Great video, thank you. In 1984 I owned a Munch TTS very similar looking to the grey bike in your video, except mine was a rusty red colour. It was also the 1200cc engine but with mechanical Bosch fuel injection. I rode the bike extensively and enjoyed every moment of it. The brakes were actually not that bad for the time and the front one (was it a Fontana) seemed powerful enough. At one point I got in to quite a bad frame flexing moment, or ‘tank slapped’ as we called them. We were riding in a group at about 140 km/h, and the road became very bumpy, which unsettled the suspension. Normally it wasn’t an evil handling thing, despite it massive weight. The bike attracted enormous attention wherever I rode it. Once at Mt Panorama (track), Bathurst NSW Australia, I had to fight my way back to my bike before I could ride it. This was a favourite Easter venue for road racing, but I was strictly a spectator. The crowd around my bike were amazed at the sound of the fuel pumps whirring when I turned the ignition key. It was all great fun and I regret selling it. My bike also had the single Yamaha head light, like yours and I always thought it was quite a good looking bike. It was certainly the most interesting bike I’ve ever owned and it was very reliable. I often rode it on 1,000 km journeys. The drive chain adjuster was genius, half a turn to loosen the bolt, and then nip it up again, letting the spring do the work. No dirty hands! Some wonderful memories there for when I’m in my dotage (probably next week as I’m 70 now)! I’ve still got a few bikes left, one is my beloved Ducati Darmah SD 900 that I’ve owned for 43 years and my daily ride is a HD Heritage Softail Classic 103.
German numberplate from Kreis Recklinghausen (Northrhine-Westphalia) on it ?!?!? Thanks for showing us our most famous motorcycle! Germany had some very special engineers in the 60s, e.g. Friedel Münch, Ludwig Kraus (Mercedes, DKW, Audi), Felix Wankel.
Afterthought: Friedel Munch was by all accounts, a better engineer than he was a business man. A flawed genius, I believe is the term. His business’ lurched from one disaster to another, resulting in something less than 1,000 bikes manufactured, though the precise figure is probably unknown. No two bikes were identical, as Friedel modified component, or changed suppliers at will. Folklore has it that Friedel ruffled the feathers of a more than one of his suppliers, because of his exacting standards. He would reject their supplied components for any minor flaw that his critical inspection detected. In the end, I believe his accountant somehow cleverly managed it, so that Friedel could not even use his own name on the last few bikes. He had to suffer the indignity of bringing his bikes to market, bearing the brand name of Horex, a favour bestowed by his old friend who had retained the name hen they ceased producing motorcycles. Surely this story rivals the demise of the great WO Bentley for tragedy! In later years another bike came to production, bearing the name Munch. This was a 2,000 cc offering, that had no involvement from Friedel, but did have a purpose built engine, instead of a car engine. My understanding is that the front wheel of the new bike, could strike the motor upon full compression of the hydraulic front forks. Obviously this was less than ideal. The potential for harm to riders, resulted in a full recall of all bikes and no sales to the public. This must certainly have been a greater business failure than anything Friedel could manage. It may even have been a fitting reward for denyingMr. Munch the use of his name. But the new bike certainly had some appeal, and at one time, I even contemplated ownership of one. However, I loved The ‘Mammoth’ for its brilliant excesses and because it’s genius creator managed to coax it from the recesses of his mind, to the marketplace, replete with unique ideas, forged in exotic metals. The Munch TTS ‘Mammoth’ is surely as desirable as anything George Brough could materialise. Though in an ideal world, I would be permitted ownership of both machines. Y……….es !
One of the biggest problems were the engines, NSU (now Audi) had stopped producing them, and competition like the big Hondas were just more sophisticated.
