June 1, 2004
March 14, 2004
11/10/03
10/22/03
10/4/03
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This
is a very special Chang Jiang. To the best of my or
anyone else's knowledge, it's the only CJ750 that has
ever been restored as a proper, vintage Chinese bike. The
earliest Changs replaced Russian M72s which were abundant
in China before the CJ went into production. When the CJ
was introduced in 1957, there were stocks of M72 parts on
hand in China. Many of the early CJ750s were built using
a mixture of CJ and M72 parts. Chang Jiangs were serviced
with M72 replacement parts for many years after as
everything interchanged. (Remember, the CJ750 is a copy
of the M72... which is a copy of the BMW R71.)
Gerald Gardebled has recreated one
of those early bikes using vintage parts almost entirely.
And here is the result. Gerald has a bit more to do
before he considers the restoration complete. He plans to
replace the exhaust system with something a bit more
appropriate, same with the high beam switch and a couple
other minor details.As you can see, this is a wonderful
bike. My favorite details include the Chinese
speedometer, the IMZ logo on the gas tank, the outside
fender bracing on the sidecar frame and the externally
routed wiring with fabric insulation. Of course, there
are dozens of other interesting features on this bike,
most of which are pictured and listed here.
The ratty old bike in the first three images served as
the platform for this project. The transformation into
the machine you see pictured below it is nothing short of
amazing. Nice work indeed, Gerald.
Rims: 1993 PLA
Hubs:
Two from a 1993 PLA bike and two NOS PLA issue from the
early 1990s
Spokes:
PLA issue from the 1960s
Three wheel
axles: PLA issue from 1960s & 1970s
Wheel
bearings: Sealed type, German made FAG
Tires:
Long March brand, 1970s PLA stock, and two Jing
Shi, also PLA stock
Inner tubes:
2001 PLA issue
Bike &
sidecar frames: 1950s vintage M72
Engine:
1953 M72
Cylinders:
Early 1970s China
Pistons:
1993 short skirt, Type I
Engine
bearings: German FAG
Carburetors:
2003, standard CJ
Distributor:
Russian, 1952
Points:
Chinese, 1966
Condenser:
Chinese, early 1980s
Generator:
1980s PLA issue
Frame tool box
frame: Chinese, late 1960s
Rear fender:
PLA issue, early 1960s, reflector, wiring on the right
side
Sidecar fender:
Chinese, 2002 but modified to look almost exactly like a
1960s model.
Wire clips on
fenders: 1960s
Front fender:
Early 1970s Chinese with early CJ/M72 brackets.
Sidecar
bucket: Chinese 2001, 100% original, same as
used on PLA bikes.
Wooden duck
board inside the bucket: Russian, early CJ/M72
Gearbox:
1966 Type I with Type II CJ gears and German-made FAG
bearings.
Cables:
Early 1960-70s PLA issue
Forks:
CJ and M72 parts from 1960-70s
Final drive:
Standard Chinese PLA issue from the 1990s
Saddle rubber:
Rear—M72, 1960s, Front—1980s CJ
Saddle
brackets: Chinese, 1970-80s
Tank:
M72, 1950s Russian-made by IMZ. Has built-in air filter
Hand grips:
Left—1960s PLA, Right—1970s PLA issue
Headlight:
Type I with Type I ignition switch, early 1960s
Light and horn
switch: Type II, Chinese made, 1970
Levers:
PLA issue from the 1960s
Handlebar:
PLA issue from the 1990
Mirror:
PLA issue from the 1960s
Wiring:
Vintage fabric insulation as used on all early CJs,
Chinese made
Voltage
regulator: Chinese made, PLA issue, 1986
Foot rest
rubber: Chinese made, PLA issue, 1970s
Brake switch:
Chinese made, vintage style
Horn:
Chinese made, standard on CJ until the late 1980s
Headlamp bulb
& socket: Chinese made, 1969 PLA issue
Steering
bearings: Roller tapered, Japanese made
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Gerald
Gardebled's Alpha Project