The SHL M06 was a Polish 150 cc motorcycle made at the KZWM Polmo-SHL works in Kielce from 1958 to 1961. It was built in two versions, the M06-U and the improved M06-T, in a total of about 34,000 examples, and it was the first post-war Polish motorcycle sold freely without ration coupons.
SHL M06-T at a glance
| Maker | KZWM Polmo-SHL, Kielce, Poland |
|---|---|
| Production | 1958–1961 |
| Versions | M06-U (1958–April 1959), M06-T (from May 1959) |
| Engine | S06, 148 cm³, built by WFM in Warsaw |
| Predecessor | SHL M05 / WFM M06 |
| Successor | SHL M11, 175 cm³ |
| Brakes | full-hub drum brakes, 160 mm |
| Front suspension of M06-T | pushed swinging fork with hydraulic telescopic dampers |
| Headlamp of M06-T | enlarged from 130 to 150 mm |
| Finish | cherry red paint, chromed exhaust |
| Price | 14,000 zł, about twice the WFM M06 |
| Built | 10,356 M06-U and 23,370 M06-T (27,370 by other sources), about 34,000 in all |
There is no English Wikipedia page for the M06; this article is based on one source, the Polish Wikipedia article on the model, together with a video that gives the M06-T designation.
History of the SHL M06-T
A new home for the M06
After the political thaw of 1956 and with demand for private transport growing, Poland’s centrally planned economy partly abandoned the earlier concentration of industry and allowed motorcycles to be built outside the Warsaw Motorcycle Factory (WFM). In 1957 production was resumed at the Kielce Metal Works (KZWM) Polmo-SHL, from which it had been moved to Warsaw in 1951. The model sent there, the SHL M06, continued the SHL name and the numbering of the M05 and was an improved version of the Warsaw WFM M06 with a larger engine. Its design had still been drawn up by the WFM design office.
The S06 engine and the frame
The main novelty was the S06 engine of 148 cm³, developed from the smaller S01 unit of 123 cm³ and still produced by WFM after assembly moved to Kielce. The frame kept the same shape but was made from closed rectangular-section pressings instead of channels, which stiffened the structure. More effective full-hub drum brakes of 160 mm were fitted. Comfort came from a higher saddle, deeper mudguards and a rubber coupling between the rear hub and the sprocket. The motorcycle was finished to a higher standard, with a chromed exhaust system. From the beginning of 1958 to April 1959, 10,356 examples of the first production version, the M06-U, were built.
The M06-T and the end of the line
The improved M06-T followed from May 1959. Its front suspension was redesigned for better comfort: the telescopic fork with coil springs and no oil damping gave way to a pushed swinging fork with telescopic dampers and hydraulic damping, making it the first Polish motorcycle with such a front end. The rear springing was improved too, with more wheel travel. The headlamp grew from 130 to 150 mm and the rear position lamp gained a stop light. Motorcycles were painted cherry red as standard. By 1961, 23,370 M06-T examples had been built, or 27,370 according to other sources. In 1961 the model was replaced in production by the SHL M11 with a larger 175 cm³ engine.
The first freely sold motorcycle
When production began in 1958 the SHL M06 was the first post-war Polish motorcycle available in free sale, without coupons, which its higher price justified. It cost 14,000 zł, twice as much as the WFM M06, though less than imported machines such as the Jawa 175 at 18,000 zł. Even so, limited production did not meet demand.
Design and features
- Bigger S06 engine: 148 cm³ developed from the 123 cm³ S01, still built by WFM.
- Stiffer frame: closed rectangular pressings replaced the earlier channel sections.
- Stronger brakes: full-hub drums of 160 mm.
- Swinging-fork front end: the M06-T was the first Polish motorcycle with a pushed swinging fork and hydraulic damping.
- Free sale: the first post-war Polish motorcycle sold without ration coupons.
SHL M06-T versions
- M06-U (1958–April 1959): the first production version, 10,356 built.
- M06-T (from May 1959): redesigned front suspension, longer rear travel, larger headlamp and a stop light; 23,370 built (27,370 by some sources).
The M06 was followed by the SHL M17 Gazela, the last motorcycle built in Kielce. More machines from the marque are in the SHL collection.
Video: OldtimerbazaR SHL M06-T
Video by oldtimerbazar on YouTube.
Sources
- SHL M06, Polish Wikipedia: production years, versions, engine, suspension, prices, output
- OldtimerbazaR: SHL M06-T, video by oldtimerbazar: model designation
.jpg){kind=link}