Great video, thank you. In 1984 I owned a Munch TTS very similar looking to the grey bike in your video, except mine was a rusty red colour. It was also the 1200cc engine but with mechanical Bosch fuel injection. I rode the bike extensively and enjoyed every moment of it. The brakes were actually not that bad for the time and the front one (was it a Fontana) seemed powerful enough. At one point I got in to quite a bad frame flexing moment, or ‘tank slapped’ as we called them. We were riding in a group at about 140 km/h, and the road became very bumpy, which unsettled the suspension. Normally it wasn’t an evil handling thing, despite it massive weight. The bike attracted enormous attention wherever I rode it. Once at Mt Panorama (track), Bathurst NSW Australia, I had to fight my way back to my bike before I could ride it. This was a favourite Easter venue for road racing, but I was strictly a spectator. The crowd around my bike were amazed at the sound of the fuel pumps whirring when I turned the ignition key. It was all great fun and I regret selling it. My bike also had the single Yamaha head light, like yours and I always thought it was quite a good looking bike. It was certainly the most interesting bike I’ve ever owned and it was very reliable. I often rode it on 1,000 km journeys. The drive chain adjuster was genius, half a turn to loosen the bolt, and then nip it up again, letting the spring do the work. No dirty hands! Some wonderful memories there for when I’m in my dotage (probably next week as I’m 70 now)! I’ve still got a few bikes left, one is my beloved Ducati Darmah SD 900 that I’ve owned for 43 years and my daily ride is a HD Heritage Softail Classic 103.
I agree - it is an incredibly beautiful bike
Great motorcycle, I owned one 1974-76, Nr. 418
You’re a lucky man. I think mine was #451 from memory. Certainly a high water mark in my motorcycling experience. Been a rider for 60 years !
I forgot about you, you mad genius!!
German numberplate from Kreis Recklinghausen (Northrhine-Westphalia) on it ?!?!? Thanks for showing us our most famous motorcycle! Germany had some very special engineers in the 60s, e.g. Friedel Münch, Ludwig Kraus (Mercedes, DKW, Audi), Felix Wankel.
The Aerial Square Four was a beast.
Such great innovation from thinkers back then
I thought the fuel injection one was called Munch 1300 TTS-E (E for einspitzer)...??
I believe that is an E model, no?
@@thethrottlestop Yes. I just heard him say 1200....and as I recall the E was 1300.
Afterthought:
Friedel Munch was by all accounts, a better engineer than he was a business man. A flawed genius, I believe is the term. His business’ lurched from one disaster to another, resulting in something less than 1,000 bikes manufactured, though the precise figure is probably unknown. No two bikes were identical, as Friedel modified component, or changed suppliers at will. Folklore has it that Friedel ruffled the feathers of a more than one of his suppliers, because of his exacting standards. He would reject their supplied components for any minor flaw that his critical inspection detected. In the end, I believe his accountant somehow cleverly managed it, so that Friedel could not even use his own name on the last few bikes. He had to suffer the indignity of bringing his bikes to market, bearing the brand name of Horex, a favour bestowed by his old friend who had retained the name hen they ceased producing motorcycles. Surely this story rivals the demise of the great WO Bentley for tragedy! In later years another bike came to production, bearing the name Munch. This was a 2,000 cc offering, that had no involvement from Friedel, but did have a purpose built engine, instead of a car engine. My understanding is that the front wheel of the new bike, could strike the motor upon full compression of the hydraulic front forks. Obviously this was less than ideal. The potential for harm to riders, resulted in a full recall of all bikes and no sales to the public. This must certainly have been a greater business failure than anything Friedel could manage. It may even have been a fitting reward for denyingMr. Munch the use of his name. But the new bike certainly had some appeal, and at one time, I even contemplated ownership of one. However, I loved The ‘Mammoth’ for its brilliant excesses and because it’s genius creator managed to coax it from the recesses of his mind, to the marketplace, replete with unique ideas, forged in exotic metals. The Munch TTS ‘Mammoth’ is surely as desirable as anything George Brough could materialise. Though in an ideal world, I would be permitted ownership of both machines. Y……….es !
Thanks for the great insight!
total 478
One of the biggest problems were the engines, NSU (now Audi) had stopped producing them, and competition like the big Hondas were just more sophisticated.
Very good point!
das größte Problem war leider er selbst - Genie und Wahnsinn in einem