Yezdi Roadking
Encyclopedia
The Yezdi Roadking is a motorcycle
produced in India by Ideal Jawa
Ltd, Mysore from 1978 to 1996. The bike was based on the CZ
250 ridden by rider Jaroslav Falta
to the runner-up spot in the 1974 motocross world championship. It was sold under the brand name Yezdi. The bike won several Indian rallies
and road races in India. The bike had a 250 cc engine with twin exhausts
and a semi-automatic clutch
.
of 70 by 64 mm (2.8 by 2.5 ) was retained as it was, but with less power than its Motocross original. The engine block is smaller and different from the Yezdi Classic in appearance. 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.
origins and was built out of square tube. The fork was more pronounced with a higher rake angle and came with adjustable shock absorber
s. 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.
was from CZ which had an over square bore x stroke. Carburetor
s 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 plug
s were of cold type and the bike also featured a semi-automatic or auto clutch
, where a cam inside the gearbox housing automatically activated the clutch through a cam
which is unique to this and other Yezdi models in India. The familiar Jawa-CZ twin exhaust ports made the unmistakable sound when the exhaust flute mufflers and end-cores were removed. Another unique feature of the bike was that the kick-starter and the gear shared the same rod as with all Yezdi models. Once the gear rod is reversed it doubles as a kicker and once started it automatically returns to the original position. The lever has an intenal cam which engages/disengages the clutch when you shift the gear thereby precluding the need for a hand-clutch.
ignition was later replaced in 1993. Until 1989, the RoadKings had a provision for adjusting the front fork dampers.
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.
ignition units were replaced with CDI electronic ignition units. The electrics were changed to 12 volt
from 6 volt. 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 1997.
, 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 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
. During early 1990s FMSCI, the sporting federation of India banned Two wheelers above 120 cc into rallying thus ending its run with motor sports.
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.
Also these motorcycles were used by various police forces around the world, examples being Guatemala, Srilanka etc.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
produced in India by Ideal Jawa
Ideal Jawa
Ideal Jawa Ltd was an Indian motorcycle company based in Mysore, sold licensed Jawa and ČZ motorcycles beginning in 1960 under the brand name Jawa and later Yezdi...
Ltd, Mysore from 1978 to 1996. The bike was based on the CZ
Ceská Zbrojovka Strakonice
Česká zbrojovka is a Czech firearms manufacturer also known for making ČZ motorcycles. ČZ was established as a branch of the Škoda Works Armament in Strakonice, Czechoslovakia in September 1919.-History:...
250 ridden by rider Jaroslav Falta
Jaroslav Falta
Jaroslav Falta is a former motocross racer from the former Czechoslovakia. As a member of the CZ factory racing team, Falta was one of the top motocross racers of the early 1970s in the F.I.M. 250cc motocross World Championships...
to the runner-up spot in the 1974 motocross world championship. It was sold under the brand name Yezdi. The bike won several Indian rallies
Rallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
and road races in India. The bike had a 250 cc engine with twin exhausts
Exhaust system
An exhaust system is usually tubing used to guide reaction exhaust gases away from a controlled combustion inside an engine or stove. The entire system conveys burnt gases from the engine and includes one or more exhaust pipes...
and a semi-automatic clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
.
Origins
The Yezdi Roadking was originally based on 1974 CZ, where the original bore and strokeStroke (engines)
Reciprocating motion, used in reciprocating engines and other mechanisms, is back-and-forth motion. Each cycle of reciprocation consists of two opposite motions: there is a motion in one direction, and then a motion back in the opposite direction. Each of these is called a stroke...
of 70 by 64 mm (2.8 by 2.5 ) was retained as it was, but with less power than its Motocross original. The engine block is smaller and different from the Yezdi Classic in appearance. 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.
Chassis frame
The chassis frame is single frame of motocrossMotocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
origins and was built out of square tube. The fork was more pronounced with a higher rake angle and came with adjustable shock absorber
Shock absorber
A shock absorber is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp shock impulse, and dissipate kinetic energy. It is a type of dashpot.-Nomenclature:...
s. Rims were 16 inches. The motocross and ice racing
Ice racing
Ice racing is a form of racing that uses cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, All-terrain vehicles, or other motorized vehicles. Ice racing takes place on frozen lakes or rivers, or on carefully groomed frozen lots...
origin frame and proper weight balance made handling very easy and agile compared to its rivals in India.
