Иж-49
IZh-49 is a middle-class road motorcycle, which was designed for riding on roads with different surfaces alone or with a passenger. These motorcycles were produced at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant from 1951 to 1958.
In addition to solo motorcycles, a pilot batch of machines with sidecars was produced. In 2024, a limited version of retro-style electric motorcycles called “IZh-49 Retro” was created.
History
After the Great Patriotic War, as part of reparations, equipment from the DKW plant was removed from Germany, which was subsequently transferred to the Izhevsk plant. In 1946, under the leadership of the invited chief designer of DKW Hermann Weber and other engineers from the DKW plant, the production of the Izh-350 motorcycle was launched, based on the German DKW NZ 350.
In 1951, without stopping production, the transition to mass production of the IZh-49 motorcycles was carried out, which became very popular among the population. The authors of the design were A.A. Modzelevsky, S.Ya. Fisher, S.S. Zorin, N.N. Pushin, G.L. Pisarev and others.
Due to the use of a telescopic front fork, rear suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers and other improvements, riding comfort increased and the motorcycle’s cross-country ability in poor road conditions improved.
In 1958, the production of the IZh-49 was discontinued, since a new model, the IZh-56, had already been produced since 1955. This motorcycle became the base model for a number of post-war models of Izhevsk motorcycles.
Design
The motorcycle is equipped with a single-cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled engine with a return-loop, two-jet purge. The working mixture is prepared in the carburetor and ignited in the cylinder by an electric spark.
The engine crankshaft is assembled, pressed. The crankcase is a block type, consisting of two halves that are connected in the middle longitudinal plane. In the front part of the crankcase is the crank chamber, and in the rear – the gearbox.
The foot pedal for gear shifting and the kickstarter pedal are located on the left side of the gearbox housing.
The front wheel, brake, speedometer drive gearbox and mudguard are securely attached to the movable part of the telescopic fork. A headlight is also installed on this fork, in the housing of which there is a speedometer, connected to the gearbox by a flexible shaft.
The motorcycle steering wheel is securely fixed in the brackets of the upper bridge of the telescopic fork, which can rotate 35 degrees in both directions. This allows the driver to choose a convenient steering wheel position for a comfortable ride.
On the right side of the gas tank, the manual gear shift lever sector is fixed. When shifting gears with the pedal, the lever moves to the position corresponding to the engaged gear.
Sports modifications
- IZh-50A is a motorcycle for multi-day competitions based on the Izh-49.
- IZh-50B is a motocross motorcycle based on the Izh-49. The engine is boosted to 16 hp at 4,500 rpm by increasing the compression ratio to 8-9, improving the purge system, and expanding the valve timing. Aluminum alloy cylinder with a cast-iron sleeve. K-28 carburetor with an enlarged diffuser). The crew part is lightweight.
- IZh-51M is a motorcycle for circuit road racing. Experimental engine with variable volume crankcase (using a piston pump in the lower part of the crankcase)
In 1955, production of a new family of sports motorcycles with a tubular welded frame and pendulum rear suspension began.
- IZh-54 for road and circuit racing had an engine with a capacity of 18-20 hp.
- IZh-55 for motocross and multi-day competitions. The engine was boosted to a capacity of 16-18 hp by increasing the compression ratio to 8-9, increasing the diameter of the carburetor flow section and improving the purge system. In terms of chassis, the motorcycle does not differ from the basic road model. Much attention is paid to air purification and protection of the ignition and carburetor from water. Air enters the carburetor through a special receiver located at the rear of the fuel tank. The exhaust pipes together with the mufflers are raised upward. Ignition is carried out from a magneto, hermetically sealed with an aluminum cover. The motorcycle is equipped with special motocross tires with a deep tread pattern and a racing pad on the rear fender.
Manufacturer: Ижевский машиностроительный завод (Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant)
Assembly: Izhevsk (USSR/Russia)
Years of production: 1950—1958
Production: 507,603 units
Length: 2120 mm
Width: 770 mm
Height: 980 mm
Engine: 1 cylinder; 346 cc
Power: 12 HP
Max speed: 90 km/h
Fuel consumption: 4 l/100 km
Weight: 150 kg
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