Ural motorbike images from f2 motorcycles ltd

Hi is yours the black one with the screen? At the bottom of the sidecar pictures page
If so nice bike

With a bit of luck that’s the sort of outfit I would like
I do like the Ural outfits but you hear so many horror stories about there reliability that it puts you off a bit and they are not cheep now are they

Did you fit the sidecar yourself and
Was it a new one or second hand?

Is there a fitting kit available or the bonnie or did you have to make up your own?

I just bought a Ural. A 2007 model as luck would have it. I think the reliability issues do exist on the older models, but I'm told by dealers and enthusiasts, alike, that the newer ones are far better with German gearbox and pistons, Jap electrics and Ducati ignition controls. The trick is to be very regular and prompt with servicing: namely change the oil/filter, set the tappets and balance the carbs every 1000 miles and you've a longlasting bike.

Every 1000 sounds like a lot, but consider the cost of a filter and 2 litres of oil, and then consider all the service costs of a regular bike every 3-4000. All this servicing can be done by you. They are slow and they are basic, but if reliability is all that is stopping you I think you might be pleasantly surprised.

One thing you do get is a bike that was designed (albeit in 1803...;-)) to carry a sidecar, as opposed to a solo that is converted with inherent risks to bearings, spokes, headraces etc from the new, unaturally stresses they suffer.

BTW. Spoke to David of F2 yesterday, actually: really helpful guy and veruy genuine. Top bloke!

__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

Hi,

Welcome. If you scroll down this thread,

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...goldwing-33656

you'll find a post by Winterbiker with a link to his trip on a rigid-framed special & sidecar - quite informative.

Indoors

That's the one. Mine was a new chair modified and fitted by David Angel. What he does is cut off the Ural specific fixed mountings and weld on normal sidecar ball type mounts and a plate to give the right lead. Given the price I really couldn't be bothered risking the project with my dodgy experience of sidecar set up's and really really dodgy welding. David is a first class guy and I'm sure would give you a lot of support. The only Bonnie specific item that's useful is a subframe from Watsonian that goes from the centre stand holes out to the lower rear ball via the footpeg mounts. Bottom front uses the frame bolts, both tops are Velorex type clamps.

Urals are improving. I had a 2001 650 for about 7 months at the end of which it was heading for the showroom window! It only ever ran on one cylinder and ate head gaskets and valves at an alarming rate. I'd probably eventually fall out with Ural riders over the standard of the current crop, but they are way way better and improving fast. I've seen them incorrectly set up where main bearings etc. have gone with pretty low use. People who lived with the old ones seem to accept this sort of thing. Even if you get one from F2 that's right (rebuilt at new almost), there are limits though, with 40-odd HP you aren't doing a lot of motorway work and do have the oil changes, carb balancing and valves to do. The reverse gear etc. is fantastic. I'm waiting for maybe 2010-11. They almost definately have to go FI for the emissions requirements. If they do it right you'll be getting Moto Guzzi/BMW airhead/Triumph performance with all the nice Ural features and a few less things to fiddle with.

People have said before that the chair wheel drags in sand. I never really noticed, but I probably havn't gone far enough. That or I'm probably odd, got one arm longer than the other or something! Thanks for the advice, there isn't a lot I can do about the track width, but as this is a learning trip I'll make sure we have alternate routes/timing.

Andy