3 1-2 PS

1918 NSU 3 1-2 PS Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 1918 NSU 3 1-2 PS sport motorcycle, NSU relies on a 499 cc (30.5 cu in) air-cooled twin, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 5.8 HP (4.2 kW) at 2,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through belt final drive. With a specific output of 11.6 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the 3 1-2 PS measures 80 kg (176 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.07 HP/kg (13.79 kg per horsepower). The 8-liter (2.1 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 85 km/h (53 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's NSU archive, this model family spans 13 indexed model years from 1906 to 1918, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.