Motorcycle technology was quite popular in the Soviet Union - motorbikes, mopeds and, of course, motorcycles.
Most young people chose motorcycles; they look stronger than mopeds and motorbikes, and they work more powerfully. In the USSR there were not many brands of motorcycles; all of them, without exception, were valued and loved by the citizens of the country. Foreign technology was especially popular and loved.
If we talk about motorcycles, the cherished dream of young people was a motorcycle made in Czechoslovakia - the CZ 350.
Cheset 350: technical characteristics
The main power plant is a two-stroke engine with 2 cylinders. The cylinder arrangement is in-line. The working volume is 343 cc. At the same time, the motor is capable of producing 22 hp. The Port control function was used as a distribution system. The engine receives the necessary cooling due to the oncoming air flow.
The transmission consists of 4 gears. The main transmission is a metal chain. Drum brakes are installed at the front and rear of the motorcycle. Front and rear wheel sizes respectively: 3.25-18 and 3.50-18. The fuel tank is designed for 18 liters of fuel. The motorcycle is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 125 km/h.
General information
In addition to the USSR, CZ motorcycles found their audience in other countries of the world, primarily due to their technical characteristics and success in motocross and enduro.
It was on Cesete that the Belgian racer Joël Robbert became the world champion, three times – 1964, 1968 and 1969. Also, the make and model of the motorcycle brought third place in the 1964 world championship to Soviet rider Viktor Arbekov. In 1695, he became the first Soviet world champion in motocross.
The history of CZ
The production of this motorcycle began in 1930 at the Česká zbrojovka plant in the Czech city of Strakonice. Previously, this plant produced weapons that had worldwide popularity, primarily due to the quality of work and service life.
The first motorcycle at the plant was created based on the prototype of the German model DKW NZ 350. The first motorcycle, the CZ 350, appeared in 1930, its main purpose was to ride on difficult terrain and rocks. The CZ 350 became the basis for the creation of more advanced motorcycle models. During the Great Patriotic War, the production of motorcycles at the plant was suspended, and the plant returned to the production of weapons.
But motorcycles produced in the pre-war period began to be actively used in combat operations - they delivered weapons, medicine, and food to the battlefield. According to statistics, out of 500,000 motorcycles involved in military operations, only about 200 were completely damaged. Even today, cars produced in Soviet times continue to fulfill their functional duties. After the end of hostilities, the production of motor vehicles within the walls of the plant resumed.
Motorcycle in the USSR
It is worth noting that the CZ 350 was not supplied en masse to the USSR, like, for example, its sister brand Jawa. This is probably why the CZ 350 had a special “foreign charm” and was highly valued among domestic motorcycle enthusiasts. In the USSR, the most popular were the 350 cc models of the 472 family, which were produced in various modifications from 1976 to 1989.
Unlike Java motorcycles, the CZ-350 was sold exclusively as “single” motorcycles, which further contributed to their popularity among young people. In the second half of the 80s, a new Chezet in a wooden box costs 1050 Soviet rubles.
The demand for Chesets was so high that in search of a new motorcycle, motorcyclists could travel halfway across the country to find their Chesets in some motorcycle or sports store. Today, such rarities can be sold for 1,500 euros, primarily due to the fact that in the Soviet years they were practically not used, they were taken more to show off, rarely when the mileage exceeded 2,000 kilometers.
Features and design
One of the most important characteristics of Cheset 350 is strength. Previously, the plant produced only weapons, for the production of which only durable and high-quality materials were always used. This is what the first motorcycle from the CZ factory turned out to be.
Features of the motorcycle:
- Engine. The Chezet 350 engine is single-cylinder, 344 cm3 in size.
- The vehicle is equipped with a three-speed gearbox.
- After the war, motorcycles were produced with telescopic front forks.
- The assembled crankshaft is made according to the pressed type principle.
- A crank chamber is installed on the front of the vehicle.
- Strong and powerful wheels make it easy to drive on any road surface. Easy and quick to remove.
- The steering wheel is fixed in the middle part of the telescopic fork. Rotates 45 degrees in both directions. The steering wheel can be fixed in different positions using a special valve.
- The gearbox is located at the bottom of the telescopic fork.
