Hanoi thumpers

[Mart]

When I was sorting out some pictures to post re my DR800 project I came across these two pictures of little thumpers taken on the sreets of Hanoi.





There are not many Motorbikes in Viet nam [unless you count mopeds and scooters] The reason I was given for this is that the import duty on them is the equivalent of the value of the bike.
Daniel and I had a week in Hanoi after a motorcycle tour in the Central Highlands. http://motorbiketours-hoian.com/  In the company of the illustrious Boyd who organised the tour with a number of other ne'er do wells. The tour was wonderful and the company we did it with served us brilliantly. 5 nights, 6 days 2 guides 2 mechanics backup van interpreter all food , non alcoholic drinks and overnight accommodation paid for.
We enjoyed it so much there is talk of a similar event in Sri Lanka next year with the same company. @ October so start saving your pennies and Brownie points.

[timbo]

Sounds like an excellent trip Martin. How many of you were there, and what bikes were you all on?

[Mart]

Sounds like an excellent trip Martin. How many of you were there, and what bikes were you all on?

Hi Tim,
Most of us were on 125cc Minsk two strokes. One or two opted for Japanese off road bikes so they could show off. The Minsks were great fun and I have been on the lookout for a small two stroke since I got back; Jawa or MZ. I think I also need a small trail bike, I will have to chuck some of Daniel's stuff out of the shed. The tourists were Me, Dan, Boyd, Jake [Boyd's son], Roy a friend from Oz and a couple of Jake's mates from Oz, Paul a friend of Boyd's from Canada and Haydn a guy Who happened to turn up and see if there were any tours going. Two Ozzie guides Two Viet Namese mechanics, a Viet Namese interpreter and the backup van driver. we all got on prety well and had a lot of fun, especially those on the 8HP Minsks.

If you want more info on the trip my blog is at WWW.martthefart.co.uk and Dan's is at www.zeebad.co.uk

[mini-thumper]

'Twas thumping brilliant. Can certainly recommend the country and the company. It was so much more interesting riding the old Soviet two-strokes; if we had any problems the mechanics just gave us their bike, fixed it, and caught us up (very easily).

Cheers
Boyd

[timbo]

Hi Mart. I recently bought a Jawa locally, but I see the same guy is now selling another one, almost the same. 1991, only 6000 miles. Looking £650, but I'm sure £550 would lift it, and he is a sound fella. PM me if you want more details.

[timbo]

Oh dear, a Minsk 125, 1979, has just appeared on Done Deal in southern Ireland 

[SteveC#222]

You haven't truly lived until you've tried the Voshkod175 ( Russia's interpretation of the Bantam). I bought one for £20 that was rescued from a skip in Portsmouth and sat in a shed for 20 years until the owner was ordered by the wife to get rid of it.  Once described by (old) MCN as truly awful - the worst brakes we've ever tested! The brakes were more theoretical that actually practical - i uprated mine with an MZ125 front wheel - the one the MZders swap for a Honda TLS as it's so bad! It currently lives with my brother on long term lone to give him something to polish when the mood takes him.

[timbo]

Thanks for posting the Voshkod pick. I think it looks truelly gorgeous, but I seem to be recently inflicted with a disease caused easterneuropebikeitis! The symptoms are that your brain becomes completely irrational towards the purchase of very dodgy dog rough Slavic motorcycles, which are probably only of any use as a boat anchor  Or maybe not. Discuss 

[timbo]

Anyone out there foolish enough or prepared to own up to owning a Minsk, or any parts there of? Or have any info on them, or contacts for parts, please?

[SteveC#222]

You may struggle to find many bits, the last people bringing them in were Nevals at Hornsea in the mid/late 80's.  They brought in the Minsk 125, voskhod 175, the Jupiter 350 twin, Planeta 350 sport all 2 stroke and the Ural and Dnepr 650's.
The Cossack Owners Club may have some contacts. The Minsk, once sorted, was probably the best of the 2 strokes, the Planeta went like stink but not for long or very far. My mate has a factory Dnepr motocrosser which has everything tuned and polished inside, converted to road legal Enduro with a Wasp sidecar and short track close ratio racing gearbox - goes like a rocket! very un Russian!!

You want to look at some of the early Jawa 2 strokes - lovely old things especially with the little Pav trailers - I'm suprised you don't see more of the trailers as they are ideal for solo camping and track beautifully.

[manxie]

Love the Jawa!!! but I`ll have to be honest, until the thread on here mentioned the Minsk, I`d not heard of them  Maybe it`s just me getting old but I like the look of the Minsk pictured too  Mind you, I`ve just been syphoning petrol so maybe the fumes and mouthful of petrol has blurred my vision   

[SteveC#222]

Minsk 125



IZH Jupiter 350



IZH Planeta 350 Sport

[timbo]

The red Minsk pictured above is exact model and colour of what I just picked up in southern Ireland. Its 1979. Still has an English plate and docs, so hopefully paperwork will work out OK. Still recognised on DVLA site, though shown as last taxed in 1981. Printed off a 60 page workshop manual, in English, from the Hanoi Minsk Clubs site, which is worth a visit. I love the wee bike, it weighs nothing, but looks really solid. I'm sure its about as bombproof as gelignite though 
PS, Mart, this is all your fault, after reading your initial post and blogs on your trip to Vietnam!

[timbo]

Oh yes, PAV trailers. Love them too. Last ones I saw were being towed by a convoy of Panthers from the Netherlands 

[timbo]

So heres a couple of pics,

[deleted to save space]