WWII Motorcycle -- Help ID it

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Hi: this WWII -era (?) motorcycle/sidecar appeared in our parking lot recently, and it looks pretty cool. Anyone know what it is? As you can see from the logo on the front of the engine, it says (in English), "Made in USSR." I think. Thanks...

 

[feralmerril]

Without research, I am 90% sure they were called urals.

 

[Horseless Trooper]

Maybe a Ural. Still made in Russia and imported in the U.S. Basically a copy of a 30's vintage BMW. Available in two wheel drive also.

 

[feralmerril]

IMZ-Ural - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Bob R]

It is a Ural, but I don't think it is a WW2 vintage. It is Russian, so anything made in the last decade or so will look WW2.

The Patrol version is 2 wheel drive.

http://www.ural.com/

bob

 

[s&wchad]

Voskhod? (Commie stuff in disguise)

 

[DeathGrip]

My neighbor has a few.I think they were still made in Brazil into the late '80s or early '90s.IIRC

D.G.

 

[shooboy]

I think it looks kinda boxy.....could it be a Glock ???? Shoo

 

[jbbatok]

Ural . You can buy a 2010 model if you want. Getting a little pricey though for 30's tecnology.

 

[jrm53]

Its either a Ural or a Neper I dont think I spelled the last one right but they were very similar, Neper may have a D in the spelling but that what they are. Jeff

 

[nicky4968]

Dneiper. Has a "semi-automatic" transmission. Not so good.
Stay with the Urals. Built like a brick; tough as a brick; steers like a brick. Won't set any land speed records, but will get you there.

 

[n4zov]

Here's a link for anybody interested in U.S. WW2 military motorcycles made by HD:

The Liberator: WLA - WLC Motorcycles & US WW2 Militaria

 

[therevjay]

Maybe a Ural. Still made in Russia and imported in the U.S. Basically a copy of a 30's vintage BMW. Available in two wheel drive also.

Exactly! The Ural is a Russian copy of a "pre WW2' BMW. Like anything Russian they are heavy, awkward, ugly, slow, and almost unbreakable.

 

[Trooperdan]

Exactly! The Ural is a Russian copy of a "pre WW2' BMW. Like anything Russian they are heavy, awkward, ugly, slow, and almost unbreakable.

Sounds like my first wife!

 

[palmetto99]

There were a lot of BMW's lying around when the Germans fell back (OK, got there heads kicked). They were revese engineered and "tada" you have a URAL. The quality is much better than it was. The "new" Russian owners have started buying higher quality parts from from others and putting them in the new bikes. Still, pretty much a 1930's BMW.

 

[Beemer-mark]

It's a Ural, a USSR knock off of a 1938 R71 (or R66) BMW. Here's the website. URal | Gear-Up

 

[roscoesheater]

It's a Ural, a USSR knock off of a 1938 R71 (or R66) BMW. Here's the website. URal | Gear-Up

This is correct. Thing is like a tank and rides like one. But heck, ain't it cool.RH

 

[Marshwheeling]

It looks like a Dnepr, like the Ural, a Russian-made copy of the BMW R71. Spoils of war. Urals are a lot more common. The Dnepr was never offered for sale to civilians until recently, while the Ural has a bit of history of civilian use, and is imported here in fairly large numbers. The US Army insignia is just somebody's idea of fun.

 

[Beemer-mark]

It looks like a Dnepr, like the Ural, a Russian-made copy of the BMW R71. Spoils of war.

Actually the USSR and Germany had a peace treaty before Hitler broke it and the USSR copied the BMW R71 before Germany invaded Russia. Communist China also made a copy of R71. I had a chance to buy one in 1969 but passed on the poor workmanship. Urals have always been available as long as I can remember but didn't start coming in droves until the USSR crumbled. Quality sucked at first and dependable they weren't. The present US rep of Urals starting importing them in the early 90's and would bring them up to minimum standards before selling them. I think quality has improved greatly but for the buck I'd buy a 20 year old Beemer (BMW).

BTW the Ural has a claimed HP of 40 or 45. The R71 was rated at a more honest 26 hp. I really doubt the Ural is more than 30 hp (and I've ridden them). As a comparison my Hack is a '98 Moto Guzzi rated at 75 hp. Top speed is about 70 or 75 mph with a tail wind. Imagine pulling a sidecar with 30 hp.

 

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Thx

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your informed comments!

Love the comments on commie production methods, etc.