History of the Czechoslovakian motorcycle factory "Java"

Current information on models

Let's talk about which models can be purchased now and why they are interesting:
JAWA 125 Dandy. Dandy is a simple classic and one of the company's best-selling motorcycles in the 125 cc class today. Simplicity, convenience and reliability are combined in this model and make it attractive to thousands of buyers around the world. It is equipped with a single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled engine. Unit power is 9.4 kW at 8200 rpm. Equipped with an electric starter. The gearbox is very decent, five-speed. The brakes are reliable, disc. The maximum speed of this motorcycle is 108 km/h. Java motorcycle video review can be viewed at the end of the article.

• To mark the eightieth anniversary of the company, a commemorative model of a 350 cc motorcycle, the JAWA 350 Lux, was released. For the anniversary, the motorcycle was updated not only externally. He received a new brake system. The 17-kilowatt two-cylinder engine with a 4-speed semi-automatic transmission is still good. The suspension is also good. The front has a travel of 150 mm, and the rear – 80 mm. Overall, this is a classic 350, moderately chromed and without any obvious flaws. Still, for the anniversary, the engineers tried their best and made a really great motorcycle. Sales of the RA 350 Lux motorcycle were going quite well. The motorcycle is still very popular among connoisseurs of the brand.
• Another new and very interesting Java motorcycle is also worth mentioning in our review. This is a Java 650 Dakar from 2010. Lightweight, with good brakes and quite fast (165 km/h), it deserves attention. This motorcycle belongs to the enduro class and has excellent off-road qualities. The engine is single-cylinder, four-stroke, with a power of 47.5 hp at 6500 rpm. Front shock absorber – 150 mm telescopic fork. The front brake is double-disc, the rear is single-disc.

The Java motorcycle whose photo you see below is the same Dakar.

The modern Java may not be the fastest motorcycle in the world, nor the most advanced motorcycle in existence, but in our hearts it will forever remain the best of its era.

It is known that the Czech government provided financial assistance to the management of the enterprise, and new models can be expected in the coming years.

The undoubted advantage of this brand in our country is that spare parts for the Java motorcycle are still produced and supplied to us, are inexpensive and are available in most services.

Thanks to this, there is still a great demand even for old models, which are twenty or more years old. In Russia and Ukraine, thousands of classic motorcycles imported between the 70s and 90s of the 20th century are still preserved.

Professional repair of Java motorcycles, performed in a good workshop, can extend the already long life of this miracle of engineering.

And then in the video there are Java motorcycles:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=PE9–PelkhE

Jawa 250 or 350? How much do 2 cylinders give?

Today I ordered a new (!) saddle for our beautiful Yavushka 350/360. Such a pleasant feeling arose. It turns out that the owner of Java has a car that is relevant, despite its age. If we draw an analogy with the world of cars, then you experience something similar when you purchase new spare parts for a forty-year-old Mercedes W123 in a Mercedes Original Teile box.

On a wave of pleasant emotions, I remembered a question from my youth: is the two-cylinder Java-350 much more powerful and faster than the single-cylinder Java-250? Since there is now a lot of information on the Internet about wonderful Czechoslovak motorcycles, there is an opportunity to find out everything and compare them. at least in numbers.

Refinement and tuning

Since the new Java 638 is very popular and the demand for this motorcycle does not subside, craftsmen continue to refine both the appearance of the motorcycle and its characteristics. On the Internet you can find many reviews and interesting technical solutions for tuning this motorcycle.

The change in appearance is sometimes so dramatic that it is difficult to believe that this motorcycle was once a classic java. The wheel rims are replaced with cast light alloy ones, the old front steering wheel fork is replaced with a more advanced, longer one, the seats and headlight are changed. There are simply no limits to the imagination of inventors.

To improve driving characteristics, drum brakes are replaced with higher quality disc brakes. To increase the service life of the engine, the bearing seats are changed, thereby improving their lubrication.

Previous entry Java 350 - parameters and special properties of the legend Next entry Technical characteristics of the Planet Izh 4 motorcycle

Estimated cost

This motorcycle has not been produced for a long time , but the number of people who want to have it practically does not decrease.

The secondary market comes to the aid of fans of this bike, where there are quite enough offers for the Java-350-638.

And prices for it vary from 25 to 250 thousand rubles.

The design of the Jawa 650 motorcycle is designed in such a way that a person can easily maintain it.

The motorcycle of this model represents a new generation of two-wheeled vehicles made in China.

Work during the war period. Legendary “Java Perak”

A story worthy of a Hollywood adaptation

When the Germans occupied Czechoslovakia, all factories producing civilian products were transferred to military laths. The concern in Tinetz nad Sazavou was no exception. They were entrusted with the production of aircraft parts, as well as bombs and shells.

Newer motorcycle models

The production of civilian goods was strictly prohibited; any violation in this regard was punishable as severely as possible - the death penalty. The punctual and pedantic Germans even took a receipt from each plant employee that he had been notified of the new procedures. But the freedom-loving Czechoslovaks decided not to bend their backs, but to follow their line and develop a new model of the Java motorcycle.

Have you ever owned a motorcycle like this?

NOT REALLY

The parts were taken from German motorcycles that were undergoing repair work at the factory. They worked on the design and drawings in their free time; they simply stole gasoline wherever they could, trying to keep the documentation in order. The Germans, accustomed to strict order in their homeland, could not even seriously suspect that they were being shortchanged, since everything fits on paper. In military conditions, they also managed to conduct field tests, as a result of which more than one hundred thousand kilometers were driven!!!