Engine
The cylinder blockCylinder block
A cylinder block is an integrated structure comprising the cylinder of a reciprocating engine and often some or all of their associated surrounding structures...
was from CZ which had an over square bore x stroke. Carburetor
Carburetor
A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
s were either Jikov (tickler choke
Choke valve
A Choke valve is a type of valve designed to create choked flow in a fluid. Over a wide range of valve settings the flow through the valve can be understood by ignoring the viscosity of the fluid passing through the valve; the rate of flow is determined only by the ambient pressure on the upstream...
) or Pacco (press type choke) of which the earlier was exclusively for Roadking, while the latter was used for Classic models. The spark plug
Spark plug
A spark plug is an electrical device that fits into the cylinder head of some internal combustion engines and ignites compressed fuels such as aerosol, gasoline, ethanol, and liquefied petroleum gas by means of an electric spark.Spark plugs have an insulated central electrode which is connected by...
s were of cold type and the bike also featured a semi-automatic or auto clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
, where a cam inside the gearbox housing automatically activated the clutch through a cam
Cam
A cam is a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice-versa. It is often a part of a rotating wheel or shaft that strikes a lever at one or more points on its circular path...
which is unique to this and other Yezdi models in India. The familiar Jawa-CZ twin exhaust ports made the unmistakable sound when the exhaust flute mufflers and end-cores were removed. Another unique feature of the bike was that the kick-starter and the gear shared the same rod as with all Yezdi models. Once the gear rod is reversed it doubles as a kicker and once started it automatically returns to the original position. The lever has an intenal cam which engages/disengages the clutch when you shift the gear thereby precluding the need for a hand-clutch.
CB unit models
The bike was silently launched in India in late 1970s 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 breakerContact breaker
A contact breaker is a type of electrical switch, and the term typically refers to the switching device found in the distributor of the ignition systems of spark-ignition internal combustion engines.-Purpose:...
ignition was later replaced in 1993. Until 1989, the RoadKings had a provision for adjusting the front fork dampers.
Oil King
During late 1970s, another model known as Oil King was also launched which featured an oil pumpOil pump (internal combustion engine)
The oil pump in an internal combustion engine circulates engine oil under pressure to the rotating bearings, the sliding pistons and the camshaft of the engine...
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.
CDI unit models
In 1993, in an effort to increase fuel efficiency and to solve starting problems the CB or contact breakerContact breaker
A contact breaker is a type of electrical switch, and the term typically refers to the switching device found in the distributor of the ignition systems of spark-ignition internal combustion engines.-Purpose:...
ignition units were replaced with CDI electronic ignition units. The electrics were changed to 12 volt
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
from 6 volt. 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 1997.
Monarch
In 1996 Auto Expo Yezdi displayed a model which used the Yezdi 350's twin frame, Roadking engine and a sleeker fueltank. The rims were 18 inch 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. One of the finest engines ever made in the history of Indian motorcycling.In Indian motorsports
In road races at SholavaramSholavaram
Sholavaram, a quiet town 24 km north of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is primarily known for its Lake and the motor racing track.Sholavaram lake is one of the many water bodies that are used as water sources for Chennai....
, 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 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
Jagat and Anita Nanjappa
Jagat and Anita Nanjappa are a well-known couple in the sport of motor racing in India. They belong to the Kodava community and are natives of Kodagu district of Karnataka. They have participated and won many motorbike and car rallies in India. Jagat is usually the driver while his wife Anita dons...
and Thirumal Roy won several victories before switching to Rajdoot Yamaha RD350
Rajdoot 350
The Rajdoot 350, also known as RD 350 where RD stands for 'Road' series of Yamaha but often misunderstood as , was a two-stroke motorcycle made in India by Escorts group from 1983 to 1990....
. During early 1990s FMSCI, the sporting federation of India banned Two wheelers above 120 cc into rallying thus ending its run with motor sports.
In Powergliders
The Roadking engines were a favorite among the Powerglider manufacturers in India. One CoimbatoreCoimbatore
Coimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
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.
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 though it ended up with Ideal Jawa.Also these motorcycles were used by various police forces around the world, examples being Guatemala, Srilanka etc.