Jawa 350 Californian
JAWA 350 CALIFORNIAN
CYCLE WORLD ROAD TEST
Changed for a Change
THE JAWA FACTORY, in the past, was unbending when it came to catering to the desires of potential customers outside of the European and, in particular, Czechoslovakian markets. Over the years they have established a well-deserved reputation for building low-cost, reliable transportation bikes that are ideally suited to European buyers. Jawa’s exploits in motocross and endurance trials in the past decade have also added luster to their reputation, but their reputation has done little to grab the interest of a large segment of the American market. This segment, composed of first-time riders and people moving up from ultra-lightweight bikes, tends to base purchase decisions on performance and appearance. Inherent reliability runs a poor third.
The company has been a bit slow to see this. They have been producing essentially the same line of motorcycles since 1954, and while they were ahead of the industry innovations for a time, they have been losing ground in the American market the past few years. It should be understood that we are speaking only of their roadsters and sport bikes. The picture with their racing numbers is totally different. Not only have they kept pace with other manufacturers, they have frequently been in the forefront with new engine and suspension schemes.
The Jawa picture seems to be changing for the better, and the first sign of this comes in the form of the 350cc Californian.
Everything about the Californian, including its name, points to a definite effort to capture a portion of the American market. To make their product appealing, Jawa started out by doing a respectable clean-up job to the frame. The characteristic Jawa cowling and side boxes have been eliminated, as have the fully enclosed rear chain cover and the large headlight nacelle. Tool storage is provided by a hopper hidden under the front of the seat on the right side. With the seat locked (literally — a key lock prevents unauthorized raising of the seat) the tools are safe and secure.
Jawa has wisely selected their 19-inch Sports wheels for the Californian and has fitted them with a set of excellent Barum tires. The full-width hubs house generous brakes that provide a brake-loading factor of 8.8-pounds/ sq.-in. of swept area. We were pleased that the traditionally fine bars-to-seat-to-pegs relationship was not changed. Jawas have always had a comfortable seating attitude for both touring and rough going. The reinforced bars are wide, firm, and right where they belong.
The suspension on the Californian, like most other Jawas, offers a comfortable ride without being mushy. The front forks have long travel and dampen in both directions. The same is true for the rear suspension.
For the Californian, Jawa has increased the horsepower of their basic 350cc Sports engine from 18 to 21. Although this figure will not raise the hair on the back of one’s neck simply at its mention, it allows the bike to do its job rather well. We feel that the figure is conservative, considering the test weight vs. the time and speed in the 1 /4 mile. The power increase has been obtained in ways that should not affect engine life. The end pieces have been left out of the exhaust silencers (sound level is still reasonable), and a Fram Micronic filter replaces the large, restrictive canister used on other Jawa models. These seemingly insignificant changes make an appreciable improvement in engine breathing.
The electrics in the Californian are all new. This model uses a very hefty AC alternator with three separate sets of windings: a 6-volt, 10-watt system for the energytransfer ignition; a 12-volt, 40-watt system for the headlight and taillight; and a 12-volt, 15-watt system for the stoplight. The package dispenses with the need for a battery and a voltage regulator and works so well that stored power is scarcely missed. The six-inch-plus diameter headlight is a Bosch LE/TA-160 which has been approved for use in the U.S. This, combined with the new nacelle which permits beam-level adjustment, should make the authorities happy.
Jawa hung onto one feature that we certainly would not have missed, had they decided to confine it to their other models. We are speaking of their semi-automatic shifting arrangement. In theory, this feature permits the rider to shift up or down without grabbing the clutch each time. In practice, it works well on the way up, but down-shifts offer a whole new set of riding thrills for the unsuspecting. We suggest that this convenience be ignored and the bike ridden in the conventional one-pullof-the-clutch-per-gear-change manner when shifting back.
The finish on the 350 Californian is typical of what we have come to expect from Jawa — excellent. The rectangular-cross-section frame is handsomely detailed, in addition to being very stout. The fenders, which feel like they were machined from forged billets, are just about un-prangable. Their deep valancing, and consequent mudstopping ability, greatly enhances their worth. As an indication of Jawa’s willingness to make concessions to new markets, we point to the new color schemes offered on the Californian. In the past, one could purchase a Jawa in silver blue, black, white, or drab maroon — mostly drab maroon. The colors were always total, with no contrast other than pin-striping, and that offered by chrome, aluminum, vinyl and rubber. With the Californian all of this is changed. It is available in pale-blue and silver grey, bright red and silver grey, or (and wouldn’t you know) all black.
The 350 is well mannered, starts easily, runs smoothly — with a wide, usable power band, feels like a large bike, and is quite stable at speed. Seating is comfortable for two average-size adults. The test bike was delivered clean and remained that way during the time we had it. The Californian can be ridden in “Sunday best” with complete peace of mind.
If Jawa can measure up to their sales competition in this country (and it appears they are headed in the right direction with the Californian), their reputation for low initial cost, low maintenance, and dependability will probably once again enjoy the position that these factors deserve. ■
JAWA 350cc CALIFORNIAN
SPECIFICATIONS
$595
PERFORMANCE
