Ural-2 M-63 (Урал-2 М-63)
| Manufacturer | Irbit Motorcycle Plant (IMZ) |
| Model name |
Ural-2 M-63 (Урал-2 М-63) |
| Years of production | 1963 - 1971 |
| Engine |
Four-stroke, 2 cylinder 0.65 L. Opposed |
| Power | 28 hp. |
| Max speed | 90 km/h. |
| Fuel tank capacity | 22 L. |
| Fuel consumption | 6 L/100 km. |
| Dimensions | 2420x1570x1100 mm. |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual, drive shaft |
| Wet-Weight | 320 kg. |
A Ural motorcycle is a heavy motorcycle with a sidecar produced by the Irbit Motorcycle Factory, russia. Its production originates from 1940 when the soviet union stole the design of the R71 BMW motorcycle – one of the best military motorcycles of that time, which had been used in the German army since 1938.
The first M-72 motorcycle was manufactured in the USSR in 1941. At the beginning, these motorcycles where produced by factories located in Kharkiv, Moscow, and Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg). Later, the production facilities were moved further to the East to Gorkiy (now Nizhniy Novgorod) and Irbit located in the Ural mountains, at the edge of Siberia.
Normally, M-72 motorcycles were equipped with sidecars, however, a certain number of bikes without them were produced as well. M-72 with sidecars were quite popular due to the non-differential sidecar wheel drive, which was quite efficient for the soviet impassable roads.
The first motorcycles were equipped with a four-stroke horizontally opposed double-cylinder engine producing up to 28 hp (20,6 kW) and a 4-speed gearbox. At that time, these technical characteristics were considered quite high, which was the reason why the Soviet Defense Ministry found these motorcycles suitable for military use.
As the motorcycle production got militarized, the Irbit Motorcycle Works (IMZ) had been continuously expanding since 1942. As a result, the production increased from almost 10.000 pcs during the World War II period to more than 30.000 pcs in the next decade. Later on, in 1953, the factory begins to export Urals to developing countries and the USSR allies.
A similar motorcycle called Dnepr MT was produced by the Kyiv Motorcycle Factory (KMZ). There are several differences between Dnepr MT and Ural motorcycles, still they have lots in common because of sharing the same origin (see the origin of cossack motorcycles). Both Dnepr and Ural bikes are known by the name “Cossack motorcycles”, generally applied to all internationally-sold Soviet motorcycles in the 1970s that had been marketed abroad by SATRA (the international New-York-based Corporation known for importing, modifying, and distributing the soviet cars and motorcycles abroad).
Models of Ural Motorbikes
The following are the road motorcycles – the most popular category of IMZ motorcycles:
IMZ M-72
a fully restored M-72 motorcycle
a fully restored M-72 motorcycle
Although this model had never been called the Ural, it was produced by the Irbit factory and was a predecessor of Urals. It was manufactured to resemble the famous German BMW. First, it was a copy BMW R71 but it had been continuously upgraded and remodeled within its 20-year production history. Its last variant had been equipped with a short-lever telescopic fork and aluminum center bosses.
IMZ M-52
Based on the M-72 model’s chassis, it was equipped with a smaller engine (only 500 cubic centimeters) and had no sidecar. This was a test model which had never been in mass production. All in all, only 250 bikes of this modification had been released between 1950 and 1957.
IMZ-61
Another Ural’s forerunner had been produced from 1957 to 1963, this was a transitional model successfully combining the old M-72 chassis with the new 650 cubic centimeters engine and a lighter carriage facility. In addition, the front fork and the back suspension got an extended shock absorber travel resulting in more comfort on bumpy roads.
Ural M-62
This entirely new model (the first to be officially called “Ural”) offered plenty of innovations such as a new gearbox, an improved suspension, and an advanced automatic ignition system. It also featured a modified profile of the camshaft for reduced wear and a refined steering with a chain throttle lever and duralumin clutch/brake handles. The model had been in production from 1961 to 1965.
Ural-2 M-63
Two years later, after the M-62 had been introduced, a new technically advanced model was released. In the back, it featured a pendulum frame suspension with spring-hydraulic shock absorbers. Those were later installed on most sidecar wheels. Besides, the vehicle’s clearance was significantly enlarged due to a new exhaustion system.
The first Ural motorcycle to be exported from behind the 'Iron Curtain' to the UK in small numbers by Fred Wells.
Ural-3. M-66
This model had been produced from 1971 to 1975 and featured lots of engineering innovations and know-hows. The engine’s durability and lifetime were seriously improved by applying the full-flow oil filtering system and a new crankshaft design. Besides, the model got a new headlamp and was the first one to have electric direction indicators.
Ural M-67
Produced from 1973 to 1976, the M-67 was the first one to use 12 Volts electric equipment as well as offered an improved motorcycle frame.
Ural M-67-36
The main reason why the newer M-67 modification had been so popular within the next 8 years is the increased engine power (up to 36 hp). This was possible due to an altered cylinder heads design, applying carburetors (K-301G), and an enlarged diameter of the exhaustion system.
Ural IMZ-8
a nice Retro Solo Ural motorcycle
Ural IMZ-8 Retro Solo
The latest model of Ural motorcycles with different modifications. The various modifications of this model are also known as “Tourist”, “Solo”, “Gear-Up”, “Voyage”, “Cobra”, “Retro” and “Wolf”. The Wolf was the first chopper produced in russia. Its production started in 1999, but due to low demand on it the Wolf went out of production in 2011.
© Tbilisi Automuseum. 2019
