Mike Shoemake shares his recommended Ural kickstarting procedure:

Bill, I been doing the same thing as you, just trying to teach myself how to do a manual start. I have had the most luck with the following procedure. Hope this helps:

Mike’s Ural Kickstarting Procedure

1. Ignition off
2. Enricheners out
3. Stand with my right foot on left rear footpeg (passenger), this lets me have full range of motion with my left foot thru the entire travel of the kickstarter from top to bottom. Holding onto the passenger seat will keep you steady.
4. Kick engine over twice, do it smartly please
5. Ignition on
6. Left hand on throttle, but just a little, right hand on passenger seat
7. One hard kick and engine has started every time.

I do hope it helps – and I particularly hope it helps me. Other than 2 lucky tries when I first got Svetlana, I’ve been hopeless at kickstarting my Ural Patrol. I’m going to try out Mike’s procedure though, and hopefully will finally get the hang of this.

Follow the whole discussion: Soviet Steeds - Kick starting my Patrol

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• “My neighbor saw a white one at the little cafe behind Mazzi’s, confirmed by the vespa boys who saw it at the valley river shops. Not an Artic Camo, did someone paint it white?”
• “There is also a green Ural Patrol owned by a man called Alan also, down in Hoseburg.”
• “Another green Ural Patrol is said to be parked at the tavern in Brownsville almost every day.”
• “I also passed a chair rig, just got a glance, the other day on Franklin just this side of Springfield. Black, and the bike had two round headlights… a Triumph speed triple? Don’t guess anyone would hang a chair on a bike like that though, so I will call it unidentified.”
• “Also spotted was one of the new red Ural Tourists up on the Peoria Road on the way to Corvallis.”

Have you seen a sidecar motorcycle in Oregon lately?

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“Son, you’re not going to believe this,” said Dad, “but I’m at a stoplight on Route 419, and a couple of lanes over there’s a dark green Ural sidecar motorcycle, with a luggage rack and a spare tire on the back of the sidecar. It looks just like yours.”

Fellow green Ural Patrol owner in Roanoke, VA, I hope to hear from you sometime. Happy Uraling!

©2008 Ride Three. All Rights Reserved.

If you aren’t already familiar with the handy ADV Rider motorcycle message boards, go sign up. And then, order yourself an ADV sticker for your helmet or motorcycle. A wide range of patches, stickers and iron-on patches is available for the motorcyclist. While you’re at it, also be sure to check out the Hacks section on ADV — it’s their special area solely for sidecar rigs.

©2008 Ride Three. All Rights Reserved.

When it comes time to replace your Ural’s battery, what should you do? If you want to change to a different brand of battery, what should you choose? Here are some suggestions:

My 2003.5 GU has the Varta YB18LA that is about used up. I have seen references to the Interstate YTX20L-BS, but Interstate site only shows CYTX20L-BS that is an AGM battery that is 270 cca, 6 1/8 tall vs. my 6 1/2. They also show a YB18L-A cycletron that is 235 cca. Not alot of choices where I live, so Interstate is my best bet. What replacement battery are you guys finding the best in Interstate?

Follow the whole discussion: IMZ Ural Boards - Ural Battery Replacement»

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I took my first motorcycle riding training course, called Basic Rider Training (BRT) in August, 2005. Run by Corvallis-based Team Oregon Motorcycle Training at Eugene’s Lane Community College, BRT offered 3 days of classroom and range instruction to help a prospective motorcyclist see if motorcycling really was for them.

The class mixed classroom instruction with time on range applying what was learned during class. From basic operation, such as where controls are and how to start a motorcycle, to riding techniques including cornering and how to do an emergency swerve, the BRT course can help any novice motorcyclist gain the confidence and basic skills needed to be able to safetly and ably operate a motorcycle.

Taking this class was one of the best steps I could have taken. I went from barely being able to start a motorcycle, to whipping through curves with confidence and even a tidge of grace. BRT gave me the confidence I needed to know that getting a motorcycle was in fact for me.

Another advantage of completing the course is that it makes getting a motorcycle endorsement quite easy. Passing a class such as BRT can mean DMV waives your written and motorcycle riding endorsement tests. It can also make you eligible for discounts on motorcycle insurance, gear, or even motorcycles. (All this varies by state and class.)

For me, passing BRT made my endorsement about as easy as could be. I went to the DMV, showed my class completion card, took a vision and audio test, wrote a check, and was done.

If you haven’t ridden a motorcycle before, a class such as BRT is essential. Even if you are an experienced rider, other classes are available for more advanced riders, than can help you refine your skills and learn new motorcycling techniques.

Learn more: Team Oregon Motorcycle Training »

©2008 Ride Three. All Rights Reserved.

Pondering whether or not to get a windshield for your Ural? Which types and brands should you consider?

“I am looking for a windshield. Just wanna keep the rocks and bugs off me and maybe deflect a little wind. I am leaning towards a handlebar mount frameless style but will consider all recomendations.”

Follow the whole discussion: Soviet Steeds - Need advice on windshield and mirrors »

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Now, I love the internet, and I love shopping online, but I also love having a reliable local shop for motorcycle apparel, parts and gear. Eugene has an excellent shop, called Discount Motorcycle Parts. Husband-and-wife team Steve and Annette have run the store for over 15 years, and provide a solid, well-priced selection of everything from riding jackets and saddlebags, to mirrors and battery tenders.

Some of the motorcycle equipment Jodie and I have purchased here (so far) includes…

• Jodie’s Tourmaster Trinity Jacket
• Both our HJC CL-15 helmets (and Jodie’s “Foxy Rider” helmet sticker)
• Battery Tender
• Jodie’s leather riding gloves

Discount Motorcycle Parts

• (541) 686-0334
• 995 Tyinn St. #7, Eugene, OR 97402
• discountmotorcycleparts-oregon.com

©2008 Ride Three. All Rights Reserved.

Whether you’re a seasoned 2-wheel motorcycle rider or a newbie to any sort of motorcycling, if you are considering a sidecar motorcycle then you have one thing you should do: Go to Hood River, Oregon, for Vernon Wade’s Adventure Sidecar/Trike Training Course.

The reasons are simple:

• By the time you’ve finished the 3 days of classroom and on-range training, you’ll know whether or not a sidecar bike or a trike is for you
• Vernon runs a great class, and is a true sidecar enthusiast who understands the mechanics and physics of these odd machines
• Different training bikes are available, so you can experience how different sidecar motorcycles handle
• Training is held on a grassy field, which Vernon describes as being similar to driving on wet pavement. The upshot is that if you drive a sidecar motorcycle half-decently on grass, you’ll probably be all right on the road
• Classes are reasonably priced – so instead of throwing down thousands (or tens of thousands) on a sidecar bike or trike straightaway, you can invest a couple of hundred in knowledge and see if this is really for you
• Classes are held in Hood River, Oregon, in the shadow of Mt. Hood and on the Columbia River. It’s a beautiful area, and the sidecar training is a great excuse for a trip up here

Adventure Sidecar offers Sidecar and Trike driver’s education (S/TEP training) through the Hood River Community Education program May through October (call (541)386-2055). Check the Adventure Sidecar website for dates, pricing and how to sign up.

©2008 Ride Three. All Rights Reserved.

“According to Crawford’s answering machine, they are at the IMWA dealer meeting this week. Anyone else heard anything?”

No big news yet.

Link: Soviet Steeds - Ural Dealer Meeting Underway

©2008 Ride Three. All Rights Reserved.