First triumph

After the end of the war, European industry began to slowly rise from its knees. In 1946, the Paris Motor Show was organized, to which many factories brought to show their new products. More precisely, new items - at best, they were slightly modernized and modified pre-war models. The stronger was the effect of the Java Perak, designed and tested right under the noses of the Germans. In addition to a much better quality filling than all other models presented at the exhibition, it also had a very stylish design, which was dubbed the “new time” design.

Jawa Perak

Needless to say, the markets were bursting with an influx of people wanting to purchase such a miracle.

Technical and operational characteristics of jawa 350 638

Jawa 350 638 has the following technical characteristics:

1. Overall dimensions - 2110x750x1070 mm.
2. Seat height - 810 mm.
3. Ground clearance is 130 mm.
4. Wheelbase - 1335 mm.
5. Weight without fuel - 156 kg.
6. Engine type: 2-cylinder, 2-stroke.
7. Engine capacity - 350 cubic meters. mm.
8. Power - 26 hp
9. Tank volume - 17 l.
10. Maximum speed is 130 km/h.

The fuel consumption of the Java 350 638 motorcycle is about 6-7 liters per hundred, which is a pretty good indicator for this class of motorcycle of that time, because only Japanese motorcycles, which are much more expensive, gave similar results.

Smooth running was achieved by a 4-speed gearbox consisting of three main shafts. The steering function was a conventional Java 638 telescopic fork. The electrical circuit of the motorcycle is based on a 12V circuit. Generator Java 638 with a power of 210 W, at 14V and 15A at 5000 rpm.

The Java 638 carburetor is a float carburetor with a central chamber equipped with a device for easy engine starting

When operating a motorcycle, it is necessary to pay due attention to the Java 638 crankshaft, because due to insufficient lubrication, this is a rather vulnerable part of the motorcycle

Jawa (Java) 350 - characteristics and review of the model

There are many legendary motorcycles in the motorcycle world.
For example, in the West, one of the most legendary is Harley-Davidson.

In our country, the legacy of the Soviet motorcycle industry, which is still quite popular and, in principle, can be considered one of the legends of the motorcycle industry, is the Java motorcycle, namely the Java-350 model.

Since its appearance on the market, and this was a long time ago - in 1974, and until now - “Java” has been one of the most desirable motorcycles , along with Japanese motorcycles and their Chinese copies that have now completely filled the market.

Since the start of production, this motorcycle has undergone several modifications that have improved its technical characteristics and appearance, so we will consider the last of the Java-350 models, which had an index of 638.

This model, popularly nicknamed “Bench” because of the seat, was one of the “trump” motorcycles that roamed the roads during the Soviet Union, as well as after its collapse.

But the motorcycle production plant located in the Czechoslovak Republic went bankrupt after the collapse of the Union, and there is no such republic anymore, so the production of motorcycles of this brand almost stopped .

Java-350-638 became the last model before the end of production of this motorcycle manufacturer.

The Java-350-638 model was a classic road motorcycle. According to the current classification, it can also be classified as “naykids” .

Release of improved

During this time, development did not stand idle in vain, but newer and improved motorcycle models were produced. The next achievement was the Java-350, which was equipped with a two-cylinder two-stroke engine. This model, like the previous Java-250, was taken as a basis and constantly improved without affecting the foundations of their system. These models, and their various configurations, served motorcyclists staunchly. By 1960, every third Soviet resident owned Czechoslovak Java, which is about forty thousand people. But the real rush to buy Java began a few years later. In 1976, which was engaged in the supply of motorcycles from Czechoslovakia to the Soviet Union, made a unique number of deliveries of bikes equal to one million Yavs. According to statistics, more than one hundred thousand copies were bought per year. A huge number of people lived with the dream of buying this Czechoslovak miracle, which at that time cost unrealistic money - 650 rubles. You could also add a Velorex stroller to the kit for 150 rubles, and as a result you would be able to ride a motorcycle with the whole family. Equipment from a domestic manufacturer, for example Kovrovets, was absolutely not popular, despite the fact that the price was 3 times cheaper. Real motorcyclists saved on absolutely everything, trying to save up for the treasured Java. At that time, Java was akin to a modern Harley. This particular model of motorcycle was ridden by a cartoon wolf from the cartoon “Well, wait a minute!” It was possible to paste over the gas tank with various pictures of curvaceous blondes and photos of a Java motorcycle. They were brought by corporals who had served in the GDR. They were a kind of bridge between foreign countries of mystical socialism and the real Russian hinterland. There was only one unspoken rule - do not put pictures of cars, even imported foreign cars, on the bike.

New Java – 350

In 1974, a small revolution took place, and an improved jawa motorcycle was released. The difference between the new Java-350 of the 634-01 variety was that it could drive on roads of any quality, and not just on more or less smooth ones. She was not afraid of any pits or off-road conditions. This was ensured by an updated chassis, the basis of which was taken from sports models that were intended for six-day motorcycle racing

Close attention was paid to the bike's stability when cornering and when riding on slippery roads and ice. It is not surprising that the new model has gained even greater resonance than its predecessors.

Jawa 350 1974

Technical specifications

The main technical characteristics of the updated Java of that time:

The weight of the bike was only 155 kg, it was much lighter than the Soviet ones

This characteristic was important, because many happy owners of Yavs did not live on the first floor, and the weight during transportation to the desired location was important. The load capacity of the Java is 180 kg, although this figure is very arbitrary, since everything was not transported on the trunk of this motorcycle. The two-phase, two-cylinder air-cooled engine is another undeniable advantage of this motorcycle. The rated speed that can be obtained from this motorcycle was 130 km/h. The power of this unit is 22 horsepower. Without load, the climb that can be overcome is 72%. With a tank volume of 16.2 liters, fuel consumption is only 4 liters per 100 kilometers.

