In other words, today's weather was really asking for a ride on the Babetta.
I've been sitting in my study since morning, working on my online projects.
Suddenly, I look out the window and see this beauty.
The snow has almost melted, the sun is shining, and the thermometer shows 8 degrees.
A beautiful January day, almost like spring.
An ideal opportunity arose to take the Babetta out for a ride (I have the two-speed 210 version).
I literally always wait for opportunities like this to go for a ride.
Whether it's a warm, sunny day or a fresh snowfall.
Days made for taking the machine out for a spin.
The Babetta is close to my heart, even though many people criticize it because of its two-speed clutches, which often tend to slip.
But honestly, if you do the clutch properly, it will easily last you 10,000 kilometers or more.
A small tip on the clutch of a two-speed Babetta:
It needs to be thoroughly degreased and assembled correctly (don't forget the washers, O-rings, and so on—there are plenty of diagrams online).
Ideally, I replace both the shoes and the drums, oil seals, springs, and belt with new ones.
It costs relatively little (including the drums) and lasts.
Then you always need to top up the gear oil until it starts flowing out of the side drain plug.
Not even a little more, otherwise the oil seal at the drum suffers, bursts, and you end up with oil everywhere; the clutch slips, and the Babetta won't start or shift gears.
If you follow what I wrote above, there's no reason why the clutch shouldn't handle thousands of kilometers.
I did a complete clutch overhaul last summer, rode more than 1,000 km throughout the summer, autumn, and winter, and the Babetta starts and shifts beautifully—an absolute joy.
I started learning to ride the Babetta when I was 14.
Before I got my motorcycle license—A1—at 16.
I remember those days when my best friend Dušan and I would ride it together, and quite often we'd lay it down too :D.
The beginnings are always difficult.
Jawa is simply Jawa, and nothing compares to it.
I won't drag this out; I'll write a separate article about my history sometime.
If anyone is interested, check out the videos on my YouTube channel, where I film us putting back together and renovating an old 1965 Jawa/ČZ 175 470 Sport.
I found it as a complete wreck, and soon it will be an absolute showpiece :).
A few more photos and a video from today's ride:
