Anyone ever driven a Dnepr motorcycle? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

strelnik · #1 08-31-2009, 05:59 PM

I have a chance to buy a motorcycle and sidecar that are a Russian-made replica of the BMW moto and sidecar used by the Wehrmacht in WW2.

The vehicle belonged to a guy who died after getting it a year ago. He died in a contruction accident in the Middle East, and his family wants to liquidate the stuff that they feel has no sentimental value.

The bike has 452 miles on it. No pics.

Anyone ever seen these?

They want 1000 cash soon, and I'll know I hope within a week. Gotta go to Central Michigan to pick it up from their hunting cottage where his uncle lives.

I just don't want to get stuck with a lemon.

Fitz · #2 08-31-2009, 07:03 PM

You might have seen this already, but it doesn't sound good...

http://unasked.com/question/view/id/2403

MS Fowler · #3 08-31-2009, 09:21 PM

How is the Dnepr different from the Ural? The Ural is also a Ukrainian-built version of the WW2 BMW. Are they different companies building similar cycles?
In the Ural, the sidecar is powered. so it has 3 three drive.

t walgamuth · #4 08-31-2009, 10:02 PM

i don't see how you could go too far wrong for a grand.

Txjake · #5 08-31-2009, 10:30 PM

buy it, or send me the info I'll buy it

Fitz · #6 08-31-2009, 10:43 PM

http://reviews.ebay.com/Dneprs-Urals-Chang-Jiangs-etc_W0QQugidZ10000000001252967

Quote:

KMZ has not been as swift to change and without money to pay employees, a large number of spare parts "disappeared" from the factory, only to show up later in Canada and the USA as "grey market" bikes. These bikes usually have non-matching frame, engine and transmission numbers. Starting in the early '90s a concentrated effort was made by Lloyd Lounsbury in Seattle to legalize and import KMZ bikes, with the result that he has DOT and EPA approved Dneprs for sale with a warrantee. ALL other modern Dneprs (MT11 & 16) in the USA are grey market parts bikes. I'm not saying they are illegal, just A) they're not up to US standards, B) may include used or factory reject parts, and C) there is no warrantee of any kind backing them. Some have rebuilt engines with slightly larger, lower compression pistons with a claimed displacement of about 800cc. These are NOT new KMZ engines, but used engines rebuilt with non-KMZ parts, moreover they don't displace 800cc. BUYER BEWARE!

t walgamuth · #7 09-01-2009, 05:55 AM

Still, for a grand....

catmandoo62 · #8 09-01-2009, 08:27 AM

sidecars worth that much.

Fitz · #9 09-01-2009, 08:32 AM

TW,

Strelnik said he didn't want a lemon. If he's looking for a project, I'm sure it will be quite rewarding.

Txjake · #10 09-01-2009, 09:17 AM

I'll buy it, sight unseen, for a grand

Edward Wyatt · #11 09-02-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik

I have a chance to buy a motorcycle and sidecar that are a Russian-made replica of the BMW moto and sidecar used by the Wehrmacht in WW2.

The vehicle belonged to a guy who died after getting it a year ago. He died in a contruction accident in the Middle East, and his family wants to liquidate the stuff that they feel has no sentimental value.

The bike has 452 miles on it. No pics.

Anyone ever seen these?

They want 1000 cash soon, and I'll know I hope within a week. Gotta go to Central Michigan to pick it up from their hunting cottage where his uncle lives.

I just don't want to get stuck with a lemon.

Well, for the money, it's a great deal. But, thers is always, a but....

I had a 2000 Ural Patrol with sidecar a few years ago, it was the Russian made copy of the BMW. The Dnepr is a Chinese copy of the Ural.

Build quality and matrials were what you would expect from Russia, it wasn't a lemon but it resembled a BMW only in looks and engine sound.

Parts are/were hard to find, most dealers sell these as a sideline and are NOT interested in helping you source parts. I had to call five dealers in order to find one that was willing to ship me an alternator.

One plus is that it is very easy to work on, and you only need a bare minumum of tools. The downside is that because it is so primitive, you will spend alot of time tinkering with the bike. For example, a brake cable(mechanical drum brakes) and clutch adjustment were part of almost every pre ride ritual. I didn't mind because it was easy to do. Some people want to ride, not tinker, that's why I mention it.

Lot's of the Dnepr bikes are inported from Asia(some are quite old) and given a quicky clean up buy the importer who buys them by the dozen or more. Check out Walneck's Cycle trader for some prices, I still think it's worth the 1k asking price. Though $500 would be more realistic, considering it could be a real nightmare due to unknown issues with the shaft drive and/or transmission.

Make doubly sure, you get a clear title for the bike

Txjake · #12 09-02-2009, 12:35 PM

Dnper is NOT Chinese, rather another Ukranian BMW clone ala Ural

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnepr_(motorcycle)

Chang Jiiang is the Chinese one.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ei=ep6eSuydPIGM8Qbp_NGrAw&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=chang+jiang+motorcycle&spell=1

Both have their quirks, but i'll give a grand for either with sidecar in complete condition. They are about as easy as a Briggs & Stratton to work on.