| Origins | | | | but still its competitors were getting better and with |
| The Yezdi Roadking was originally based on 1974 | | | | rising fuel prices the sales plummeted down until finally |
| CZ,where the original bore x stroke of 70 mm x | | | | it ceased operations in 1999. |
| 64 mm was retained as it was, but with less power | | | | Monarch |
| than its Motocross original. The engine block is smaller | | | | In 1996 Auto Expo Yezdi displayed a model which |
| and different from the Yezdi Classic in appearance. | | | | used the Yezdi 350's twin frame, Roadking engine and |
| Also the CZ original had the famous Porcupine Head | | | | a sleeker fueltank. The rims were 19 inches as |
| while the same was used only in initial models, later | | | | opposed to the regular 16 inch. However, it sold only |
| reverted to regular straight fin design. The cylinder | | | | few numbers. Although some attribute its low sales |
| block (Type 980.5) was from CZ. | | | | volume to the company's need to get rid of the |
| Chassis frame | | | | additional Yezdi 350 frames that remained in the |
| The chassis frame is single frame of motocross | | | | factory after the twin model was stopped. However |
| origins and was built out of square tube. The fork was | | | | this is disputed. One of the finest engines ever made in |
| more pronounced with a higher rake angle and came | | | | the history of indian motorcycling. |
| with adjustable shock absorbers. Rims were 16 inches. | | | | Sale on Premium |
| The motocross and ice racing origin frame and proper | | | | This was the only bike in India to sell on premium for |
| weight balance made handling very easy and agile | | | | foreign currency, you would get a bike only if you paid |
| compared to its rivals in India. | | | | $300 in American dollars and not even if you paid the |
| Engine | | | | equvilant in Indian rupees. |
| The cylinder block was from CZ which had an over | | | | In Indian motorsports |
| square bore x stroke. Carburetors were either Jikov | | | | In road races at Sholavaram, it ran in its own 250 cc |
| (tickler choke) or Pacco (press type choke) of which | | | | class while in the Indian open class category its main |
| the earlier was exclusively for Roadking, while the | | | | rival was Enfield Bullet and later the much more |
| latter was used for Classic models. The spark plugs | | | | powerful Rajdoot 350. Power was usually increased |
| were of cold type and the bike also featured a | | | | to 25 plus bhp or beyond for Group E categories |
| semi-automatic or auto clutch, where a cam inside the | | | | where the engine was bored up till 300 cc and the |
| gearbox housing automatically activated the clutch | | | | engine was over-engineered in stock trim. In track |
| through a cam which is unique to this and other Yezdi | | | | racing the most famous was C.K.Chinnappa and |
| models in India. The familiar Jawa-CZ twin exhaust | | | | Somendar Singh. |
| ports made the unmistakable sound when the exhaust | | | | In rallies the rallyist couple Jagat and Anita Nanjappa |
| flute mufflers and end-cores were removed. Another | | | | and Thirumal Roy won several victories before |
| unique feature of the bike was that the kick-starter | | | | switching to Rajdoot Yamaha RD350. Later, in 1991 |
| and the gear shared the same rod as with all Yezdi | | | | both the bikes were banned from rallying, but the ban |
| models. Once the gear rod is reversed it doubles as a | | | | was briefly lifted in 1996, when Rajdoot 350 went out |
| kicker and once started it automatically returns to the | | | | of production. During those later seasons TVS Suzuki |
| original position. | | | | had its own factory team with Supra and Shogun, |
| Models and types | | | | while Team MRF had several Escorts Yamaha RX |
| CB unit models | | | | 100's in the fray. But still one or two privateers took it |
| The bike was silently launched in India in late '70s by | | | | to as high as second position during the events and |
| Ideal Jawa and was a rare sight even in those days. | | | | setting some fastest stage times. |
| The bike had a prominent petrol/fuel tank and the | | | | World Record: First, Fastest over six continents |
| colour was Jawa Maroon and sometimes in black and | | | | Deepak Kamath (25) and G.H.Basavaraj (34) of |
| gold pinstripe, priced slightly higher than the best selling | | | | Bangalore covered 42,038 km over six continents on |
| Classic and CL II models. The troublesome contact | | | | their Yezdi Roadking motorcycle in an expedition called |
| breaker ignition was later replaced in 1993. Till 1989 the | | | | "The Yezdi Castrol Continental Ride". Their expedition |
| RoadKings had a provision for adjusting the front fork | | | | began on 8 October 1994 and ended on 3rd Feb 1995. |
| dampers. | | | | Though the total number of days was 119 days, the |
| Oil King | | | | actual riding time was 47 days. Thus they became the |
| During late 70s another model known as Oil King was | | | | first to circumnavigate the globe in the shortest period |
| also launched which featured a oil pump for the 2T | | | | of time. |
| mix with petrol but later production ceased. The | | | | In Powergliders |
| prominent protrusion of the left hand side gearbox | | | | The Roadking engines were a favorite among the |
| housing was the original location for the pump. Though | | | | Powerglider manufacturers in India. One Coimbatore |
| the model was discontinued the engine casing found its | | | | based manufacturer headed by late motor racing |
| way into the Road King and hence all Road Kings | | | | legend S.Karivardhan manufactured and exported |
| have this protrusion even though the oil pump was not | | | | several Powergliders using Roadking engines with |
| housed there anymore. | | | | aluminium heads, K & N filters and sleeved bore. |
| Cdi unit models | | | | Further developments |
| In 1993, in an effort to increase fuel efficiency and to | | | | As a result of power glider efforts, Somendar Singh in |
| solve starting problems the CB or contact breaker | | | | 1996 developed a refined engine with aluminium engine |
| ignition units were replaced with Cdi electronic ignition | | | | with increased power and fuel efficiency and was |
| units. The electrics were changed to 12 volts from 6 | | | | featured in Car & Bike magazine. But the design |
| volts. The livery was also changed with some new | | | | was never put into production even though it ended up |
| graphics. The fuel efficiency was increased by 30%, | | | | with Ideal Jawa. |