The M63 that I purchased at the start of the summer is being broken for parts, 50 something years old and all original. If you need something let me know via facebook.

WINTER IS COMING AND I AM GETTING FAT

Electricity cuts, heavy heavy rain, no internet, frantically answering questions,sending combined invoices, searching for parts requested by e-mail and writing this before it goes off again. I get on average 50 emails a day, about 10 are from ebay saying something has sold, 20 are requests for a part that is not on ebay and the rest are usually updates on orders and other stuff needing answering. Not complaining but lately it it has been getting busier and by the time I am ready to list new stock or blog, I am goggle eyed and sick of the computer.

Must rush emails to answer, if I have not replied to something as quick as usual it is because the power has gone again.

Happy winter, seems like the heat of the summer is behind us and we have my favourite time of year winter and snow to look forward to. I always feel more comfortable wrapped up in winter clothes than exposing parts of my white short, fat, hairy body to the sun. Bit like gardens, they all look equal in the winter, a blanket of snow works wonders.

Must rush.

CONNECTIONS AND DISCONNECTIONS - MOVING PLANS

Sorry I have not been here for a while, we have had some connection issues in the village with the internet. The sole provider of a village wide kind of home network system decided to return to his homeland in the Ural mountains, leaving us with no internet in the village, so, back to standing on one leg in the corner of the bedroom using the phone as a modem. You guys take all this stuff for granted, water-electricity-post-street lighting and other stuff. Sometimes we have some of it, sometimes none but never all.

News from Ukraine is grim for Vostok Motorcycles as the only carrier to keep crossing the border has suspended operations, with 12 parcels in transit to me and no way of knowing where they currently are I can feel a financial crisis coming on.

On a happier note the 2 rescued pups are doing well and have been named Belka and Strelka although I do not think they will be travelling as far as their names suggest. Two sisters with completely different temperaments, one is a greedy chubby stay at home, the other gets into all kinds of trouble and explores everywhere.

Belka (left) & Strelka

Have been looking at news with interest as the latest round of sanctions will hit me personally if the Russians decide to close their airspace, was hoping to be back in the U.K. soon, and helping at the amazing Missing Sock restaurant in Cambridge, well fingers crossed on that one.

Sales have been going well so thanks to you guys for that one, Nadya has been kept busy and we were approached by a woman who wanted to learn how to use a computer and sell online, She is now with us and getting trained by Nadya in how to keep records of everything, not my forte that one, have also been looking at moving nearer to Moscow, well 300-400kms away which is closer than we are now. I have been looking at the traditional wooden and log houses, lots of land surrounded by greenery appeals more than being near a beach we hardly ever see. Plus the price difference makes it a tempting move. Both of the houses below are for sale today, both have enough land to be self sufficient and both cost less than £15,000. There are drawbacks, unmade roads and a village without gas, large Russian stove for heating and cooking. None of which is a major hardship. So if anybody wants a  2 storey modernised house with outbuildings in a Crimean resort let me know.

Chris

MOPEDS BANK CARDS AND VALVE COVERS

I was going to make this post purely about the new valve covers I have found from a talented guy in Ukraine. However in view of the recent news it would seem that my 1 step forward 2 steps back way of life over the last few months could take 20 steps back soon depending on the new round of sanctions that will be issued against Russia. I take no sides in this dispute and have seen lies and disinformation on both sides, I believe there are Russians in Ukraine and at the same time I believe that more sinister forces were at work in the downing of the aircraft over Ukraine.

To try and get at least half a step ahead I have transferred all my money from my U.K. Account to paypal just 2 minutes ago, when it arrives there it will go to paypal Russia and then to a Russian account, this is something I have not wanted to do but yesterday discovered that my visa and mastercards no longer work with Russian banks or to be more specific Crimean banks, not sure who is the guilty party here Russia or The Rest of the World, I do know I was not the only one yesterday with the same problems.

Vostok Motorcycles is still here and we will weather it out as long as the postal system is working, we had to change our format a bit over the last few months as we ended up using  any profits to help refugees more than any other group. Whilst I am still sympathetic to the refugees there are still people in thej area who need help as well, also ongoing support for those that we have already given small loans to. The battery repair business and the young man with the rotovator have both had their loans written off and I have given my cement mixer from home to a group of skilled young men who want to become specialist builders. They have promised to repair the roof on the garage and lay a concrete pad for the dog kennel.

