Czech it Out

Czech Army Jawa 350s

Winter Is Coming

Soviet IZH Planeta 4

Graphic Novel

Just arrived today, my signed copy of the new graphic novel version of ‘Stealing Speed’ by Mat Oxley.

The original book is no longer available new except as an e-book, and second-hand versions change hands for silly amounts of money on eBay and Amazon. I was lucky enough to get a copy a few years ago and it’s an enthralling read. Part Cold-War thriller, part motorcycle history.

For those who don’t know the story, MZ works rider Ernst Degner defected to the West at the height of his battle for the 1961 world championship and sold MZ’s winning two-stroke engine secrets to Suzuki, while his wife and children were smuggled through the newly built Berlin Wall.

The following year Suzuki and Degner made history by winning the two-stroke’s first world championship and Japan was on its way to conquering the world of motorcycling.

It’s strange, I am a big fan of MZ motorcycles and the UK riders club continues to play a large part of my social life and the reaction of most of the club members I’ve spoken to is less cheering Degner for his escape from under communism and the subsequent thumbing of the nose by the Japanese, and more one of annoyance that he could do that to Walter Kaaden and the rest of his team mates and deprive MZ of their world championship. Not sure I can really blame the man for taking his opportunity for himself and his family, though.

Sadly, in the end it didn’t quite work out for him personally, and MZ as a racing power never quite recovered.

Original book cover

I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in that late 60s period and in motorcycles generally.

Mat Oxley's website can be found here 

Mat Oxley's books can be bought from here 

In The Army Now

Some nice period photos of the MZ TS250 NVA used by the army of the former East Germany (DDR). The military variant had a number of differences to the one in civilian use.

Over The Sea

Crossing the border is simplicity itself. No barriers, no guards, no passporst etc.

A week or so ago I made my annual trip to the Republic of Ireland for the MZ Riders Club rally there.

MZ TS250s

ex-Belgian police ETZ250 with an estimated 350,000 km on the clock

As in previous years there were a goodly number of Royal Enfields present, as it seems that many of those who like MZs and Jawas also like the simplicity of Royal Enfields.

Continental GT & 500 Bullet

350 & 500 Bullets

military 500 Bullet

In addition there was a lovely little Jawa 350 and, my personal favourite, a Ural 650 sidecar outfit.

It wouldn’t be an MZ rally if someone wasn’t dismantling their bike on site. In this instance the rear shock on this TS250 decided to dismantle itself en-route. So, out with the spanners, and wasn’t there a huge selection?

The evenings sorted them selves out, as these things usually do, with music and the odd beer or two.

Mick & Sean providing some tunes

this doesn't sound quite so bad in Ireland

So, until next year then. Actually, this is one of my favourite things about motorcycle events. You can make plans for twelve months hence and no one thinks it odd.

beautiful Norton which looked like it had just rolled off the production line