Two-stroke racing performance and its development can be sheeted home to one man and another’s story of Cold War espionage
Way back in 1953, the race department of East German brand MZ was headed up by one Walter Kaaden, who was literally a rocket scientist who had helped with the Nazi V-2 rocket program.
He developed MZ two-strokes combining disc-valve induction with expansion chamber exhausts. The exhausts were essentially Kaaden’s invention and led to incredible results. In 1954, his engines produced around 100bhp per litre and, by 1961, they belted out 200bhp per litre! While MZ could pull the very best racers to ride its quick machines, the company also took on a home-grown communist up-and-comer, Ernst Degner.
This story is from the August 2017 edition of Australian Road Rider.
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This story is from the August 2017 edition of Australian Road Rider.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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