Jawa 350 OHC Prima - a modern interpretation of the same Java

Number of fans motorcycle There are countless Jawas in our country. To be honest, my first bike was a Jawa 350 638. After that, I had to ride different versions, but warm memories of the "Czech" remain to this day. Frankly, at one time I thought that production in the Czech Republic had long since ceased. Until I came across the 350 OHC Prima.


At first it seemed that this was the reincarnation of that very technique, then the eye caught on the outlines of the engine, painfully reminiscent of a Honda unit from the CB400SS model. Then I thought that it was the cunning Chinese who decided to play on the nostalgic feelings of Russian peasants. And miscalculated again. It turned out that the production was organized by the Czechs, though it could not have done without China.

Exterior

Today the market is flooded with cheap Asian-made bikes that don't look good and don't ride well. A faceless mass that performs purely utilitarian functions and delivers a person from point A to point B. With Java, everything is different - it looks amazing. This is a charismatic retro that attracts attention and brings aesthetic pleasure.

The tank has an original shape with massive chromed side trims and nigrips (the so-called rubber inserts) - a detail that immediately makes it clear that close attention has been paid to authenticity. The front and rear fenders are also made in the classic style, they are metal. There is very little plastic in this model, which will be appreciated by those who love the style of the 80-90s of the last century.



Pressed steel side panels with model decal. And above them is a seat with a painfully familiar shape. It requires attention - the stripes on the leatherette are not stitched, but made by embossing. This not only ensures historical accuracy, but is much more practical than thread. Moisture will not penetrate into the filler, if necessary, the surface can even be rinsed with a hose.



The front fork is the same, the rear suspension also looks the same. The trunk was added for practical reasons, but if you want to achieve authenticity, it is better to remove it. Chrome-plated mirrors, instrumentation and headlamp housing blend in with the exterior.

The shape of the exhaust pipes is not inherent in Java, such "banks" with streamlined contours were used on many models, but the Czechs usually put straight, slightly expanding towards the rear, options. It is worth noting that this decision also fits in, although it falls outside the concept of historical accuracy.



The turn signals are Chinese, but the style is not bad, they work fine. Only the rear light causes complaints - it does not look very good in Java, since it does not even remotely resemble the original.

Technical part

Even if the 350 OHC Prima has caused a surge of nostalgia, no one will buy it without sorting out the "technical". And there are many nuances that you should know. It’s worth starting with the fact that problems with the sale of motorcycles from Java in Europe appeared after the tightening of environmental standards. Traditional two-stroke engines did not fit into the norm, which led to the decline of production.

The company decided that it was irrational and expensive to develop their motor from scratch and began to look for a ready-made engine. The best fit was the Honda CB400SS. More precisely, its copy, since the Japanese brand sold the manufacturing technology to one Chinese company, which manufactures them.



The engine has been slightly modified, now instead of the classic carburetor, an injector is used on it, which simplified operation and ensured compliance with environmental standards.



The four-stroke power unit with a timing chain drive, one cylinder and four valves produces 28 hp. There were 29 in the original, but most likely one “horse” was lost during the settings. The bifurcated, non-crossing exhaust ensures the unhindered removal of exhaust gases.



The basis is a steel duplex frame, which is used on many retro models, a pendulum of the same material. The front fork is telescopic, with a simple design without any adjustments.

The front wheel has a diameter of 19 inches, the rear - 18, this is also a classic solution used in old Javas. A drum brake is installed at the rear, a traditional system, but considered obsolete. It works fine, however, you need to press hard so that the cable through the direct drive spreads the pads inside the hub.



The front uses a disc system with a 2-piston floating caliper. Of course, it is difficult to provide precise braking with a design with a rubber hose and one disc, but this is enough for Java.

The Jawa 350 OHC Prima has ABS, sensors and magnetic rings. The system is implemented only for the front circuit, since it is difficult to implement anti-slip in a cable-driven drum brake. This is enough to make driving much more comfortable.

The injector works fine, there are no complaints about it. Except sometimes idle turns off. In this case, you need to turn off the engine, turn off the ignition and press the gas handle all the way, hold for a couple of seconds. This allows you to reset the error and normalize idling.

Features of operation

Everyone who has traveled to Java remembers the characteristic landing - with a straight back and a high steering wheel located close to the driver. In the new model, everything has been preserved, the driving experience is the same, only a trail of bluish smoke does not stretch behind, as from a two-stroke engine.





The front fork works great, the steering is soft and clear. The rear suspension is a little stiff if you ride the bike alone, everything works perfectly with a passenger. Of course, you need to press hard on the rear brakes, but these are more features of the cable-driven drum system, and not a flaw in this model.



The motor is suitable for a bike, confidently pulls from the bottom, there is enough power for such a motorcycle. The five-speed gearbox works well, except that you need to get used to finding the neutral.

It is worth noting the build quality of this engine. Everything is solid and accurate, if it were not for the “Jawa” inscriptions on the crankcase covers, one would think that this is the original Honda. There are no smudges on the connections, everything is clean, as it should be.



Is it real Java? Yes, this is a logical continuation of the line familiar to everyone, which was modernized, leaving all the best that was in the original source. Riding on it brings pleasure, while the performance is normal for its class. And charisma does not hold a bike.

As for prices, they ask for a new copy from 240 to 400 thousand rubles. What caused such a gap is not entirely clear. For the younger generation, it may seem archaic, with an unreasonably high cost. But for connoisseurs, the model will go perfectly, it will allow you to plunge back into the days of youth and get vivid emotions from driving.