Founded by Janeček in the Czech Republic in 1929, Jawa Motors produced motorcycles after the purchase of the German Wanderer Automobile Manufacturer.
Although their first model was an 18 horsepower 500 cc motorcycle, this was a very successful model and soon became a high priced gem in the European car market.
Jawa also produced cars from 1934 until the start of the war. Although the Jawa Automobile production ended with the war, several cars were still made between 1944 and 1945 out of left over parts in Jawa's factory.
Chang Jiang, a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer made replicas based on Jawas design as well as Vespa.
Jawa also has an Indian line under the name of Ideal Jawa, and today still makes these fine motorcycles.
While Jawa Motorcycles are still produced today, several important things happened during the political breakdown of the former Czechoslovakia. The division of Jawa that made speed bikes got separated from the standard street bikes division and are maintained in their now separated countries.
Jawa still makes an unchanged 350 cc two-stroke motorcycle since its first production over 60 years ago and although their speed bikes are still very popular, the consumer level motorcycles are mostly now just replicas of Honda 125 cc and Honda 50 cc motorcycles.
Original Authors: Nicholas
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 07/06/2008
