May 2004 Cover Story

Steve's Service Center
The Ural Motorcycle

You all know this paper caters to all bikers, and the URAL just might be what some of you are looking for. With dealers in over 25 states, this durable, classic looking machine is very reasonably priced at under $10,000. The thing I found interesting with the URAL is the history.
So here we go:

The IMZ - URal story

IMZ-Ural is the only Russian manufacturer of heavy duty motorcycles and one of few manufacturers of side-car motorcycles in the world. IMZ-Ural is a conglomerate of companies producing and selling classic motorcycles both singles and side-car combinations.

The story of IMZ-Ural begins late in 1939, a secret meeting was held in the Defence Ministry of USSR and the matter under discussion was what a model of motorcycles was going to be the most suitable for Soviet Armed Forces. After long discussion the BMW R71 motorcycle was found to match the requirements most closely and 5 motorcycles of the kind were secretly bought in Sweden. Everything about the bike was reversed engineered and early in 1941 the first trial samples of M-72 motorcycles were shown to Marshall Stalin and decision was taken to produce them.
Nazi invasion was so fast that Soviet Government had to move the Factory from Moscow to Irbit, a little town on the edge of Siberia, an important Trade and Fair centre in Russia before Revolution of 1917. On October 25,

1942 the first batch of Motorcycles went to the front and during WWII totally 9799 motorcycles were delivered to the front for reconnaissance detachments and mobile troops. After the WWII the Factory was further developed and in 1950 the Number 30000 motorcycle was produced, and totally more than 3 million motorcycles mainly with side-car have been produced since. There are a lot of places in Russia where only horses and URAL motorcycles can be used to gear-up where you need it. The export history of URALs started in 1953, mainly to developing countries first, including Governmental Authorities of various countries. But starting late in the 1980s deliveries started to developed countries and more and more URALs are there on the roads of all continents. URALs are a unique combination of price, classic styling and side-car, just like my "daddy's bike".
In the beginning of 1998 the business was bought by private Russian interest and it is no longer state property, bringing new ideas, new investments, new management, new production techniques, new design, technology and above all quality control of incoming, in-process and finished products. Where other competitors have stopped production or

are stuck in a rut of old models, IMZ have been given a new lease of life, with new models and an engine that benefits the standards required by the sporting and leisure rider of modern times. Whilst the outward appearance of the engine is the same as before, quality control techniques have use of better alloying and casting, better engineering tolerances, better paint and chrome whilst retaining the advantage of continuity with the inherently balanced design of a horizontally opposed flat twin engine with roller bearings in a solid frame. The future looks bright for IMZ, constantly improving its role as an economic form of transport that is fun to ride and easy to maintain. The story is far from over. Taken from www.imz-ural.com For more info on the ural, or looking for some good service work, check out Steve's Service Center web at www.stevesservicecenter.com or email them at ssc96@hotmail.com. If you happen to be in the area stop in and say hi to Steve or Lori. Let them know you seen it here.

Steve's Service Center
18580 W. National Ave. (National at Beloit Road)
New Berlin, WI

262-679-2244