Utilitarian CCCP Motorcycle.

[CrazyFrog]

It certainly doesn't look like a cheapo job Tim, very well done!

[SteveC#222]

To be honest, most of the Russian bikes can be made into reliable machines if you build them up properly with decent bearings, seals, brake linings, cables etc. Problem was they were thrown together in the factory with low cost parts and no quality control as no-one gave a toss. They did get better in the Uralmoto era but prior to that it was a lottery. Dave Angel at F2 motorcycles always use to completely strip and rebuild the engines of the bikes he sold and had far less problems.

[timbo]

So heres a couple of quotes from Bike circa 1977, regarding the Neval Minsk 125, in a comparison test of eleven 125s.
 'Neval Minsk is in fact a dirt cheap Russian motorcycle, which starts easily, arrives complete with a small carrier, an MZ style rubber case enclosing the rear chain, and a well made tool kit with tyre pressure gauge and pump.'
All good so far then 
 'Having said that, we've exhausted the list of good points on what we feel is one of the most objectionable examples of almost Neanderthal motorcycle engineering available in Britain.'
Mmmm, not so good then I wouldn't like to repeat some of the rest, but here's a further quote from the summary,
 'And finally, the Minsk avoids serious comparison with the other bikes - even the lunchbox commuters - because its too damned dangerous. Of the three Russian two-strokes that Bike have tested over the years, two have had appalling brakes and one has just managed to stop in vaguely acceptable distances.'   
And
 'We just cant recommend anyone to buy a Neval Minsk,'
Ha ha ha, the mad thing is that I had read this write up before purchasing the two I own. I just see the whole thing as a challenge, and a lot of fun. I mean, the front brake on my 2002 RE is woeful, but I love the bike to bits. you just ride it accordingly, though, I must admit, I've had the odd a$$$ clenching moment!
Anyway, here's the project so far. Now stripping the second one for a tidy up, whilst I wait for my bits and pieces to arrive from Romania.....
 

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[SteveC#222]

On the 650 twins if you had the brake shoes relined with Ferodo MZ41 and fitted a heavy duty front brake cable from F2 m/c's the brakes were pretty decent - I would think the same thing may apply to the Minsk. 

[timbo]

So, Minsk number 2 update. Almost looks like it would make a nice little 'street scrambler'....
And then, with its clothes on, but still minus its engine....
Now just waiting on engine seal kits, and gaskets, which I'm assured are on their way from Romania, so I can get the pair of little rascals finished 

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[iansoady]

Looking good.

I now feel suitably ashamed of my "pig" posting........

[timbo]

Not at all Ian  I just look on them as a Russian, sorry, Belarusian Bantam. We copied the DKW RT125 to produce the Bantam, and they copied the DKW to make the Minsk. Then DKW went on to become MZ.
Learning all this stuff has been part of the enjoyment. The main thing, is its given me the kick up the backside I needed to get me back out in the shed, after a severe lack of interest for a while.
Watch this space, as I'm now also rebuilding a much rougher Motobelo Regent 125 

[iansoady]

Oner reason I abandoned my decades-long loyalty to Nortons was exactly that "learning opportunity" as I felt I'd probably seen it all by then. A new (old) bike every year or so certainly makes you think especially when it's a rare / unpopular bike.

[timbo]

After trawling around the local area, looking for someone to straighten my bent frame, I gave up 
So, today I decided to have a go with my mate Geordie. Pressing out one of the bent side rails, with a trolley jack was the easy bit. Straightening the top tube is a different ballgame. Finally resorted to cutting it, to allow us to twist the headstock straight, in a home made Heath Robinson set up which we've left under pressure over night 

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[timbo]

Right, b******* to this! I've managed to straighten every bit of frame tube, but the headstock is still at a bloomin  angle! So its disc cutter time. I'm going to cut off the headstock and gussets, and reweld the whole bally lot. Every days a school day 

[timbo]

Off with its head(stock) I say! Well, not quite, but I cut off the gussets, plus a couple of other welds, then straightened the offending bits, and welded it all back together. its now built like the Titannic! (maybe not the best analogy )
Wish I'd done this at the start, instead of all the fri@@@@@ about 

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[SteveC#222]

Surprised anyone managed to bend it in the first place if it's built anything like the flat twins !! The frame walls on the Ural were a good 6-8mm thick and really solid welding - not pretty but solid. I knew a bloke who bought his outfit after it had spent a year propping up a big tractor with no ill effects!!

[onthecheap]

What a cracking pair of bikes you have there Timbo. Right up my street things like that find something everyone derides and then build it how it should have done.
Anyone got a pair of commie 250 twin motors languishing in the shed ?

[timbo]

This evening I finally learnt how to lace up a wheel. I know you can probably learn this stuff from a book, or online, but nothing beats someone with over forty years experiences teaching you face to face. I definitely picked up some great tips, and the confidence to do it in the future. and  I now have a smile on me like a Cheshire cat 
Just have to build a jig now 
Also well pleased with this repair to a plastic rear inner guard, with a cricket bat soldering iron. It really was a mere five minute job.

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[timbo]

So, still no parts for my Minsks, from Romania. I know the sender definitely sent them, and that they left Bucharest on 17th December. But where the heck they are now, I've no idea. Means I've had to build up the the bikes with no engine internals, as I'm putting them in a little local bike show over the weekend