Forged in War: The Story of IMZ-Ural

As state-sponsored communism began to wane in the Soviet Union during the 1980s, IMZ-Ural became privately owned for the first time since its formation in the early 1940s. 40% of the company was owned by staff and management, 38% by other private investors, and the government retained the remainder. In 1998, the company was purchased by a new group of investors and shortly afterwards, the government sold its stake to the new owners.

Under the leadership of this new management team, a thorough shift in the company’s approach was instilled from the top on down. While the ruggedness and go-anywhere capability of the world’s only 2-wheel drive, purpose built sidecar remained central to the company’s philosophy, new and improved processes were quickly introduced along with an unparalleled commitment to quality becoming part of the new Ural standard.

Today, modern components including a vastly improved engine with an increased output have been made standard across the entire Ural lineup. Other modern enhancements including a Ducati-developed electronic ignition system, Brembo disc brakes, fuel injection, and upgraded gears are just a few of the features available on modern Urals.

But even with all these improvements, it is the company’s past that has defined the path that Ural has taken to get to where it is today, and what an interesting journey it has been!

In 1940, just a few months after Germany invaded Poland to touch off World War II, Germany and Russia agreed to a non-aggression pact. Despite this agreement, few believed that the arrangement would remain intact and Russia quietly set about building up its forces in preparation for a Nazi Germany invasion that many – including Stalin himself – felt was inevitable.

Senior Red Army officials realized that they needed to modernize their approach to war. They simply had no way to defend against the German army that had so effectively used its armoured vehicles to wage a fast-moving campaign known as “blitzkrieg”, or “lightening war”. In searching for a way to quickly move its troops, it was determined that sidecar-equipped motorcycles would be an effective means of transport.

To help design a rig suitable for the task, Red Army engineers managed to purchase five BMW R71 motorcycles through a Swedish intermediary. Russian technicians reverse-engineered the R71 to build several prototypes for testing and by early 1941, the new machines which would become the Dnepr M-72, were approved for full production.

As expected, the German army turned its sights towards its giant neighbor to the east launching “Operation Barbarossa” in June of 1941. True to form, the Germans made a quick advance across the vast open spaces of western Russia forcing Russian officials to move the Dnepr production facilities from Moscow to the town of Irbit, bordering Siberia in the Ural mountains.

Nearly 10,000 M-72 motorcycles were delivered to the Red army by the Spring of 1942 and by this time, the German army was in full retreat. Just as Napoleon’s army discovered in 1812, a poorly supplied army stood little chance against a Russian winter and the Germans repeated Napoleon’s mistake when it outpaced its own supply lines. Germany’s inability to supply its army left its troops woefully ill-prepared to face a brutal Russian winter and German soldiers died by the thousands in the face of bitterly cold weather and an emboldened Russian army fighting to save its homeland.

Through all of this, the M-72 proved a tenacious war machine that served Russian troops admirably during incredibly challenging conditions. In the years following the war, these same qualities proved ideal for farmers throughout Eastern Europe. The ability to deal with poor or even non-existent roads, and a simple design that even the most ham-fisted mechanic could keep running, helped make the Ural sidecar a staple throughout the old Eastern block in the second half of the 20th century.

Today’s Urals are infinitely more refined than these earlier models, but the heritage of the M-72 lives on in models such as the Gear-Up and the Patrol. Even though you may never be called upon to defend your homeland against invaders, if you find the thought of cruising in comfort, while being able to do a little off-roading at the drop of a hat especially appealing, well then, you might just be the perfect Ural candidate.

To learn more about the Ural lineup, drop into Old Vintage Cranks and let Ken show you everything that Ural has to offer. No one knows more about Urals than the oVc gang and Ken is offering special pricing now on remaining 2016 Urals in order to clear space on the showroom floor for the 2017 models which will be in shortly.

oVc Classifieds

2016 Terra Cotta cT

We're down to just two remaining 2016 Urals! Considered the most user friendly rig for new sidecar operators, this gorgeous terra cotta cT is on sale now for just $15,500 plus HST.

2016 Asphalt Grey Gear Up

If you're looking for the added capability of 2 wheel drive, this Asphalt Grey Gear Up is for you! Beautifully appointed with solo tractor seat, rear fender rack, and sidecar trunk rack with spare wheel, this rig can be yours for just $18,275 plus HST.

oVc is Headed to the

Toronto Spring Motorcycle Show!

We're excited to announce that Old Vintage Cranks will have a booth at the Toronto Spring Motorcycle Show March 25 and 26 at the International Centre. If you're attending, please stop by our booth - we'll be located in Hall #1.

We'll have several bikes on display including a Royal Enfield Classic 500 and Continental GT Cafe Racer, a Ural sidecar rig, and a couple of examples of the ultra-competitive Clews Competition Motorcycle (CCM) adventure bikes.

Brokentooth Puts oVc's CCM Demo to the Test!

Oliver Solaro (AKA "Brokentooth") is known by the unique title of "Canada's Ice Road Biker". He somehow managed to talk CCM Canada and Ken into providing oVc's demo CCM for his most recent ice road run through Northern Ontario. Check out his Facebook page for some incredible footage of his most recent adventure.

Oliver will be oVc's special guest and will be available for meet and greets at our booth during the show. You definitely need to meet this guy and hear how impressed he was with the CCM during his trip.

Customer Corner

The Norther Cruiser Finds a New Home

John is the proud owner of this rare Ural Northern Cruiser. Congratulations, John and here's to many happy three-wheeled adventures!

oVc's "What's Old is Still New"

Royal Enfield Special Sale

As we recently announced, Old Vintage Cranks has secured several brand new 2015 Royal Enfield Continental GT cafe racers and Classic 500 models. These new, never-before registered machines are identical to the 2017 versions, but available at prices not seen for two years!

We have two Classic 500s in black and three Continental GTs available - two in yellow, and one in black. At these prices, these machines will not last long!

We've also learned that for 2017, Royal Enfield is dropping the yellow colour option for the Continental GT. While still available in the original awesome looking red, classic black, and the new British racing green, if you're as big a fan of the brilliant yellow as we are, you'd better act quickly to secure one of the two new 2015 models in the oVc showroom. These may well be the only two remaining yellow Continental GTs in the country!