Yezdi Oilking

vinzrox · 9th July 2008, 19:17

Can anyone provide the pictures and Tech. Info of the "Yezdi Oilking" ...

I've heard that its the previous version of the Roadking...But I couldn't find any pics of the bike with Oil pump..

Technocrat · 9th July 2008, 19:19

Are you sure there was such a version?

Here is the list of Variants that the company had in India

Yezdi

vinzrox · 9th July 2008, 19:24

India's Fastest single cylinder bike ever built was launched as "Oilking" in 1975 the model 'A' was a failure, but they re-introduced it as Yezdi Roadking in 1978.I have Never seen this Bike..But i saw the Manual which had no Image of the Bike..

supremeBaleno · 9th July 2008, 19:34

Don't recall ever hearing of an OilKing.

Whoa, Yezdi (as a company) seem to be such an exception.
Today when we have so many in-business companies that do not even have a proper website, here is a company that is no longer selling its products, but has a nice-n-proper website in place.

Now, how about rolling out some bikes ?

vinzrox · 9th July 2008, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Are you sure there was such a version?

Here is the list of Variants that the company had in India

Yezdi

Check This out:

Yezdi Roadking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

headers · 9th July 2008, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Are you sure there was such a version?

Yes, there was an Oilking. It is basically the roadking with a separate oil pump. You dont need to mix 2T oil and fill petrol. This bike was way ahead of its time and hence a failure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinzrox

India's Fastest single cylinder bike ever built was launched as "Oilking" in 1975 the model 'A' was a failure, but they re-introduced it as Yezdi Roadking in 1978.I have Never seen this Bike..But i saw the Manual which had no Image of the Bike..

There is only a footnote which states the difference between the roadking and the oilking - no pictures to show the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

Don't recall ever hearing of an OilKing.

Whoa, Yezdi (as a company) seem to be such an exception.

Now, how about rolling out some bikes ?

These bikes were pretty advanced for its time, thats why they didnt sell. In addition, the company changed hands multiple times and finally went into liquidty.

The Jawa / Yezdis was a classic bike of the 60s and 70s that had an automatic clutch - What i meant was there was a cam operated clutch in the gear lever and hence once could ride the bike without issues even if the clutch wire snapped.

Also, the bike came with a 50:50 weight bias and quarter steering [local lingo]. This made the bike safe on the highways as well as in town too. Because of the steering limitations, even if one managed to get into a skid, one could prevent a fall and control the bike.

THis is a great bike for going sideways

Having owned a roadking between 94 and 96 and driven it for almost 25000 kms, I can definitely vouch for that!

Shame that it could not withstand the onslaught of modern bikes. The bullet has managed to survive though.

A little OT: Had the opportunity to sample our member "trooper" s Bullet and it was such an improvement over the previous generation ones. Felt sad that Yezdi could not live the life!

vinzrox · 9th July 2008, 19:58

I have a pic of the bike but no info on it

Note: Oil Pump not Visible here.

Technocrat · 9th July 2008, 21:00

Wow that something new I learned today. Thanks for sharing this info vinzrox & headers

Quote:

here is a company that is no longer selling its products, but has a nice-n-proper website in place.

Exactly my thoughts & I wonder who maintains it? This site is known to me since atleast past 4 years. It has all the possible(almost) details about the company & the products it sold.

Shreeram · 9th July 2008, 21:33

Here's a pic in which the place where the oil pump was located can be seen. its the Square portion which potrudes out of the side cover.

ATgAAAB8cKuU8tJ38KYrPoxe6imLjH0iBgGqC7usECDuZk-INnvphcNiI0xIorDyrXzKu6KxiiWiyz-GCWwHmoyY7jWOAJtU9VA7

The Oilking Failed, but the side cover continued on the roadking albeit without the oilpump.

Sankar · 9th July 2008, 22:10

Cool! I have seen an Yezdi with an oilpump in my mech's garage. he pump was visible since he had the left side cover off. But the side badging was "Roadking" that is because probably the Side panels or badging must've been lost. Thanks for the picture and the thread vinzrox, i now know the existence of "Oilking" model!

madhokritesh · 9th July 2008, 22:44

The Oilking is a Roadking with an oilpump on it, it failed cause many then ran the buke without oil in the oiltank, the pumps were good enuff and the initial lot were all Imported frm JAWA and could be only bought in Foreign Currency. Also wud like to add here that the Yezdi Co dident close cause it changed hands but it had to close due to labour problems and due to difference in thoughts between the 2 Patner Owners of the Co. Yezdi was preparing itself for the Jap onslaught with Imported 250 Jawas and 350 Jawa Twins in the 90s but had to sadly close due to the Ownership problems. Me had a pleasure of owning a Brand New Yezdi Roadking 1994 Model churning out a healthy 16bhp costing those days a mere 32k while the Yamaha RX100 was priced at abt 41k those days.

headers · 10th July 2008, 06:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by madhokritesh

The Oilking is a Roadking with an oilpump on it, it failed cause many then ran the buke without oil in the oiltank, the pumps were good enuff and the initial lot were all Imported frm JAWA and could be only bought in Foreign Currency. Also wud like to add here that the Yezdi Co dident close cause it changed hands but it had to close due to labour problems and due to difference in thoughts between the 2 Patner Owners of the Co. Yezdi was preparing itself for the Jap onslaught with Imported 250 Jawas and 350 Jawa Twins in the 90s but had to sadly close due to the Ownership problems. Me had a pleasure of owning a Brand New Yezdi Roadking 1994 Model churning out a healthy 16bhp costing those days a mere 32k while the Yamaha RX100 was priced at abt 41k those days.

