Wham! Immediately across the full width! As good as BMW. A case of 'copy-paste' from China where Chang Jiang once took over the entire Russian M72 production after the BMW R71 pirated by the Germans had 'walked out'. Those BMW R71 / M72 / CJs had 750 cc side valve engines.
The Chinese were apparently so impressed with the BMW clones that they went to see what BMW had made after WWII. The Chinese arrived at the BMW / 5 line. Motors with head valves.
The Chang Jiang 750 G was therefore an ugly copy of that / 5 line.
Incidentally, the new OHV engines were just as bravely fitted to the old bicycle parts ex works.
But because there were still 10.000den side valve blocks and the Chinese army, the police and other preconditions also needed easy transportation, the 'new' Changs just got side valve blocks. Those were the 750 G IIs.
The result is a mix of a bicycle part from the seventies with a pre-war engine.
The whole is…. Endearing? Staggering? Mind blow?
The 750 cc side valve has in any case too little power for what the motorcycle seems to be able to do. Here in the Low Countries, such a machine is highly rare and also proof that rarity does not have to lead to high prices. This neat specimen has been 'by-catch' of Early Motors -early motors. Nl from Meerlo. He is there for 3 figures for sale. Owner Hans of Early motors did not even put him on his site because he did not find the takeaway Chinese really fit into his offer.
In the search for these unique clones we also found Ben van Helden, www.bensbikes.nl. Ben has had such a Chang and liked the other pictures. Ben has sold his copy a few times and bought it back because the new owners thought the twin was too slow… Hence the nickname 'Jojo'. And the Richard that is being talked about is Richard Busweiler, the man who provides the world from Genemuiden with old Ural and Dnepr sidecar combinations. Plus an occasional Chang Jiang. The Russian / Chinese motorcycle scene is a small world full of nice people with no pretensions and endearing budgets.
As a glimpse into the kitchen we hereby provide the explanatory mail from Ben:
"Ha Dolf,
The Jojo was a big disappointment. Not only for me but also for the two successive owners including Derk. Richard was offered it again recently, but refused. The motor is just too small to keep the thing going.
The price is OK. Saving the photos before it was sold.
If I can give you some sensible advice. I know that usually doesn't help me or other motorcycle enthusiasts, but I wouldn't. It is not entirely certain whether there is a license plate on it and what you have is endearing at best. If you want to take on a Chinese adventure, you better buy the gray one from Richard and the Triumph on exchange. Maybe it will end up with me again because Richard wants my Harley.
You can also ask Richard where the Jojo (internally we called him the Ugly) has gone and whether it is for sale. The sidecar is still with Richard. "