp sewing machine for his display stand. So I snapped it to add to this page.
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Aha, after much searching I have found something to criticize. The petrol tank transfer on the near size is missing the final ‘e’ on the end of the word Falconette.
There are two accessories with it, which have not been restored, but are very useful to have: they are an original back-rack and original leg-shields. They will be provided with the machine, as will a pair of unrestored wheels and an unrestored exhaust silencer.
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ZUNDAPP FALCONETTE TYP 435 & TYPE 438 HANDBOOK
The handbook’s ‘Technical Specification’ section for the Type 438 confirms the cubic capacity of 70cc.
As you can see on page 5 of the handbook, above, the English language version was amended, and a sticker was placed over the bottom part of page 19 (below) to update the section ‘Electrical Equipment.’
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PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE BIDDING
OWNER: BuyVintage Online Auctions
LOCATION: Brighton, E.Sussex, United Kingdom
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DELIVERY is not included in this auction.
This means that it is not my responsibility,
BUT I can put you in touch with a delivery chap and organize collection;
you liaise with them direct re delivery and pay them separately.
Great Britain – delivery is ONLY £60 for this motorcycle to main parts of England;
extra to extremities such as Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, etc (and may take longer to arrive)
(Please email your postcode if you want to confirm price).
THIS BARGAIN PRICE DELIVERY IS ON A PART-LOAD BASIS.
(Collection when they’re in my area; delivery when in yours).
LOCAL DELIVERY FREE
If you want it fast, please organize your own collection.
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Ireland & N. Ireland – I’ll recommend some companies, but you’ll have to organize it yourself.
Europe – delivery is probably around €400 to Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, etc. I can recommend two companies.
North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc – I’ll organize all the crating and shipping for you.
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INTERNATIONAL PURCHASERS:
You must communicate with me before the end of the auction to discuss payment and shipping options.
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AFTER PURCHASE: Please email me your phone numbers; I prefer to speak to all purchasers personally.
I do everything I can to make your purchase a pleasurable experience.
I’ve been selling obscure vintage vehicles on ebay since 2002.
Sharing similar interests, I’ve become good friends with many of my customers.
Please feel free to email or phone with any comments or questions…
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VEHICLE CONDITION: Vintage vehicles are wonderful beasts
– but each has an individual personality and they sometimes have bad days just like you and me.
You will need basic mechanical skills (or a local mechanic) to use one on a regular basis.
Two-strokes invariably need basic servicing before starting them, if they’ve been left to stand for more than 3 weeks or so.
These are rare vehicles whose values are not necessarily based on running order.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THE ABOVE, PLEASE DO NOT BID.
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