Amixed bag of Max memories
A few years ago I rebuilt an NSU Max, identical to that featured In the February 2020 issue. It had stood partly dismantled in the yard of a shop in Stevenage, abandoned by the owner when the cost of replacing the big end was more than he thought the bike was worth (probably true at the time). The remains were then bought by a carpenter who kept it in his workshop for a number of years, so sawdust got in everywhere. I then bought it and set about returning it to a usable motorcycle again, the thing I always wanted when I was 18.
I fitted new main bearings, piston and replacement crankshaft, then got on with reassembly, marvelling at the wonderful engineering and design features such as the means by which the valve clearances did not alter as the engine became slightly taller due to expansion when hot – clever stuff indeed. Eventually the day came when I got it on the road and then its shortcomings became apparent.
Firstly, it was tall and heavy. That did not bother me too much as so was I, but it must have limited the potential market. Next, putting it on the centre stand was a herniainducing exercise, or would have been if a previous owner had not devised a lever arrangement using a bicycle pedal crank and length of steel strip to produce a tread-on action.
Furthermore, the gear ratios were dreadful – three closely spaced ones for town use then a yawning gap to top gear. Another gear between third and top was not just desirable, it was necessary. As time went on the rear suspension damper, tucked away in an inaccessible position in the middle of the frame beam, became increasingly ineffective. This was clearly recognised by NSU as the later Supermax had conventional rear units.
In 1995 I rode themachine, along with a friend on a Supermax, to an NSU rally at Neckarsulm. Both machines ran well and I won a cup for the furthest ridden to the event, having travelled 12 miles more than my colleague. In fairness the organisers dreamed up some other award to recognise his achievement too.
Some time later I sold the bike, which so far as I was concerned had failed to live up to expectations. How NSU could come up with such clever design features then mess it up completely over the centre stand and gear ratios, I cannot understand.
When I was 18 all I wanted was a Max and all I could afford was a 225cc Francis-Barnett Cruiser. I now realise how lucky I was in that situation. On the Barnett it was a pleasure to come up to a bend or roundabout, snick down into third, whizz round and accelerate away. On the NSU that was not possible owing to the low third gear. I could just about put up with that when I was 55 but would have been thoroughly brassed off with it when I was 18.
Having owned a few BSA C11s over the years I would say that they are better all-round, everyday motorcycles than the NSU. Mike Jackson, Hertfordshire.