Such characteristics allow the motorcycle to travel on the highway at a speed of 80 km/h without refueling for approximately 400 km. Java should be fueled with A-76 or A-80 fuel. The generator is 6 volts and 75 watts, the battery capacity is 14 ampere-hours.

Advantages and disadvantages

The motorcycle had excellent driving characteristics, and apart from the hard seat, it was ideal for traveling with two. Fast and comfortable, stable and big. The dashboard has only everything you need - an accurate speedometer, turn signal, tachometer, generator indicator, high beam and neutral. If you look for Java defects, you can only highlight low motor power and not a very high rated speed. After the division of Czechoslovakia, the branch in Bystrica launches a new model – the Java 250593Master. The developers installed a two-stroke liquid-cooled engine in it. Since 1995, the plant has launched the production of new Java motorcycles (Mosquito), which have a low-power engine (50 cc), which was produced in Slovakia by Tomos. The company produced equipment commissioned by foreign companies, for example, from Argentina. They also produced a dual-purpose motorcycle 350/640, which was made in the spirit of enduro.

Price for Java 350/638

10 years ago, the Java 350/638 model was discontinued, but continues to be popular among Russian motorcyclists. Prices for used motorcycles range on average from 14,000 to 35,000 rubles. A 1988 model can be purchased for $322, a 1991 motorcycle for $1,500.

Screenshot of prices from the avito service

Screenshot of the price of a Java 350/638 motorcycle from the moto.auto.ru service

Czechoslovakian “Java”

In the early 60s, elegant cherry-colored motorcycles began to be supplied to the USSR, which were distinguished by their ultra-modern design, the engine ran quietly, and the speed of the car reached 120 kilometers per hour. These were motorcycles of the “Java” brand – products of the Czechoslovak concern.

The enterprise in the town of Tynets na Sazava has its own history. The first Java motorcycle was released in 1929 under license from the German company Wanderer. The car turned out to be expensive and heavy. 500 cc engine cm consumed too much fuel, and its power remained unused. The motorcycle was not in demand.

A lighter version was then developed with a cylinder displacement of 175 cc. cm and two more models: with engines 350 and 250 cm3. These cars were already quite competitive and began to be in demand among the population.

Pre-war beginning

Java motorcycles began their history back in the very distant 1920s. Then, in the Czechoslovak town with the specific name Tinetz nad Sazavou, the owner of the concern of the same name, Frantisek Janicek, entered into a deal with the German company Wanderer. It started with the mass production of motorcycles, but now moved on to the production of passenger cars. More space was required in the workshops, so the equipment that had previously worked on motorcycles was put under the knife, so to speak. It was also necessary to sell a whole warehouse of parts and spare parts that had already become unnecessary.

One of the first motorcycle samples

Janicek and his desire to expand his business could not have come at a better time. An agreement was concluded, Frantisek rubbed his hands contentedly. In Europe of those years, the two-wheeled motor companion was in use and in demand. But with the release of the first Java model, all the shortcomings of the deal came to the surface. The production of a motorcycle was expensive, so the price tag on the market was corresponding. But without any clear advantages over its competitors, it failed in sales. In three years, only a little over a thousand copies were sold.

Expert opinion Isaac Yakovich Zelder Soviet astrophysicist, physical chemist, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences, designer, engineer. Hero of Socialist Labor of the USSR.

It was necessary to urgently take action to save the newly launched but already drowning motorcycle brand. The name itself, by the way, was invented very simply and no wonder - they took the first letter of the surname of the owner of the concern “Ya” and the first two letters of the German company that sold its technology - “Ba”. They were put together and the familiar “Java” came out.

In order to stay afloat and make a profit, it was decided to reduce the speed a little and produce simpler models. As a result - the “Java Robot” motorbike. It was he who allowed it to gain popularity in the European market. It was simple in design, relatively inexpensive, and because of its classification, there was no need to obtain a license or buy a license plate. In the first year, more copies were sold than the first “Java” for the entire period of its release. In total, about 15 thousand copies were purchased before the war.

History of appearance and description of the motorcycle

The motorcycle's history dates back to 1929, when Frantisek Janicek acquired a license for the production of two-wheeled vehicles from the Wanderer company. The first motorcycles were not very popular due to their high cost, complexity of design and operation.

During the occupation of Czechoslovakia, the factory stopped producing equipment altogether and was completely transferred to the needs of the German military department. The jawa 638, familiar in the Soviet Union, began production in 1984 and had a modification of the jawa 638 5 00. This model replaced the previous machine with the index 350-633. Here the driving and performance characteristics of the motorcycle have been thoroughly improved.

The appearance of the motorcycle, although not very outstanding, is nevertheless eye-catching. Among its other brethren, it is distinguished by elements characteristic only of Java: a large headlight and turn signals protruding from it, a harmoniously located instrument panel above the headlight, a large, neatly shaped tank and a double, straight seat.

There are compartments under the seat and on both sides of the tank for storing tools or belongings. The maximum speed that the Java 350 638 motorcycle can reach according to its passport is 130 km/h, but many enthusiasts tuning the Java 638 achieved much higher figures.

