Rajdoot 175cc 1969 (Cekop/SHL M11)

[insaneinsaan]

This thread is going to be dedicated to an unsung hero of Indian heritage bikes. The OLD Rajdoot, assembled (I believe) from parts made in Poland.
I just acquired a fine specimen from Kolhapur, with papers and all the formalities and it's a beauty.
For weeks before actually getting the bike, I was lusting after these pics (poor quality as they are).
And today morning it arrived, and is finally MINE! ALL MINE!

Meanwhile, I started the search for parts weeks ago, but heard from most places that people don't even bother to make repro parts.

However engine parts are largely similar to all other Rajdoot models, so I'm not too worried about those.

It's the body parts and cosmetic parts that I was worried about. Today however, I decided to just have a look in a good spares shop nearby, and was shocked to find a substantial portion of the items I wanted.

Including: Steering lock, kick rubber, monogram, petrol tap, Tank cover and lock, Speedo Cable, Speedo worm/drive (metal), and marvel of marvels, TANK RUBBER PADS!!!!! For the round tank (how I danced with joy)!

I was SO sure I'd have to order those from Poland, where these bikes are still popular, known as model "SHL M11". Check out youtube for videos.

There still are some rare parts I'm trying for, like the crest on the Headlight for surrounding the ignition lock (It had been fitted onto mine, as the holes testify, but not there now, alas). Then of course, levers, Polish stock original headlight, better quality newly made rubber parts, a switch, mudflaps, and importantly, a user manual.

Here are pics of some of the most wanteds:

Os?onka stacyjki WSK SHL JUNAK nowa chrom !!!!!!! (1038126896) - Aukcje internetowe Allegro

klamki shl m11 (1029955891) - Aukcje internetowe Allegro

NOWA LAMPA TYLNA JUNAK SHL WFM WSK SUPER JAKOSC (1030470735) - Aukcje internetowe Allegro

Thank God for Google Translate!

Thanks trammway for sharing pics! I really like your bike, in spite of the replaced headlight. Could you post the pics up here? They're anyway better quality than mine.

I'm a little envious of a few of your bike's parts: aluminium levers, and the nice legshield. I will look into the possibility of a round headlight for you, but chances are slim here. Have you considered copying it? Or is it not practical? Actually they are available freely in Poland, and cheap too. But I've been unable to surpass the communication barrier. Allegro.pl - aukcje internetowe, bezpieczne zakupy is sort of a Polish eBay with lots of SHL stuff, albeit only open to Poles, without facilities to accept International payments :-(

Another interesting fact is in INDIA only, these bikes originally sold with a vespa VBB looking taillight (made entirely of plastic), which is super rare today, as it never came in later rajdoots, and was delicate. Luckily I have one (which I'll have to guard with my life!) but I really feel the need for having a spare, just in case.

Anyway, I will be restoring this bike very slowly, since the engine runs great, and I first want to get used to riding it, with its quirks. Till then, I'd be very grateful for any help in getting any of the parts I need, including bits and pieces I haven't mentioned for lack of a user manual!

Cheers
Shirish

[chanu]

Congratulations Sir!! I can sense your joy from here. Infact your lucky starts are glowing and you got all what you wanted. I also have a 1978 i guess Rajdoot with round tank but I am not sure they have tank pads as there is no groove. The bike was restored or rather rescued from a scrap merchant with papers. I have kept her aside and wanted to restore but I thing I wouldnt be able to do it as there are few other cars and bike which are priority for me.

The bike which I was intrested was WFM made in Poland and to my luck or bad luck i missed out a very original bike for 12000/-. Wish you good luck for your restoration and I'm sure she will come out brand new.

[powertwin]

Originally Posted by insaneinsaan

This thread is going to be dedicated to an unsung hero of Indian heritage bikes. The OLD Rajdoot, assembled (I believe) from parts made in Poland.

And today morning it arrived, and is finally MINE! ALL MINE

Including: Steering lock, kick rubber, monogram, petrol tap, Tank cover and lock, Speedo Cable, Speedo worm/drive (metal), and marvel of marvels, TANK RUBBER PADS!!!!! For the round tank (how I danced with joy)!

I was SO sure I'd have to order those from Poland, where these bikes are still popular, known as model "SHL M11". Check out youtube for videos.



