What the hell is it?

**bigskins** · 28th October 2009, 20:48

Hey all. Picked myself up an old Jawa today as a bit of a resto project, bike is complete but have no idea what year or model it is, so if anyone has any info that might help it'd be appreciated....cheers

**Ixion** · 28th October 2009, 20:52

It's a 350cc two stroke twin , era of late 50s to mid 60s.

Quite good bikes for their day. Gearboxes a tad prone to seizing causing unrecoverable rear wheel lockup. All just part of life's rich tapestry.

**marigami** · 28th October 2009, 20:57

Hello and welcome her.
Lucky you to have a Jawa,great bikes.
Enjoy.

**98tls** · 28th October 2009, 20:59

Welcome,ive a mate with a similar Jawa that hes had and restored for years,will show him the pics and see if he can come up with any worthy info.

**MotoKuzzi** · 29th October 2009, 18:17

I had one for my first m/cycle back in the early 1970's, piece of shit it was really, compared to the Jap bikes of my mates. I pushed it about 5km to get it home from where i bought it. Managed to get it to go somehow and rode it and pushed it for about a year before I gave up. Love one for a nostalgia trip now though.

**Chooky** · 29th October 2009, 18:35

Yer... 350 twin.....

Way back long time ago, I had a mate that put one of those motors in an NZeta scooter... It was bad..

**AllanB** · 29th October 2009, 19:01

I think you should turn it into a chopper ..........

Basic things, kind of cool really.

Have fun.

**bigskins** · 2nd November 2009, 12:55

Cheers guys...doesn't sound like these were the iconic bike of their day but I'm sure it'll give me some fun....the chopper idea is tempting

**XRVrider** · 2nd November 2009, 13:40

Dont be fooled, these are and were great bikes. Many people do not realise that shortly after WW2 Jawa was the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. OK ok, it was long ago, and as with British bikes and all others the Japs took over, and Jawa faded away.

If I didnt need it, I give my right nut to do up a Jawa 350 twin, give me a shout if I can help you find parts suppliers, I have had a wee bit to do with Jawa's lately.

If you dont do it up and can give me a couple of years, then I will swap that right nut for your bike

**slofox** · 2nd November 2009, 13:42

Saw a dude riding on of them last week, here in The Tron...

**Vern** · 2nd November 2009, 19:41

Hi have a look at my albums my old Jawa is a 1966 but the 175 model. This bike gave me just on 20 years all up service with no trouble at all. Vern

**Hans** · 2nd November 2009, 21:12

Hi, "it" is a Jawa 350 two smoker. I think it's the 636 model. Somewhere between 1958 and 64. "It" is a pretty good bike actually. One of these was my first motorbike. I also happen to be Czech and I have access to spares and workshop manuals etc. PM me and I'll be very happy to help. Pleeeeease don't bastardise a nice bike by making it into a chopper or whatever.

FIY, the gear pattern is 1 up 2,3,4 down. Gearchange also doubles as kickstarter. Nice touch. Gearchange also actuates clutch, so no need to use your left hand at the lights. Picture people as you give them the one fingered salute while setting of smoothly

**LBD** · 3rd November 2009, 01:57

Yup muh daddy learned me to ride one uh dem whun I was a wee lad of 8 in about 1968

A search on the net under Jawa Californian 350 will find all sorts of help and support groups.

My Dads was green....I think the Californian model started about 1970, yours and my dads may predate that...Type 12 I think....and they are still alive and well in Kyrgyzstan...Rinat the Armenian knuckle head I work with still rides one....parks it next to his Moskivich car

Here is a link for you....

http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org...e9-P(Jawa).htm