The Java 638 engine is air-cooled, and this fact also left its mark on the appearance of the motorcycle. The engine is completely open, with clearly visible structural elements. The engine also operates at higher speeds than all Soviet motorcycles produced at that time.

The Java 638 gearbox leg served as a kick starter. To do this, it was necessary to press it a little into the gearbox housing and lift it up. In the Soviet Union there was only one drawback for the owners of this motorcycle - the almost complete lack of spare parts and zip kits for repairs.

The motorcycle has proven itself remarkably well in motorsports. This bike was used in both speedway and stage racing. Motorcycles with sidecars were also used for racing.

The history of the legendary Jawa motorcycle

Who among us doesn’t remember the beautiful cherry-colored motorcycles from Czechoslovakia? We remember what the Java model was famous for, why it was loved more than the Soviet Izha, where its owners hung out in the USSR and why the Czech brand lost its world leadership.

In the post-war years, Europe's recovering economy needed simple, cheap transport - so the first small cars appeared. Everyone is well aware of the Citroen 2CV and VW Kaffer (aka “Beetle”), which have won the hearts of Europeans. In the Land of the Soviets, the automobile industry had not yet fully formed, and the production of cheap small cars was established at the MZMA plant (later AZLK). But what is accessible to a European is dear to a Soviet person. That is why motorcycles were popular in our country.

The motorcycle industry in the USSR was more or less developed before the war. Since 1928, quite interesting models of the Izh brand were produced in Udmurtia, including the large models Izh-1 and Izh-2, which were very advanced at that time, with large V-shaped “twos” with a volume of 1,200 cubic centimeters.

But all plans for mass production of motorcycles remained plans - the war began. Well, after the war, the Soviet leadership decided not to invent the bicycle... that is, the motorcycle, but to use the trophies.

Both IzhMash and the Minsk Motorcycle Plant received German drawings and equipment from the DKW plant. Izhevsk residents have mastered the production of more impressive equipment - the Izh-350 with a two-stroke engine of 350 cubic meters. The bicycle factory from Minsk received a light motorcycle with a 125 cc engine. Later, the Degtyarev Plant, which created the Voskhod brand, joined the production of motorcycles based on DKW drawings.

Motorcycle "Izh"-350 1946-1951.

In the Soviet provinces they preferred primitive equipment, which was not only easy to repair... but which, ideally, could not be maintained at all until something fell off. In the villages, “Izhi”, “Voskhody” and “Minski” were rolled away “for slaughter”.

The urban public preferred foreign cars, and not at all out of foppishness. MZ - from the GDR, Pannonia - from Hungary and, of course, the Czech Jawa. This is what will be discussed in this article.

Birth of a legend

The history of cherry motorcycles, familiar from childhood, begins in 1929, when Czech entrepreneur Frantisek Janecek begins licensed production of Wanderer motorcycles at his factory. He didn’t think much about the name of his motorcycles and collected the name of the brand from the first letters of his last name and the name of the motorcycle. It turned out JaWa.

The first motorcycle produced

The heavy German cycle with a half-liter engine was expensive and therefore not popular. Therefore, in 1932, the Jawa plant showed the world its own development - a light motorcycle with a 175 cc engine, and in 1934-35 it launched production of models with 250 and 350 cc engines. There were many interesting moments in the pre-war history of the brand, but Jawa won a complete victory over its customers in 1946.

The first peaceful year after the war. Countries are recovering from shocks. An exhibition of automobile and motorcycle equipment is taking place in Paris. Most companies present their pre-war developments, sometimes hastily modified. And the excitement around the Jawa stand continues. The Czechs presented a completely new motorcycle!

During the occupation of the Czech Republic, the Jawa plant was engaged in the repair and maintenance of German motorcycles. And, of course, it was impossible to carry out any of our own developments at the plant. But the engineers and mechanics of the plant, secretly from the German management, developed, tested, prepared documentation for serial production, and even produced slightly less than a thousand assembly kits for the production of a motorcycle that had little in common with a typical two-wheeled vehicle of the 40s.

"Java Perak"

Two-stroke 250 engine with reciprocating-variable scavenging, four-speed gearbox with automatic clutch release, front telescopic forks and rear spark plug suspension, single frame made of square steel tubes... For those times - a real breakthrough.

The design of the motorcycle also stood out from others. A developed headlight lining that smoothly flows into the fork stays, a teardrop-shaped gas tank with chrome-plated sides... The look was completed by chrome-plated mufflers in the fishtail style. And most importantly - what accuracy! All wiring is flush, and even the carburetor is covered with an aluminum casing.

Of course, such a modern, beautiful and also inexpensive motorcycle immediately found its buyer. In 1948, in addition to the 250 model, the two-cylinder 350 model was released. With these two models, Jawa Perak 250 and 350, the modern history of the brand began.

The legend goes to the Union!

In 1953-54, the Perak, which had not yet become obsolete, was replaced by an improved model. By keeping the 250 and 350 engines without major modifications and seriously modifying the chassis, Jawa ensured its fame and popularity for several more decades.

The new model had a frame made of rectangular pipes of a similar design and a more modern chassis. The front suspension was modernized without significant changes, but the rear suspension was completely updated. The place of the spark plug suspension was taken by a pendulum suspension with a pair of telescopic shock absorbers, to which the motorcycle owes the name “Kivachka”. In the Soviet Union, the name “Chekushka” first took root because of its quarter-liter volume, and with the advent of new models, the name “Old Woman” came into use.

