My Chang-Jiangs
Om het even in het juiste perspectief te zetten. Ik heb in totaal 11 Chang-Jiang motoren gehad tussen 2009 en 2026. Omdat ik andere motormerken ook leuk vind heb ik die vaak weer verkocht om iets anders te kopen. Als je op een foto tikt kom je bij het hele verhaal over die specifieke motor.
Just to put it in the right perspective. I owned a total of 11 Chang-Jiang motorcycles between 2009 and 2026. Because I also like other motorcycle brands, I often sold them again to buy something else. If you tap on a photo, you will find the full story about that specific motorcycle.
In December 2009, I decided to have another big clear-out. Why? The Condor mopeds and bicycles were gathering dust again, and my heart simply lies with motorcycles. So the entire Condor collection went, and two new old motorcycles came in. This one and a Harley Sportster.
September 2012: One of the best-known restorers is Shao Yigi (www.CJSidecar.com). He has been restoring Chang Jiangs for years in any desired version and color. This one was built by him in 2006 in a German war specification (I have no interest in wars, but I fell for the color and appearance), with a cardan shaft and steel ammunition boxes. Also note the wide handlebars with the old-fashioned, inverted grips. Furthermore, Shao equipped the motorcycle with 12V, an electric starter, and turn signals. Everything works, it starts and rides, and thanks to the modifications, it is a pleasure to ride. This one dates from 1970, and I registered the motorcycle in the Netherlands in 2007. With me, the motorcycle has only ridden 1,000 fair-weather kilometers. Due to having too many motorcycles again, this bike went to another enthusiast.
The first photos were on a Marktplace. It is a Chang-Jiang CJ750G-II. Quite a mouthful for a hideously ugly BMW copy. But that makes it special, in turn. As can be seen in a brochure, there are also the J-I, G, G-I, and thus the G-II. The overhead valve version is called the 750FY. Anyone who knows the difference is welcome to say so. The logo on the brochure is not the same as on the motorcycle, but they don't mind that so much in China. I sold the bike but he came back and sold it again. His nickname was Ugly.
According to the papers, this one was built and registered in 1993. The mileage is 3840 kilometers. Just broken in, then. When I briefly checked the license plate of my previous Chang, it turned out there were only three numbers in between. This means it comes from the same batch of motorcycles that Chamco Trading brought to the Netherlands in the nineties. The company didn't last long. Only one brochure is known to exist. That gives one hope, because the previous motorcycle still runs like a rocket and was of very good quality.
This motorcycle is from 1961 but was rebuilt with new parts on the original frame in 2009. It then came to the Netherlands in 2011. I am the third owner. The mileage? 4733. It still needs to be broken in. Motorwerk sold this type on demand. They call it the extended version to distinguish it from the original 6-volt basic version and this model. I discovered that the motorcycle is equipped with a new type of gearbox. It was likely developed for the somewhat more modern type used by the police. There were two unused switches on the gearbox. Upon inquiry it turned out these were switches for neutral and reverse. So I connected those to a couple of new bulbs in the headlights first. It looks nice and luxurious, and they work.
As written here before, things can take strange turns. In the summer of 2014, I decided that I’d had enough of tinkering and collecting for the time being. I had become a bit tired of motorcycles. Other interests needed a bit more time, and age is starting to play a role. So, I decided to sell "everything" except for two roadworthy bikes. The sale went smoothly, but somehow a yellow bike slipped through the cracks. Another Chang-Jiang M1.
Due to lack of time and a few other things, a Harley had to go. It was standing idle, gathering dust, and they are simply too expensive for that. So, something had to be traded in again. It turned out to be another Chinese marvel: a Chang-Jiang. This time from 1956, and for me, number 9 in the series of BMW copies. I had some Russian bikes too. The previous owner tinkered a bit with a different front fork. I think that's coming off. Let's hope this one stays a bit longer this time. That Harley came back after three months.
April 2016: Found a black one somewhere. For the time being, the black one is being put into storage awaiting a thorough overhaul. In the meantime, another solo Chang  had driven in. Probably just looked the other way for a moment. It is a good habit of mine to sell something again then, because too much work isn't good either. And so, the black one found a new owner.
And there's another one, but this time an overhead valve. Year of manufacture 1962(?) and mileage 4902. Yes, really. It looks like it came to the Netherlands via Motorwerk in 2007. Unfortunately, the chrome work is clearly Chinese. Otherwise, the first impression is neat. It has a charging problem, but that is probably oxidation or the voltage regulator.
January 2020: You can't carry much on a solo bike. Tools and a sturdy lock are indispensable on an old Chinese motorcycle. Some spare parts and a battery are easily visible, which is why I used a modified cash box on the right side for the battery, the battery charger cable, and some parts. A smaller box wouldn't work because it contains a large battery, as the Chang can be started with a button. On the left, a slightly smaller one because otherwise the kickstarter gets in the way. That holds a nice amount of tools.
In 2026 a bike ended up in Zeist where I live. What do we know now about this one? In 1991, someone imported him and subsequently completely dismantled him. In 2024, he ended up at RBmotorhandel, and from there he disappeared into the showroom of a cardealer in Raalte. A little later, he stood in Heerde. There, in early 2026, he was sold as a solo bike and moved to Hengelo. And that is where I bought him again. Initially without a sidecar, but that worked out fine.
This site is designed and made by Ben van Helden copyright on all pages 2026