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Jawa 250 California

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Make Model.

Jawa 250 California

Year

1968

Engine

-

Capacity

249 cc / 15.2 cu in
Bore x Stroke -
Compression Ratio 8.0:1
Cooling System Air cooled

Exhaust

One-into-one

Induction

Port control carburetor

Starting

Kick

Max Power

10.9 kW / 15.0 hp @ 5000 rpm

Clutch

Wet, multi-plate, cable operated

Transmission

4 Speed

Final Drive

Chain

Front Suspension

Cartridge

Front Wheel Travel

180 mm / 7.1"

Rear Suspension

Twin shocks

Rear Wheel Travel

150 mm / 5.9"

Front Brakes

Drum, expanding

Rear Brakes

Drum, expanding

Front Tyre

3.25 -19"

Rear Tyre

3.50 -19"

Seat Height

760 mm / 29.9"

Dry Weight

129 kg / 284 lbs

Wet Weight

144 kg / 317 lbs

Fuel Capacity

15 L / 4.0 US gal

Top Speed

110 km/h / 62 mph

Like other motorcycle companies, Jawa has its roots in the armaments industry, formed in 1929 when Czechoslovakia's National Arms factory diversified into motorcycle manufacture after obtaining the rights to a design from the German Wanderer firm. Company founder Frantisek Janacek combined the first two letters his last name and the first two letters in Wanderer to create the Jawa marque. In 1949 Jawa's operations were combined with those of rivals CZ, and throughout the succeeding two decades the consolidated company's main claim to fame was an outstanding run of success in the International Six Days Trial enduro and international motocross. Using a mixture of Jawa and CZ machines, Czechoslovakia first won the ISDT in 1947 and would go on to take a further six titles up to 1962.

The two-stroke Jawa was one of the most prolific and well-respected Communist Bloc-built motorcycles, one of the few that could compete with the West's more complex designs. The Jawa 250 Californian, model 590/05, designed for America, is a two-stroke twin with 16.5hp at 5,000rpm duly equipped as a street-legal, lightweight touring or commuting 'sport' bike. And at a price similar, in fact, to a contemporary Japanese 125.