A unique Czechoslovak's police motorcyle called Nanuk
For some reason since we seeing its shape in the virtual sphere some time ago, We were very interested to know more about this classic and unique motorcycle from the Czech Republic. The motorcycle in question named Jawa 350 Type 354 'Nanuk'.
Jawa 350 Type 354 'Nanuk' as the SNB's transportation authority in the 1960s. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Nc8u6o)
The motorcycle made by Jawa (or Jawa Týnec nad Sázavou), a well-known motorcycle manufacturer from the Czech Republic since an engineer named František Janeček bought the Wanderer motorcycle division and got the license to produce Wanderer 500 OHV under the brand of Jawa in 1929.
Meanwhile, Wanderer itself is a motorcycle division from a German manufacturer named Winklhofer & Jaenicke which was bought by Janiček. So the name of the Prague-based manufacturer is taken by concatenating the first letters of JAneček and WAnderer.
Jawa 350 Type 354 'Nanuk' built by Jawa (or Jawa Týnec nad Sázavou), a well-known motorcycle manufacturer from the Czech Republic in the early 1960s (1961-1964). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2YcwCMw)
Back to Jawa Nanuk, and why this unique two-wheeled vehicle is called 'Nanuk' (means 'popsicle') due to indeed its looks from front fascia resembles the popsicle. The unique-shaped motorcycle began to be produced by Jawa in the early 1960s (1961-1964) and was built based on the well-known Jawa 350 type 354.
Jawa 350 Type 354 'Nanuk' built based on the well-known Jawa 350 motorcycle model. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2YMttC4)
It was a motorcycle designed for the SNB's transportation authority at the time, by considering the complexity of services on motorbikes. For the reason, this motorcycle is given a combination of white and blue, as the SNB vehicle color differentiation (SNB: the Sbor Národní Bezpečnosti, or National Security Corps or the Czechoslovakia national police from 1945 to 1991 when the Czech Republic still merged into one country with neighboring Slovakia under the Czechoslovak's socialist government).
The instrument panel on the handlebar of the Jawa 350 Type 354 'Nanuk'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2YcwCMw)
Besides coming up with a distinctive NSB color as mentioned earlier, it turns out some units of this motorcycle are also given a combination of white and red. As quoted from Idnes.cz, the motorcycles (estimated 8-10 units) with this color combination was used for the NSB unit that was guarding the palace where the leader of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev stayed while visited the country in August 1964.
The radio communication equipment attached inside the Jawa 350 Type 354 'Nanuk' side casing. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Naodma)
Furthermore, the physical uniqueness of the Nanuk Jawa motorbike is largely formed by its large-size plexiglass fairings that cover both sides to half the body. These fairings fully protect the rider's feet from the wind.
Jawa 350 Type 354 'Nanuk' uses a 344 cc 2-stroke, 2-cylinder engine capable of producing power of 18 hp at 5,000 rpm. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2YcwCMw)
While on the front there is a round headlight that looks like a torpedo protruding out from behind the windshield. At a glance reminds us of the headlight of the Čezeta 501 or 502 scooters made by other Czech manufacturers. While on the back, there is also a large side casing that makes it possible to install a radio.
Jawa 350 Type 354 'Nanuk' in another color-scheme white-red and used for the NSB unit that was guarding the palace where the leader of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev stayed while visited the country in August 1964. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2YcwCMw)
To support the Java 350 type 354 "Nanuk" performance, so the manufacturer installed a 344 cc 2-stroke, 2-cylinder engine capable of producing power of 18 hp at 5,000 rpm. The power is capable of making the 352 kg weighted motorcycle running up to a top speed of 130 kph with fuel consumption of 4.21 liters/100 km. Then the tank capacity is capable of storing gasoline as much as 13 liters.
Jawa 350 Type 354 'Nanuk' able to run up to a top speed of 130 kph with fuel consumption of 4.21 liters/100 km. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2US17oU)
It is unknown how many Nanuk has been produced by the Czech manufacturer? Now for sure, the remaining motorcycles have become a rare item that is the most sought after by the world's motorcycle collectors.
And if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to this marque, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article.
The motorcycle made by Jawa (or Jawa Týnec nad Sázavou), a well-known motorcycle manufacturer from the Czech Republic since an engineer named František Janeček bought the Wanderer motorcycle division and got the license to produce Wanderer 500 OHV under the brand of Jawa in 1929.
