Post Listing Update: This Californian was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown.
Also known as the ‘Roadster Model 362″, the Jawa Californian was a quirky standard that would be outclassed in a game of Top Trumps against its Japanese competition, but made up for it with eccentric style and features.
The 343cc engine produced 28 horsepower, good for a top speed of about 80 miles per hour – which actually made it more in line with 250cc competitors like the T250 Hustler or RD250. The Jawa weighed more while having less power and a lower redline than the competition, but that all contributed towards less maintenance and a longer service life. This bike had some interesting features including oil injection, a shift lever that rotated backwards to become the kick starter, and an auto-clutch that engaged with pressure against the shift lever, so you didn’t have to pull the clutch lever to shift. For more on the Californian, check out this profile from Motorcycle Classics.
This example spent time in a collection but was ‘brought up to new condition with an open checkbook’ 5 years ago. It comes with a chrome tire pump as well as the owners manual, shop manual, parts manual, and several reference guides. Everything is claimed to work great and it’s supposed to be stock except for an upgraded brake up front (double disc instead of single). Find this Californian for sale in Richland, Michigan with an unmet opening bid of $2,500 or a BIN of $3,500