Motorcycle "Jawa 650": a classic from Jawa

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

In the USSR, motorcycles manufactured by the Jawa factory (Java, Czechoslovakia) were very popular for many years. Neither the higher price nor the long waiting time, in comparison with the products of domestic motorcycle plants (for example, IZH), influenced the popularity in any way. For many years, the USSR was the main market for the sale of products. Over the years, about a million motorcycles with the emblem of Java have left on the roads of the country.

The sales situation deteriorated sharply, and by 1991 the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. In the new conditions, motorcycles with 2-stroke engines turned out to be practically uncompetitive. Numerous patented designs and technologies became the salvation for the plant. It was thanks to them that the plant survived and was able to maintain production facilities. We are not talking about the previous production volumes, but Java continues to produce motorcycles of the original design with engines from various third-party manufacturers.

Creating a motorcycle

One of these developments was the Java 650 family, the first samples of which appeared in 2003, and mass production started the following year. The lead designer of the project was Vaclav Kral. The Java 650 family consists of three models. This is "Classic"Dakar and Style.

Powertrain

The motorcycle "Java 650" in the "Classic" version is equipped with a purchased Rotax engine (model 654 DS) with a capacity of 48 hp. (35.4 kW) at 6500 rpm. At that time, it was a very modern power unit, which was installed on motor vehicles of many manufacturers. The starting system is from an electric starter. The power unit is a four-stroke single-cylinder engine with a displacement of 652 cm3. Thanks to such a high figure, the torque is 57 N / m and is achieved at 5 thousand revolutions.

The cylinder head has 4 valves, and the camshafts in the head are driven by a chain. The engine has a liquid cooling system, as well as a dry sump lubrication system. Despite a fairly high compression ratio, the motorcycle can run on A92 gasoline. Although it is more desirable to use A95.

Due to the relative simplicity of design and low boost, the engine is not picky in maintenance and has a long service life (especially in comparison with old 2-stroke engines). The gearbox has 5 speeds and is supplied by Rotax with the engine.

Chassis design

Almost all motorcycle electrical equipment is purchased - mainly from Denso.

A sufficiently powerful motorcycle engine needs a rigid frame. Designers quite successfully coped with this task. Front suspensionof the classic telescopic type with Paioli shock absorbers, the rear pendulum has HP Sporting struts. The motorcycle was equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. The unit has a 320 mm front brake disc and a 220 mm rear.

Specifications "Java 650"

Height (by saddle).	712mm.
Wheelbase.	1525mm.
Curb weight.	180 kg.
Maximum speed.	155 km/h.
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h.	6, 4 secs

Bright and unusual design

When developing the "Classic" version, the designers paid special attention to the design of the new car. They managed to create a motorcycle with a very original design, in which you can see the features of the American chopper, as well as signature touches of Java, well known from previous models.

Teardrop-shaped classic motorcycle tank for retro style. However, due to this form, its volume is small - only 14 liters, but here the engine's efficiency saves. A very interesting design has a chrome-plated twin-shaped exhaust pipe. The instrument panel of the unit with indicators in the form of light bulbs is also quite consistent with the overall retro style. Complements the overall look of the headlight, which will look quite harmoniously on any motorcycle from the 70s of the XX century.

Dynamics and maximum speed of the vehicle are consistent with its externalappearance. Although the bike is capable of a dynamic start, it is designed for a slow, smooth ride. For the "Java 650" version of the "Classic" there are a lot of factory accessories that will help further emphasize its retro style. This includes a chrome-plated tank, a chrome-plated front fender and bars, wind deflectors of various shapes and much more.

Customer feedback

At the time of its appearance on sale in the Russian Federation, the price of "Java 650. Classic" had a comparable level with the price of used Japanese motorcycles similar in style and cubic capacity. Therefore, he could not even come close in terms of sales results to the previous Java models.

Among the clear advantages of Java 650 were high build quality, ease of maintenance (many maintenance work can be carried out without special tools), a reliable and balanced power unit.

But at the same time, not all buyers liked the single-cylinder engine, which, due to its design features, creates vibration in certain operating modes. Also, not all buyers liked the motorcycle's suspension and high center of gravity, which makes it difficult to corner at high speed.

The softness of the front damper can create problems under hard braking - it reaches the rebound point. Sometimes there are problems with the electrical circuit of the motorcycle due to a poorly designed layout. The carburetor of the Java 650 engine is easyclogged, causing engine problems. Difficulties in obtaining original spare parts had a very strong negative impact on the popularity of the motorcycle.

"Java 650" today

To date, the production of all old versions of the motorcycle has already been discontinued and instead they offer a new model - "Java 660". In the secondary market, you can find used copies of "Java 650. Classic", but they are rare and the price reaches 280-300 thousand rubles.