Utilitarian CCCP Motorcycle.

[timbo]

So stripped the Minsk, and its amazing just how basic it is. But then, it was made for all terrains and all weathers, and to be easily repaired, with a big hammer and a screwdriver 

[attachment deleted by admin]

[timbo]

Just in from my toasty warm shed. I know my double Minsk project, ie.  doing up two of the the wee beasties, doesn't really compare to some of the proper engineering projects on here, but anyway, today I totally stripped an engine, now ready for blasting and painting, and barrel and head to be vapour blasted and kept as bare alloy. Touched in a few bits on the frame.
Just sent an email to some guy in Romania, for some expensive parts. Set of rubber engine seals 6 euros, full gasket sets 7euros and chain gaiters 14 euro per set 
Apparently, you have to send this guy cash euros in the post, but I've a mate who has been through the process, and his parts duelly arrived 
The NOVA process was interesting, as I had no paperwork at all. So, I did the process online with HMRC as per usual, but I had no sellers details. So put in a Russian sounding name, and then googled a random address in Tallin, Estonia, (needed an EU country). All went through, no problem, and with no charge 

[attachment deleted by admin]

[SteveC#222]

I once stripped a spare Ural engine down as far as being about to remove the crank with a dogbone spanner from a bicycle tool kit! Of course if you are going to get serious about maintaining your Soviet bikes you will need some specialist tools. The main ones are a balance set for precision Ukrainian Percussion wrenches, you can find these in your local MachineMart or similar under  Hammers...sizes  ball pien, lump and sledge will be suitable for most Soviet engineering applications.

[SteveC#222]

Seriously, on the Urals the rear main bearing housing was fixed to the back of the crank case with 8 M6 bolts drilled and wired together - easy enough. The only thing holding it on then was the gasket cement which looked like a mix of red hermitite and shellac.....THAT STUFF IS EVIL!!!..   it took 2 hours to get it to come apart with boiling water, heat, more heat, much more heat than was sensible and finally beating the crap out of it with a 1/2" steel drift through the crank case mouth and a 4lb lump hammer!!!
God knows what that stuff is but it doesn't come apart, I don't know why they thought they need to wire the bolt heads!

[mthee]

Ooooo! Nicely composed technical rant!  I especially like the way, at 08.41 you had a warm-up rant, before returning for the full-on event some 9 mins later once, presumably, you'd reached a state of critical mass!?

[timbo]

Would you send cash to Romania for parts? 
I just have. Will be interesting to see if the parts arrive 

[mthee]

Really rare parts, are they? Or a bargain? Fingers crossed for you, I'm not sure I would have the testicular fortitude!

[timbo]

Chickened out, plus I can hopefully Paypal the supplier, or MoneyGram him.
Progress so far....

[attachment deleted by admin]

[timbo]

Two engines blasted, primed, and painted for £20 each. That's what I call a bargain 
Now I just have to wait for the parts I ordered to come from Romania 

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Moto63]

Looking good mate...specially for £20

[timbo]

 Yep, the two engines are empty shells, all the innards are neatly cleaned and boxed up, awaiting new seals. So if any shotblast has got inside, it won't matter, as they'll be opened up again for the rebuild. Dont know whether to use the existing slotted engine bolts, or blingy stainless socket heads for the rebuild?

[iansoady]

Lipstick and pig come to mind?

[SteveC#222]

Dont know whether to use the existing slotted engine bolts, or blingy stainless socket heads for the rebuild?

Thats a very slippery slope mate!!  A guy in the COC rebuilt a Voshkod and made that mistake, ended up spending hundreds on powder coating, chroming etc. The finished bike was beautiful, but he'd spent far more than it was ever going to be worth.

[timbo]

Yep, i know its a pig, i think thats the appeal, in a strange way 
I know how easy costs can spiral, but ive pretty much done the wee Minsk up on the cheap. Costs have been £40 of shotblasting and priming and painting in 2pac, £30 of vapour blasting. Wheel bearings, gaskets, engine rubber seal set, and chain gaiters 40 euro. I always keep a stock of stainless socket bolts in the common sizes, so they aren't a problem. I think I paid about £400 for the bike, and that should be her well sorted, hopefully 
I plan to stick the two Minsks in a couple of the small local winter bike shows, just cause theyre something different, and do a couple of articles for the COCs excellent club magazine, Horizontal View.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[SteveC#222]

and do a couple of articles for the COCs excellent club magazine, Horizontal View.

I edited that for a few years along with the newsletter 'Horizontal News' - nice to know it's still going strong.