- There are automatic and manual speed control.
- The brake, engine, and mud guard are attached to the moving part of the telescopic fork.
- Transport is stable and easy to control thanks to new German technologies.
Specifications
In terms of technical characteristics, the Cheset 350 is ahead of many motorcycle models of those years. Durability, stability and speed are the basic requirements for motorcycles, and the CZ 350 fully met them.
More details about the characteristics of the CZ 350:
- total weight (with liquid) – 171 kg;
- number of seats – driver and one passenger;
- amount of cargo contained – 160 kg;
- engine – 344 cm 3, two-stroke;
- engine power - 23 horsepower (5250 rpm);
- cooling type – air;
- speed – 130 km/h;
- consumption – 5 l per 100 km;
- fuel tank volume – 13 l;
- transport length – 201 cm;
- width – 70 cm;
- height – 101 cm;
- type of brake system – drum;
- transmission – 4-speed.
Motorcycles "Chezet"
It’s worth starting by getting to know the Chezet motorcycle as such. What kind of vehicle is this? In fact, everything is quite simple - these are motorcycles of Czechoslovak and then Czech production, which are called that only in Russia. “Chezet” is rather a nickname, because the original name is Česká zbrojovka Strakonice. Naturally, Russian people do not want to use such a name in their everyday speech, so he decided to simplify everything by shortening the name to indicate the country of production, that is, CZ. Well, then, if you pronounce these letters, then you get “Chezet”.
This plant has been operating since 1932 and initially concentrated on the production of mopeds. However, he quickly moved on to motorcycles, and in 1935 the first model appeared. Until 1998, the plant operated, producing a wide variety of motorcycles that became popular in Russia. Which Cheset motorcycle do you remember the most? Which was the first and which was the last?
The last motorcycle
As you already know, production of this type of transport at the plant was curtailed in 1998. But which model was the last? It turned out to be the Chezet Kagiwa Roadster 125 motocross motorcycle. They began producing it in 1994 and after four years of relative success, production was stopped, and with it the creation of motorcycles in principle.
It is worth noting that it was an impressive model in appearance, and its technical characteristics were excellent. But, probably, the Chesets have already outlived their usefulness, so nothing can be done about it. But many people are still trying to find a Cheset motorcycle, spare parts for it, and so on. Naturally, you can’t officially buy it anywhere, but it’s still quite possible to buy such a motorcycle second-hand.
Modern edition
The modern production of CheZet motorcycles is very diverse. You can purchase a sports or classic type of motorcycle.
These models are produced for driving: amateur and professional.
These motorcycles are made using motors that have increased power and torque. Light weight. You can create fast dynamics during acceleration.
The classic version of CheZet motorcycles is considered to be a model with an engine capacity of 350 cm3. In terms of technical characteristics, these motorcycles are similar to Java motorcycles.
Therefore, many parts of these two brands of motorcycles are interchangeable. In 1973, these 2 companies merged to jointly release.
The most popular and best-selling model of the CheZet motorcycle is the CZ (CheZet) 350 12v.
This model belongs to the tourist class. 23 hp motor. With. A 4-speed gearbox is used. The engine speed is squeezed to the maximum - 5000 rpm.
The equipped motorcycle weighs 155 kg. The gas tank is designed for 13 liters.
In order to participate in off-road racing, another type of CheZet was developed: the 550.
This model is used for off-road driving and can accelerate quickly.
Purchased by racers who have been participating in such races for a long time.
Beginners who have recently mastered the CheZet touring model are not able to operate such a model.
This motorcycle has 40 hp. It uses a 6-speed gearbox to control the engine's maximum speed.
It can accelerate quickly and does not require special skills to handle. Consumes up to 6 liters of gasoline per 100 km of driving.
The Yamaha JOG RR sports scooter often becomes a winner in races; it will appeal to those who want to get the most out of their equipment.
Kawasaki Versys 650 technical characteristics of a Japanese bike, enduro class.
The main differences between Java and Ceset
I would like to immediately note that it is necessary to compare the CZ 472 and Jawa 634. The 638 model received a new engine, and it would be wrong to compare it with Chezet.
The two motorcycles are related by an engine that seems to be the same, but differs in small details.
Features of CZ:
