SFM Junak

Junak is a brand Polish motorcycles, the only four-stroke models produced in Poland between World War II and Revolutions of 1989. The name literally means "brave young man". Produced by Szczecińska Fabryka Motocykli (SFM) (en.: Szczecin Factory Motorcycles) in three variants: M07, M10 and B20.

During the nine years of production, 1956-1965, a total of 91,400 Junak motorcycles were produced. Several models were produced, namely: 10,000 tourist M07, rally M07-R and cross M07-C models, 2500 three-wheeled B20’s, 8500 sidecars type WB1 and W03 while the rest were M10 models. The Junak frame was produced by SFM in Szczecin while the engines were made by ZSM in Łódź. During the transition from model M07 to M10 from 1960 to 1961 about 20,000 M10 models possessed some characteristics of the M07 model such as the headlight housing. These are called the transition or in Polish “przejsciowka” models.

The Junak was designed in 1951-1952 in Biuro Konstrukcyjne Przemysłu Motoryzacyjnego (Automotive Industry Design Bureau) under the leadership of J. Ignatowicz. At that time Junak was superior to many well known motorcycles. This was not surprising since experienced engineers designed the Junak basing their knowledge on T. Rudawski’s group. T. Rudawski was the father of pre WWII Sokół motorcycles, which is also the reason why the Junak engine has many characteristics of the Sokół 600 and 500. The governing system and inconvenient localization of the production line led to difficulties in ensuring quality. The same reasons hindered the production of the newer engines S130, S131, and S132.

At the time of production Junak was a very expensive motorcycle for a common Polish worker. Eventually, a crash in the sales of large motorcycles led to a halt in production in 1965. Junak is called by some “the Polish Harley”, being the heaviest Polish post-war motorcycle, recognized today commonly as a classic in Poland. Despite some of its shortcomings Junak found many fans. Its characteristic exhaust and loud valve train are easily recognized, which is another similarity with the Sokół and the only with the Harley. Half a century later the Junak is still the most advanced Polish motorcycle in the heavy category as no other models were produced.

Since 2010, the company Almot manufactures motors with brand of Junak.

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Wikipedia