1955 Adler M 250 RS
In 1949, Adler was one of the first German
marques to recommence production after the war. Right up to end of manufacture
in 1957, it remained unapproachable as a maker of two strokes. Late in 1952,
Adler unveiled the MB 250, a tow stroke twin which quickly became known as the
"Cannonball." It was equally successful as a touring bike, a sports bike and an
off roader. But it was particularly successful under another name, for the
first Yamaha twin (the YD 1 of 1957) was more or less a direct copy of the
Adler MB and the subsequent Yamaha twins have followed its pattern.
A
Fabulous Two Stroke Twin
Soon the touring MB 250 was joined by the sporting
250 S, then by a racing version, the 250 RS with twin carburetors and swinging
fork rear suspension instead of plungers. The 250 RS of 1954, still air cooled,
developed 26 hp @ 7500 rpm, weighted 216 lb and was capable of more than 105
mph. Highly prized in its native Germany, the Adler RS enjoyed a rare foreign
success in France's Bol d'Or in 1954, where a solo RS and another with a side
car won their respective under 350cc categories.
Adler takes to
Water
Beginning in 1954, tuner/rider Hellmut Hallmeier perfected a water
cooled 250 RS, whose highly successful racing career continued into the
sixties. The last "works" RS Adlers ridden by Walter Vogel and Hellmut
Hallmeier developed 39 hp at over 10,000 rpm with a top speed of 125
mph.