"Simplicity is extremely difficult to achieve. While the apparent straightforwardness of the oval is one of speedway’s key appeals there are a raft of mechanical subtleties on a speedway bike that help achieve the zen like flow of the "
![](https://cdn-influx-wp.adrianflux.co.uk/uploads/2015/07/1970_Jawa_Speedway_Racer1.jpg)
Speedway Evolution
the speedway fundamentals have barely altered in nine decades
A simple frame. Direct drive. Wide bars. Tiny tank.
The fundamentals of a speedway bike have changed as little as the art of the oval itself.
Here are nine bikes from nine decades.
Can you spot the changes?
- 1920s: Sunbeam
- 1930s: JAP
- 1940s :JAP
- 1950s: Rotrax/JAP
- 1960s; ESO
- 1970s: Jawa
- 1980s: Godden
- 1990s: GM
- 2000: Jawa
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