The styling of the motorcycle has also undergone significant changes. The minimalism of the 40s was replaced by a style comparable to modern cruisers. A developed headlight casing that almost flows into the now signature teardrop-shaped tank, streamlined shapes of the power unit that transform into a characteristic, purely decorative casing of the seat space. A double seat in the shape of a guitar and deep fenders in the fashion of those years. And again fishtail mufflers.

But the future “Old Woman” appeared before the Soviet public in a different form: with cigar-shaped mufflers. In the USSR, "Java" was sold only in one color, but in fact, all over the world there were various factory paint options: several two-color schemes and single-color schemes - white, black, scarlet and our well-known cherry.

Extremely reliable, unpretentious, easy to maintain, but at the same time comfortable in a European way. And not as “oaky” as the Soviet “Izhi”! “Java” had a lot to love. The Izh-56, produced at the same time, although it belonged to the same class, weighed 20 kilograms more, drove 15 km/h slower and was much inferior in driving performance to its Czech competitor. Therefore, despite the price of 600 rubles, versus 500 for Izha, Jawa has become extremely popular in cities.

"Java" 350 "Californian"

Jawa lovers' parties in the USSR

All major cities of our vast Motherland had their own branded Jawa spare parts store. By the end of the 50s, cherry motorcycles were such a common sight on the road that their owners began to get together regularly. Traditionally, the meeting place was the Java spare parts store.

They came there, as they would say now, just to hang out. Looking at neat boxes with equally neat spare parts, free of casting defects and scale, with straight edges, was beyond the strength of most dealers.

Also, for those who were especially curious, there were posters in stores with pictures of the coveted “Javs” that were not supplied to this country. For example, Jawa 250/350 Automatic with automatic centrifugal clutch (clutch lever was missing as a class).

You could also see a picture of Jawa with the postscript Oilmaster - with a system for mixing oil and gasoline that was difficult to set up and maintain and therefore was not supplied to the USSR. Yes Yes! Europe and America were full of motorcycles for which you didn’t have to painfully mix gasoline and oil yourself. There were also posters with JawaCalifornian for the American market with a completely different look. In part, these pictures gave impetus to tuning and customizing motorcycles.

"Java" 350 "Californian". The tubes from the Oilmaster system are clearly visible

Owner classification

Around the store, people gathered in flocks based on their interests. They were all fundamentally different for one large company.

The calmest were the “non-club” people. They simply quietly and peacefully drove up to the store, said hello to their friends and went on their way. It is useless to describe their motorcycles, because they were “completely stock.” At most, mirrors and turn signals could be screwed on.

The hucksters, that is, illegal dealers in spare parts, communicated exclusively with each other - whoever needed it would come up and ask. They were dressed in worn brown leather jackets, which were impossible for mere mortals to get in those days. The motorcycle was necessarily equipped with a “southern trunk” - a structure for transporting three impressive trunks (ordinary suitcases). Sometimes their Javas also had a stroller. They had everything they needed in terms of spare parts. Including things that could not be obtained on a wide market - that’s why they are hucksters.

There were also Java lovers in the provinces, but not often

Majors (dudes, dandies) traveled in groups of 2-3 motorcycles, always the latest model. When the Jawa 634 appeared, we immediately switched to it. The style of clothing almost caused disgust among passers-by dressed in the same way. The dandy's outfit included: dark glasses in the latest fashion, a fresh leather jacket and the same boots. This look was complemented by a bright, often yellow, shirt. Naturally, few people wanted to communicate with them, and therefore they did not stay at the store for long and went on to “show off” further.

Athletes traveled alone and rarely. But, of course, they knew each other. The general appearance of the athletes themselves cannot be revealed; everyone dressed in different clothes. But the motorcycles attracted the attention of the respectable public every time. The first thing that announced the approach of an athlete was the sound of correctly cut mufflers. Then the motorcycle itself appeared.

Serial "Java" 250 sport for six-day racing

Usually - a “two-pot” “Old Lady” with cylinders and heads from the 634th model (when this became possible). The stock headlight was replaced with something less massive. Instead of a speedometer there is a tachometer from a Zhiguli. Sawed-off, sometimes raised mufflers and a complete absence of unnecessary parts. To save weight, the motorcycle was deprived of the central stand and part of the lining. Both wings were sawed off, and the front one was raised higher.

Tourists, the highest caste of Jawa owners, were much more authoritative for young people than the entire Central Committee combined. These tanned older people have visited all corners of the country. There were various legends about them that had a lot in common with the truth. They could rebuild an engine in the field in a couple of hours and had a habit of fixing a motorcycle without having any spare parts on hand.

There are a couple of cases that were told to me personally by one of the travelers...

After a minor accident, the Java fork was bent, so it became impossible to drive. But since it was necessary to go, it was dismantled right on the side of the road and brought to life with the help of improvised tools.

There was also a moment when the wheel bearing suddenly became loose. Of course, new hubs were not on the list of required spare parts for the trip, so pieces of an ordinary razor blade were inserted into the gap between the bearing and the hub, and the motorcycle was successfully returned home.

The tourists' motorcycles themselves deserve a separate discussion. Most preferred the 350 engine, but a friend of mine, for example, preferred the “younger” 250 model. Without fail, the motorcycle, regardless of the year of manufacture, was equipped with deep fenders. Roll bars on the motorcycle were par for the course. By the way, in addition to their direct duties, the arcs were also reservoirs for oil or any other liquid - for this they were equipped with a pair of plugs. Often arches were placed not only in front, but also in the back.

