Jawas, CZs and MZs? We saw that as an endearing roar from the Eastern bloc. Technically outdated and qualitatively sad. So nothing worth it. Just as little as Urals and Dneprs. And people who liked that stuff? Wanted to have? Oh well ... do you have cloud walkers and arch supports everywhere?
They thought so too
When communism collapsed, the ex-Eastern blockers found in their fresh capitalism driving, or even just having Jawas and MZs, Urals and Dneprs and more of that kind of preconditions, suddenly suddenly under their means.
In Kladno a museum-restored 500 cc four-stroke got a new (Dutch) owner for converted 2200 Dutch guilders. If he still has that machine, he is just € 20.000 + 'worth' in his former home country. All 'ordinary' Jawas and the like had asking prices of a few hundred euros.
The tide has turned
The former Eastern blockers have become nostalgic. And they blame themselves for having discarded their national two-wheeled heritage for the famous 'fart and three marbles'. In the meantime, there is also some money to spend there. For a nice ordinary 350 cc Jawa there is just € 6.500 asked. That kind of amount is also requested for Peraks. An 350 cc Californian (which was once only intended for export) must, according to suppliers, just raise more than € 10.000. They are of course asking prices. And our former East Blockers have never been afraid to ask for top prizes since they have embraced capitalism. A friend of a Java connoisseur and collector shrugs for it: they are all fantasy prizes ...
Have Jawas therefore become too expensive for us?
That's not too bad. Only we can no longer pick the currants. Peraks, beautiful 350 cc twins with their distinctive plating and Californians now have their price. But everything under the 350 cc? The prices are not that bad. And even a beautiful, classic 350 person is still quite affordable if you count from the 634 type.
A million have been made of that 634. Half of it went to the former Soviet Union. Such an 634 has a fantastic strong and pretty nice frame that is sidecar-suitable. The steering head is stiff, the rear fork bearing is wide. There is an 2LS brake in the front fork that stops better when wet than the original tires could handle. The connecting rods turn on needle bearings. The direct-current dynamo provided almost enough sting to drive with the light (for 35 x 35 Watt) and use the direction indicators and horn. And he looks unquestionably beautiful classic.
And then came the Jawa 638
People had sincerely tried to do something about 'styling' there. Well, what could have been better: the heavy cast-iron cylinders were replaced by light-alloyed ones with pressed-in liners. The distance between the cylinders was increased for better cooling. In addition, the gearbox and clutch have been improved. Of course, Jawa's patented kickstarter / shift pedal was maintained. Did we mention anything about the styling? Oh yes: the AC generator used from this model made the Jawa 638 really mature. And since 1987 there was an optional disc brake in the front wheel.
A pleasant travel companion
Furthermore, such a Jawa is suitable for all roads and for the transport of two people from the currently known genders. The top is in practice above the 120 km / h. But driving full gas for a long time? A Jawa doesn't really like that.
Such a Jawa is quite reliable
Certainly if he has some experience. Then factory sloppiness (suppliers did not always deliver the best things) are faded away. Wiring remains a point of attention.
And with such an 30-40D km, such a Jawa 368 is usually ready for a bunch of fresh pistons. The Oilmasters provide their own lubrication. When mixing yourself, a mixing ratio of 1 to 40 is sufficient when using a good mineral two-stroke oil.
And the prices?
Consider around € 1.000 for a neat 350 cc model and max. € 1.500 for a topper. And that the photo model was purchased for € 400 (excl. New battery)? Well, that can still happen ...
And the Jawaclub is a nice active association full of friendly people.
The Jawa 638. Modern styled. Yet?
In 1967 just five days 18, before that time there was really no motorcycle coming into our home, I bought a Jawa 250 for 85 guilder from the brother of a friend of my sister's. I had a lot of fun and at school I was the first to come to school on a real motorcycle. Unfortunately, after a while that engine started to reverse if it didn't start right away. Something of inflammation that did not look good told a more or less knowledgeable boyfriend. Fortunately I got my driver's license and through a cousin of my father the Jawa was succeeded by a BMW R 25. I still keep watching with tenderness when a Jawa is standing somewhere. It was my first bike anyway.
At the time, my father gave me a California. (He paid 250 guilders for it) Request a trial driving license and toured through the (bulb) region.
You could make nice wheelies on it.
I have a two-stroke tic about it.
This was followed by many rd's, suzukis T etc.
I have a couple of rd's with which I occasionally provide the bulb region with a blue haze. I feel 20. 🙄 again
Both the 634 Oilmaster and the 638 have driven years of commuting, the 638 is technically the better engine. The 634 went away with 90.000 kilometers on the clock but was noticeably slower. The new owner still drives after 20 years. It is not all that bad, the handling is even very good.
The 638 received electrical problems, both the ignition and the voltage regulator have been replaced. Immediately taken electronic ignition, which also improved the engine. Furthermore, quite reliable, certainly dirt cheap and absolutely endearing. I had more claim to the pump with the Jawa than another with a Honda or BMW.
My brother bought an 1975 in 634. Wrecked every week, after purchase the rust struck immediately and after 10 months it caught fire, larger dredges were not for sale.
Ai… Sounds like that going on fire was the best
Nice story Dolf,
And certainly nice engines that only get more expensive.
Although the prices seem a bit too high to me. Apart from the price of the Jawa 500.
Whatever the Jawa expert said: "They are all dream prizes." But they are in demand in the Czech Republic and Slovakia
What is especially nice about that Eastern Block stuff is that the Russians liked to work easily.
For example, carburettors, ignitions etc are often interchangeable between different brands and models ... and otherwise with minimal adjustments.
My AWO (4-stroke 250) is equipped with a Jawa carburetor with CZ-nozzle occupation and MZ-dynamo ..
You may mean Czechs and a Jikov carburetor. And maybe those carburetors have been changed by one of the previous owners? MZ and Simson were different German manufacturers.
Czechs and East Germans were then under Russian control.
I made the Jikov carb underneath myself ...