Highlights

Approximately 300 post-war examples produced
The first German 350cc motorcycle produced after the war
Restoration completed in 2026, including a full engine rebuild
Engine rebuilt by a retired professional engineer with full professional tooling
Two former registered keepers before deregistration in 1958

The Appeal

The later 1940s were unsurprisingly a tough time for German business and the Horex SB 35 holds a special place in German motorcycling history as the first 350cc motorcycle produced in the country after the war. Powered by the renowned Columbus OHV dry sump single-cylinder engine, an advanced unit also used by manufacturers such as Victoria and Tornax, the SB 35 was considered a thoroughly modern machine in its day, producing 18 HP at 5,000 RPM. Visually identical to its pre-war counterpart, except for the speedometer position, the post-war SB 35 is scarce, with about 300 examples built compared to 1,187 pre-war machines.

This particular example was originally sold in Dortmund and had just two registered keepers before being deregistered in December 1958. Purchased as an unfinished restoration project, the rebuild was completed in 2026 and centred on a comprehensive engine overhaul carried out by a retired professional engineer using full professional tooling. The original handbook with its Dortmund dealer stamp accompanies the motorcycle, adding provenance to this rare and historically significant machine.

Key Information

Mileage: 78,104 km (indicated)
Country of registration: Germany (not currently registered in the owner's name)
Technical inspection status: valid until June 2028
Technical specs: 350cc single-cylinder OHV petrol, four-speed manual
Paperwork: original handbook with dealer stamp present

The Detail

Charging and ignition system overhauled or renewed
Fuel tank coated internally
New tyres fitted
Digital charging unit fitted as the only modification from original specification
The vendor states the paintwork is approximately 95%, with only very minor imperfections visible on close inspection
Chrome is not perfect and could benefit from polishing
Not perfectly clean due to a period of storage
Lights, switches, speedometer, and gears all reported to function correctly
The vendor reports all four gears shift cleanly without cracking or searching
The vendor states the engine starts easily and runs smoothly
Minor oil leak of approximately one drop per week, which the vendor describes as typical for an engine of this age
One fibre washer missing from the steering damper
Will benefit from approximately 50 km of careful break-in driving
Only ridden a few times on private property since restoration

BEFORE YOU BUY

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