501 SS

1932 NSU 501 SS Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 1932 NSU 501 SS sport motorcycle, NSU pairs a 494 cc (30.1 cu in) air-cooled single cylinder, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 20 HP (14.6 kW) at 4,800 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through chain final drive. With a specific output of 40.5 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 501 SS measures 158 kg (348 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.13 HP/kg (7.9 kg per horsepower). The 11-liter (2.9 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 125 km/h (78 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's NSU archive, this model family spans 7 indexed model years from 1928 to 1934, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.