Well now we're up to date we will endeavour to continue to update on a more regular basis. we wont be recording every detail of Phoebe's exploits as she is our everyday Family transport,and that would get tedious. At present she doesn't get used for work very much, but has performed that duty as well up until a couple of months ago ( I now use a works truck due to having to pick up and drop off service users) which is giving me a chance to do some mods and repairs, which I hopefully will record here.These will not be in any particular chronological order as some are on going projects. Urals are kind of a blank canvas, that can be adapted to whatever your particular needs are. Some adaptations are necessary to get optimum performance PMSL!! due to them being built to comply with various emission laws which strangle such a primitive power plant. Others are to tailor them to carry and tow stuff or be able to deal with the environment or terrain they will be used in. We have also made modifications to improve the somewhat spartan, but practical ( ours is a Gear-up military model ) rider and passenger comfort. Watch this space as they say.
Lew
Saturday 30 August 2014
Popham
Had a lovely afternoon at the Motorcycle Mega Meet at Popham Airfield, met and chatted to some nice people, saw some smart bikes, bought a few goodies for Phoebe and was pleasantly surprised by the total lack of 'bolt-on attitude' there
Lou
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| Collection of BMW and Zundapp outfits - Phoebe's 'great-grandaddies' |
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| Gorgeous Indian Chief |
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| This little beasty brought back memories of a miss spent youth. Suzuki T200 Invader. Lew |
Kindred spirit
13/08/14
We Just returned from Romsey with Phoebe loaded up with oak planking like you do. as we were climbing the hill out of Otterbourne we heard Something interesting coming up behind us. A glance over my shoulder revealed a little blue Morgan sports car growling up the hill . As we pulled up on the motorway island to turn of to Eastleigh he pulled up beside us grinned and gave us the thumbs up, which I of course returned, he then roared of down the motor way. A nice moment, Who needs all that Traction controlled, fuel injected, electronic, crap to have fun. give me 1940's simple technology any time he obviously thinks so too.
Lew
We Just returned from Romsey with Phoebe loaded up with oak planking like you do. as we were climbing the hill out of Otterbourne we heard Something interesting coming up behind us. A glance over my shoulder revealed a little blue Morgan sports car growling up the hill . As we pulled up on the motorway island to turn of to Eastleigh he pulled up beside us grinned and gave us the thumbs up, which I of course returned, he then roared of down the motor way. A nice moment, Who needs all that Traction controlled, fuel injected, electronic, crap to have fun. give me 1940's simple technology any time he obviously thinks so too.
Lew
Tea in the woods
Ride out tonight through the local countryside. Nice brew-up tonight in the woods,after a bit of gentle off-roading to get there. (well gentle apart from the 12' bank with the 45 degree slope!) Phoebe took it in her stride, she handles better off road than she does on it lol Lew
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| In the woods |
Tranquility at Shawford Down
11/07/14
Early evening run out, ended up at Shawford Down to enjoy the views.
Lou
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Early evening run out, ended up at Shawford Down to enjoy the views.
Lou
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| .Phoebe had to wait at the bottom of the hill though but Only because they locked the gate |
Lew
Farley Mount expedition.
After a very hectic and trying week or so we had a really nice Relaxing day today. started with a proper cooked breakfast this morning and then an excursion up onto the downs with Phoebe. A very successful trip I thought, Headed out with the intention of going up to Farley Mount. We managed to take the wrong turning and get lost on the little single track roads over the Downs and completely lose the mount.( yes we are that good we can get lost within 5 miles of home). On the upside we saw an Owl, Cows, Pigs, some beautiful countryside and I managed to get a fly zip in the side of my helmet and buzz round in my ear ( A bit disconcerting when your wrestling 3/4 of a ton of Russian Iron round gravely, twisting, narrow up and down roads, but it did add to the excitement). After a bit of backtracking we finally got on the right road, and after another fly in the helmet, not to mention eating a few. we arrived at Farley Mount, much to the surprise and horror of some very stuck up ramblers. they all jumped in their assorted cars buggered off at the sight of two crazy old hippies on a big pink motorcycle. We brewed up and enjoyed a nice cup of earl Grey to the sound of Grasshoppers, took in the views ( I love the fens, but its nice to get back to the hills and downs again) and watched Buzzards circle overhead. Tea done we headed into Winchester just in time to terrorise the rush hour traffic. and then returned home through the villages. And now its nearly time for a beer and Grimm on the telly
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| Brew up at Farley Mount ...eventualy. |
Lew
Celtic farkle
23/06/14
Just finished a little bit of Celtic farkle with a cyrillic touch on Phoebe's toolbox to complement the side panel. - Lou
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Just finished a little bit of Celtic farkle with a cyrillic touch on Phoebe's toolbox to complement the side panel. - Lou
Out ta get me
22/06/14
Just nipped out to Lidl for some bits and bobs. less than a mile round trip, four people pulled out in front of us! Its not like our Phoebe is hard to notice bearing down on them (well maybe at dawn or dusk in the North African desert,but not in bloody Eastleigh) I'm thinking It must be national pull out without looking and piss off a biker day! Be careful out there Bikey people.— feeling annoyed.
