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Zündapp, which is also known as Zuendapp, was a well-renowned German motorcycle producer founded in 1917, Nuremberg. Fritz Neumeyer established this company alongside the Friedrich Krupp AG and the machine tool maker Thiel. From 1917 to 1984, Zundapp was among the leading companies in the motorcycle world. Initially, the brand was formed to produce munitions for World War I. In 1919, the demand for weapons reduced drastically, and Neumeyer became the sole owner of the company. The company was modified into manufacturing motorcycles in 1921. Z22 was the first model to be produced by this brand. The construction was based on what Neumeyer had witnessed, in 1920, at the London motor show. The motorcycle was known as a “motorcycle for everyone.”

In 1933, Zundapp began its history of heavy motorbikes with the production of the K-series. The models range from 200 to 800 cc displacement. These series also help to boost Zundapp’s market share in German from 5% to 18% within six years. Zundapp introduced KS600 with a speed of 28 hp (21Kw) in 1938. The model was used with the BW38 during this period. This company has produced over 200 000 motorcycles by 1938. When World War II broke out in the late 1930s, Zundapp returned to the manufacturing of bikes for the German military. KS750 replaced KS600 in the early 1940s. However, the KS600 was rejuvenated in 1948 when the new KS601 was introduced to the public. One of the bikes manufactured for the war was the four-cylinder KS750 military sidecar in 1939. With many parts of the motorcycle being designed by BMW, this model, in 1940, entered service with the Wehrmacht. After World War II, Zundapp began to produce scooters based on some designs popular in Italy. These scooters were named “Bella” motor scooters. In 1951, the company introduced the last heavy motorcycle, KS601, with a 598 cc two-cylinder engine. Seven years after, Zundapp moved its firm from Nuremberg to Munich.

Towards 1960s, the company enjoyed a lot of success in the production of off-road motorsports. These models won Gold, Silver, and Bronze in several championships. André Malherbe won the 125cc European motocross competition with a Zundapp motorcycle in both 1973 and 1974. At first, the manufacturer made a lot of sales, and it began to experience decline after some years. In 1984, it went bankrupt and was shut down.