The branded stroller matched the motorcycle

The trunk is a natural attribute of tourism. Sometimes - with custom-made trunks. The central stand, which did not hold the weighted motorcycle on the ground, was replaced by a side stand and a large flat plate that held it even on loose sand.

Tourists preferred to communicate with each other. They placed motorcycles around the perimeter of their territory and began to make plans for their “walks.” By the way, a trip from Leningrad to Crimea through Ukraine with a happy return through Kerch was considered almost a pleasure trip. And it certainly wasn’t a feat.

Tourists and athletes among the owners of "Java" were not random people at all. They, like no one else, appreciated the reliability, convenience and versatility of the Java. Some rode the same motorcycles for thousands of kilometers, loaded with hundreds of kilograms of belongings and necessary spare parts, while others jumped off curbs like a candle and could move on the rear wheel until they got tired.

Speedway Jawa 500 cm³

Sports victories

Since the 50s, Java has been a regular participant in almost all motorcycle competitions in all classes, and in many of them Czech motorcycles were the first. Having started her sports career with six-day races (Enduro), Jawa quickly mastered motocross, ice speedway and cinder track, and sometimes represented the factory team on the circuit.

However, amateurs often raced around the ring in modified Java cars. Until the 80s, Czechoslovakia fielded a competitive team, and if all sports technical innovations were used in production motorcycles, perhaps Java would be more popular now.

Jawa 350 cm³ V4 1969

New Generation

After World War II, Czechoslovakia became a socialist country, with all the costs of friendship with the USSR. In 1973, 20 years after the start of production, the Chekushka, hopelessly outdated and in demand only in the countries of the social bloc, was replaced by a new model. But the new one is very conditional: the old two-cylinder 350 engine in a modified block and old drum brakes, new frame and suspension.

The chassis of the 634 was world class, but the engine was seriously let down. In Europe, everyone already wanted a quiet and smoke-free four-stroke engine. Therefore, the main sales market remained the USSR, where, against the backdrop of their own motorcycles, still produced on captured equipment, the new model was simply the highest chic.

After another 10 years, model 638 was released, differing from the previous one in appearance and increasing the voltage in the on-board network from 6 to 12 volts, a new gearbox and front fork developed by CZ. Not only was it not popular in Europe, it frankly wasn’t sold there. The once advanced, but now backward plant kept afloat only at the expense of the markets of communist countries.

"Java" model 634

Now what?

In 1991, after the collapse of the USSR, the Czech enterprise was left with a hopelessly outdated 40-year-old model. There were, however, multiple patents for technologies once invented by the Czechs and used by other manufacturers. For example, an automatic clutch switch, several options for the intake valve of a two-stroke engine and a decompressor driven by the throttle handle.

These payments did not allow the Jawa plant to go bankrupt, but, alas, it did not become a global manufacturer over the 20-odd years of independence of the Czech Republic. Engineers mastered the production of new models that were at least somehow capable of competing in the budget class of motorcycles.

"Java" 350, produced today

Most modern Javs are built on their own chassis and equipped with foreign-made engines; the school of chassis designers has remained at the proper level. Nowadays, a total of about a dozen inexpensive models are produced. Among which there is a hopelessly old, but dear to the Czechs model with a native two-stroke engine and a non-standard cubic capacity of 350 cubic centimeters today.

Motorcycles “Java” and the Soviet Union. The beginning of the fall

Meeting the Soviet public

By the mid-50s, “Java” was exported to 112 countries. It was then that the USSR government ordered it for its market. As history later showed, this deal became the reason for the subsequent fall of the brand and the concern from the top of Olympus to the bottom of some Tartars.

Expert opinion Alexander Nikolaevich Rumyantsev Inventor, owner of many patents, candidate of technical sciences, professor at St. Petersburg Technical University.

But then the prospects seemed most rosy. The Soviet motorcycle enthusiast received at his disposal an incredibly high-quality motorcycle by the standards of domestic production, which was obeyed at a glance, and seemed to be immune to the shitty Soviet roads. It was “Java Perak” that became the catalyst for the emergence of such a public as motorcycle tourists in the USSR.

Well, the concern itself was quite rubbing its hands, as it had gained access to a multimillion-dollar market that was not at all spoiled by quality goods. This resulted in the fact that for almost two decades of production of the “Java” in the Soviet Union, the motorcycle did not undergo virtually any significant changes. The so-called “silent evolution”.

How lack of competition ruined the concern

In the 60s, Japanese products rapidly conquered motor markets around the world. Motorcycles have become much more dynamic, faster, more compact and more stylish.

Jawa 250

And “Java” was more and more oriented towards the Soviet market, since there were no special opponents there. Ultimately, this led to stagnation and a lack of new ideas. As a result, the plant that once thundered throughout the world became no longer needed by this very world. The situation did not change until the collapse of the USSR.

Technical component

Now about the technical part. This motorcycle had a classic design. The frame was a tubular carrier, and all the elements were attached to it.

The front suspension consisted of a front telescopic hydraulic fork.

At the rear there is a pendulum with two shock absorbers. The braking system is completely drum, with a cable drive at the front and a traction system at the rear.

The power plant is a two-cylinder, two-stroke, in-line arrangement. Cooling is air, and the power system is carburetor. The power plant was started by foot.

The gearbox was foot-switched and had 4 speeds. The drive to the rear wheel was carried out via a chain drive.

The motorcycle was simple in design, but precisely because of this, and even with its spectacular appearance, it was a desirable vehicle for many.

