Dear Friends,
I just got the long awaited call from the shop that my Jawa rig will be ready tomorrow.
After I saw the engine now open for the second time in 3 years and only 14.000km I see its TOO SMALL for our mountain range.
I allways thought of inserting it a 4 stroke engine, but then the frame and breaks and so on will need reenforcement.
So it will be better to keep the Jawa as solo bike for short messenger trips. And get a complete bike for the Velorex 562 sidecar. 500-800ccm, (1)-2-(4) cylinder, (35)-50hp, Water cooling, Chain drive (easier to adjust for sidecar)The bike shouldn't be too heavy and a typically english upright driver position with 90 angle for the knees that is confortable. Swing sadle would be a great plus for my hurt back.
As allways aviallability of spares will be an important issue.
For years I was dreaming of an Ural 2 wheel drive, but after seeing my Jawa's intestines... no thanks! Not in this country with step 1 in 3 hills everywhere.
This will become an interesting brainstroming I guess.
What is out there in the market? I have no idea yet.
REgards from Costa Rica
Sven Peter Pan
The (tiny) 562's have been hung on everything from scooters to Goldwings. With and without ballast and suspension mods.
About the most economical tug is probably a middleweight 80's or so Japanese cruiser. Shaft drives run cleaner and last longer than chain. Some of these jappos are water cooled if you need ttis feature, parts are easily found and they are just about bulletproof.
Lonnie
Thank you Hack'n,
As I see you have one Velorex 562 too. Well I like for example the VT500 Honda engine, but its a soft Chopper what would hurt my back and it wouln't do any good in the mountains. As I am fare away and off the sceene for many years I have no idea what is on the market and would fit my expectations.
Best regards
Sven Peter
Yesterday I wanted to pick up Jolly Roger 2 (my rig) but it wasn't done yet. Well after the tecnical revision I will pull off the sidecar and will have to give a new name to the bike. I guess "Wendy" will be appropiated.
We discussed the alternatives for a new working horse for Jolly Roger2 (the sidecar). As option came up the new Jawa 650 ((Clasic), Style or (Dakar)).
It has a water cooled austrian Rotax engine (nearly the same as the one cylinder BMW, but carburated)
Does have somebody here on the forum experience with the Jawa 650?
It sounds to me as a good alternative to Japaneese bikes, because the Importer is a good friend of mine and he DOES bring in spares, (not as the local japaneese representitives:"who do it only by mouth").
I appreciate your input.
Thank You in advance
Sven Peter Pan
Hi Sven: I'm brand new to sidecars and have yet to own one. Nor am I familiar with Jawa, as they're not imported here in the U.S.A. But I have owned (and crashed) a BMW F650 with the carburated Rotax 650 single. The bike should have sufficient power as I've seen a friend travel 2-up with camping gear with total load weight over 420 pounds. Also, the gearing is easily reduced by chainging the sprockets; many F650 owners have changed the front sprocket on the Rotax to lower gearing for riding off pavement, as I did - visit f650.com archives for more info. I notice that the jawa.eu site only shows the Velorex option for the 650 Classic, which may be the only 650 model with an proper frame for a sidecar.
Good luck with your choice,
Lee
Summer Grove, Louisiana USA
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
A Kawasaki KLR650 might fit your needs, especially if you were considering a 2wd ural for dual sport use. Positives: Water cooled, large tank, chain you asked for, upright seating position and parts available around the world. Negatives: chain drive and a lot of suspension travel if it is for street use only. In the states a new one is cheaper then a used bmw 650. Lots of good used ones around, though they seem to hold their resale pretty well. Probably enough grunt for highway speeds with a light chair. Lots of sub-frames for the kawi aready exist. The Suzuki DR650 would probably work as well except for air cooled, smaller tank and less information from those that have already rigged one. I think the jawa was imported to the States as a MuZ, but I couyld be wrong. In the states the MuZ would be an orphan as very few dealers, many came and went, but the couple I saw looked like viable alternatives to the bmw650 and the KLR650 if parts are not an issue for you. The bmw f650 would also be an alternative to consider, except they tend to be a little higher priced for what you get then the others mentioned.
Well as I see the bike will not come out of the shop until January...Kid have vacations and summer starts....sniff.
The KLR I had in my mind too...lets look closer. A local bike rental uses them and the owner is interested in a sidecar for a while, perhaps he permits a test mounting...
For the austrian/italian Beemer F650 sometimes you get a good offer for used one. I like the idea of ABS (as long you can switch it off on demand)
Regards
Sven
Peter Pan,
RE: ABS.......ABS will not stop you in a shorter distance, nore will it stop you any faster- but it will keep the maximum amount of brake force applied at all times and keep you in a straight line while you stop. Some think that it is faster or shorter, it just keeps the wheels from locking up and sliding the tires. A properly set up system will surprise you by stopping in a straight line.
A late Merry Christmass and a Happy New Year to all
mrmustash aka Paul