So what of the future, I really cannot say, we are all worried by the prospect of war and I am worried that borders will close and supplies will dry up. We will continue but it might be in a smaller way or even in a different format, I had considered that if supplies dry up for me here whoch at the moment is not happening, that I could act as a go between if you wanted to from Ukraine and even help with the small ads over there.

A week from now we will know more and in the meantime if you want to see some sexy valve covers check them out on ebay or facebook.

Chris

ONE STEP FORWARD TWO STEPS BACK

Ukraine has upped the anti Crimea campaign again and now it is going to affect us more directly as they are no longer allowing courier services to operate between the Crimea and Ukraine, I have a supplier calling me later to let me know what alternative options he has found..

 On a different note entirely had this today from a customer, I mentioned him yesterday, anybody in the U.K. got an old bike they want rid of let me know, maybe we can help a fellow biker with problems back on the road.

Dear gotsomesparesinthegarage,

your timing is staggering-this morning i was approached by an acquaintance-could i source and sort a ural sidecar outfit for his disabled son!poor boy got a nasty tumour and in removing it got damaged speech,weak on his left side etc.he used to be a superb trials rider before this happened but no chance of that now as his balance is not good.unfortunately his life expectancy is not really bright either.have agreed to put him on my ural when its finished and see what needs doing to make one useable for him.suspect that he will not be able to use the foot gear change and sure he will not be able to kickstart one and clutch will be marginal-but not sure about that. know of an old cossack sitting in a shed but owner a greedy sod who is well aware of the silly prices they can get nowadays so will have to try some emotional blackmail to get it at a sensible price cos family not a lot of money spare.will need an electric foot,probably a hand change and maybe linked brakes for the boy but sure its sortable.

as for the blog!?-i'll think about it as have probably over 2 years of work allready  to be done[with my body behaving 'reasonably' -less if it stays ok but never can tell.]i'll send you-at least i'll try to-some pictures my devious lodger took of a silly toy i am building for myself-customers get funny about their vehicles 'on the web'!unfortunately i have no idea how to select a few so have to send the whole folder-infact two of them-just to prove i am not just talking the talk as it were.its a 1968 scout international that i decided to turn into a lightweight 'gentleman's offroader'.two people can pick of the whole complete body effortlessly.the official term is superleggra-i think that i've spelt it right.shots in 2nd folder make it wider and lower than it is-he did explain but as i own neither camera or mobile phone it just went in one ear and out the other.it has progressed further than the photographs-doing the upholstery at the moment but lodger yet to surprize me[he just puts a new folder on my computer when i'm not looking.]

j.f.macdougall

A call to action, can we help here, I will forward on any letters or put you directly in touch. I am happy to give a bike from here, but the delivery will be a bit expensive I fear and as I cannot leave the country yet,( Technically an illegal person in Russia until they give me some documents.) riding  it back myself is not an option.

speak soon.

SELL YOUR BITS AND TAKE A LOOK AT MINE

Have ordered some parts and they should arrive in the next 10 days or so, depending on the vagaries of the Russian post. This is a sample.

 rubber for battery tray

fuse holder

M72 driveshaft dust cover

Ural wiring loom

Ural chrome pushrod  tubes

Generator k750 M72 12v

Chrome spokes Ural 

Carb Rubbers

control lamps

key cover

Battery tray

Healight lamp holders

Russian plugs

new old stock ignition

All will be listed on the dreaded E-bay when it arrives and has been checked,am finding a lot more out there, it is not pennies but is original and none of this is a Chinese import or copy.

Sell your bits, why not make it for any motorcycle and not just Russian or Eastern bloc, what do you think, feel free to comment underneath, also any links you would like to see on here, promote a Ural Dnepr friendly mechanic or MOT tester in your area., let others know about your restorations, adventures, custom jobs etc. 

I have a recent customer who is restoring a Dnepr and sidecar for use by handicapped riders, I think he should have some space.

