Few months back while cleaning up our old shop floor we found some interesting stuff . My cousin Piyush & me saw some corroded, dismantled parts, 3 tires, etc. I got to know later that it was my dad's Rajdoot GTS 175 bike A.K.A Bobby.
I did some research on internet & found some interesting information about Rajdoot / Bobby as follows:
History:
Escorts, the owners of the now defunct Rajdoot brand, started out as a small agency back in 1944. Started by the two Nanda brothers, the agency was called Escorts Agents Limited. Within the next four years, Escorts Agricultural Machines Limited was established as a franchise of Minneapolis Moline for marketing tractors and farm equipment. In the early sixties, Escorts roped in Polish motorcycle manufacturer WFM to produce a 175cc two stroke motorcycle under the Rajdoot brand name.
The Bobby, was introduced by Escorts as the Rajdoot GTS — an over optimistic acronym for ‘Grand Touring Sports’. The "Bobby" moniker was later added after the little bundle of joy did a little acting stint in the Raj Kapoor movie "Bobby" acted by Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia. So at that time Bobby name became popular. " Video Link: If you want to enjoy Bobby appearance. "
Some technical insights:
Engine: Rajdoot's stock-in-trade 175cc, two-stroke engine, reverse scavenged.
Gearbox: 3-speed Manual.
Bore& stroke : 61.5 X 58 mm
Displacement : 173 cc
Compression ratio : 1: 6.6
Carburetor : horizontal 24mm mikuni
Ignition : Flywheel magneto
Power : 7.5 bhp @ 5000 rpm
Torque ( max) : 1.3 kg-m @ 3500 rpm
Gear box: 3 speed constant mesh.
Gear ratios : 2.89 , 1.47 & 1
Clutch : multiplate wet
Fuel tank capacity : 8 liters
Oil capacity ( gear box) : 800 ml
Generator : dynamo magneto 28 W
Spark plug : mico HBW-175 Z.1
LENGTH : 167 cm
Width : 67mm
Wheel base : 112 cm
Ground clearance : 12 cm
Dry weight : 93 Kg.
Tyres : 3.50 X 10
Restoration:
While discussing with my Uncle (Who is expert with bikes & cars), we decided to restore this bike & work on it whenever we get time.
The restoration process we decided was :
1) To start with engine, do engine overhaul
2) list out parts in engine & complete bike to order
3) Assemble whole bike : Mechanical, Electrical connections...
4) Test it
5) Repaint it as near to its original look
While Assembly & test process we found that one of the coil which was powering bike lights was not working.
Fortunately almost all part were there & we had to order very few parts like 1 dynamo coil, Ignition key socket, one sprocket gear & basic engine assembly parts.
Bobby before restoration:
For electric connection it took us the longest time as one of the dynamo coil was not working
After restoration:
We enjoyed the restoration process as we did it on our own .
It feels good that now we have a great charm in our collection.
Let us know your feedback & leave a comment below also if you need help with your Car or Bike restoration drop a comment.
I did some research on internet & found some interesting information about Rajdoot / Bobby as follows:
History:
Escorts, the owners of the now defunct Rajdoot brand, started out as a small agency back in 1944. Started by the two Nanda brothers, the agency was called Escorts Agents Limited. Within the next four years, Escorts Agricultural Machines Limited was established as a franchise of Minneapolis Moline for marketing tractors and farm equipment. In the early sixties, Escorts roped in Polish motorcycle manufacturer WFM to produce a 175cc two stroke motorcycle under the Rajdoot brand name.
The Bobby, was introduced by Escorts as the Rajdoot GTS — an over optimistic acronym for ‘Grand Touring Sports’. The "Bobby" moniker was later added after the little bundle of joy did a little acting stint in the Raj Kapoor movie "Bobby" acted by Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia. So at that time Bobby name became popular. " Video Link: If you want to enjoy Bobby appearance. "
Some technical insights:
Engine: Rajdoot's stock-in-trade 175cc, two-stroke engine, reverse scavenged.
Gearbox: 3-speed Manual.
Bore& stroke : 61.5 X 58 mm
Displacement : 173 cc
Compression ratio : 1: 6.6
Carburetor : horizontal 24mm mikuni
Ignition : Flywheel magneto
Power : 7.5 bhp @ 5000 rpm
Torque ( max) : 1.3 kg-m @ 3500 rpm
Gear box: 3 speed constant mesh.
Gear ratios : 2.89 , 1.47 & 1
Clutch : multiplate wet
Fuel tank capacity : 8 liters
Oil capacity ( gear box) : 800 ml
Generator : dynamo magneto 28 W
Spark plug : mico HBW-175 Z.1
LENGTH : 167 cm
Width : 67mm
Wheel base : 112 cm
Ground clearance : 12 cm
Dry weight : 93 Kg.
Tyres : 3.50 X 10
Restoration:
While discussing with my Uncle (Who is expert with bikes & cars), we decided to restore this bike & work on it whenever we get time.
The restoration process we decided was :
1) To start with engine, do engine overhaul
2) list out parts in engine & complete bike to order
3) Assemble whole bike : Mechanical, Electrical connections...
4) Test it
5) Repaint it as near to its original look
While Assembly & test process we found that one of the coil which was powering bike lights was not working.
Fortunately almost all part were there & we had to order very few parts like 1 dynamo coil, Ignition key socket, one sprocket gear & basic engine assembly parts.
Bobby before restoration:
I know, it was in really bad condition
Restoration in progress:
Headlamp polishing
Assembly in progress
For electric connection it took us the longest time as one of the dynamo coil was not working
We enjoyed the restoration process as we did it on our own .
It feels good that now we have a great charm in our collection.
