The first motorcycles under the IZH brand were released in 1929 by designer Mozharov. They were heavy, large, had an engine of 1200 cc and a power of 24 horsepower. The car was quite stable, so it tolerated Russian off-road and bad weather. Modification of the first model made it possible to ride with a freight or passenger trailer, and the last two people could sit down.
The IZH Planet motorcycle appeared in 1956 on the basis of the IZh56 modification, which had a welded frame, a double saddle providing a sports landing. The safety of the 56th was enhanced by the fact that the chain from the rear wheel to the gearbox was protected by a sealed casing.
The difference between IZH "Planeta" and IZh56 was that the seat of the fixed structure was replaced with a removable one, and stamped shields were replaced by stamped ones. In addition, the design of the gas tank was modified, and silencers were modified. For the first time in the series, an inertia-oil air filter appeared on this machine. The working volume of the cylinder was 346 cm3. - This characteristic was characteristic of the entire model range, with the exception of IL Planeta 6 (produced in 1996).
The next modification (No. 2), released in 1965, had a higher compression ratio (up to 7.0), increased power (up to 15.5 hp), and an increased rotational speed of the knee shaft. Gear shifting on a motorcycle was carried out by a single-arm type foot lever.
IL Planet 3, which appeared in 1970, differed from the previous model in other mudguards, tool boxes, and a higher steering wheel, which was shifted towards the driver, which improved the handling of the machine. The shaft (crankshaft) rotational speed for this sample was 4900 rpm., And the maximum power was close to 20 horsepower. For the first time, “turn signals” were installed on the model.
The fourth and fifth modifications of the motorcycle were released during the years of perestroika (1984, 1987). These models were more powerful, with increased travel for the front wheel, good cushioning. The dosage of oil in automatic mode has already appeared here, which allowed to reduce the toxicity of exhausts, the feathers of the fork were strengthened, new switches were installed that made it possible to control without taking off the hands of the steering wheel. On the fifth modification, a reinforced wide double-row sleeve chain was installed. And the IZH P5-01 samples, like the IZH Planet 6 motorcycles, had gear shifting by means of a two-arm foot lever, a lubrication system separate from the fuel, and a cam clutch engagement mechanism .
The latest version of the Izhevsk machine (No. 6) differed from the previous ones with a capacity of 24.5 hp, a liquid cooling system with a fan (instead of an air one) and a number of other characteristics.
The sale of IL Planet today is carried out at specialized forums or through newspaper advertisements. You can buy a motorcycle that was launched 20-50 years ago for several thousand. Of course, it has a number of shortcomings in comparison with modern examples of Japanese or American industry. But in capable hands, the car turns into a reliable vehicle, which perfectly “passes” through the fields, “squeezing” up to 150-160 km / h on good roads (IZh P5). Carriage instances are still used in rural areas for transporting hay and other goods.