Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

ligh tweigh t review, th e gearbox was spo t on. The shifting on the Hornet only was off. Staffers missed a bunch of shifts and started complaining about the "old Sachs shifting problem". It turned out, it was out of adjustment and it's a simple matter to get it right. There is a slotted rocker arm attached to the shift shaft whose travel is controlled by an eccentric, stop held tight with an Allen screw. If the screw is loose, the rocker arm will not stop the slot defining a particular gear opposte the detente that holds the machine in gear. In the case of the Hornet, the result was overshifting. Once the stop was set and tightened, the problem disappeared. If you do experience any shifting problems with your new OKW, take off the left side cover and check this eccentric stop before you start complaining too hard. The machines that were set up right didn't give any problems. They do have a tendency, particularly when new, to pre fer the clutch in conjunction with shifts. As they got broken in, I forgot abou t the clutch and it didn't seem to matter. Low is very low in the six speed box and six th is very, very high. The motocross rider will probably always be in the middle four gears. The perfect spacing makes it easy to keep the mill singing. Handling cannot be faulted. There are no situations which cause the bike to get out of shape and no types of terrain« that it doesn't seem to like. Generally, the faster y.ou go, the easier it gets, but poking around the bushes is just as easy. The forgiving handling adds to the confidence inspired by the engine. Compared to older models, the frame tubes are bigger and the~e is additional reinforcing gusseting on the springer forks. The machines are a Ii ttle stronger and beefier all around, including the bigger Betors with meaty-looking stanchions. The massive backbone, whicn is really the core of the frame, looks like it w'Ould never break and nobody at CN has ever heard about anybody hamg frame problems with a OKW. They are really built. Most of the detailing is in keeping N N ::> '" « ~ w Z W ..J U >U Massive finning is effective. Engine runs cool. fenders seems unnecessary on a racer. It's tough, doesn't scratch and helps resale value of the bike but the lack of it wouldn't hurt and probably would reduce the cost of the bike. The pipe seems to be the only congenital weak point. Both OKWs leaked at the join of the header pipe and the expansion chamber. The silencer looks good, bu t the weld surface to the small stinger is really insufficient for the mass of the silencer and the quiet attachment vibrated loose of the springer model. The silencer bracket held it on, but we'd recommend replacing the silencer with one equally as quiet. The OKWs are quiet for racers, meeting the 88 OBA test, and it makes no sense to make them louder. What else was bad about OKWs? Well, the little rubber cover on the shift lever came off after about 20 minutes of riding. Either Rlue it on or fOl"l!et about it. And the paper air cleaner elemen t, which is screwed down in an excellent still air box, is completely inadequate for-any kind of dusty riding. Replace it with a foam element before you break the bike in. On one of the bikes, the kickstand spring bent loose, so we took Excellent kill bunon and Magura grips and levers. SPECIFICATIONS: DKW 125 Engine Bore x Stro ke CR Horsepower (Claimed) 123cc two-stroke single with Dykes ring piston 54 x 54 12:1 24 Car!l~retor _. .27mm Bing 6. Motoplat IgnItIon ,Transmission _.....•......•.................... 6-5peed constant mesh 53 in. (Hornet) Wheelbase Wheelbase _ _ 53 in. (Motocross) Clearance 11 in. Fuel Capacity _ _. _ __ 2.9 Gal. Tires Metzeler 3.o0x21 and 3.50x18 Suspension Betor telescopics or leading link with Boq shocks ........~------,.-- Pipe is a good visual design. Silencer is effective but will tend to vibrate or break loose. with the quality of the" machine. Magura the stand off. The unit itself is better levers and grips are righ t for most riders than found on most racers with a big and the bars, which look like they're too footprint that keeps the stand from narrow and low, turn out to be pretty sinking into the ground and letting your good in actual use. This is a personal bike fall over; a feature that's always preference item. The enrichening lever annoved me personally. it bends levers and dings tanks. was found to be completely unnecessary in southern California, but is a useful The front of the vinyl-covered seat item for colder climates. The tore on both models after about 30 rubber-covered kill button by the left minutes of riding. The little tears were grip is the best ever encountered on 'a caused by pieces of the sharp·edge seat stock machine. All competi tion bike frame poking ou t from inside. By the should be so well-equipped. The steel time you get down to your dealer, this problem should be corrected and is not rims are super strong an'd just don't seem to collect dings but the raised a functional loss, or even annoying, perimeter reinforcing ridges collect mud except esthetically. Otherwise the seats which has to be cleaned out between are generally quite comfortable, tnough motos, same as Akronts, which also somewhat of a hassle to remove. It takes three bolts, two of them behind the have that feature. The spokes are laced in a. cross-three pattern and didn't number of plates, to attach the saddle loosen on either bike during testing. to the frame. You're never going to lose that' seat in a rough race. The main Metzelers complete the to-the-ground package and do a good job. If you like drawback is that it will discourage lazy some other brand of tire better, or novices from doing the proper prefer a 4.00 to the 3.S0x18 on the rear maintenance on their air cleaner. bo it end, you can always change them. anyway, even if you drop one of the Some of the detailing that isn't rear bolts and have to go hunting obv;ous 'Or maybe even that important is around you garage floor for it. included as a bonus. The front number Some items that I forgot to mention plate is held securely with hose clamps, earlier. The brakes work so well you no rubber band stuff. Waterproofing is take them for granted. They are just excellent with long rubber skirts like the fine for the 12S's weight and power and East European ISOT bikes, but the carb are used on other European , ,i, still accessible for tic:kling,and service. L 1igl\IYI';igh ;. , .. also. ,. The Lv'J11r.I,:exllCsisjy~ .chtll.IUc- oj). d.aJllfn:>and_Ldpr,0UtQtig:n.~.y:'oil"uS,lt~j)! I),9;tic GY(!}~n a 'h 27mm Bing is reliable; carburetes well. machine has no or inadequate bash plate. Tbe OKW has a ligh t duty perforated plate between the down tubes and heavy duty solid ISOT-type bars extending out from the frame to protect the cases. The whole engine protection package, coupled with the super high ground clearance, increases cross-country survival capability a lot. (Please I/lm to pg. 51)

• Cover