http://www.stepthrupanam.com/blog/drama-on-the-cass/
Man, was I sorry to learn Bajaj stopped making their scooters! I rode a 1990 model in India over 10,000 miles and it never let me down. (Seriously!) Bought one of the last 4T models a few years ago back here in the states, and am shocked at how rare the parts seem to be, (not that I've had to replace anything.) Something is very wrong with this picture. Here's why: There must be millions of Chetaks still on the roads in India today, Indians are frugal, and believe me, will repair everything-good for them. So why are parts so hard to find in the U.S? I'm convinced a person could readily find all Chetak parts in India, maybe not genuine Bajaj, but at least aftermarket. Will check this out next time I go to India. And: KUDOS to whoever developed this website for those of us who ride the best scooter in the world. Humara Kal, Humara Aj, Humara Bajaj! - Bill
Parts are so hard to find because the US importer's stock has been exhausted and there is no longer a distribution network in the USA. Java Cycles in Athens, GA has indicated they have had success with a new import arrangement for parts. Note: I am still looking for replacement information for the clutch parts which can need replacement as soon as 10,000 miles. Keep us informed of your India findings! What motorscooter would you choose to ride the length of the pan-american highway? A bajaj chetak of course!
Hey guys, About 18 months ago we decided we were going to ride classic styled scooters from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia at the very bottom of South America. 18 months and 2 Bajaj Chetaks later and it's all about to happen! On the 16th of August we fly with our bikes from New Zealand to Anchorage to begin our trip. We are well aware of how much of a nightmare this could be and we wouldn't want any of you to miss out on it. With that in mind we'd like you to register on our blog and "like" our facebook page. We'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas for our trip, places to visit, couches to surf etc. We still have some work to do on the pages but there is a bit of information there about ourselves and what we are up to :) http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Step-Thru-Pan-Am-Scooting-The-Worlds-Longest-Road/176483269040103 www.stepthrupanam.com Tig & Tim 108 MPG!!!
Model Year 2005 EPA Engine Family Name 5BJXC.145LEG Manufacturer Bajaj USA, LLC # of Cylinders 1 Displacement 1 145 Displacement 2 0 Displacement 3 0 Fuel System C Aspiration N Models Legend; Chetak Test Data Set Number 1 Test Model Legend Displacement (cc) 145 Vehicle ID K46292 Emissions System Control -1 EM Emissions System Control - 2 Emissions System Control - 3 Emissions System Control - 4 Emissions System Control - 5 Engine Code 28EBFK46292 # of Carbs 1 # of Venturies 1 Rated Power (kW) 7.0 @ Engine rpm 6000 Rated Torque (Nm) 11.3 @ Engine rpm 4000 Data Type C EIM (kg) 190 Road Load (nt) 113.1 Transmission Type M-4 N/V 78.90 HC test gm/km 0.66 CO test gm/km 3.6 CO2 test gm/km 39.5 HC Deterioration Factor 1.000 CO Deterioration Factor 1.044 HC cert gm/km 0.7 CO cert gm/km 4 http://www.epa.gov/oms/crttst.htm Bajajusa had a network of phenomenal scooter dealers, dedicated to the product and their customers. Support them and try them first for hard to find parts:
Pride of Cleveland (inventor of the POC pipe) -Cleveland, Ohio Columbia Scooters - Portland, Oregon San Francisco Scooter Center - San Francisco, California Scooter West - San Francisco, California Java Cycles - Athens, Georgia Motostrada - Cockeysville, Maryland Rad Cycles - Baton Rouge, Louisiana During the brief reign of Bajajusa, the importer brought in two Bajaj scooters. The long time steed known as the Bajaj Chetak was "modernized," in a last ditch effort to move the mechanical geared scooter into the 21st century, into the Bajaj Legend. For all practical purposes, they are mechanically identical. What is said here about the post 2000 Chetak should apply equally to the post 2002 Legend, a scooter that differed only in cosmetics and was approximately one inch taller at the handlebar and seat.
By 2012, it has become apparent that the Bajaj Chetak in America is now an orphan scooter. Scooterists will need to rely on one another more than ever to keep their faithful steeds on the road. Parts and supplies are disappearing off the shelves of former Bajaj Chetak dealers. This site will be a place to collect survival information for these important scooters. Ride safe.
|
Blog About Bajaj Chetak and Legend Scooters in the USAArchives
November 2012
Categories |