Crazy Englishman / Verrückte Engländer, 1000 miles on a 1958 SR2!

When it does work, this is what it's like (click the photo for a video):

When you drive your SR2 you have to shut the air filter, then the engine runs better

Keep up the good work, Tom. You'll be enjoying your motorbike even more once you've got it up and running, I suppose! It's nice to know that even in the UK there is some interest for GDR veteran bikes; though I reckon that many Brits would consider them ramshackle and uncool.

Change the condensor this will be the problem.

Der Tim

Thanks for the tip about the air filter. I had it closed for the short ride that I managed.

I love vintage German metal. My main obsession in life is for classic Volkswagens. I owned (and saved from the scrap heap) a 1971 Beetle for nearly ten years and I also have a wreck of a 1969 Karmann Ghia (which sadly, I am now using for parts).

I have got a few of my VW friends interested in the old Simson bikes now. I just found out that another person doing the charity ride will be on a Simson, but a much newer one.

I've just placed another order on the website shop for a load of new electrical items which will hopefully fix the problem and keep the Simson running reliably. I have a new coil, new HT lead connector, new spark plug connector, new HT lead, new spark plug, new contacts, new condensor, new headlight bulb and new rear light bulb on their way to me.

Hi! Could somebody please tell me where the condensor is located on an SR2? I remembered that I have a spare one for a Beetle in the garage that I might be able to use temporarily.

I have another question, should I have a battery like this?:


What is it for? Mine has nothing here.

For this horn you need the battery holder but for the building year of your SR2 you don´t need it you need the other horn.

Der Tim

Tom, may be coil or condensor. May be or not, because this ignition is very sensitiv.
Any of this mopeds are working only without light. If you turn on the light...end of all functions.

The problem or the raeson why is the (the german word for this) "Abriss". Its included in the kind of working of this magneto. We have here a content for this problem, but only in german language. If you are intrested, I will write the link and you must translate yourself. Its complex an many of text too.

"Kondensator" is german, means capacitor and it's located in the middle of your alternator.

Thanks folks.

Do I have the wrong horn then? It seems to work ok.

Where is the condensor located on the SR2?

Do I need a flywheel puller to get to it or to get to the coil?

Can an SR2 work at night even with this Abriss problem?

I think in English condensor and capacitor are the same thing.

Look here!

Angefügtes Bild

Thank you! Love the photo!

I think, Unhold, " capacitor" is the american name of this. I mean it because in old gibson-guitar wire diagrams are everytime is the name "capacitor". In old english marshall wiring diagrams it named "condensor".

Tom, yeah, of course can an Sr2 drive at night with light at front and rear! But this "Abriss"-problem is killing your spark. Light on> nothing of spark.

And yes: you will need a flywheel-puller. Its the onlyst tool, you`ll need, what is not a typically tool! Its specally!