Ural-a-ling near Moab Utah, 2009, Part Six.

The last day of Ural-a-ling near Moab resulted in me burning the clutch up on my rig. I attempted to climb "La Sal" pass, the pass is over 9,600 feet, I made it to 8,853 feet before losing the clutch. I had ABUSED the clutch for MANY miles on this climb, even with my modified clutch disks the strain was too much, after the disks failed, I started the rig in gear and drove it over 50 miles back to camp, stopping, starting and shifting with out the clutch. Urals are built tough. The rig has been repaired and is again being ABUSED. Its a dirty rotten job but someone has to do it. Thanks IMWA for again sending me into the hinterlands.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Mr. Cob
• Ural motorcycles
• sidecars
• rigs

[afraone]

Howdy TonyFirelli,

Russian quality had noting to do with the clutch disk going bad, I was attempting a grades that were well beyond the design envelope of the Ural and that it lasted as long as it did shows just how much ABUSE these rigs will take. If you had read the ride report I posted on ADV-Rider it details how I saved this particular ride until the other Ural riders had left and gone home. I am a test rider for Ural and this climb was done purposely knowing the clutch would fail.

[nbr1tito]

Hi Dave

I have enjoyed your videos. I hope to have a Ural in my driveway in the future. Since you do a lot of steep climbing have you looked into reducing the gearing on the Ural to give you better low end pulling power.

[afraone]

Howdynbr1tito,

There are no gears available for either the transmission or the final drive that would allow lower gearing, if such gears were made I would install them. It is because of the lack of lower gears that the clutch has to be abused for the last five years I have been modifying Ural clutch disks but even they will after being subjected to abuse such as this particular ride eventually fail. There is talk of a 5 speed transmission, perhaps then a lower first gear will be installed.

[afraone]

Howdy Kriosfera,

I am happy that you enjoyed the videos. Someday I would like to journey to Russia and ride in Siberia. I am not a rich man so sadly I don't think that will ever happen, however I do dream of such journeys.

Dave

[TonyFirelli]

Russian quality :D

[MaxKetteler]

Hi Dave,

I Love your videos! Hope we can join up one day! Give notice, when you make it to Europa!

Max

[DrDnepr]

I have an old dnepr mt11 ...trying to get my hands on a gear up an then go on a trip through eastern europe one day

[kriosfera]

Thanks Mr. Cob for excellent video.

I except the Siberian woods saw nothing.

Beautiful kinds. As though itself was with you.