The Kneeslider

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Cold War Era Kremlin Escort Ural Sidecar Rig

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Ural sidecar rig used as Kremlin escort in the soviet cold war era
Ural sidecar rig used as Kremlin escort in the soviet cold war era

Scanning the motorcycle for sale listings, this Ural sidecar rig caught my eye because it has quite a unique look. According to the description, it was a Kremlin escort and one of only 17 ever made. The model year is 1969, deep in the middle of the cold war, the USSR still existed and you can almost imagine the uniformed soviet police rider looking appropriately serious as he led the black limo through the streets of Moscow.

The fairing is pretty big and probably provides a lot of weather protection, plus the tail section is unlike any I’ve ever seen on a Ural. The seat appears to be made for some serious saddle time.

Ural sidecar rig - unique tail section and seat
Ural sidecar rig – unique tail section and seat

There are one or two companies in Russia that rebuild Urals and other Russian military vehicles and export them to the USA, this is one of them. The photos appear to be from Russia, though the bike is said to be in New Jersey. The description reads like it was in Russian and run through Google translate because some of it makes no sense, “Disk brakes. Generator – you have 500 cotton” and “Wools chance to become owner this unique, historical Motor cycle is Kremlin Escort.” But, you get the idea.

They’re asking $25,000, but for a serious Ural aficionado, it might be just the thing.

It’s just personal taste, but I like the look of this rig and it seems really clean. I’ll leave it to the Ural experts among our readers who would know whether the 1969 Ural had any serious mechanical issues, but I just thought I would point this out. I’d ride it. I’d take it to bike night, too. Neat.

Link: Ural Kremlin escort rig for sale on eBay

1969 Ural Kremlin escort
1969 Ural Kremlin escort

Posted on Filed Under: Three Wheel Vehicles

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Comments

  2. My dad had a fascination with Urals and Jawa’s, I guess he saw enough of them running around just over the East German border when he was stationed in West Germany in the 1950’s. He bought an early 70’s Ural sidecar rig from a guy in southern Ontario. Despite the bad quality reputation Urals have–it ran fine, but it was slow and mechanically noisy.

  3. Very sweet. I think you’d have to cover up or remove those red and blue lights if you want to take it on the road however. I guess “Escort” means is was some sort of police bike at one point.

    Here’s an interesting site about Kremlin Escorts (motorcycle kind, not women…). Apparently it’s a Dnepr, quality then would be iffy.
    http://bcozz.multiply.com/journal/item/2222

    -todd

  5. I dont know about the motorcycle, but the sidecar seems to belong to 80´s era IZH. The engine is not Ural but Dnepr (Ukraininan). Possible scam?

    • DEFINITELY some make up bullshit here ….. For one – the Russian’s didn’t “invent” the OHV Dnepr engine until well into the ’70″s – the flattie was the “hammer” of choice. I wrote the guy and he claims that it’s a Dnepr-9 – which would have been a flattie. The sidecar is either, as you say, IZH or Chinese – and NO Eskort bike had a hack on it. I could go on. I’ve seen (nearly bought) about half a dozen REAL Kremlin Eskort bikes – and this ain’t one …..

  6. More info about the bike here.
    http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/ENGLISH-automotorusse9-Moto(Dnepr).htm

    In the first and second pics above, instead, the “Kremlin Escort”, currently produced under request, and intended for police purposes, with an engine increased to 768 cc, with 5-speed gearbox. Already during the 1978, some Dnepr 750 for the presidential Soviet escort was made, with German “Bing” carburettors, electric starter and special tyres (third pic, above); the power of the engine was of 50 hp. The last set of these bikes was released in the 1989, but in the 2001 these models are again available. The Dnepr 750 are still in activity, used by the Vladimir Putin’s escort! In the fourth and fifth pics, instead, the version of the GAI, the Russian traffic police, with the normal 650 cc. engine, 4-speed gearbox.

  8. This looks like a mock up and not a 1960’s bike. The early ones had no disc brake or that style of tail light or flashers.Also I don’t see any pools of oil beneath the bike.Still, It’s an interesting bike and would make a great conversation piece.