Posted by Tim on May 3, 2011, 2:23 pm
> I have two Dneprs, Soviet-made motorcycle/sidecar combinations.
> They were built in the Ukraine for the Red Army under Russian-style
> Communism, Worker's Paradise for (and by) the Lumpen Proletariat
> and Poor/Lower-Middle Peasants.
> For some reason not explained by Karl Marx, the build quality
> is much worse than is typically achieved by capitalist imperialist
> warmongers such as the Japanese, Germans, Americans, British and
> just about any other country with plumbing and indoor toilets.
> Only one of the bikes runs. I want to keep its charming WW2 period
> character (ie oil leaks, manual (and sometimes stubbornly
> uncooperative) starting; shakes, rattles and
> threatening-to-break-down-any-minute-but-never-quite-does noises,
> rattle-bomb-spray-can-like paint, (very coarse) sand cast
> motor block texture and crude finish throughout. In other words,
> funky to the max.
> Despite these features, getting on and riding it always puts a big
> goofy smile on my face... for about the first 3 miles. After that
> it gradually dawns on me what a factory wreck it really is,
> and how much work it is merely to ride the thing (let alone
> maintain it). In comparison, the modern Russian-built Ural feels
> like precision machinery.
> Since I have two of them, I thought about making the non-running one
> into something more practical and everyday-usable by replacing
> the Soviet motor and drive train. Criteria for the replacement system:
> * easily obtainable & affordable
> * easily maintainable -- parts & service
> * capable of 65 mph max. Probably need at least 50 hp
> * 750 cc max (for insurance purposes)
> * reliable
> * robust clutch as rig with sidecar is heavy (heavier than Ural)
> * good torque (ditto)
> * chain drive (easy to maintain and customize the final drive ratio)
> * must fit in Dnepr frame (with custom fabricated adapting brackets
> only; no welding)
> * sidecar to have brakes but not necessarily a powered wheel.
> This would be handled separately from the main project.
> If I had my druthers I'd prefer a V-twin, but can't seem to find one
> at a good price.
> However, the most obvious candidate that comes to mind is a venerable
> workhorse, the Honda CB750. Assuming it can fit the Dnepr's frame
> it seems to fit all the other criteria. Yesterday I found an '83
> Nighthawk on sale for ~$500. This is a lot less than having a sidecar
> custom fitted to any bike I have, including a BMW R75/5.
> Examining a CB750 motor I think I can make (or have made) an adapting
> bracket out of steel plate to mount it in the Dnepr frame without
> any welding. The swingarm will be a bit of an issue but not insolvable.
> (Tensioned chain idler sprocket like the Buell Ulysses?)
> A CB750 can produce ~60 hp. I don't think this motor would be
> too powerful and heavy for the Dnepr frame, which to me looks
> clunky and overbuilt for a 650. The running one definitely
> feels underpowered.
> Anyway by the time I'm done the bike will essentially be a Honda
> Nighthawk in disguise.
> Any comments and/or other ideas appreciated
How about something simpler: a badly painted Honda Nighthawk with a
sidecar, with some of the fasteners intentionally left loose and some
of the wiring harness ny-tied in such a way as to chafe against the
frame as you ride? You could replace all the fuses with chewing gum
foil wrappers for that true vintage experience!
Posted by The Older Gentleman on May 3, 2011, 3:11 pm
> On 5/3/2011 10:23 AM, Tim wrote:
>
> > How about something simpler: a badly painted Honda Nighthawk with a
> > sidecar, with some of the fasteners intentionally left loose and some
> > of the wiring harness ny-tied in such a way as to chafe against the
> > frame as you ride?
>
> So as to replicate the TOGster's latest adventure?
>
<fx: narrows eyes>
I'm watching you, Sean....
Anyway, it's all fixed now. And, oddly, 15A is the recommended rating
for all the fuses, according to the owner's handbook. Still can't fgure
out why one (or more) didn't blow.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Kawasaki GPz750 Honda CB400F
Triumph Street Triple Suzuki TS250ERx2 GN250.
Higgler Supreme
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
Posted by gus on May 3, 2011, 6:07 pm
> On 5/3/2011 10:23 AM, Tim wrote:
> > How about something simpler: a badly painted Honda Nighthawk with a
> > sidecar, with some of the fasteners intentionally left loose and some
> > of the wiring harness ny-tied in such a way as to chafe against the
> > frame as you ride?
> So as to replicate the TOGster's latest adventure?
Maybe Sean can find an ebay auction for "self-almagamating tape" to
secure a VW bug engine into the Dnepr chassis...
