Junak M10

Make Model	Junak M10
Year	1960 - 65
Production	70400
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV
Capacity	349 cc / 21.3 cub. in.
Bore x Stroke	75 x 79 mm
Compression Ratio	7.0:1
Cooling	Air/Oil cooled
Lubrication	Dry-sump
Ignition	Magneto
Battery	14 Ah, 6V
Dynamo	45 W
Starting	Kick-start
Clutch	Multi-plate clutch with cork inserts working in an oil bath
Max Power	14 kW / 19 hp @ 6000 rpm
Max Torque	27.5 Nm / 2.8 kgf-m / 20.3 ft-lb @3800 rpm
Transmission	Four-speed constant-mesh
Final Drive	Chain
Gear ratios	1st 3.04 / 2nd 1.97 / 3rd 1.29 / 4th 1.00:1
Frame	Double, cradle-type, welded throughout of tubing, provided with holders for side car mounting.
Front Suspension	Telescopic fork with coil springs and oil damping
Rear Suspension	Swinging arm sprung on telescopic elements with coil springs and oil damping.
Front Brakes	Full hub width, of expander shoe type, hand operated
Rear Brakes	Full hub width, of expander shoe type, foot operated
Wheels	Wire type, with full width hubs made of light alloy, interchangeable (also with side-car wheel). Both wheels with quick-detachable spindles
Front Tyre	19 in
Rear Tyre	19 in
Front Rim	89 mm / 3.5 in
Rear Rim	89 mm / 3.5 in
Trail	72 mm / 2.8 in
Dimensions	Length: 2172 mm / 85.5 in Width: 740 mm / 29.1 in Height: 1095 mm / 43.1 in
Wheel Base	1417 mm / 55.8 in
Seat Height	755 mm / 29.7 in
Ground Clearance	170 mm / 6.7 in
Dry Weight	170 kg / 374.8 lbs
Fuel Capacity	17 l / 3.9 US gal
Average Consumption	3.5 l/100 km / 28.6 km/l / 67.2 mpg
Top Speed	125 km/h / 77.7 mph

Planning the Junak began in 1952. In the beginning it was supposed to be a heavy motorcycle - mainly for the military - with a 500 cm3 engine, but the project was changed and in effect a 350 cm3 class vehicle was created. It was shown for the first time at the expo in "Hala Ludowa" in Wroclaw, in 1954, the occasion being the 10'th anniversary of Polish People's Republic.

The Junak immediately created a sensation. Articles, published in among others the "Motor", were calling on instant serious production of the motorcycle. But this was problematic. The Stettin's Metal Part Production Plant, which was to manufacture the Junak, was not prepared for it, lacking vital tools. Initially in 1956 the first 30 motorcycles were made, nearly all by hand. During the next year only 253 Junaks rolled off the production line. In January 1958 WSM took on the name "Szczecin's Motorcycles Factory"(SFM), and began an expansion, in order to produce 20 thousand units of to-wheelers a year. This target was achieved in 1962, producing exactly 20 127 motorcycles.

Still in Poland they were hard to obtain, as export began. Junaks were successfully sold in Bulgaria, Cuba, Mongolia, Venezuela, Uruguay, Turkey, Libya, Syria, Hungary and ... the USA. On the other hand, other motorcycles as Jawa, Izh, Simson and MZ began to flow into Poland.

In the sixty's the Junak got a few variations - a sidecar, a load crate, a cross version - and had a serious facelift. The headlight got a smooth casing, which was integrated with the suspension fork, got a deeper mudguard, more efficient brakes were introduced, the chain was encapsulated and the exhaust changed.

The motorcycle - in a standard version - cost nearly 23 thousand PLZ, and was quite expensive compared with the average salary of 2,5 thousand PLZ. Potential consumers - in their twenties - were making an average of 1500 PLZ. Imported motorcycles were cheaper, and the Junak began to lose national market, although not enough to stop production. Unfortunately the central leadership of PPR decided to shut down SFM. It transformed into the management of the FSO and FSM and began manufacturing of steering controls and transmission valves. In 1964 SFM engineers developed a prototype of a modern motorcycle "Iskra" with a two cylinder engine, but production plans were never implemented. Polish People's Republic gutted a greatly expanding motorcycle industry, because the "Council for Mutual Economic Aid" strategy said so. The two-wheelers were to be in the domain of DDR, Czechoslovakia and USSR...