Technical specifications JAWA 250/559 (350/360)

Motor

: two-stroke air-cooled
Number of cylinders
: 1 (2)
Number of valves per cylinder
: no
Cylinder dimensions (mm)
: 65 (58) x 75 (65)
Displacement cm3:
249 (344)
Compression ratio:
7.7:1 (8: 1)
Maximum power:
14 (18) hp.
at 5000 (5250) rpm Torque:
?
Nm at ? rpm Starting:
kickstarter
Carburetor:
Jikov 2620SD (2626 SBD) - 26mm
Number of speeds:
4
Dimensions (mm)
: 1960*650*1025
Seat height (mm):
750
Base (mm):
1355
Ground clearance (mm):
180
Tank capacity (l):
13.5
Wheels:
3.25x 16“ - 3.5 x 16“
Front suspension:
telescopic fork
Rear suspension:
pendulum
Front suspension travel (mm)
: 150
Rear suspension travel (mm)
: 100
Front brake:
drum
Rear brake:
drum
Dry weight (kg):
128 (139)
Maximum speed (km/h):
105 (115)
Reference fuel consumption (l/100km):
3.2 (3.6)
Travel time 400m (s):
?

History of the plant[edit | edit code]

The first Java model, produced under license from Wanderer from 1929, had a four-stroke engine with a cylinder capacity of 500 cm3, was quite complex, expensive and was not in demand. Success for the brand came with the development in 1931 of a light motorcycle with a two-stroke engine with a cylinder capacity of 175 cm3. In 1934, a four-stroke Java with an engine capacity of 350 cm3 was mastered, then a two-stroke with an engine capacity of 250 cm3. In 1937, production of the Java-Robot motorbike began.

After the occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1938, the plant came under the control of the German authorities and began producing military equipment. However, the development of new motorcycle models on it continued. By the end of 1944, the company had prepared for production new models of motorcycles with two-stroke engines of 250 and 350 cm3 and a DKW spark plug rear suspension.

After the liberation of Czechoslovakia, the plant was nationalized and resumed motorcycle production in May 1945. In 1946, the new Java 250 model created a sensation at an exhibition in Paris, winning a gold medal. For its smooth ride, the motorcycle received the nickname “Perak” (springy).

In 1953, production of a new family of Java motorcycles with two-stroke engines of 250 and 350 cm3 and a pendulum rear suspension was launched. The motorcycles were produced jointly with another Czech company CZ.

Java motorcycles have successfully performed in sports, in particular in motocross and six-day Enduro competitions. Particularly significant successes were achieved in speedway and ice speedway. In the 60s and 70s of the 20th century, Java motorcycles with four-stroke engines were among the best speedway motorcycles in the world. They were attended by multiple speedway world champions Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Ole Olsen and many other athletes. On Java motorcycles, Soviet and Russian racers Gabdrakhman Kadyrov, Sergei Tarabanko, Anatoly Bondarenko, Nikolai Krasnikov and others repeatedly became world champions in ice speedway. The Russian national ice speedway team continues to use Java motorcycles.

In 1970, production began of a new series of Java 250-623 and 350-633 motorcycles, distinguished by their original design. The motorcycles had a backbone frame and an engine with a separate lubrication system. In 1973, the Java 350-634 model with a duplex closed frame and a new engine went into production. Production of motorcycles with an engine capacity of 250 cm3 ceased. After modernization in 1984, the model received the index 638 and continues to be produced with minor changes. The total number of Java motorcycles produced in the 80s exceeded 3,000,000 units.

After the collapse of the CMEA, the production of Java motorcycles decreased sharply, but the company managed to stay afloat and maintain the production of motorcycles of the original design. The range of models has expanded to include motorcycles with more powerful Rotax and Honda engines.

Models[ | ]

Old models[ | ]

"Java 500 OHV" "Java 353" (1956) "Java 350", type 634 "Java 350", type 639 "Twin Sport" (1988) "Java 350", type 640 Modern models of Java motorcycles at the exhibition "Motopark 2011"

• Jawa 500 OHV Rumpal (1929);
• Jawa 175 Villiers (1932);
• Jawa 350 SV (1934);
• Jawa 350 OHV SPECIÁL (1935);
• Jawa 250 (Zweitakter) (1935);
• Jawa-Robot 100 (1937);
• Jawa 250 Duplex Blok (1939);
• Jawa 250 Perák typ 10, 11 (1946);
• Jawa 350 (Ogar) typ 12 (1948);
• Jawa 500 OHC typ 15 (1952);
• Jawa 250 Sport (1954);
• Jawa-CZ 150 typ 352 (mezityp) (1954);
• Jawa 250 typ 353 (1954);
• Jawa 350 typ 354 (1954);
• Jawa 50 Pionýr (1955);
• Jawa-CZ 125 typ 351 (mezityp) (1956);
• Jawa 175 typ 356 (1956);
• Jawa 250 typ 559 (1957);
• Jawa 50 typ 05/Jawa 05;
• Jawa 50 typ 220.100;
• Jawa 50 typ 223.200;
• Jawa 50 typ 550;
• Jawa 50 typ 551 Jawetta Standard (1959);
• Jawa 50 typ 555 Pionýr (1958);
• Jawa 50 typ 20;
• Jawa 50 typ 21;
• Jawa 250 Kývačka typ 559/03 Automatic (1963);
• Jawa 350 Kývačka Automatic typ 360/01 (1965);
• Jawa 350 Road King typ 361 (1965);
• Jawa 250 typ 590 (1965);
• Jawa 250 typ 559/05 Automatic (1966—1968);
• Jawa 350 California IV typ 362, 363 (1969);
• Jawa 23 (genannt JAWA Mustang, 50 cm³);
• Java 25;
• Jawa 350 UŘ typ 633/1 Bizon (1970);
• Jawa 350 typ 634, 634.5 (1973-1982);
• Jawa 350 typ 638 (1984-1991);
• Jawa 350 typ 639 (1990);
• Jawa 125 Dandy (1998);
• Jawa 50 Dandy typ Minarelli (1999);
• Jawa 125 Dakar (2003);
• Jawa 650 typ 836 (2004);
• Jawa 650 Classic (2004);
• Jawa 650 Style (2005);
• Jawa 650 Dakar (2006);
• Jawa 250 Travel (2007);
• Jawa 660 Sportard/Vintage (2011);

