https://www.mecum.com/lots/1106082/19...

1973 Munch TTS 1200 Mammut With Velorex Type 562 Sidecar

Highly original condition
Odometer reads 2,988 miles
Air-cooled 1176cc transverse 4-cylinder engine
Dual Weber twin-choke carburetors
4-speed manual transmission
Enclosed chain drive

Any motorcycle from the workshop of Friedl Münch is impressive, and this 1973 Munch TTS 1200 Mammüt with Velorex sidecar is an exceptional and original combination that shows only 2,988 miles on the Nippon Denso speedometer. Friedl Münch began his career in the late 1940s as an independent motorcycle tuner/modifier of motorcycles. His first customized Horex in 1948 had such good performance the factory offered him a job in its competition department. After Horex went bankrupt in 1960, Münch bought the tooling, made spares and built Horex café racer specials.

The first proper Mammüt (mammoth) was built in 1966, with the NSU 996cc motor giving 55 HP and 115 MPH. To slow down this big machine, Münch designed a distinctive and very large (250mm) magnesium front drum brake that became a trademark. The Mammüt was a sensation for its speed and impressive scale, so Münch pursued the idea of series production.

By 1968, the NSU engine capacity was increased to 1177cc with 88 HP. Münch created the cast magnesium rear wheel with flat spokes, as even with huge 5mm spokes for his original wire wheels, the threads tended to strip on the spoke nipples. The seat/mudguard unit, headlamp bucket and chain guard were cast in magnesium for lighter weight too. The fuel tank and side panels were hand-hammered aluminum, and despite all the light materials, the bike weighed in at 650lbs—not far out of line with 1970s/’80s sports machines from Japan, but in 1970, sports bikes were still typically under 500 pounds. The early 1200 TTS models used twin Weber DCOE carburetors, but by 1973 fuel injection and 1278cc were available in the TTS-E, giving 100 HP and true Superbike performance.

Every Münch motorcycle was bespoke for a particular customer, with the state of tune, shape of tanks, seat, mudguards, handlebars, headlamps, color and more all optional. Each machine was hand-built by Friedl Münch and his employees, and his legend grew for his unique and mighty machines. Fewer than 500 were ultimately built. This 1973 TTS 1200 is especially rare with its attached period-correct Velorex sidecar, as well as a few extras like driving lamps and color matching of all painted parts. It’s an incredibly impressive motorcycle that was hand-built by a legend and barely broken in.