The Jawa 500 OHC Type 15/00, introduced in 1952, became Jawa's first post-war four-stroke motorcycle, proudly continuing the company's pre-war engineering traditions. Although the factory founded by Ing. František Janeček had already introduced the legendary two-stroke Jawa 250 Type 11 "Pérák" and Jawa 250/353 "Kývačka" motorcycles after the war, the development of a prestigious 500 cc four-stroke motorcycle with an overhead camshaft (OHC) engine remained a clear priority for the company. This engine also laid the foundation for Jawa's successful participation in motorcycle road racing in the 350 cc and 500 cc categories. One of the most distinctive results of its development was the vertical camshaft drive shaft, traditionally known by the German term "Königswelle", featuring a worm gear mechanism and an iconic box-shaped housing on the cylinder head (Type 15/00). Today, these features are among the most sought-after engineering elements in Czech motorcycle history. It was precisely the Königswelle, driving the camshaft through a worm gear mechanism, that gave the motorcycle its popular nickname, "Šnek" (the Snail).
Between 1952 and 1954, the Jawa 500 OHC Type 15/00 represented an exclusive, sport-oriented motorcycle offering uncompromising performance. Its demanding manufacturing process, the considerable mechanical complexity of the OHC engine, and its relatively high retail price limited the motorcycle to a rather narrow customer base. As a result, only approximately 1,000 units of this original version (Type 15/00) were produced. This rarity is one of the main reasons why the motorcycle is so highly valued by collectors and enthusiasts today.
The specialists and external collaborators of the Restoration Workshop at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava, devoted many hours to restoring this remarkable machine. The motorcycle arrived at the workshop in an incomplete condition, making the identification and acquisition of missing original components the greatest challenge. These included, for example, the Lucas ignition system, distinctive exhaust tips, the speedometer, and numerous other parts. As with previous restoration projects, the objective was to return the motorcycle to fully operational condition while preserving its authentic 1952 appearance. Ultimately, both goals were successfully achieved.
