Photo ou archives :
1504
IJ
350 Jupiter 3 Model K - 1973
Behind the times
Launched in 1973, the IJ was one of the last Russian motorcycles and was built at the IJ factory at Ijevsk, capital of the autonomous republic of Udmurt, famed since the days of the Tsars for its skills in metalworking.
The First Russian Motorcycle
In 1927 the Ijevsk factory had produced the first Russian motorcycle to be put on the market but large-scale production did not begin until the Second World War, when the first 350, heavily inspired by the design of the German DKW, made its appearance. With a badly developed highway network, poor-quality gas, a severe climate and a technical infrastructure that was behind the rest of Europe, Russia was very poorly placed to develop an up-to-date motorcycle industry.
Virtually an Off-Roader
Its products were certainly not lacking in interest, though they were well behind Western designs technically – the 350 IJ still had a girder fork in 1950. Designed for use on appalling roads, Russian touring motorcycles were endowed with characteristics very close to those of Western trail bikes: generous suspension travel and ample ground clearance, a sidecar, three interchangeable wheels, mudguards worthy of the name, an oil-bath air filter, an oil-tight chain case. There was also, as on the Jawa, a semi-automatic clutch controlled by the gear selector mechanism. A final practical touch: the rider's hands were protected by large mitts.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 347cc (62x58 mm) air-cooled twin-cylinder
Power Rating: 27 hp @ 1600 rpm
Valves: two-stroke
Fuel System: two enclosed 36mm carburetors
Transmission: 4-speed; final drive by enclosed chain
Suspension: telescopic forks (front); spring dampers (rear)
Brakes: 150 mm drum (all wheels)
Wheels: 3.50x18 inch interchangeable (all)
Weight: 348 lb solo, 558 lb with sidecar
Maximum Speed: 70 mph solo, 56 mph with sidecar
Two models used the same frame: the Planeta single-cylinder and this IJ, sold in 1953 at a price equivalent to a 125 twin!