Lovingly restoring the worst bike I've ever ridden.

[Twin-shocker]

Like it or not I cannot and will not support anyone getting ripped off! Especially in the case of worksmanship so shoddy it may well mean the finished bike is unsafe.

I cant quite get why accepting poor work is seen as positive and helpful, while pointing this out is regarded as anything but?

[Canuman]

You are obviously not accustomed to soviet-era Russian welding. It comes in two forms: 1. that which was accomplished while blind drunk with a gas torch and a coat hanger. 2: that which was accomplished while completely hung-over (Похмелье, which is very different from a Western hangover) with a gas torch and a coat hanger.

It's what's known as a "sympathetic restoration." The entire bike was unsafe right from the box. Luckily, it can be passed by a loaded log truck, so it's difficult to get into too much trouble on one.

It ain't ever going to be a Ducati. Lighten up.

[OaklandStrom]

Originally Posted by Twin-shocker

Just dont like to see anyone getting ripped off for shoddy poorly done work! In this case it would have been far easier to machine a new head tube and fit to the frame, than mess around with a bodge job which I guess would have probably cost 3 times as much as doing it right!

Actually, it would have been easier to buy a KLR. However, that wasn't the goal.

[Twin-shocker]

Originally Posted by OaklandStrom

Actually, it would have been easier to buy a KLR. However, that wasn't the goal.

To tell you the truth I cant actually see how getting ripped off by someone who obviously doesnt have a clue as to what they are doing, is likely to make things any easier?

[Treadless]

Originally Posted by Twin-shocker

To tell you the truth I cant actually see how getting ripped off by someone who obviously doesnt have a clue as to what they are doing, is likely to make things any easier?

There are many ways to get to any given point. And yes I would have done it differently (but I'm left handed so I always do things differently ) than what was done here. And if shoddy workmanship and safety is your main concern then the whole POS frame should be replaced. Also with restorations often the goal is preserve as much of the original material as possible either for the sake of perceived monetary and or sentimental value and that the history of the vehicle is preserved.

So stop acting like a dick, mmk.

[Garp]

Originally Posted by Treadless

So stop acting like a dick, mmk.

+1

We get that you don't like it. You made your point, now for God's sake let it go.

[Marco Moto]

So, I just subscribed, and for many reasons I'm loving this rebuild. What's new in the garage?

[Hughlysses]

Hey- I even contributed to the Minsk restoration fund. I want to see a bolt get installed, a spoke get tightened or some other substantial progress.

[Canuman]

For those excited by the precision and performance of these stunning machines, you'll be glad to know that the M125 is available NEW, as well as a range of other bikes in various displacements. And they are seeking dealers:

http://en.minskmoto.by/

[The Killstar]

I like how the website is broken and buggy. That bodes well.

[Canuman]

Originally Posted by The Killstar

I like how the website is broken and buggy. That bodes well.

Yeah, but how's this for sales hype?

Unpretentious and trouble-free, this avtomat Kalashnikov of a M1NSK is designed to dominate the off-road world. The M 125 x is extremely practical for cross-country riding, with heaps of torque at low revs and additional storage space suited to long trips. Its hardy, black colour scheme is symbolic of is durable character.

The avtomat Kalashnikov is also know an the AK in its various iterations. . .

[ben2go]

Originally Posted by The Killstar

I like how the website is broken and buggy. That bodes well.

I had no problems with the website.there's quite a few nice small beginner bikes on there.I'd buy if there was a dealer import that could get repair parts and was reliable.

[Canuman]

Originally Posted by ben2go

I had no problems with the website.there's quite a few nice small beginner bikes on there.I'd buy if there was a dealer import that could get repair parts and was reliable.

In my experience, former East-bloc stuff reaches a point of charming decrepitude fairly rapidly and then soldiers on in a sort of painful half-life for a very long time afterward. It's like owning post-war British iron, only more frustrating and more difficult to get parts for. At least with the Brits, you know when the company is bankrupt. . . I've never owned a Russian bike, but a buddy ran a Lada Niva that would go almost anywhere if you could keep it in one piece long enough. I've spent some time in Russia.

And yes, the East Bloc nations are very trick web designers.

If I had to choose an Eastern European bike, I'd go with Jawa. The Czechs drink beer, are better machinists, and not quite so hung-over as a general thing.

But I digress. About this Minsk, Tovarich?

[jdgretz]

You know that R250 or the R250RS could be fun.

jdg

[Twin-shocker]

Originally Posted by Treadless

There are many ways to get to any given point. And yes I would have done it differently (but I'm left handed so I always do things differently ) than what was done here. And if shoddy workmanship and safety is your main concern then the whole POS frame should be replaced. Also with restorations often the goal is preserve as much of the original material as possible either for the sake of perceived monetary and or sentimental value and that the history of the vehicle is preserved.

So stop acting like a dick, mmk.

In this case the OPs frame had a badly damaged head stock. The correct way to deal with this is to make a new head stock and fit it to the frame.

The lash up of a job that was carried out with the aid of CAD drawings, is just about the worst example of someone being ripped off I have seen for a very long while!

Even if the work was done for free whoever did it seems very irresponsible, in that even though when working on something which is safety critical, they seem to have no interest whatsoever in carrying out a job which is safe.

Why anyone would want to support the idea of ripping people off with poor quality and expensive work is beyond me, but that it seems to be the case here!