Yezdi Roadking

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Yezdi Roadking
Manufacturer Ideal Jawa
Production 1978 - 1999
Predecessor 1975 Jawa - CZ 250 [Endurohttp://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/jawa-cz_250_enduro_1975.php]
Class Cruiser and Motocross
Engine 250 cc Air-cooled, two-stroke cycle, single piston, twin port exhaust, kick start 16 bhp
Transmission 4-Gear
Suspension Front: Telescopic fork,
Brakes (drum)
Tires 16"
Wheelbase n/a mm
Weight  (dry), 135 kg (wet)
Fuel capacity 16 Litres

Roadking was a model of motorcycle produced in India by Ideal Jawa Ltd. from 1978 to 2001. The bike was based on the CZ 250 of 1974 runner-up of World Dirt Bike Championship by rider Jaroslav Falta. It was sold under the brand name Yezdi - Roadking. The bike won several Indian rallies and road races in India. The bike had a 250 cc engine with twin exhaust ports and an auto clutch. The power was 16 bhp with a top speed of 125 km/h.

Contents

[edit] Origins

The Yezdi Roadking was originally based on 1974 CZ,where the original bore x stroke of 70 mm x 64 mm [1]was retained as it was, but with less power than its Motocross original. The engine block though very similar to Yezdi Classic in appearance was actually different. Also the CZ original had the famous Porcupine Head while the same was used only in initial models, later reverted to regular straight fin design. The cylinder block (Type 980.5) was from CZ.

[edit] Chassis frame

The chassis frame is single frame of motocross origins and was built out of square tube. The fork was more pronounced with a higher rake angle and came with adjustable shock absorbers. Rims were 16 inches. The motocross and ice racing origin frame and proper weight balance made handling very easy and agile compared to its rivals in India.

[edit] Engine

The cylinder block was from CZ which had an over square bore x stroke. Carburetors were either Jikov (tickler choke) or Pacco (press type choke) of which the earlier was exclusively for Roadking, while the latter was used for Classic models. The spark plugs were of cold type and the bike also featured an auto clutch, where a cam inside the gearbox housing automatically activated the clutch through a cam. The familiar Jawa-CZ twin exhaust ports made the unmistakable sound when the exhaust cores were removed. Another unique feature of the bike was that the kick-starter and the gear shared the same rod. Once the gear rod is reversed it doubles as a kicker and once started it automatically returns to the original position.

[edit] Models and types

[edit] CB unit models

The bike was silently launched in India in late '70s by Ideal Jawa and was a rare sight even in those days. The bike had a prominent petrol/fuel tank and the colour was Jawa Maroon and sometimes in black and gold pinstripe, priced slightly higher than the best selling Classic and CL II models. The troublesome contact breaker ignition was later replaced in 1993. Till 1989 the RoadKings had a provision for adjusting the front fork dampers.

[edit] Oil King

During late 70s another model known as Oil King was also launched which featured a oil pump for the 2T mix with petrol but later production ceased. The prominent protrusion of the left hand side gearbox housing was the original location for the pump. Though the model was discontinued the engine casing found its way into the Road King and hence all Road Kings have this protrusion even though the oil pump was not housed there anymore.

[edit] Cdi unit models

In 1993, in an effort to increase fuel efficiency and to solve starting problems the CB or contact breaker ignition units were replaced with Cdi electronic ignition units. The electrics were changed to 12 volts from 6 volts.The livery was also changed with some new graphics. The fuel efficiency was increased by 30%, but still its competitors were getting better and with rising fuel prices the sales plummeted down until finally it ceased operations in 1999.

[edit] Monarch

In 1996 Auto Expo Yezdi displayed a model which used the Yezdi 350's twin frame, Roadking engine and a sleek but uninteresting fueltank. The rims were 19 inches as opposed to the regular 16 inch. However, it sold only few numbers. Although some attribute its low sales volume to the company's need to get rid of the additional Yezdi 350 frames that remained in the factory after the twin model was stopped. However this is disputed.

[edit] In Indian motorsports

In road races at Sholavaram, it ran in its own 250 cc class while in the Indian open class category its main rival was Enfield Bullet and later the much more powerful Rajdoot Yamaha RD350. Power was usually increased to 25 plus bhp or beyond for Group E categories where the engine was bored up till 300 cc and the engine was over-engineered in stock trim. In track racing the most famous was C.K.Chinnappa and Somendar Singh.

In rallies the rallyist couple Jagat and Anita Nanjappa and Thirumal Roy won several victories before switching to Rajdoot Yamaha RD350. Later during 1991 both the bikes were banned from rallying, but the ban was briefly lifted in 1996, when Rajdoot Yamaha RD350 went out of production. During those later seasons TVS Suzuki had its own factory team with Supra and Shogun, while Team MRF had several Escorts Yamaha RX100's in the fray. But still one or two privateers took it to as high as second positions during the events and setting some fastest stage times.

[edit] In Powergliders

The Roadking engines were a favorite among the Powerglider manufacturers in India. One Coimbatore based manufacturer headed by late motor racing legend S.Karivardhan manufactured and exported several Powergliders using Roadking engines with aluminium heads, K & N filters and sleeved bore.

[edit] Further developments

As a result of power glider efforts, Somendar Singh in 1996 developed a refined engine with aluminium engine with increased power and fuel efficiency and was featured in Car & Bike magazine. But the design was never put into production even tough it ended up with Ideal Jawa.

[edit] Status today

The bike attained a near cult status with an enigmatic tag even when in production, but it was sometimes overshadowed by Rajdoot Yamaha RD350. Also it attained its popularity for being notorious in offroad events. Today the bike has its own club and few years of oblivation is now slowly getting to roads in a classic bike status. Many new Indian bike riders haven't still experienced the taste of riding one as its market was regionally concentrated to places like Bangalore, Mysore and Coimbatore.

[edit] Links

[edit] Yezdi clubs and groups