Thanks trammway for sharing pics! I really like your bike, in spite of the replaced headlight. Could you post the pics up here? They're anyway better quality than mine.


Another interesting fact is in INDIA only, these bikes originally sold with a vespa VBB looking taillight (made entirely of plastic), which is super rare today, as it never came in later rajdoots, and was delicate. Luckily I have one (which I'll have to guard with my life!)

Cheers
Shirish

Congratulations !! for getting this beauty.
About tail light of your Rajdoot: The lens will be like of 1970's Jawa & not like Vespa VBB or VBA.
please PM your address I 'll send you the original Rajdoot Lens( if possible a couple), You can have take this one also to your safe vault!!
Few facts about your RD 175:
If it was a Polish parts built machine, then for sure,it will bear "WFM" instead of Rajdoot in the timing cover.
( WFM is nothing but warshak Motor Factory)
since your bike is ' 69, sure almost everything (parts) would have been developed in India by Escorts.
"60 s Jawa Brake & clutch levers will almost look alike of your Rd 175.

[powertwin]

Originally Posted by powertwin

Congratulations !! for getting this beauty.
About tail light of your Rajdoot: The lens will be like of 1970's Jawa & not like Vespa VBB or VBA.
please PM your address I 'll send you the original Rajdoot Lens( if possible a couple), You can have take this one also to your safe vault!!
Few facts about your RD 175:
If it was a Polish parts built machine, then for sure,it will bear "WFM" instead of Rajdoot in the timing cover.
( WFM is nothing but "Warszawska Fabryka Motocyklowa ") or Warshak Motor Factory in simple English !!
since your bike is ' 69, sure almost everything (parts) would have been developed in India by Escorts.
"60 s Jawa Brake & clutch levers will almost look alike of your Rd 175.

look out for those seat bottom edge aluminum beedings, which are exclusive for these models only or just fab one

[lambrttacollect]

HI i also have 1965 rajdoot all complete original clean bike.

[aargee]

Whoa!!! a neighbor of mine has a 67 Rajdoot 175 that looks almost similar to this, but red in color. He expressed his interest to start a restoration with me & I didn't have clue to kick start. Now that you've shown us what you've, I'll be bugging you, hope you don't mind helping me.

PS - I still love the sound of my neighbor's motorcycle, very awesome to hear.

[Mpower]

Hey didn't these things have a square headlight?

My Physics teacher had one

[manishalive]

Originally Posted by Mpower

Hey didn't these things have a square headlight?

My Physics teacher had one

Those were the later models .

[insaneinsaan]

Ok, here's a nice video on youtube

YouTube - SHL M-11

showing the original Polish model (SHL M11) and the sound, tank rubbers (I found the same type pair!) and the original Polish headlight and taillight. The only part I miss on this is the beautiful chrome surrounding the ignition key nut on the headlight. My bike also had this.

Originally Posted by powertwin

look out for those seat bottom edge aluminum beedings, which are exclusive for these models only or just fab one

Hey powertwin,
Which beadings? Do you mean rivets? I'm not sure which part you're referring to...

Originally Posted by lambrttacollect

HI i also have 1965 rajdoot all complete original clean bike.

Great! Can we see some pics?

Originally Posted by aargee

Whoa!!! a neighbor of mine has a 67 Rajdoot 175 that looks almost similar to this, but red in color. He expressed his interest to start a restoration with me & I didn't have clue to kick start. Now that you've shown us what you've, I'll be bugging you, hope you don't mind helping me.

PS - I still love the sound of my neighbor's motorcycle, very awesome to hear.

Yes I love the sound too. It's a very authentic vintage sound, not too ostentatious.

Originally Posted by chanu

Congratulations Sir!! I can sense your joy from here. Infact your lucky stars are glowing and you got all what you wanted. I also have a 1978 i guess Rajdoot with round tank but I am not sure they have tank pads as there is no groove. The bike was restored or rather rescued from a scrap merchant with papers. I have kept her aside and wanted to restore but I thing I wouldnt be able to do it as there are few other cars and bike which are priority for me.

The bike which I was intrested was WFM made in Poland and to my luck or bad luck i missed out a very original bike for 12000/-. Wish you good luck for your restoration and I'm sure she will come out brand new.

