1965 DKW Hummel 155

When the 1965 DKW Hummel 155 motorcycle was introduced to the public, the European motoring press dubbed it the "Tin Banana." Its appearance was indeed a radical departure from any contemporary bike's.

DKW, "Das Kleine Wunder" (the little wonder), began assembling powered cycles in 1919, and in 1932 became a partner in the Auto Union conglomerate.

Most of DKW's earlier units were built with engines of at least 98 ccs of displacement, but they were always two-stroke designs.

In addition to the swoopy, avant-garde body work of the Hummel, the motorcycle set itself apart from the competition by having a three-speed gearbox. With only a 50-cc engine producing 4.2 horsepower, the 155 was able to cruise at 45 mph.

This example is fitted with a conventional foot shifter, though a hand shifter was available as an option.

The styling might have been a big hit in the U.S., but the Hummel was never exported. Being readily available across Europe was not enough to elicit strong demand, and it never sold in great numbers.

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1965 DKW Hummel 155 Pictures

Called the "Tin Banana" by the European press, would the 1965 DKW Hummel 155 motorcycle never sold well in Europe. Would it have been a sales success in the United States?

**The front** **suspension** **used an Earles-type fork.**

**The face shield for the 50-cc engine looked medieval.**

**The headlight nacelle was DKW's idea of aero styling.**

For more great motorcycle articles and pictures, check out:

Classic Motorcycles
How Motorcycles Work
Other Classic Motorcycles