Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

Cycle News 1972 09 05

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125798

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~ w Z W ..J U > U by Ron Schnc;iders A rider who is going to do well in the Intemational Six Days Trial needs many things besides just riding skill. Among others he needs a very good machine and lots of luck. Gene Cannady and Steve Hurd are two American riders who are going to Czechoslovakia with both of these: advantages built in, so to speak. They will be riding Jawa Six Day bikes in the country where they are manufactured, which means they can count on well-prepared machines and an uncommon.amount of luck. Luck may take the form of a Czech farmer who sees a J awa in trouble and "happens" to have a spare inner tube of the just the right size, or a chain that he doesn't know what to do with. It may take the form of a Czech scrutineer who doesn't notice that an engine is being rebuilt four feet from his nose, or it may take the form of bunch of students who, having nothing better to do, decide to pull a motorcycle out of handlebar-deep mud. Being Czech students, they will naturally prefer to pull on the handlebars of a J awa. Since the J awa is relatively unknown in this coun try, when Cycle News found out that Gene Cannady had one on which he was practising, they sent me over to take some pictures of it and talk to Gene about his new bike. From what has been written about the Jawa ISDT bike, I had expected something resembJing a cross between a motorcycle and bulldozer that had been formed with a stone axe and a dull chisel. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It's true that the finish on the Jawa is nOl what onc would expect on a road bike, but it is pleasant enough. The fiberglass gas tank is a bit rough. but the fenders are smooth, the pain ling is neatly done and welds are workmanlike. It is evident from looking at it that the Jawa is immensely strong, but this is simply in keeping with its function: ISDT competition. You would be hard pressed to discover anything on the bike that you would want smaller or would wan t to eliminate in view of its function. Its possible that the J awa trophy tearn will have somewhat different bikes, built of more exotic materials, but its unlikely that they will look much di fferent. As Gene commented, "The bike weighs 285 pounds and a 285 pound bike in the 250 ciass is going to be a bi t slow, so I would think that the Czech Trophy team will have a lighler, faslerversion." The engineering that has preceeded this bike is truely impressive. The rear wheel is detachable in seconds and a center stand is provided to make the job even easier. The chain, which is completely enclosed, need not be touched. The rear of the chain enclosure is removable Uust two screws) for adjustment and lubrication. The chain is one piece, no master link. The theory is that the master link is the weakest part, so why not eliminate it? Gene is not convinced of the wisdom of this approach though, and might put a master link in his so that he could fit it if he had trouble. . The carburetor is the CZ type with all the adjustments on the same side, including an external pilot jet. You can change pilot jets in seconds. Ignition problems should be virtually non-existan t because there is a dual ignition system, including dual coils, plugs and condensors. The rider can choose either or both systems with the aid of two toggle switches under the tan k. The poin ts can be reached by removing a magnesium cover held in place by two screws. Both the seat and the gas tan k can be removed in a few seconds. Each is beld in place by one nut. Removing the seat allows access to the air filter clement, a gigantic coffee·can sized paper type, housed in a box that would allow running in water up tbe seat level. Gene replaced the paper element with a Fil tron , commenting thaL "Paper just doesn't cu t it around here." The size of the element is such that be will probably be able to go the entire Six days without changing it. The only thing on the bike which is really unconven tional is the kick starter which is connected directly to the cranksbaft and operates in a forward motion. It takes a bit of adjustment, but in some situations it could be more I . \ \ Note the backwards-appearing kick starter. The expansion chamber is heavy. but its quiet enough to be ridden on the street. The Jawa comes with a complete selection of tools and spare parts. Gene displays the complete set of jets and the super duper air bottle. . -, The seat and tank were removed in less time than it takes to tell about it. strong frame construction and large air cleaner.

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