I'm starting to build my second own rig, 1958 Pannonia TLF and DIY car

I'm selling my Romet K125 with DIY sidecar (its topic ). My colleague just seen it and fell in love in this "Mad Max hack".

So I started searching for new bike. Now my mandatory requirements was: good frame for hacking, really good brakes, MPG as high as possible, 12V electrics with good performance, kickstarter. Single OHV if possible. And it had to look like motorcycle, not like overfashioned USS Enterprise on 2 wheels (to clarify: none of bikes produced today - except Urals and some few chinese ones - look acceptable for me).

So results of my search weren't impressive. The only option was to buy some older but still popular bike or some old frame (with papers to register) and build own bike on this base. First option is almost only Jawa 350 with Velorex. Bu it has 2 cylinder 2 stroke engine. Swap and re-registering is possible, but it has not-the-best drum brakes - another mod, another costs. The second option - old, hackable frame with papers - costs relatively much.

But c64club always have luck. Some guy posted such announcemet: "For sell. 1958 Pannonia LTF 250 De Lux with Jawa 350 engine. I'm tired of continuous adjustments, so I bought scooter and I only want to regain cash that I spent for my scoot". And 2 photos:

I thought "it's perfect base for my dream bike" Requires only to throw out this crappy engine (2 stroke, very , 40-55 MPG is a success on it, and indeed requires continuous adjustments). The only fine thing in this engine is 210W alternator. The swap is great ocassion to rebuild exhaust system, so I can get wonderful 9" ground clearance. Also with sidecar.

The problem was that it doesn't have actual insurance and didn't pass mandatory technical test since 2 years. So I can't just come back home on its seat. I don't have car. I can't afford to rent a car with driver and trailer. 30MPG*200 miles plus some money for driver - hard too much for my budget, especially that I must do engine swap in my new bike.

But I still had my Romet with trailer. Colleague will get it in few days - "No problem, Igor. Use it" and don't break it". And the effect of my thoughts:

6h ride to Pannonia's owner. We packed it to my trailer and I started slow, careful return to home. 16h later I parked this curious rig next to my home.

This bike is megamix of motorcycles from few countries. Frame, rear mudguard and rear swingarm with chain cover - it all that remained "Pannonia oiginal", Hungarian. Front suspension with excellent indestructible disc brake come from ~1990 MZ ETZ 250, East German, brakes Brembo licensed. Rear brake is the same front brake from MZ. Rear wheel is original Pannonia drum/gear set, with 18" alluminium rim from MZ. Also side covers and seat (modified) come from some MZ. Tank (modified) from '60s Polish Junak M10. Engine from Czechoslovakian Jawa. Pipes from CZ 350 (Czechoslovakian bike, very congeneric with Jawa 350), Front mudguard is custom work. Everything but rear brake caliper is mounted perfectly, with attention on details. 18" wheels allow me to use Heidenau K41 or K37 winter tires. And there also summer tires of K41/K37 type available.

To get ideal engine, I'm buying Chinese cross bike:

Lifan 250cc, 5 speed, single OHV, kick starter (and electrical one). Overbored copy of Honda CG125, known as indestructible. Can do 85-90 MPG solo without any problems (confirmed) and I think 70-75 MPG with sidecar. I treat this cross bike as "engine with carburetor and other fixtures" And main unbeatable feature that I love in these engines - the CDI ignition system is powered from separate coil and triggered with hallotron, works without battery. Fully independent from 5-coil, 90 watts dynamo. But I plan to give it some car alternator. It's possible with minimal effort, without affecting this great independent ignition system.

Used one costs not much more than new 250cc OHC engine for it. The same displacement as original Pannonia, 17-18hp. Also contains few parts to build my new sidecar: 17" front wheel, disc brakes with foot pump, short rear dumper.

Many parts will remain, but I can sell them without any problems.

I also plan to modify the bike to have seats and tank in this style:

Just bought passenger's seat (replica of seat for this 1938 Polish "Sokól RT 600" ) and looking for driver's seat. The passenger's seat is detachable from luggage rack.

And the sidecar will be replica of 1960's Duna Sidecar frame with slightly modifies suspension (and of course disc brake from this Chinese cross bike). With Diy aluminium Ural-style tube.

The last mod will be painting to some light desert/khaki/olive color.