Motorcycles currently on sale[ | ]

• Jawa 350 typ 640 (Style/Retro, 1991);
• Jawa 350 OHC (2017);
• Jawa 300 CL (2018) (licensed production in India)
• Jawa RVM 500 - (2020) (licensed production in Argentina)

Motorcycle in the USSR

The USSR was the main importer of Java. In total, more than a million motorcycles of various models were delivered to the Soviet Union.

The constant problem with purchasing spare parts was solved to some extent with the help of orders through Posyltorg.

The last Java model supplied to the USSR in the late 1980s and early 1990s was the Java 350-638. The first Java 638 appeared in 1984 and bore the index 5. It was similar to the model 634-7. The differences were a new engine, 12-volt electrics, and a new front fork. The front wing was painted red, and the rear wing was painted black. The 634th model had wings painted light gray. Also on the instrument cluster, the neutral light is green. The tachometer received a green scale (Economic).

In 1986, Java 350-638-00 appeared, for the characteristic shape of the rear part it was also called “Pencil”. It was also called “Banana” or “Squirrel” because of the rear spoiler. In 1989, Java 350-638 appeared with the index 1-03, which received the popular name “Lux”, “Super” and “Stub”. It was distinguished by longer exhaust pipes and, accordingly, a larger bending radius, which led to the effect of raised mufflers. The mufflers themselves became shorter in length (like the model 634) and received dents on the inside in the area where the shock absorbers were installed, and the upper mount of the rear shock absorbers on the frame changed. Also, stickers took the place of the metal nameplates located on the gas tank and side covers. In the same year, model 638-1-04 (Twin Sport) appeared, with different decals and Cezet shock absorbers.

Notes[ | ]

1. Autoreview Museum - JAVA Motorcycles (undefined)
   (inaccessible link). Retrieved July 9, 2009. Archived July 7, 2009.
2. ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6
   Encyclopedia of motorcycles (Companies, Models, Designs) /
   A. E. Vorontsov, E. V. Pevzner, D. V. Dolnikov, A. G. Popov, R. M. Sazonov
   . — M: Publishing House “Behind the Wheel”, 2003.
3. In the world of motors (undefined)
   . Behind the Wheel, No. 2, 1984 (February 1984). Date accessed: January 7, 2020.
4. Jan Buzek.
   Seminar in Chertanovo
   (unspecified)
   . Behind the Wheel, No. 10, 1984 (October 1984). Date accessed: January 7, 2020.
5. three new motorcycles equipped with an anti-lock braking system ABS were presented
6. As in India, in Europe JAWA will be represented by three models
7. Our partner "Motokov" (undefined)
   . Behind the Wheel, No. 11, 1983 (November 1983). Date accessed: January 7, 2020.
8. E. Kovrizhenko.
   Meeting of friends
   (undefined)
   . Behind the Wheel, No. 9, 1985 (September 1985). Date accessed: January 7, 2020.
9. B. Sinelnikov.
   Unpromising direction
   (undefined)
   . Behind the Wheel, No. 8, 1987 (August 1987). Date accessed: January 7, 2020.
10. History of Java mopeds

Motorcycle “Minsk”

In the post-war period, the industry of the Soviet Union began to renew itself at a rapid pace. This process affected one of the Belarusian enterprises - the Minsk Motorcycle and Bicycle Plant. By 1951, production of the M1A model was launched. The background to the appearance of the Minsk motorcycle is connected with reparation agreements between the USSR and Germany, during which the equipment of the German DKW engine plant was exported to Minsk. The documentation was processed and the machines were installed. One of the German motorcycles (model DKW RT 125) began to be produced under the name “Minsk M1A”.

On the basis of the first model, more than thirty different modifications were then created, simple and reliable, which gained popularity not only in the territory of the former USSR, but also abroad, where Minsk motorcycles were sent in large quantities. Currently, the enterprises of Minsk OJSC “Motovelo” produce motorcycles, bicycles, snowmobiles, scooters, and ATVs.

Tuning examples

Over the many years of its existence, the motorcycle has seen a huge number of tuning variations. All this is due to the low abundance of technology in the Soviet Union, so in order to stand out, you had to use your imagination. One of the most popular options for tuning the appearance was raising the tail of the motorcycle, which was a reference to the Japanese models of that time. Also, the front fender was often clipped. The steering wheel was converted to sports clip-ons.

As for engine tuning, the two-stroke engine has great potential for this. But refining the engine is a much more complicated procedure and requires special skills. The engine power could be increased as follows:

• installation of a resonator;
• installation of two carburetors;
• increasing the compression ratio by reducing the volume of the combustion chamber;
• cutting vent windows;
• liquid cooling installation;
• installation of a reed valve.

Source