Most liked posts in thread: Dnepr MT-16 :: 1998 Kievskey Machinostroetelney Zavod (KMZ)/Dnepr MT-16

Part of the 1939 Molotov- Ribbentrop pact gave plans and permission to the Russians to build BMW R-71 motorcycles under license in Russia. At first they were made near Moscow, but production was moved far away, into the Ural mountains during the war. The first M-71 motorcycles where almost identical to the BMW R-71s. Over the years they made steady improvements. In the mid 1950s all military production was moved to a new factory in Dnepropetrovsk in Ukraine. Civilian production remained at the original factory in the Ural mountains.

At first, the models were the same, but later, the design of military motorcycles changed significantly from the civilian versions.

Dave

 

Though they look similar, Dneprs and Urals are not the same, though the engines and transmissions are interchangeable, as complete units, their individual parts are not. Also, things like indicator lights are the same.

All military production at the Ural factory stopped when Dneprs went into production in the 1950s. Everything about a Dnepr is just a little more heavy duty than a Ural, from the thickness of the frame tubing and bodywork to the more rugged engine and gear train. Dneprs are also a little slower than Urals, due to their increased weight.

Dave