Izh-49 - the most beautiful Soviet motorcycle

Motorcycles were popular in the USSR after World War II. The fact is that cars there weren't enough of them, and they were expensive, public transport was still just developing back then.


But motorcycles were affordable. The release of bikes was quickly adjusted thanks to the equipment exported from Germany. Izh-49 became the most beautiful serial motorcycle of Soviet production - this article will talk about it in detail.

History of the model

The origins of the post-war Izh bikes begin with the German DKW 350. This motorcycle was copied in the USSR and was produced in the city of Izhevsk. Naturally, the model was renamed Izh-350, but in fact it is a pure DKW 350 made on German equipment.

An interesting fact is that Hermann Weber, an engineer who developed the original German bike, helped to establish the production of the model.
In the late 1940s, Izh-350 was upgraded in accordance with modern requirements. The motorcycle, which debuted in 1950, was called Izh-49. The model was mass-produced from 1951 to 1958.



The bike received a number of improvements:

• ? Telescopic front fork - it was an innovation for those years
  
• ? Rear suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers
  

All this made the motorcycle more comfortable and adapted to the countryside.

motorcycle design

Now many consider Izh-49 the most beautiful bike of the Izhevsk plant. The model managed to combine the classic German design of the DKW 350 and modern engineering solutions.

The motorcycle turned out to be reliable - this is a consequence of the use of foreign equipment. By the way, Izh-56, which began to be produced later, was already manufactured on Soviet machines, as a result of which reliability fell.



Design Features:

• ? Teardrop gas tank
  
• ? Stylish fishtail mufflers
  
• ? Separate seats
  
• ? The gear lever on the tank, duplicated by a foot foot
  

The production of Izh-49 continued until 1958, the last two of them were produced together with the Izh-56. At first, buyers began to take a new modification, but the motorcycle was not so high quality in terms of assembly.

Technical features

For its time, Izh-49 was a modern motorcycle with a high degree of reliability. Soviet designers did what the Japanese did 20 years later - they took a model, copied it and improved it.



The engine is single-cylinder, two-stroke, runs on a mixture of gasoline and oil. Air cooling, working volume 346 cm3. Engine power is only 11,5 liters. s., but for those years it was enough. The maximum speed is about 90 km/h.



The native carburetor is the K-28B, but it is often replaced by any other suitable for Izh motorcycles.

The gearbox is a four-speed, and it was a breakthrough for the early 1950s. Then foreign-made bikes were equipped with a 3-speed manual transmission. However, the fourth gear is direct, so it was used only on the track, after reaching speeds above 60 km / h. You can switch both manually and with your foot.

On the chassis Izh-49 is the simplest:

• ? steel frame
  
• ? Spring-hydraulic shock absorbers
  
• ? drum brakes
  

Compared to the Izh-350, the suspension has become softer. But now the connection of the pendulum fork in the middle of the shock absorber looks ridiculous. The design was invented by Soviet engineers, it turned out to be unsuccessful - the racks flowed, the suspension was “oak”.



There are no electrical frills on Izh-49. From the factory, a six-volt power supply system with a battery was installed here. Many argue that no one was put on a battery on a Soviet motorcycle. Say, a father or grandfather had such a bike without a battery.

In fact, these are already rural alterations, on which generators with self-excitation from Minsk small-capacity motorcycles were installed.

Turn signals for Izh-49 are not provided

Weight without a sidecar is only 150 kg, that is, a little more than modern bikes of this size. Two-stroke fuel consumption is traditionally high - about 6-7 liters per 100 kilometers. The engine is designed for low-octane gasoline, but if desired, it can be converted to AI-92.

The handling of the motorcycle is specific, it is easy to describe it in a few words - it rides well in a straight line. The low rigidity of the frame and primitive suspension do not add confidence in corners.

Is it possible to buy Izh-49 and for how much?

In Russia, the motorcycle still comes across for sale on the used market. The cost of Izh-49 depends on a number of factors, such as the "Wishlist" of the owner, technical condition, availability of documents. The price starts from 50 rubles and ends at the level of 000 rubles.



Expensive copies are restored bikes in their original condition, they look like they just left the factory assembly line.

For the minimum price, most likely, the motorcycle will be a kind of monster, made up of parts from Izh-49/56 and Planets of different years and models. Although sometimes for 70-80 thousand rubles there are options in perfect condition. Most likely, the owners sell them due to life circumstances.

Repair and alteration

In principle, it is not difficult to repair the old Soviet Izh if the task is to simply put it on the move. But to bring the motorcycle to a “stock” state is already a problem. You will have to look for original spare parts in all CIS countries, some of them must be ordered at factories according to drawings.



Tuning Soviet motorcycles is a thankless and mentally harmful business. Unfortunately, the teardrop-shaped tank of the Izh-49 evokes seditious thoughts about converting it into a chopper to some. It hurts to look at such motorcycles - and cruisers are not very good, and the beauty of the factory model is lost.



Izh-49 is beautiful in stock. But we must try to purchase an option at a price of under 100 rubles, restore it and save it for posterity.

Modifications

Few people know, but the Izh-49 was produced in several modifications, except for stock and with a sidecar.

Motorcycle versions:

• ? Izh-50 - a sports model for competitions, produced piece by piece. Went only to motorcycle schools, not sold to private hands
  
• ? Izh-51M is a special modification for participation in road racing. An experimental engine was installed on these bikes.
  
• ? Izh-54 - a racing version, very rare, it is believed that it has not survived to this day
  
• ? Izh-55 - motocross motorcycle
  

Advantages and disadvantages

It is difficult to talk about the pros and cons of antique technology. Therefore, it is better to compare the motorcycle with models of the same production years.

Advantages of Izh-49:

• ? Reliability and quality
  
• ? Simplicity of design and high maintainability
  
• ? Appearance
  

Cons:

• ? declining years
  
• ? Trouble finding parts
  
• ? Two stroke engine
  
• ? Lack of turn signals
  

Considering Izh-49 as a motorcycle for every day is not worth it - this is a rare technique. But as a weekend bike, the “old man” is suitable. Be sure that Izh-49 will definitely attract the attention of others!