So guys and gals show me your bits and put a price and lets see if we can move some stuff around, there is a large community out there all over the world, let us see if these little pages can reach  other riders and owners who are not out to rip us all off

A SUNNY DAY AND 3 BOXES OF SPARES

Drove to Chernomorsk this morning to collect parcels from the courier, our Ukrainian supplier that is still talking to us has managed to get hold of some stuff for us and I put in a big order. As usual what would be a 30 minute drive anywhere else managed to turn into something longer. First the road was blocked with sheep about 300 or so, they seemed to be waiting for a bus or something and refused to move, ended driving around them, then we were waved down by a woman who was desperate to get into town to visit her pregnant daughter, told her to get in, she said wait a second and dashed back into her house only to come out again with arms full of plastic bags. I did not ask what she had in them but managed to squeeze her and her luggage into the little lada I was in.

Eventually arrived at the courier and collected 3 parcels in total, a quick stop off at the market to buy a bone for the 2 puppies that we found abandoned a fuel stop and home, simple. No fuel at the first petrol station, only diesel at the second. Looked at the needle and decided that I could make it home, no phone with me but what the hell. 5km from home no fuel and an empty road, 1 cigarette, 2 cigarettes -----5 cigarettes later a Kamaz, (large Lorry) comes down the road but does not stop, maybe he thought I wanted his load of sand., finally a kid on a Dnepr comes towards me, I recognise him from the village, STOP I shout, he eventually comes to a halt, turns around and parks next to car. No fuel I say, nip back to my house and get a canister from the garage. No he says I will pull you back, so we get a strap from the boot of the car, and tie it to his tow hitch and the car and off we go, a slow start followed by the scariest tow I have ever had, the sheep have gone thank the Lord, and we only have a crossroads and the village, I try to slow him down at the crossroads but he waves me forward. 5 minutes later I am at home, a calming beer and this is the result.

ARRIVING SOON

Just found this it is going in the post today. I will separate the speedometer from the cover, if asked to.

TEETH CLEANING AND PUBLISHING PARTS PAGES

I know that Rome was not built in a day, but I now see the formidable task before me. I have added 3 pages of parts available MINSK- JAWA- MURAVEY. I confess I have added these first because they have less content in them. At the moment they link to the relevant e-bay shop, the plan will be to eventually allow you to buy them direct from here. I will add more as I go along but will not publish the page to the blog until it is ready.

I really feel like I want to get away from all the BS that is ebay. I paid them £700 in fees last month, and I know that I would have had very few sales if it had not been for e-bay, but it just seems to be getting more and more expensive. The £700 we paid could have gone to some projects here in the village. I would like to start a project that makes sure that every young child in the village and their parents is educated about the importance of looking after your teeth. I see so many young ones with bad teeth, and I know from personal experience with children we have had here, that more than a few do not even own a toothbrush. So we will be buying toothbrushes for all the children in the kindergarten and toothpaste and asking the teachers to make it a part of their before and after lunch hygiene. Litter is something else I want to tackle through education in school and posters etc.

The Facebook shop is going to take me longer than I thought, there seems to be less and less hours in the day.

keep an eye open for some pics and a post about helping build a house here in the village next year.

C.

Came in the post today

I like getting the post here as it only means one thing, goodies have arrived from deepest darkest Russia. This is a whole new experience for me as before when we were in Ukraine it all came by courier and we had to drive 30 miles to collect stock. Having it delivered, especially by a pretty young lady on a bike makes it all the more enjoyable somehow. This is what she bought me today.

Brown footpeg and handlebar rubbers

Amazing new old stock plug leads

Nice and understated 

K750?????

Planning to keep the rubber items but these lovely original unused plug leads and caps could be yours.

There must be lots more out there waiting to be discovered, I will make it my mission to bring these bits to you.

My First Blog Izh Jupiter and Living in Crimea

Not sure what I am doing here, but will try to make this blog about  bikes that are a passion of mine and the trials of living in Crimea, as an Englishman. I have been here for a number of years so it is not new to me, but the Russian experience is new. Since the Annexation of Crimea pluses and minuses appear every day, more access to Ural bikes (not too many in Ukraine) as well as a Dnepr, Minsk, Tula and Jawa as well as the next on my list to purchase, an Izh of some description. I love the 50's Dan Dare styling of some of the sidecars.

An Izh Jupiter 2 with sidecar like the one above would be ideal.

Living here has given me a chance to see many strange vehicles and to try and save some of them from oblivion.
Vostok Motorcycles is something I started to sell spares for these vehicles, I noticed that U.K. and other sellers were charging the earth for parts I could obtain for a lot less, so the idea came to pass on that saving and help fellow enthusiasts to keep these bikes on the road. I hope we are still doing that today.