reversal o f O ssa th inkin g in th e past.
The 70s' mode ls were low er th an
normal in both gro u nd clearan ce and
peg height.
H igh gr ound clea ran ce and tall
pegs mean s pl enty of maneuv erabilit y for scooting betw een o r dropping
off rocks or challengin g logs.
T he pegs have al so been moved
forward. relative to th e front axle.
co m pared to older 3505. Th e cu rre nt
peg location . more forw ard and higher
off the ground. does require som e
adj us tme n t a t first for riders used to
other brands. Whil e th e bars ar en 't
rea lly low . th ey seem so because the
pegs ar e tall.
A sq ua re Am al ca rb feeds th e 65 x
77mm cylin de r. The cyli nde r has a
su pe r long intak e system cas t into it.
This design. no doubt. contributes to
th e smoot he n ing o f power. Older
m odels so meti mes felt lik e they were
trying to load up even th ough they
p erformed fin e at low rpms. The
cho ke an d ca rb adj us tme nt screws are
easi ly reach ed through ope n in gs in
th e left side pane l.
The current m odel. still a fivespeed when most factories are going
to six -speeds. is a natural left -side
shifter. The ki ck starte r. al so on the
left side. snuggles in tightly against
the engine. Th e bike must be in neutral for starting.
The ignition is electro n ic. as it has
been fo r years. A few manufacturers
still prefer points. claiming better
low rpm response. but the Ossa's performance seem s in no wa y co m p romised by th e mainten an ce-saving electronic system.