Izhevsk Motorcycle Plant: products, photos, contacts

Birthday motorcycle - August 29. On this day in 1885, an inventive German and engineer by profession, Gottlieb Daimer, tested the gasoline engine of his own invention. The design on which the prototype of the motor was installed was two-wheeled and briskly moved. So the motorcycle was invented.

In Russia, the era of motorcycles began later. Izhevsk Motorcycle Plant was the leader in its industry. Legendary models of motorcycles and today can be found in every city and town of the country. A large model range, the possibility of repair literally "on the knee" in any garage, high performance, low cost - lovers of motorcycles brand IZH can nostalgically list the advantages and find new reasons for the revival of production.

First samples

Attempts to create their own motorcycle in Russia began even before the revolution, in 1913-14. It was planned to assemble light models from Swiss parts on the basis of the Dux plant (Moscow). Plans destroyed the First World War, and after the revolution of 1917. The next attempt, more successful, was undertaken in 1924 by the design bureau under the supervision of P.N. Of Lviv. Engineers were able to design and release in 1925 a model of light motorcycle, called it "Union".

It had a progressive, at that time, design, the main advantages were a 500 cubic-meter volume engine and a spring suspension on the rear wheel. Mass production did not follow, the prototype passed some tests and this ended the deal, as the profile of the Dux plant was changed. Designed and started production of motorcycles of domestic brands was successful in 1928. Izhstalzav became the base for the installation of capacities. Developed the first motorcycle in a specially created bike-building bureau, the chief engineer and leader of which was the legendary designer Peter Mozharov.

Start at the top five

P. Mozharov was in love with motorcycles and in his native Izhevsk moved on a German model of motorcycles. From his filing at Izhstalzavod, a workshop was opened, and in just one year five test motorcycles of IZH were created. All of them were tested and prepared for the run of the All-Union significance. The very first Soviet motorcycle IZH-1 saw the world on September 17 in 1929, weighed 300 kilograms. Model radar and characteristics of the first motorcycles:

• IZH-1 and IZH-2. They were created for passing through difficult roads in rural areas. In the equipment - a row engine with two cylinders, a steel frame of increased reliability, a mechanical gearbox of speeds, an outer one-frame frame was created from pressed parts, a big plus was bright light and some more innovations. The IZH-2 is a modernized IZH-1. But in the end, the first motorcycle had one more advantage, important for the country, where it was problematic with personal transport. At IZH-1 could go four passengers, two on a motorcycle and two in a stroller.
• IZh-3. The main advantage of this model was the engine of the brand "Wanderer" in which the crankshaft is located transversely. The drive of the rear wheel (chain) was placed in a sealed casing filled with oil.
• IZH-4. Was equipped with a two-stroke engine with one cylinder of the brand "Stock", the rear wheel was driven by a shaft. This model was the easiest in the top five.
• IZH-5, or "Composition". In the construction, the Neander assembly was used, the front fork was further developed, and the prototype frame was changed.

Test on the road

The presentation of motorcycles occurred at the All-Union motor rally in 1929. The competition was held for the second time in its history. Motorcycles IZH successfully crossed the track at 3,300 kilometers, and also managed to drive from Izhevsk to Moscow. At the end of the competition, the IZH-4 model was recommended for mass production. But, Izhstalzavod could not start serial production due to the workload. Mozharov, along with a group of designers moved to Leningrad, where work began on the construction of a light motorcycle brand L-300.

Pre-war serial issue

Until the thirties, mass production of motorcycles in the USSR was not, but the issue of laying the company was considered. For the serial production of motorcycles, not just assembly workshops were required, but a factory where all the parts and tools are made, where there are personnel able to cope with the tasks at all levels. The decision was made in favor of Izhevsk, where the Berezina gun factory was located, and it became the base for the new enterprise. Izhevsk Motorcycle Plant was originally called the Experienced Motorcycle Plant.

Originally planned for the release of "NATI - A-750" (heavy modification). In its characteristics, there was a V-shaped engine with two cylinders, the engine capacity was 747 cubes, the design power was 15 hp. The first four samples of this model were made for the holiday May 1933. In parallel with the heavy motorcycle model, several light samples of IZH-7 were manufactured. As a result, the bike of the light model was admitted to the serial production, but with the significant changes that were required in the struggle for "labor reduction". The final version of the IZH-7 model lost the trunk, shields, the gas knob was replaced with a swivel cuff, other simplifications were made.

In 1933 the Izhevsk Motorcycle Plant produced 111 cars. The pace of production was increasing, at the same time the work of the design office was going on, where new models were developed and the existing models were modernized. In 1938, the production of the IZH-8 motorcycle began with a 300-cubic-meter engine. The power of the equipment increased to 8 horsepower.

In 1940, the Izhevsk Motorcycle Plant started production of the IZH-9. The working power of the machine was already 9 horsepower. In parallel, work began on the introduction of the IZH-12 model, based on the L-8 model developed at the Leningrad Design Bureau. It was planned to launch mass production in 1941, but the war broke out.

The post-war breakthrough

During the war, the Izhevsk Motorcycle Plant was focused on the production of machine guns and small arms. The revival of motorcycle construction began almost immediately after the Victory, in 1946. According to the law on reparations from Germany, drawings and equipment of German plants were delivered to Izhevsk, which gave a powerful impetus to development. A new design bureau was created at the enterprise, and preparations for the production of a new model of the IZH-350 motorcycle began, the German DKW-350 model was built on the basis of the design.

The prototype of German industry was adapted to the Soviet requirements and the possibilities of the associated industries. The assembly of motorcycles IZh began at the arms factory. From that moment Izhevsk Motorcycle Plant became the leader in the production of motorcycles in the Soviet Union.