Lew
Just nipped out to Lidl for some bits and bobs. less than a mile round trip, four people pulled out in front of us! Its not like our Phoebe is hard to notice bearing down on them (well maybe at dawn or dusk in the North African desert,but not in bloody Eastleigh) I'm thinking It must be national pull out without looking and piss off a biker day! Be careful out there Bikey people.— feeling annoyed.
Lew
Summer Solstice
21/06/14
Such a beautiful Summer Solstice sunrise this morning at Danebury, then home for a wonderful breakfast and a few hours much-needed sleep - Lou
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Such a beautiful Summer Solstice sunrise this morning at Danebury, then home for a wonderful breakfast and a few hours much-needed sleep - Lou
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| Our Phoebe in her brew up mode, 6am at Danebury. Which I managed to take with Lou's scary, fancy camera. Which proves that it is actually idiot proof. Lew |
Dawg
12/06/14
Buster thinks he could get to like this sidecar idea...
Small steps, got him to sit in there for a bit with lots of fuss and encouragement. had little trundle round on the grass. he was a bit nervy at first but settled down. He got more uptight. about Lou getting the camera out. he hates camera's as much as I do.
Lew
Buster thinks he could get to like this sidecar idea...
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| Yay - matching grey beards |
Small steps, got him to sit in there for a bit with lots of fuss and encouragement. had little trundle round on the grass. he was a bit nervy at first but settled down. He got more uptight. about Lou getting the camera out. he hates camera's as much as I do.
Lew
Monday 25 August 2014
Mag Show
08/06/14
Some Photos from the Southampton MAG show,demonstrating Phoebe's versatility
Some Photos from the Southampton MAG show,demonstrating Phoebe's versatility
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| Brew up! |
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| Keeps Young boys happy and out of trouble for hours. s |
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| And is a nice shady spot for Mutley the small dog of mass destruction. |
Sunday 24 August 2014
Side panel artwork
05/06/14
Lew's been busy tidying up some of Phoebe's paintwork, so I thought I'd add a little personal touch...
Lou
Lew's been busy tidying up some of Phoebe's paintwork, so I thought I'd add a little personal touch...
Lou
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| Phoebe's new artwork |
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| Close up of Phoebe's side panel - apologies to a certain British FolkRock institution for 'borrowing' their font! |
Clutch bearing and speedo cable seal
31/05/14
Well, gone is the nasty plastic clutch throw out bearing on the Ural now replaced with Harley big twin one. can now select gears (I can even find Neutral! ) with My croc's on. Just got to dump the watery gear oil and come up with a WWID (what would Ivan do) solution to seal up the Speedo drive and we're good to go.
Lew
Well, gone is the nasty plastic clutch throw out bearing on the Ural now replaced with Harley big twin one. can now select gears (I can even find Neutral! ) with My croc's on. Just got to dump the watery gear oil and come up with a WWID (what would Ivan do) solution to seal up the Speedo drive and we're good to go.
Lew
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| WWID solution to buggered Speedo cable rubber, now made from oiled leather. and no water in the gearbox since |
Danebury trip and absent friends
19/04/14
A nice trip up to Danebury to say 'Hi' to an old friend...followed by a cup of Earl Grey tea al fresco.
Lou
A nice trip up to Danebury to say 'Hi' to an old friend...followed by a cup of Earl Grey tea al fresco.
Lou
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| View from Danebury Iron age Hillfort. |
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| Reasonably ancient Briton making tea at Danebury, whilst Lou is off in the woods hugging trees and other hippy stuff. |
Saturday 23 August 2014
Scenic Chook food run
13/04/14
Lou and I took Phoebe out this afternoon. A blat through the villages and a few miles of single track farm roads across the downs, proper Ural country. And then deafened the tourists with the roar and rattle of Ural tappets through the narrow back streets of Winchester. Phoebe certainly gets noticed, people of all ages pointing, smiling and waving. And if you can bring a smile to peoples faces that's gotta be a good thing. Came out of Scat's with our sacks of chook feed to find a couple in their 80's taking photo's of her in the car park, had pleasant chat with them about their sidecaring exploits in their youth. loaded up with 40kg of grain and pellets which made for some interesting handling and headed off home the old girl still pulled like a train over the hills and downs. Nice ride out and got to know the pink beastie a bit better, and what she's is capable of. Must admit I feel like I've had a bit of a work out at the gym though.
