Junak M07

Make Model	Junak M07
Year	1956 - 59
Production	10000
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV
Capacity	349 cc / 21.3 cub. in.
Bore x Stroke	75 x 79 mm
Compression Ratio	7.0:1
Cooling	Air/Oil cooled
Lubrication	Dry-sump
Ignition	Magneto
Battery	14 Ah, 6V
Dynamo	45 W
Starting	Kick-start
Clutch	Multi-plate clutch with cork inserts working in an oil bath
Max Power	14 kW / 19 hp @ 6000 rpm
Max Torque	27.5 Nm / 2.8 kgf-m / 20.3 ft-lb @3800 rpm
Transmission	Four-speed constant-mesh
Final Drive	Chain
Gear ratios	1st 3.04 / 2nd 1.97 / 3rd 1.29 / 4th 1.00:1
Frame	Double, cradle-type, welded throughout of tubing, provided with holders for side car mounting.
Front Suspension	Telescopic fork with coil springs and oil damping
Rear Suspension	Swinging arm sprung on telescopic elements with coil springs and oil damping.
Front Brakes	Full hub width, of expander shoe type, hand operated
Rear Brakes	Full hub width, of expander shoe type, foot operated
Wheels	Wire type, with full width hubs made of light alloy, interchangeable (also with side-car wheel). Both wheels with quick-detachable spindles
Front Tyre	19 in
Rear Tyre	19 in
Front Rim	89 mm / 3.5 in
Rear Rim	89 mm / 3.5 in
Trail	72 mm / 2.8 in
Dimensions	Length: 2172 mm / 85.5 in Width: 740 mm / 29.1 in Height: 1095 mm / 43.1 in
Wheel Base	1417 mm / 55.8 in
Seat Height	755 mm / 29.7 in
Ground Clearance	170 mm / 6.7 in
Dry Weight	170 kg / 374.8 lbs
Fuel Capacity	17 l / 3.9 US gal
Average Consumption	3.5 l/100 km / 28.6 km/l / 67.2 mpg
Top Speed	125 km/h / 77.7 mph

Junak, the only 4-stroke motorcycle produced in People's Republic of Poland. M07 type. It's an early example, one of first 1000 motorbikes from SFM, with many features not present in later production.

91 400 Junak motorcycles were produced in years 1956-1965, in this number about 10 000 Junak M07 motorcycles. There were also Junak rally motorbikes M07-R, cross motorbikes M07-C, three-wheelers B20 (delivery model with a box; about 2500 of them were made) and side cars WB1 and WB3 (about 8500). They were made in SFM, Szczecin Motorcycle Factory. Engines were manufactured in Łódź.

The first Junak model, M07, was produced in 1956-59. The production of next one, M10, was formally started in December 1956. Still first 20 000 specimens of M10, produced in 1960-1961, were similar to M07 in many details; for example the lamp wasn't changed yet. Junak from this period is called „transition model”.

Junak, in its time, was modern and succesful design. It was developed in 1951-1952 by J.Ignatowicz (project coordinator), Krzysztof Wójcicki (engine constructor) and Stefan Poraziński (chassis constructor). They were experienced engineers, who based their work on pre-war achievements of Sokół construction team, guided by Tadeusz Rudawski. That's why Junak engine resembles Sokół 600 and Sokół 500 engines. Some German and British motocycles (e.g. AJS, BSA, Triumph and Norton) also influenced Junak construction.

Junak motorcycles were exported to Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, Venezuela, Mongolia and Cuba. Some were also sold in USA, including touring-cross „Scrambler” model and 21 customized motorbikes with additional equipment, called Junak M10 de Lux.

Junak was used by police, for cross racing and rallies. In 1959 F. Stachewicz broke the Polish speed record riding a customized Junak motorcycle at the speed of 149,3 km/h. The event was filmed by PKF (Polish Film Chronicle; their short films were displayed before every cinema show. The films were obviously PRL propaganda materials, but they were – and still are – a great source of information, too).

In spite of good and constantly modernized construction, Junak motorcycles had lots of faults emerging from low manufacturing quality level – immanent feature of Central and East European industry in these years. They were also very expensive. At the beginning of the 60th Junak M10 was priced at 24 000 zloty; for many working people in Poland it was one year income. Junak production was ended in 1965, when goverment decided to cut down motorcycle production in favor of cheap cars.