Thanks Chanu! Whenever you have the time, post some pics of your bike too... unless your selling it of course, in which case, PM me

Originally Posted by powertwin

Congratulations !! for getting this beauty.
About tail light of your Rajdoot: The lens will be like of 1970's Jawa & not like Vespa VBB or VBA.
please PM your address I 'll send you the original Rajdoot Lens( if possible a couple), You can have take this one also to your safe vault!!
Few facts about your RD 175:
If it was a Polish parts built machine, then for sure,it will bear "WFM" instead of Rajdoot in the timing cover.
( WFM is nothing but Warsaw Motor Factory)
since your bike is ' 69, sure almost everything (parts) would have been developed in India by Escorts.
"60 s Jawa Brake & clutch levers will almost look alike of your Rd 175.

Thanks Powertwin!

I guess you're right, mine does have the Rajdoot marking on the engine casings. Still, no matter!

I've posted pics of the original SHL levers, which I hope to get one day. They look very classic without ball ends and in a shiny aluminium finish (black looks relatively boring on this model). I believe even the lever supports are different, they seem to have 2 screws instead of the one screw on mine.

I was lucky to get the original Polish headlight glass, but the rim is a little damaged.. would love to get a new one, but it's not available here.

Can anyone advise me if it would it be okay to get the silencer chromed, or would it compromise it too much? This is my first motorcycle, so I have no personal experience, although some people have told me that the metal gets too thin.

I would be open to buying a new silencer if anyone nows a good source!

Yesterday I took it for a spin, and being completely unfamiliar with the motorcycle, kept thinking the gears were 1-up, 2-down, and finding the bike going off, realized that it's one down two up! Anyway I got used to it. But my tank being dirty and rusty inside, it odten gets the petrol tap clogged. Would galvanizing be the best option for me? Or painting the internals?

Thanks!

[insaneinsaan]

A few more pictures I forgot to add to the last post - showing levers, Polish Taillight, aluminium light switch and the original headlight glass.

Anyone going to Poland?? :-P

[insaneinsaan]

Oh the size of the lever pic was too big that's why it failed to attach. I didn't notice it till now. I resized the pic, and here they are.

[insaneinsaan]

Originally Posted by aargee

Whoa!!! a neighbor of mine has a 67 Rajdoot 175 that looks almost similar to this, but red in color. He expressed his interest to start a restoration with me & I didn't have clue to kick start. Now that you've shown us what you've, I'll be bugging you, hope you don't mind helping me.

PS - I still love the sound of my neighbor's motorcycle, very awesome to hear.

Hi aargee,
Why don't you tell your friend to get in touch with me directly? I will pm you my number. I'm sure we can help each other to procure stuff. In case he needs parts that I have, I can try and fabricate them from the original (in case of body parts) and vice versa. As for engine parts it shouldn't be very difficult. What does he need to get going?

[insaneinsaan]

Does anyone know if this model will use the same speedometer worm/cable assembly as a newer Rajdoot? Also my mechanic told me some sort of "patti" or "worm lock" was missing, and without this part, even though I have the worm (both pcs), cable, and speedometer itself, it will not work without this part. What do you suppose he is talking about exactly?
Also, the ranger petrol tap I purchased is not fitting... Can anyone get the correct one for this model??
@powertwin, eager to check out your taillight, am wondering what it looks like!

[aargee]

Originally Posted by insaneinsaan

Hi aargee,
Why don't you tell your friend to get in touch with me directly? I will pm you my number. I'm sure we can help each other to procure stuff. In case he needs parts that I have, I can try and fabricate them from the original (in case of body parts) and vice versa. As for engine parts it shouldn't be very difficult. What does he need to get going?

Thanks for the offer insaan; my neighbor is a 70 yrs old young man & I'm sure he'll do nothing other than riding his beauty. So I've to run around & get things for him; besides he only knows to ride & nothing else. Anyway, I'll suggest him what you said, its upto him whether he need to talk to you directly or not. At this point, I'm not sure whether he's interested in restoration because he uttered the word during a casual talk & probably he doesn't understand the difficulties & the costs too. Anyway, let me speak to him this weekend & update here for you. Thanks for your offer from my bottom of my heart.

[insaneinsaan]

Haha... Understood. But if nothing else, whenever you can, click a pic of said bike and upload it here. Would love to have a look.
Thx