Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 27th October from 1pm
Auction: Wed 28th October from 10am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
Registration No: Un-Registered
Frame No: Not Seen
MOT: Exempt
The China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation was founded in 1951, and later in the decade it branched out into motorcycle production using the name Chang Jiang (a Chinese name for the Yangtze River). Production started circa 1958 with the CJ750 M1, a close copy of the Soviet-made IMZ M-72, which was itself a copy of the pre-war BMW R71, hence the drivetrain comprised a 746cc four-stroke, sidevalve flat-twin and shaft-drive. The original M1 had six-volt electrics and a kick-starter, but the M1M was updated with 12-volt electrics and an electric starter, plus the addition of a reverse gear. There was also the M1S, which had the extra features of the M1M, plus overhead valves. Production of the CJ750 continued into the 1980s, but very few made it outside China.
This Chang Jiang CJ750 with sidecar is a very rare sight in Great Britain. It was possibly brought over by John Lawes, who imported several dozen during the early 2000s. It has never received a British registration, although the combination has clearly been well-used in a past life and would benefit from a degree of restoration. A very characterful and probably one-of-a-kind machine in the United Kingdom, it would make a very worthwhile project.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