Lew
Lou and I took Phoebe out this afternoon. A blat through the villages and a few miles of single track farm roads across the downs, proper Ural country. And then deafened the tourists with the roar and rattle of Ural tappets through the narrow back streets of Winchester. Phoebe certainly gets noticed, people of all ages pointing, smiling and waving. And if you can bring a smile to peoples faces that's gotta be a good thing. Came out of Scat's with our sacks of chook feed to find a couple in their 80's taking photo's of her in the car park, had pleasant chat with them about their sidecaring exploits in their youth. loaded up with 40kg of grain and pellets which made for some interesting handling and headed off home the old girl still pulled like a train over the hills and downs. Nice ride out and got to know the pink beastie a bit better, and what she's is capable of. Must admit I feel like I've had a bit of a work out at the gym though.
Lew
Phoebe's new coat
11/04/14
Phoebe showing off her new cover which arrived today. Really pleased - fantastic quality and excellent service. Couldn't believe how quickly it arrived, especially knowing how much hassle you've got going on over there at the moment. Will look at your site first, next time we need something! Love the idea of what you're doing - hope everything gets sorted out soon.
Lou posted this to Chris at Vostok Motorcycles FB page https://www.facebook.com/vostokmotorcycles.co.uk?fref=ts after we received the new tonneau cover. Chris runs an online shop selling bits for Urals and Denpr's based in Crimea. He does new and second hand stuff at very reasonable prices He's also involved in a lot of projects helping out his local community which we think is cool. He has used this post and photo in his advertising on his eBay shop (phoebe is famous world wide lol) http://stores.ebay.co.uk/VOSTOK-MOTORCYCLES?_trksid=p2047675.l2563
Lew
Phoebe showing off her new cover which arrived today. Really pleased - fantastic quality and excellent service. Couldn't believe how quickly it arrived, especially knowing how much hassle you've got going on over there at the moment. Will look at your site first, next time we need something! Love the idea of what you're doing - hope everything gets sorted out soon.
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| Phoebe's new coat |
Lew
Lou's First's and Tea &Crumpets
23/03/14
First time out 'biking for over 16 years... First time back in a sidecar for over 30... Now home for tea and crumpets... Does it get any better? — feeling great.
Lou
I'll just warn readers now this won't be the last time we mention tea. We are both rampant teaholics, so if blatant tea swilling offends you stop reading now!
Lew
First time out 'biking for over 16 years... First time back in a sidecar for over 30... Now home for tea and crumpets... Does it get any better? — feeling great.
Lou
I'll just warn readers now this won't be the last time we mention tea. We are both rampant teaholics, so if blatant tea swilling offends you stop reading now!
Lew
Strange but fun
20/03/14
Just pulled out of the drive on the Ural turned round on the grass at the front of the house and back in to the drive. All in reverse........Tis unnatural! useful but unnatural all the same.
Lew.
Just pulled out of the drive on the Ural turned round on the grass at the front of the house and back in to the drive. All in reverse........Tis unnatural! useful but unnatural all the same.
Lew.
Maiden Voyage
21/03/14
First proper ride on an outfit for thirty years or so this afternoon, and lived to tell the tail. Speed humps are a bit interesting and taking my usual solo line exiting the island at the top of Twyford road wasn't the best idea I've had recently. The sidecar wheel clipped the curb and bounced about a foot in the in the air, which was quite exciting for a few seconds. time for a cuppa I think.
Lew.
First proper ride on an outfit for thirty years or so this afternoon, and lived to tell the tail. Speed humps are a bit interesting and taking my usual solo line exiting the island at the top of Twyford road wasn't the best idea I've had recently. The sidecar wheel clipped the curb and bounced about a foot in the in the air, which was quite exciting for a few seconds. time for a cuppa I think.
Lew.
Logs
19/03/14
Well finished work for the week. Got insurance and tax for Phoebe the Ural, and it was a nice evening I though I might go out and practice not crashing for a bit. But Louise decided otherwise.........Guess I'll be stacking logs tonight then. Cruel heartless woman lol
Well finished work for the week. Got insurance and tax for Phoebe the Ural, and it was a nice evening I though I might go out and practice not crashing for a bit. But Louise decided otherwise.........Guess I'll be stacking logs tonight then. Cruel heartless woman lol
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| Log Jammed |
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| Logged in |
Shit 'appens
Well after the epic first post this Blog has been sadly neglected due to unforeseen stuff and general shit happening. I'm thinking I will copy and past some stuff from facebook to bring it up to date...ish.
Lew
Lew
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