The ČZ 350 typ 472 is a Czech air-cooled two-stroke twin of 343.47 cc, built in Česká zbrojovka in Strakonice from 1976. With a four-speed gearbox operated by foot, it was made for export to Poland, Hungary and above all the Soviet Union, and it was never sold in Czechoslovakia itself.
ČZ 350 typ 472 at a glance
| Maker | Česká zbrojovka, Strakonice |
|---|---|
| Model | ČZ 350 typ 472 |
| Production | 1976–1993 |
| Engine | air-cooled two-stroke twin, 343.47 cc |
| Engine type | ČZM n.p. Strakonice typ 634, as in the Jawa 350/634 |
| Gearbox | four-speed, foot shift |
| Main markets | Poland, Hungary, Soviet Union |
| USA version | green, separate lubrication, dural rims |
| Home market | not sold in Czechoslovakia |
| Sidecar | not factory-adapted for a sidecar |
| Last version | 472.6, 1986–1993, 12 V and 150 W alternator |
| Character | tuned for sport rather than for towing |
The typ 472 is described only in the Czech Wikipedia; this article is based on that page and on the model list in the article about the Strakonice works.
History of the ČZ 350 typ 472
The 350 typ 472 appeared in 1976, when Česká zbrojovka in Strakonice was building motorcycles for the export markets of the socialist bloc. The twin was produced for Poland, Hungary and especially the countries of the former Soviet Union; in Czechoslovakia it was not sold at all, even though many enthusiasts regard it as the best motorcycle built there in the 1980s.
The engine came from ČZM n.p. Strakonice, type 634, the same unit used in the legendary Jawa 350/634 known as the Konopnice. The difference was in the tuning: the ČZ 350/472 was set up for sport rather than for the Jawa’s role, and unlike the Jawa it was not adapted at the factory for a sidecar. A green version with separate engine lubrication and dural rims was exported to the United States.
The individual types were revised continuously, and the changes differed according to the country of export, so machines of a single year could vary considerably. The 472.0 of 1976 was followed by the 472.3 of 1977, sent to the Soviet Union in orange with black lines. The 472.4 of 1978 brought a 160 mm headlamp, a different rear brake lever and a larger tank filler, and some were painted dark red. In 1982 the 472.5 gained an 18-litre tank, a larger dual seat, a reinforced front fork with a modified front mudguard and mountings for crash bars. The final 472.6 of 1986–1993 replaced the dynamo with a 150 W alternator, raised the system voltage to 12 V, used an aluminium rear swingarm and added a tachometer to the instrument panel. Production ran until 1993.
Design and features
- Export-only twin: a 343.47 cc air-cooled two-stroke built for Poland, Hungary and the USSR, never offered in Czechoslovakia.
- Jawa-derived engine: the ČZM type 634 unit of the Jawa 350/634, tuned for a sportier character and without sidecar adaptation.
- Steady development: six versions between 1976 and 1993, with bigger tanks, stronger forks, crash bars and finally a 12 V electrical system.
- American variant: a green machine with separate lubrication and dural rims for the USA.
ČZ 350 typ 472 versions
- 472.0 (1976): the first production version.
- 472.3 (1977): for the Soviet Union, orange with black lines.
- 472.4 (1978): 160 mm headlamp, new rear brake lever, larger tank filler, some in dark red.
- 472.5 (1982): 18-litre tank, larger dual seat, reinforced fork, modified front mudguard, crash-bar mountings.
- 472.6 (1986–1993): 150 W alternator, 12 V, aluminium rear swingarm, tachometer.
- USA version: green paint, separate lubrication, dural rims.
The 472 shared its engine with the Jawa 350/634 but had its own character among the ČZ motorcycles; the smaller roadsters of the range are the ČZ 250 typ 455 and the ČZ 175 typ 450.
Video: Jawa ČZ 350 472.5 1981
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- ČZ 350 typ 472, Czech Wikipedia: dates, engine, versions, export markets
- Česká zbrojovka Strakonice, Czech Wikipedia: company history, model list
