Jawa 250 California

Make Model.	Jawa 250 California
Year	1968
Engine	-
Capacity	249 cc / 15.2 cu in
Bore x Stroke	-
Compression Ratio	8.0:1
Cooling System	Air cooled
Exhaust	One-into-one
Induction	Port control carburetor
Starting	Kick
Max Power	10.9 kW / 15.0 hp @ 5000 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate, cable operated
Transmission	4 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	Cartridge
Front Wheel Travel	180 mm / 7.1"
Rear Suspension	Twin shocks
Rear Wheel Travel	150 mm / 5.9"
Front Brakes	Drum, expanding
Rear Brakes	Drum, expanding
Front Tyre	3.25 -19"
Rear Tyre	3.50 -19"
Seat Height	760 mm / 29.9"
Dry Weight	129 kg / 284 lbs
Wet Weight	144 kg / 317 lbs
Fuel Capacity	15 L / 4.0 US gal
Top Speed	110 km/h / 62 mph

Like other motorcycle companies, Jawa has its roots in the armaments industry, formed in 1929 when Czechoslovakia's National Arms factory diversified into motorcycle manufacture after obtaining the rights to a design from the German Wanderer firm. Company founder Frantisek Janacek combined the first two letters his last name and the first two letters in Wanderer to create the Jawa marque. In 1949 Jawa's operations were combined with those of rivals CZ, and throughout the succeeding two decades the consolidated company's main claim to fame was an outstanding run of success in the International Six Days Trial enduro and international motocross. Using a mixture of Jawa and CZ machines, Czechoslovakia first won the ISDT in 1947 and would go on to take a further six titles up to 1962.

The two-stroke Jawa was one of the most prolific and well-respected Communist Bloc-built motorcycles, one of the few that could compete with the West's more complex designs. The Jawa 250 Californian, model 590/05, designed for America, is a two-stroke twin with 16.5hp at 5,000rpm duly equipped as a street-legal, lightweight touring or commuting 'sport' bike. And at a price similar, in fact, to a contemporary Japanese 125.