Ruskies are here!!

Saw this in Asda Livingston car park today, its got and old registration, I think its an older Ural, restored, I',ve seen them done up as German bikes for film work too.


I like the hand gear change, oh, and the tow bar with shackle!
Indian made Mitas spare tyre?

 

The rider was an 'un-interesting' standard long haired bloke of about 30(ish) in a barbour type jacket, blue jeans, no army garb!
The rear most stick is reverse, boy, they thought of everything!
Not so sure I'd want to be in the chair, l/h drive, stuck out to all the on coming traffic!
Another admirer said there was only 600 built, not sure if that's fact though.

 

I cant see the Russians building only 600 TBH, far too few for their needs plus sales to their Commi mates.

 

I've done a bit of quick research, I'm pretty sure it's an IMZ-Ural M72, produced between 1941-57.
It was a pinched BMW design.
IMZ was a conglomerate of producer's dotted around different locations under Ural, in 1950 they produced the 30'000th outfit still with a further 7 years of production to run, all the bikes were sidecar outfits.
In 1957 the production ceased and went to PRC, Peoples Republic of China.

 

This one had a complete restoration to depict a WW2 German outfit about 3 years ago, this was at Heddingley & Stockley steam festive (held every 2 years) nr Melksham, Wiltshire.
It won best in show but some of the other exhibitors were a bit miffed as it was not original.
This is a good show, well worth attending, especially if the weather is good!




When it was off the trailer it had a de-activated German machine gun mounted on the chair, not practical for high street shopping, but you will always get a parking space!
In the 70's I nearly bought one like that silver/blue outfit Steve, a toss-up between that or a Panther 600 Sloper, I bought a Suzuki GT 250 Ram Air instead!

 

This one's on eBay, slightly different but very nice in its own right.
Currently standing at £3000 & 18 bids.


I like the 'tank pads'.