Posted by Rob Kleinschmidt on May 4, 2011, 12:46 am
> I have two Dneprs, Soviet-made motorcycle/sidecar combinations.
> Since I have two of them, I thought about making the non-running one
> into something more practical and everyday-usable by replacing
> the Soviet motor and drive train. Criteria for the replacement system:
> * easily obtainable & affordable
> * easily maintainable -- parts & service
> * capable of 65 mph max. Probably need at least 50 hp
> * 750 cc max (for insurance purposes)
> * reliable
> * robust clutch as rig with sidecar is heavy (heavier than Ural)
> * good torque (ditto)
> * chain drive (easy to maintain and customize the final drive ratio)
> * must fit in Dnepr frame (with custom fabricated adapting brackets
> only; no welding)
> * sidecar to have brakes but not necessarily a powered wheel.
> This would be handled separately from the main project.
> If I had my druthers I'd prefer a V-twin, but can't seem to find one
> at a good price.
> However, the most obvious candidate that comes to mind is a venerable
> workhorse, the Honda CB750. Assuming it can fit the Dnepr's frame
> it seems to fit all the other criteria.
Take the Dnepr sidecar and attach it to a cheap, robust
working motorcycle such as an old 750 or wing. Add
camo paint, gas cans, spare wheels and other touches
to get the Rooski look that you want.
Problem solved.
Posted by The Older Gentleman on May 4, 2011, 2:07 am
> Take the Dnepr sidecar and attach it to a cheap, robust
> working motorcycle such as an old 750 or wing. Add
> camo paint, gas cans, spare wheels and other touches
> to get the Rooski look that you want.
>
> Problem solved.
Is the sensible solution.
<looks furtively left and right>
But this is Sean we're talking about.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Kawasaki GPz750 Honda CB400F
Triumph Street Triple Suzuki TS250ERx2 GN250.
Higgler Supreme
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
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> They were built in the Ukraine for the Red Army under Russian-style
> Communism, Worker's Paradise for (and by) the Lumpen Proletariat
> and Poor/Lower-Middle Peasants.
> For some reason not explained by Karl Marx, the build quality
> is much worse than is typically achieved by capitalist imperialist
> warmongers such as the Japanese, Germans, Americans, British and
> just about any other country with plumbing and indoor toilets.
> Only one of the bikes runs. I want to keep its charming WW2 period
> character (ie oil leaks, manual (and sometimes stubbornly
> uncooperative) starting; shakes, rattles and
> threatening-to-break-down-any-minute-but-never-quite-does noises,
> rattle-bomb-spray-can-like paint, (very coarse) sand cast
> motor block texture and crude finish throughout. In other words,
> funky to the max.
> Despite these features, getting on and riding it always puts a big
> goofy smile on my face... for about the first 3 miles. After that
> it gradually dawns on me what a factory wreck it really is,
> and how much work it is merely to ride the thing (let alone
> maintain it). In comparison, the modern Russian-built Ural feels
> like precision machinery.
> Since I have two of them, I thought about making the non-running one
> into something more practical and everyday-usable by replacing
> the Soviet motor and drive train. Criteria for the replacement system:
> * easily obtainable & affordable
> * easily maintainable -- parts & service
> * capable of 65 mph max. Probably need at least 50 hp
> * 750 cc max (for insurance purposes)
> * reliable
> * robust clutch as rig with sidecar is heavy (heavier than Ural)
> * good torque (ditto)
> * chain drive (easy to maintain and customize the final drive ratio)
> * must fit in Dnepr frame (with custom fabricated adapting brackets
> only; no welding)
> * sidecar to have brakes but not necessarily a powered wheel.
> This would be handled separately from the main project.
> If I had my druthers I'd prefer a V-twin, but can't seem to find one
> at a good price.
> However, the most obvious candidate that comes to mind is a venerable
> workhorse, the Honda CB750. Assuming it can fit the Dnepr's frame
> it seems to fit all the other criteria. Yesterday I found an '83
> Nighthawk on sale for ~$500. This is a lot less than having a sidecar
> custom fitted to any bike I have, including a BMW R75/5.
> Examining a CB750 motor I think I can make (or have made) an adapting
> bracket out of steel plate to mount it in the Dnepr frame without
> any welding. The swingarm will be a bit of an issue but not insolvable.
> (Tensioned chain idler sprocket like the Buell Ulysses?)
> A CB750 can produce ~60 hp. I don't think this motor would be
> too powerful and heavy for the Dnepr frame, which to me looks
> clunky and overbuilt for a 650. The running one definitely
> feels underpowered.
> Anyway by the time I'm done the bike will essentially be a Honda
> Nighthawk in disguise.
> Any comments and/or other ideas appreciated