The Soviet-era M-72 motorcycle was produced in large batches, from 1940 to 1960, at several factories. It was made in Kiev (KMZ), Leningrad, the factory "Red October", in the city of Gorky (GMZ), in Irbit (IMZ), at the Moscow Motorcycle Plant (MMZ). Initially, the heavy M-72 motorcycle was made exclusively for supply to the armed forces. The machine was equipped with a light machine gun, which was mounted on the front of the stroller. The motorcycle did not enter the civilian trading sector, and if any person appeared on horseback on the M-72, it was stopped, and the car was selected without explanation.
Military mission
The M-72 motorcycle was classified using the term “armored vehicles”, although it was not armored. It was delivered to motorized infantry army units and was the base infantry vehicle for conducting combat on flat ground. The motorcycle was not decisive in the battles of World War II, as it was not protected from enemy shells and bullets. It was enough for a small fragment of a mine to get into the engine, and he stopped, the soldiers remained without cover and died. It was possible to use the M-72 effectively only in the event of a lightning attack, in an atmosphere of surprise when the enemy was confused and could not resist.
Production start
The prototype of the M-72 was the German motorcycle BMW R71, the most common model in the Wehrmacht. Five of these motorcycles were secretly purchased in Sweden, transported to Moscow, disassembled and investigated. In March 1941, the production of the Russian version began at the Moscow Motorcycle Plant. The Soviet motorcycle turned out to be no worse than its German counterpart, although the cars went off the assembly line irregularly. The main components and assemblies of the motorcycle were made at different factories: the engine was made at the Stalin automobile plant, the gearbox was made at the AZLK (Leninsky Komsomol plant), the stroller and the driveshaft were made at GAZ in the city of Gorky. Thus, at first, the planned production of the M-72 motorcycle was difficult due to inconsistency of suppliers.
Post-war time
During the war years, the M-72 motorcycle was produced at factories located in the Siberian evacuation zone. It was then that the name "Ural" was added to the index. When the war ended, there was an export boom in the USSR, the government tried to get as much money as possible by selling goods abroad. M-72, a Soviet motorcycle, was exported in large quantities to foreign countries in the 1950s. M-72 "Ural" willingly bought in Europe. Simple construction and reliability were the main arguments in favor of the model.
Since 1955, the Ural motorcycle M-72 began to be sold to the population within the country. The civilian version was distinguished by improved engine characteristics, a powerful frame, torsion gear transmission of engine rotation to the wheel of the stroller. The gas tank was decorated with the inscription "Irbit." Nominally, three-wheeled vehicles were considered to belong to their owners, but only in peacetime. In the event of war, each Ural M-72 motorcycle could be requisitioned and sent to the front.
Specifications
The design of the M-72 fit well with the assembly process, and this made it possible to produce a significant number of machines in a relatively short period of time. The production of motorcycles was constrained by the desire of designers to improve the technical parameters of individual mechanisms. The German BMW R21 motorcycle contained a number of technical innovations that were not included in the technological process that was used to assemble the Soviet version. Therefore, the engineers wanted to catch up and put into production all the useful achievements of German specialists.
Next in line were constructive developments: a duplex frame, double gear shifting - foot and lever (at the choice of a motorcyclist), spring shock absorbers of the rear suspension, front fork of a telescopic design. Instead of a chain transmission, characteristic of Soviet motorcycles, a cardan was installed. Separate cylinder power was practiced, in this case two carburetors were installed on the motorcycle.
Engine design
The opposed arrangement of the cylinders provided a good balance of the motor in combination with a low center of gravity, which was located at a height of 592 mm. Auxiliary work units - a generator, an oil pump, a distributor - were rotated using gear drives. Cast iron cylinders were coated with a special black varnish with heat-resistant characteristics. The main crankshaft journals worked on needle bearings. The connecting rods were split and each sat on its own crankshaft neck. This implied a horizontal axial displacement of the cylinders of 39.2 mm relative to each other. The two-bearing crankshaft made it possible to reduce the length of the crankcase by thinning (up to 18 mm) the cheeks between the main and connecting rod necks.
Military supplies
On the M-72 motorcycle in the civilian version, cells for ammunition and spare parts were still installed, as well as a swivel device for a light machine gun of the Degtyarev system. At the same time, the new owner did not have the right to dismantle the army brackets. M-72 - a motorcycle, photos of which are posted on the page - is a striking example of the Soviet era.
Enhancements
Since 1956, the Irbit Motor Plant switched to the M-72M model, which differed from the previous one in some improvements. The brake drums were reinforced with special stamped discs that improve the fastening of the spokes, they were distinguished by the optimal location of the rear wing for more efficient cleaning of sticky dirt. The front wing was raised and secured to the fixed part of the front fork. The stroller has changed its configuration.
Sports modification
Production of the M-72M did not last long, IMZ soon switched to the production of the M-61 model. In addition to standard motorcycles, a sports modification of the M-72K, a lightweight design, with a 30-liter engine was developed at the Irbit factory. with. equipped with a device for changing the valve timing.
M-72K, designed for cross-country competitions, was equipped with a special duct that takes air masses from the top panel of the gas tank. The wheels of the motorcycle were “worn” in tires with a deep tread pattern. The headlight has been eliminated, the total weight is reduced due to the light side trailer.
Motorcycle M-72, spare parts
In the Soviet Union, thanks to a planned economy, the production of spare parts was raised to the highest possible level. It was believed that the technical tool should be guaranteed to be provided with repair accessories. Therefore, inventories were created that for years have been gathering dust in warehouses. Like all motorcycles of the Soviet period, the M-72 was provided with spare parts for decades to come. There is currently no shortage of repair kits for a heavy motorcycle from World War II.
Motorcycle M-72, price
Currently, there are quite a lot of offers on the used vehicles market. The M-72 Ural is no exception. There are even rare specimens - retro motorcycles manufactured in 1957. The cost depends on their status - if it's just a rusted three-wheeled car, it can cost 10 thousand rubles. But if the motorcycle has undergone technical resuscitation, restored using the appropriate technologies, and has an impeccable presentation, this amount can grow to 399 thousand rubles, since this is no longer a motorcycle, but an exclusive retro.