A Russian passion

..I am at http://www.uralhowto.org or http://paradise.islandmusings.net. 

Oleg (2005 Patrol) is cold blooded.  Some would say, watchyerpoint, you live on an island in Canada, but I know this is not necessary.  My first bike (Crazy Ivan), a 2003 Northern Cruiser arrived with the Old Vintage Crank modifications already made.  These included a re-worked breather, stiffened two wheel drive engagement rod, and re-jetted carbs.  All are great mods.  Thanks Ken!  The only problem I have had with this bike in the first 5,000 KM was a toasted alternator.  I half-expected that, and with Ken’s usual amazing service, the recommended alternator arrived and was installed without difficulty.

Oleg arrived in a snow storm - ridden by our Nova Scotia Ural dealer who was kind enough to deliver.  Lutz Kottwitz of Kottwitz Werke with his wife Terry arrived at my home in a heavy snow storm.  (Yes, Lutz was driving the bike, and Terry was following in the car.

The bike and Lutz’s service have been amazing.  Good advice and friendship - along with a love for these quirky Russian machines.  Life is good.

I quickly noticed that this was a cold blooded beast - as Lutz said, “start it up, and go get dressed - when you return, it will be ready to go.” He was right.  However, I knew that re-jetting would improve this, so Lutz was kind enough to send over the required jets.  (He has already changed one set, but there was another that needed to be done.)

I drove the sidecar wheel up on a ramp to give me just a little more room under the hack side and started removing the carb bowls.  There was no problem in removing the bowls (gas running down your arm is good, right) and I made careful reference to this article, along with the e-mail that Lutz sent me.  It has been many years since I worked inside a carb, so my pal Tom stopped by to give moral support and some good advice.

As one jet had already been changed on each carb, all I had to change was the pilot jet on each.  Finding a screw driver small enough to go into the recessed jet hole was a bit of a reach, but found one in my computer tool kit bag.  The size 38 came out and replaced with 45.  Everything back in place - switched to prime to fill the bowls and then started.  Sweet.  Immediate start and no burping or sputtering with cold engine.  Down the road with a smile.

Short ride to warm the beast up and back to the garage to check to see if the carbs are in balance.  I use a $4 carb balancer that was made from these plans. Happily, the throttle cables were perfect, but the idle was just a bit out of balance and a little low, since jets changed.  With Tom holding the tubes, and me at the idle adjustment, it was back in balance quickly. 

A pot of coffee, a couple of hours of enjoyment and a better bike.  Hard to argue with that.

Thanks to Ken for putting me on this path and for his always helpful advice, to Lutz for the same and for the updated jets and to Dwight Rahl for his helpful web page.

(sigh)..I was planning some Winter riding this weekend.  Guess not.

This is a warning that potentially damaging winds are expected in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements. 

An intense low pressure system will move across northern New Brunswick today and then into Labrador on Saturday. Strong southwest winds gusting up to 90 km/h will develop across the region later today and then will switch to the west tonight. Winds will slowly subside in the wake of the low on Saturday. 

A 3000 KM trip from PEI to Orange County Choppers (just for bragging rights).  I rode the German, rather than the Russian as I am not sure I would be up to 6 days and 3000 KM on Crazy Ivan.  We have few requirements, stay off the main roads, the sleeping accommodations required a shower and be situated close to someplace that had cold beer and rare steak and just relax.  All expectations were met.

Soulmates.  Funny looking tho - no sidecar hanging off the side.

Tomorrow being St. Valentines Day, and and as herself and I will be celebrating our anniversary next week, I suggested that I purchase (for her) this little romantic gift.  Darn, I don’t understand her irritation.  What the heck did she expect, vacume cleaner bags?

I am told this bike began it’s life in Western Canada where it made a number of trips back and forth to Mexico.  (hmmmmmm)

It found its way to PEI where it spent many years tucked away in the back of a barn.  It was purchased by a guy in O’Leary PEI and I am told it ran, but was being used as a lawn ornament.  It was for sale, but the price was silly, so we just kept riding.

A few months later, it was purchased and relocated to Charlottetown where the restoration is in process.  The wiring is the usual rats nest but the bike did start by by-passing the electrical system and hooking to a 6 V power supply.

On first start, I am told it was necessary to vacate the building as it got, er, a little foggy.

Just one of those days that needed some pictures.  It was -6, but I was having to much fun to complain.  After heading off the road into the field I decided I would buy a set of knobby tires before next Winter.

For someone who has ridden on two wheels for (cough) 40 mutter_something years the transition to a side car rig was a challenge.  The challenge was to get the silly grin off my face.  The Russian arrived in July 2005 (it is all Ken Beech’s fault - or so I keep telling herself) and the rest was history.  If you don’t have the Russian disease, you won’t understand, but if you do - well, I don’t have to tell you.

By the way, there is room for 2 cases of beer in the trunk with room to spare for ice.

Pre-Russian arrival. Silver Anniversary Edition.  I found this bike in Moncton, New Brunswick.  The original owner was moving South and had decided to part with his baby.  The Silver Anniversary Edition was, I am told, very rare.  Only 12 sold in Canada and one had to beg to buy.  The guy who owned it prior to me obviously loved this bike as it was very well cared for.  It is an amazing bike to ride.  Fast and quick in the corners, yet as comfortable as the old recliner in front of the TV.  It now has 140,000 KM and is running as strong as ever.  Other than a new clutch at 120,000 and the usual replacements of consumables, the bike is still original.