Available and high quality

Until the end of the 60s, the production volumes were increased, the main emphasis was placed on the design and production of sports models of equipment, the tone was set by Izhevsk Motorcycle Plant. Products that came off the assembly line were in demand both on the domestic market and abroad. In 1946, the company modernized the first post-war model of a motorcycle. The modernized model lost its obsolete parallelogram fork, instead of it, a telescopic fork was constructed. Engine power increased to 14 horsepower, significant changes were subjected to suspension. Its new design gave a softer ride and cushioning on the move.

During the fifties, four new models of motorcycles came into serial production. The first in the series was the motorcycle IZH-49. The model was equipped with a single-cylinder engine with a cooling system and a dual purge, a modernized rear wheel suspension, a telescopic fork. The gearbox had three positions. The motorcycle was ideally suited for conquest of impassability in a countryside. Also IZH-50, 54 and 55 were produced. The power of motorcycles grew to 18-19 horsepower.

The heyday of the stagnation period

Since 1966 at the motor factory in Izhevsk began to produce new models of road motorcycles. In addition to the new characteristics, the technique has new names, now legendary: "IZH Planet" and "IZH Jupiter". Motorcycle "IZH Planet" was produced on the basis of the IZh-56 model. For a new family of motorcycles, the gas tank was modernized, the design of the saddle, the shields (front, rear), and the muffler was changed.

"IZH-Jupiter" was also created on the basis of the motorcycle IZH-56. A new engine with two cylinders was designed for the new series, a two-stroke engine with a two-jet blowdown of the air-cooling system. The working mixture of the engine was prepared in a carburetor, ignited by an electric spark in the cylinder. Also a lot of new innovations were made.

From 1971 to 1975, motorcycles of road models "IZH Planeta-3", "IZ Jupiter-3", "IZH Planet Sport", "IZH Jupiter-3K" came off the assembly line of the enterprise. By this time, the equipment of the production was at a high level and the possibilities of the enterprise have increased significantly. In the design bureau, work on new models, the improvement of traditional "Izhs" occurred at a rapid pace, the experience and capabilities of a large plant affected. Some models of motorcycles were awarded the Quality Mark, which was proud of Izhevsk Motorcycle Plant. Spare parts for all models of technology could be purchased throughout the country.

Motorcycle "IZ Jupiter" had five models with a different set of qualities, the greatest number of modifications received a motorcycle "IZ Jupiter-5", there were 22 names. The "IZH Planet" model had five variants, the most popular model was the motorcycle "IZH Planeta Sport".

Until the 2000s

By the beginning of the 1980s a new highly automated production complex was put into operation at the enterprise. Its estimated capacity of the output was 450-thousand motorcycles a year. During the period 1981-82. At the factory the motor-technics of models "IZH Jupiter-4" and "IZH Planet-4" was issued. In 1985, the model "IZ Jupiter-5" was launched in production, and in 1987 the motorcycle "IZH Planeta-5" was launched. For this model, the redesign of the exterior and the engine with the power of 22 h were developed. from. Soon a modern appearance was already on all manufactured motorcycles IZH.

Until the beginning of the 1990s, new motorcycle models were designed in the design bureau, the Japanese engine XT-550 lay at the heart of the development. The technique was named "Orion", "Marathon", "Sprinter", the models were characterized by advanced technical characteristics, stylish design and promised great prospects for the implementation of projects.

From 1992 to 1996, the Izhevsk Motorcycle Factory makes a unique development - a cargo module IZH 9.604 GH and a side trailer IL 9.204. Additional modules were designed in such a way as to fit on any model of motorcycles "Jupiter" and "Planet". In order to install the cargo module, it was required to remove the rear wheel of the motorcycle and fix the additional compartment, thus, a three-wheeled motorcycle of freight purpose was obtained.

For three years (1995-1998), the plant developed new engines and a self-priming centrifugal pump. In 1997, a motorcycle was developed to transport fire-fighting equipment IZH 6.92001, as well as a cargo model IZH 6.920 GR. By 2000, the company announced the development of the design of a new motorcycle in the style of a chopper (Izh 6.113-05), the working title - "Junker."

Changes

In the course of its existence, the Izhevsk Motor Works, in addition to the production of motorcycles, was engaged in the production of military products and until 1988 the company was classified as classified. Hunting rifles, produced at the Izhevsk Motorcycle Factory, are known since 1948, their mass production was established after the war. Perestroika greatly influenced the production profile, since 1992 the enterprise was renamed into the joint-stock company "Axion".

The IZHMOTO plant, which was engaged in the production of motorcycles, went bankrupt in 2008 and was officially suspended for an indefinite period. Recently, the media began to appear on the interest of Chinese entrepreneurs to revive the Izhevsk motorcycle plant. Photos of developments that have not been mass-produced, the historical models of the first machines and today make a huge impression.

Hopes

Today the shops where motorcycles were produced are empty. According to people who managed to inspect the production base, the enterprise remained only a fenced area, where once there was an Izhevsk motorcycle factory. Contacts are as follows: Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk, ul. Telegin, building 30.

According to official information, Izhevsk Motorcycle Plant (Izhevsk) is engaged in the production of motorcycles, mopeds, motorcycles and bicycles. In 2014, there were publications about the possible reincarnation of motorcycles IZH. The project was interested in China, there were suggestions that the Chinese side would place its own production of motorcycles in Udmurtia and discussed the possibility of producing a motorcycle of the IZH-7 series, but as things stand today, it is not known.