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: DAS 614
Frame No: LPPBBAM0X1F6F0583
MOT: Exempt
An extremely rare machine outside of its native China
British-registered since 2001 but seldom, if ever, used on the road
A guaranteed head-turner at any classic motorcycle rally
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 fascinating and very rare CJ750 M1M was first registered in Britain in 2001 and has been in single ownership since 2018, but it appears to have received little, if any, use on British roads. It was possibly one of several dozen Chang Jiangs imported by John Lawes in the early 2000s. It has not been submitted for an MOT test in the last 20 years and the odometer displays only 66km (41 miles), suggesting that the bike has been restored before being placed on long-term static display. Such an unusual machine would generate much interest at shows, used recently and running well. A V5c will need to be applied for, but is on the system.
** 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)
