CLASSIC MOTOCROSS IRON: 1959 ESO 500 SCRAMBLER

BY TOM WHITE

ESO motorcycles were designed by engineer Jaroslav Simandl and built in the Czechoslovakian Jawa/CZ factory. Though the engine was originally designed by Simandl for speedway (and was an exact copy of a British JAP engine), Simandl designed the S45 motocross engine (named for its actual horsepower output) on the then-new unit construction concept in 1957 (before that he had used JAP engines in his bikes starting from 1948, but the JAP engine was 20 years old at that time).  Simandl wanted to build a modern JAP (which stands for John Alfred Prestwich).

Three ESO engines were available: 250cc, 350cc,and 500cc. All were dry sump (using an external oil tank) and fitted with four-speed transmissions. Among the most unique features of this engine design were the straight-cut gears and the backwards-spinning crankshaft.

ESO’s were always limited-production machines that ended up in the hands of the best club racers and GP riders. ESO translates into Engish as “Ace.” In typical Czech fashion, the ESO came with a complete spares kit that included spare engine, clutch and carburetor components. The ESO was taller, longer, and heavier than many of the British four-strokes of the era, but fast for the times. However, with the long chassis, heavy gross weight and slack head angle, it was a slow responder. Better find a berm!

The engines were so well regarded that Swede Sten Lundin used an ESO engine in a Lito frame to win the 1961 World Championship, while fellow World Champion Bill Nilsson stuffed an ESO engine into a Rickman Metisse in 1964. With a better chassis, the Czechoslovakian handling problems disappeared.

Unfortunately, the communist government commissars felt that the ESO was competing too well against CZ, and by the end of the 1964 season ESO was discontinued as a brand and absorbed into the Jawa factory. MXA’s beautiful example was restored by well-known restorer Eldon Blasco and now belongs to the private Early Years Of Motocross Museum. Value is estimated at over $20,000. Restorable examples, if you can find them, will still cost more than $10,000.

For more info on classic bikes go to www.earlyyearsofmx.com