Got this new ride a couple weeks back with some original parts that i've replaced with a few upgrades including a Stronglight 93 cranset and alloy rims on Suzue hubs , but all 'n all this is a great quality ride and just can't imagine what kind of steel they used to build the frame back in the day . From my research i would say its a 1973 Favorit F12 made in Czechoslovakia but the info is limited on them bikes for model and year . It came equipped with factory steel cottered crank , Favorit Special pull brake calipers , forged dropouts , seat post 26.6 just to name a few . I dismantled this bike to give it a good look over and clean/grease everything and the frame felt surprisingly light with everything removed , now i just need to find period correct fenders and she will be enjoyed for another decade or more ! Anyone else ride a Favorit , please share info and pics !?

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see you are located in CA

forum member T-Mar has literature and knowledge of the Canadian agent for this marque at this time

here is a manufacturer catalogue page for the F12 model -



images of an F12 of 1979 -

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here is an F12 dated 1965 -

https://www.sterba-bike.cz/album/141...muzeum?lang=EN

[you may wish to explore the Sterba Museum...]

forum discussion on another example from 1973 -

My 1973 Favorit

lively Favorit thread here at the forum -

Favorit bicycle from Czechoslavakia?


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Not F12, seatstay attachment different and forged(?) dropouts, slightly higher-end crank (cutouts not just reduced portions in the spider); is a higher end model,

That is one clean bike , restored ?

I've noticed the same differences !

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NOS AFAIK

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have owned the same model as yours from the same time. it came to me NOS with its paper tags and wrapping materials.

it was a flambouyant chartreuse, similar to "Legnano green"

at that time the U.S. Favorit agent, American Jawa Ltd, stocked it in only one size: 60cm c-t-t. this seemed a common practice for them where they would stock a particular model in only one size

my sense of the machine was that it was an entry level racing model similar in concept the to Peugeot PA10 and Gitane Interclub models of the same era

do not now recall its model designation unfortunately. sold it to a collector over thirty years back.


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Mine is 58x58cm c-t-c , is that the paint name designation ..'Legnano Green' ..looks more of a yellow/gold mustard kinda color in person !?

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you must be looking at an image/images that are not me cycle

have not posted any images of it

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I was talking about my bike and asking since you mentioned 'Legnano green' in your previous post that if it was the paint name designation for my bike's color !?

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do not know a manufacturer designation for the green colour of the example i owned

"Legnano green" is a way of describing it for cyclists familiar with Legnano bicycles


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I have owned two or three Favorit road bikes, one of which was close to mint original condition. All were made from non-exotic tube sets. All were heavy. And all were fitted with components branded as Favorit. Though none could be considered to be high end, by any stretch of the imagination, all rode well and looked good. What else is there..?

Nice example , what model and year would that one be ?

@ Amocat233

I really have no idea of the exact vintage nor the model. So many bikes were coming my way, in those days, that only the high end exotic stuff got much of my attention. By so many bikes, I mean about 100 a year.

Bought these on a Saturday morning of yard sale hunting...


Picked these up on a snowy Spring day at the local landfill site...

Wow , impressive ! I used to get some here and there but the good stuff is getting harder to find !

Amocat223

I see you’vo Shod that horse with plow shoes! How does it handle the trails?

The 27'' x 1 3/8'' VeeRubber tires are awesome ..wish i could buy a new set , handles great on the street and trails except for the humming noise at high speed (30km/h) on pavement they are everything i hoped for in a vintage tire !

Kenda 27 x 1 3/8" are available on that auction site.

Which auction site ?

Updated pic with Stronglight 93 crank -

Old thread, but maybe worth a shot... I need to open up the bottom bracket on a Favorit-bike from 1973 (not sure exactly what model), and due to some time constraints, I need to order the spare parts before I am actually able to see what is inside. Any knowledge here among all Favorit-fans on what kind of axle I can expect? Especially interested in finding out the length of the centre part of the axle i.e. the distance between the bearings. Any other advice on what parts to get is more than welcome. Thanks in advance!

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does your example have a cottered steel crankset or does it have an alloy cotterless crankset?

depending on the model and year both types were employed

your bottom bracket shell will be 68mm in width and it will be threaded BSC/ISO/"English"

here is a Favorit chainset on a tenspeed model of the early 1970's -



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It has a cottered crankset just like in your picture (I would have attached a picture in my first post but was not allowed for some reason). Would you happen to know more about the dimensions of the axle? I have been looking at this one axle for a cottered bottom bracket at oldnewbikes.com, and it is 137 mm long, has a diameter of 15.5-15.6 mm, and the length of the center part is 51.5 mm. Any idea if this would fit? It seems like 137 mm might be too long.

137 is in the normal range for cottered axles - they stick though the crankarm.

If I may post a link to a site that sells something, it also has a clear description of how to choose a replacement:

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/bottom-b...acket-axle-a16

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do you know or suspect something to be amiss in the bottom bracket assembly?

in my experience of working with cycles from the plant in Rokycany the fittings are pretty good and hold up reasonably well

the one thing you would want to replace upon repacking is the ball bearings; there are eleven 1/4" balls per side, best to use grade twenty-five

one needs to have a way to press out and re-install the crank cotters; if a person works carefully a C-clamp and and a socket from a socket set can do the procedure -



spindle specifications -

have some Favorit bits in me workshop but am presently away from me cycle bits so cannot check

we have a number of members who have examples of the plant's products whether badged as Jawa, Rapido, Pioneer, Eska or Velamos
who may be able to assist with measurements

the Sutherland's handbook gives some data for Favorit, checked my edition just now and it doesn't give anything for their cottered bottom brackets unfortunately

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