Ural "Solo" - a rare Russian single motorcycle from IMZ

Heavy motorcycles of the Irbit plant appeared in the first half of the 1940s. Then they were not yet called "Urals". These were simple and reliable models with sidecars, known under the M-72 index. By the way, they were copied from German pre-war BMWs.


The name "Ural" appeared in 1961, along with the M-62 model. By that time, motorcycles began to be sold to "civilians". In the city, they were not in demand, but in the village they replaced private cars, which were few.

In Soviet times, Urals were rarely seen without a stroller. Only after the collapse of the USSR, they tried to mass-produce them, starting with the classics, and ending with stylish choppers / cruisers.


Nothing good came of it. The Russian consumer has already been spoiled by the Japanese motorcycle industry. Foreigners didn't get the Urals either - they are too technically primitive.

Today we will remember about the Ural "Solo" - the first Russian single motorcycle manufactured by IMZ.

History

Among the Soviet youth, the Urals were never in demand. Nothing strange - they were with wheelchairs, but their parents did not allow them to be disconnected, and the traffic police did not welcome them either. If the documents say that the model is with a side trailer, then this is how it should have remained.

But single motorcycles appeared in the IMZ range back in 1950. Interestingly, it was a fundamentally new model, created specifically for lovers of two, not three wheels. It was called M-52 and differed in a number of features:

✅ Produced exclusively without a stroller
✅ Had a boxer two-cylinder engine, but 500 cm3
✅ It was considered the fastest Soviet motorcycle of those years
✅ Looked similar to the M-72, but differed in some airiness in appearance

The model was produced for 7 years, but in small batches. In total, about 680 such bikes were assembled at the IMZ facilities.

Two sports modifications were produced on the IMZ M-52 chassis. One was intended for road racing, the second for motocross. These models did not fall into the hands of ordinary amateurs at all - they were taken away by sports clubs.


As for the road M-52s, they were sold near Irbit, the place of production. The factory management considered that it makes no sense to invest in motorcycle advertising, especially since it was a small-scale one.

After 1957, "Urals" without a sidecar were released only for the elite. This refers to athletes and special services, like the traffic police. Escort models were also assembled in limited quantities, but this is generally piece goods.

The first Ural "Solo" appeared in the 90s. It almost did not differ from IMZ-8.103-10. The motorcycle was cheaper than the version with a sidecar and did not shine with some kind of exquisite design. In fact, it was the same Ural.


Only in the late 90s, more precisely, in 1998, the motorcycle was rethought. In fact, this is a new model created based on the Ural "Voyage". Only that one was closer to choppers, and this one is already a typical retro with a number of modern components.


Initially, the Ural "Solo" was equipped with an engine familiar to the "opposers" - with a volume of 650 cm3, known from Soviet models. Very soon it was replaced with a 750 cm3 engine.

Modifications:

✅ Ural "Solo Classic" - the earliest and most popular version. Looks like old British motorcycles. It's not just that - the design was developed by the British
✅ Ural Retro Solo - a model stylized as the 50s. Has a drop tank and dashboard in the headlight
✅ Solo ST - more like the Soviet classics of the 80s. It has a standard tank for wheelchair "Urals"

The last two models are most often single. Although there were versions with a double stepped seat. These were almost never sold in Russia - they were bought abroad, but they were not in demand.

Appearance

Let's agree right away that the motorcycle in question is the Ural Solo Classic, the most common in our country. The appearance of the bike is not for everyone. It is difficult to call it a full-fledged retro - the impression is spoiled by an atypical seat and disc brakes. There is something in the design from Italian models, but the "Ural" charm has remained.


It seems that the designers wanted to combine several classes at once in one, or simply did not decide what they needed. The chopper drop tank somehow does not fit with the classic look of a European motorcycle at all.

The quality of the Ural "Solo" also does not shine. Having refocused on export, the manufacturer obviously left the same assemblers. Given that they were paid small salaries in the late 90s, they worked carelessly. By the way, the Ural "Solo" cost 50% cheaper than the "Wolf". But structurally, they did not differ from each other, except that the latter received a number of foreign components at once.

Technical features

Ural Solo engines are classic air-cooled two-cylinder boxers. Power units of 650 cm3 develop 40 hp. With. More voluminous - for 750 cubes, give out 45 liters. With. Later motorcycles received Italian Brembo brakes and Japanese carburetors.


The engines are structurally simple, have good traction at low speeds, but do not differ in dynamics. The maximum speed is 140 km / h - this is at 45 liters. With. and Japanese carburetors.

Gearboxes are four-speed, which is noteworthy - there is a rear one. She is not particularly needed, but she migrated from the “carriage” without changes. The frame, cardan drive and rear suspension are structurally the same as on the Soviet Urals.

How he drives

Only those who have previously traveled exclusively on small-capacity models can impress with the dynamics of a motorcycle. But the center of gravity, thanks to the boxer engine, is low. Coupled with inexpressive dynamics, this allows even a novice motorcyclist to feel confident on the bike.

Just do not forget that the Ural "Solo" will break down periodically. So the beginner will have to urgently master locksmith skills.


Against the background of the "Voyage" and "Wolf" models, the "Solo" is distinguished by sharp handling. This was achieved due to the short base, classic fork and steering wheel.

The gasoline consumption of a motorcycle is approximately 6 liters, provided that you do not rush anywhere. In dynamic mode - 7,5 liters. And if you squeeze the maximum speed out of the structurally ancient boxer on the track, then 10 liters easily go away.

Advantages and disadvantages

The first plus of the Ural "Solo" is its maintainability. The motorcycle is structurally from the late 30s, so fixing it, if desired and perseverance, is easy. The problem is that you have to do this often.


Anyone who buys any Ural needs to put up with constantly oozing oil from the engine. Of course, if you sort out the motor, replace all the seals and do it efficiently, you can get rid of the problem for a long time. That's just among the buyers of the opposition often come across beginner motorcyclists, they have yet to learn all the intricacies of repair.

In fairness, it is worth noting that the Ural "Solo" and other loners, like the "Wolf" and "Voyage", break down less often than the Soviet models.
As for the price, nothing concrete can be said here because of the rarity. At the time of this writing, there were only two Solo Urals on sale. Moreover, the one for which they asked for 150 thousand rubles comes from the early 90s. It looks like an ordinary "carriage", only without a side trailer. For the Urals "Solo Classic" they ask for 240 thousand.

Is it worth buying a rare motorcycle? Unless as a second or third. This model can already be considered retro. Despite the years, it is a collection value for fans of Soviet and Russian motorcycles, especially boxer ones.