Agreed, but the company had not only labour problems, but also other issues. They were financially in the dumps and thats what made them change hands.

Even then, they could not rise.

the_trooper · 10th July 2008, 09:55

I knew the Oilking existed, but didnt know that the OilKing was the radial head Yezdi. I always thought that a few RoadKings came with the radial fin head design.

madhokritesh · 10th July 2008, 10:07

The ownership of the Ideal Jawa India Ltd (Yezdi) never changed hands. The Co was founded by Mr Irani in the 60s then after he passed away it was run by Mr Tempton Irani and Mr Boman Irani till it closed down, i have known a family member of the Iranis for long hence this Input. Btw now the Factory place has been sold off and a big residential complex is gonna take its place. Sad real Sad.

hillram · 10th July 2008, 10:54

The story of Yezdi in Indian Motorcycle history is indeed a sad one.
Few months back an Auto Magazine rated 4 all time classic bikes in Indian History and they were :
BMW F60
Yamaha RD 350
Rajddot Bobby GTS
Yezdi Roadking

One helluva a list.Out of this I have 2 of them !!!!! Waiting to lay my hands on a good Yezdi.

9th July 2008, 19:17	#1
vinzrox BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hyd-Blr Posts: 113 Thanked: 24 Times	Yezdi Oilking Can anyone provide the pictures and Tech. Info of the "Yezdi Oilking" ... I've heard that its the previous version of the Roadking...But I couldn't find any pics of the bike with Oil pump..
	() Thanks

9th July 2008, 19:19	#2
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	Are you sure there was such a version? Here is the list of Variants that the company had in India Yezdi
	() Thanks

9th July 2008, 19:24	#3
vinzrox BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hyd-Blr Posts: 113 Thanked: 24 Times	India's Fastest single cylinder bike ever built was launched as "Oilking" in 1975 the model 'A' was a failure, but they re-introduced it as Yezdi Roadking in 1978.I have Never seen this Bike..But i saw the Manual which had no Image of the Bike..
	() Thanks

9th July 2008, 19:34	#4
supremeBaleno Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai / Kochi Posts: 5,546 Thanked: 2,698 Times View My Garage	Don't recall ever hearing of an OilKing. Whoa, Yezdi (as a company) seem to be such an exception. Today when we have so many in-business companies that do not even have a proper website, here is a company that is no longer selling its products, but has a nice-n-proper website in place. Now, how about rolling out some bikes ?
	() Thanks

9th July 2008, 19:58	#7
vinzrox BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hyd-Blr Posts: 113 Thanked: 24 Times	I have a pic of the bike but no info on it Note: Oil Pump not Visible here. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by vinzrox : 9th July 2008 at 20:17.
	() Thanks

9th July 2008, 21:33	#9
Shreeram BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 386 Thanked: 198 Times	Hello Here's a pic in which the place where the oil pump was located can be seen. its the Square portion which potrudes out of the side cover. ATgAAAB8cKuU8tJ38KYrPoxe6imLjH0iBgGqC7usECDuZk-INnvphcNiI0xIorDyrXzKu6KxiiWiyz-GCWwHmoyY7jWOAJtU9VA7 The Oilking Failed, but the side cover continued on the roadking albeit without the oilpump. Last edited by Shreeram : 9th July 2008 at 21:34.
	() Thanks

9th July 2008, 22:10	#10
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,766 Thanked: 9,054 Times	Cool! I have seen an Yezdi with an oilpump in my mech's garage. he pump was visible since he had the left side cover off. But the side badging was "Roadking" that is because probably the Side panels or badging must've been lost. Thanks for the picture and the thread vinzrox, i now know the existence of "Oilking" model!
	() Thanks

9th July 2008, 22:44	#11
madhokritesh BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Thane Posts: 334 Thanked: 4 Times	The Oilking is a Roadking with an oilpump on it, it failed cause many then ran the buke without oil in the oiltank, the pumps were good enuff and the initial lot were all Imported frm JAWA and could be only bought in Foreign Currency. Also wud like to add here that the Yezdi Co dident close cause it changed hands but it had to close due to labour problems and due to difference in thoughts between the 2 Patner Owners of the Co. Yezdi was preparing itself for the Jap onslaught with Imported 250 Jawas and 350 Jawa Twins in the 90s but had to sadly close due to the Ownership problems. Me had a pleasure of owning a Brand New Yezdi Roadking 1994 Model churning out a healthy 16bhp costing those days a mere 32k while the Yamaha RX100 was priced at abt 41k those days.
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 09:55	#13
the_trooper BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chn Posts: 215 Thanked: 102 Times View My Garage	I knew the Oilking existed, but didnt know that the OilKing was the radial head Yezdi. I always thought that a few RoadKings came with the radial fin head design. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 10:07	#14
madhokritesh BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Thane Posts: 334 Thanked: 4 Times	The ownership of the Ideal Jawa India Ltd (Yezdi) never changed hands. The Co was founded by Mr Irani in the 60s then after he passed away it was run by Mr Tempton Irani and Mr Boman Irani till it closed down, i have known a family member of the Iranis for long hence this Input. Btw now the Factory place has been sold off and a big residential complex is gonna take its place. Sad real Sad.
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 10:54	#15
hillram Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,942 Thanked: 1,326 Times View My Garage	The story of Yezdi in Indian Motorcycle history is indeed a sad one. Few months back an Auto Magazine rated 4 all time classic bikes in Indian History and they were : BMW F60 Yamaha RD 350 Rajddot Bobby GTS Yezdi Roadking One helluva a list.Out of this I have 2 of them !!!!! Waiting to lay my hands on a good Yezdi.
	() Thanks