Yes, Gene is the Holopaw dealer...he's a heck of a good fella.

If you are looking at the 1995 Red bike over in Lutz, that is one of the
first year's imported. No electric starter, kick only and 650cc. They
have been MAJOR improvements/upgrades since then. If you want a bike
with electric start also, I'd keep my eyes out for a 2004 or newer.
These are much better bikes quality wise and have a 750cc engine. There
is nothing wrong with the older bikes, but they were prone to crank
shaft failures and had poor electrical systems. 2002 on have the 750cc
engines and are better bikes. Biggest problem with them was the Russian
alternator that could fail and take out the Timing gears. Cheap easy
fix, but aggravating and chance of worse engine damage if unlucky. Every
year after 2002, many major improvements were made. The new 2007 bikes
are almost a different animal all together.

Ah, decisions, decisions....

I'm located in New Smyrna Beach, if you're in the area, you're welcome
to stop by.

Bill G.

Tim Tobin wrote:
>
> Is Gene the dealer in Holopaw??
> There is currently a Ural on sale on eBay I'm thinking of looking at.
> It is located in a town outside of Tampa. I am more than willing to do
> work on a bike but I'm strictly a back yard mechanic. I could balance
> the carbs, change the spark plugs, and other simple maintence!
> But that is it! I want to Thank-you all for your advice and I will
> find a Ural and we will go ride together if you like! Hopefully there
> are some local Ural rides around!
> I'll keep looking!!
> Tim
>
> /-------Original Message----- --/
>
> /*From:*/ Bill Glaser <mailto:xpehbam@cfl.rr.com>
> /*Date:*/ 08/05/07 19:03:41
> /*To:*/ CFUR@yahoogroups. com <mailto:CFUR@yahoogroups.com>
> /*Subject:*/ Re: [SPAM] Re: [SPAM] [CFUR] Ural kit
>
>
> Tim,
>
> A properly assembled Dnepr is as good a bike as a Ural. But please, for
> your sake, do not even consider one unless you are willing to put a HUGE
> amount of time and labor...not to mention money...into it. If you visit
> any of the three major web forums for Russian motorcycles and post your
> are considering a Dnepr kit...you will be buried in responses of folks
> who have done so and been sorely disappointed. There will be a handful
> of guys tell you what a wonderful bike they are...but these are the guys
> that have a full machine shop in the shed/garage and rebuild the engines
> and running gear for the suckers that buy the kits and find they can't
> fix them themselves.
>
> Yes, all them fellas that sell the "kits" have the parts. Yes, if you
> call and tell them something doesn't fit, is broke, is worn out,
> whatever...they' ll send you another part and it may still be one of the
> above. Again, there are no new parts as the factory has been closed for
> years. The kits are all old used or discarded seconds that people have
> taken from the closed factory. The is one fella in WA state that sells
> new Dnepr's...Lloyd at RAMCO (Russian American Motorcycle Co.
> www.ramco.com) ...but he is dead in the water. Another downside is
> getting a Dnepr titled and registered. No warranty.
>
> Here are the main forum sites so you can ask more questions if you so
> desire;
>
> US Ural factory site: www.imz-ural. com
> Russian Iron (now owned by Terry Crawford one of the largest Ural dealer
> in the U.S.): www.russianiron. com
> Soviet Steeds (Independently operated): www.sovietsteeds. com
>
> Urals have a dealer network, are new bikes, come with a title like any
> other new vehicle and have a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty. Yes,
> they cost more...but like the saying goes...if it's too good to be
> true...then it ain't or....ya gets what ya pay for.
>
> The best way to find a used Ural is look in the classifieds on the above
> listed forums. Especially the IMZ company site. There are always bikes
> listed. Look up the dealers on the main page drop down menu. Gene
> Langford in FL, Terry Crawford in MI and Felicia Wagner in IN (I think)
> are the 3 biggest dealers and usually have trade-ins for sale. Many of
> the dealers will ship or bring the bike to you...especially if there is
> not a dealer in your state. You can sometimes get lucky and find one in
> the paper or on Ebay...but I suggest you buy through the forums/dealers
> as the history of the bike is more likely to be known.
>
> Just do your research and ask lots of questions. They are fun bikes, a
> good value and very utilitarian. They do require regular and routine
> maintenance. All models have gremlins which are easily and usually cheap
> and simple to fix. Once sorted out, they are solid bikes. I have 100,000
> km's on my 2002 and would take it around the world. But you must
> remember, they are not Honda's. They are not gas & go...at least in the
> beginning. If I didn't already, visit my website (www.myural. com) as I
> have a unfinished Ural service manual on-line. You can see how
> primitively the bikes can be fixed. Don't let it scare you...all the
> fixing I mean...as my bike is a daily driver and I beat the crap out of
> it. I also fix things that don't need fixing just for the sake of
> finishing the manual.
>
> Sorry for being so long winded,
>
> Bill G.
>
> Tim Tobin wrote:
> >
> > Bill,
> > I have to tell you I'm real disappointed! I am definitely NOT a
> machinist!
> > I have built a couple of airplanes from kits but never had to machine
> > much!
> > I did check ad it is a Dnepr and I had no clue that they were different!
> > The company that sells them (and auctions them on eBay) insists that
> > he has parts and guarantees all he sells but I have a little more
> > faith in someone local than in someone I have never done business
> > with. I guess the next question is, where should I look to find a used
> > Ural locally?
> > Thanks!
> >
> > /-------Original Message----- --/
> >
> > /*From:*/ Bill Glaser <mailto:xpehbam@cfl. rr.com
> <mailto:xpehbam%40cfl.rr.com>>
> > /*Date:*/ 08/05/07 15:47:26
> > /*To:*/ CFUR@yahoogroups. com <mailto:CFUR%40yahoogroups.com>
> <mailto:CFUR@yahoogroups. com <mailto:CFUR%40yahoogroups.com>>
> > /*Subject:*/ Re: [SPAM] [CFUR] Ural kit
> >
> >
> > Tim, there is not "assembly" version of the Ural. You may be looking at
> > a Dnepr (Ukrainian) brand of bike. Stay away. If the same person is
> > selling "new" and "kit" Urals...stay away. Only buy a new Ural from one
> > of the authorized dealers listed on the Ural homepage
> > (www.imz-ural. com). Don't buy a Dnepr unless you are a master machinist
> > with your own shop as the "kits" are discarded factory seconds (factory
> > has been closed for years) mixed with old used parts. Many parts will
> > need to be machined or replaced to the bike to run reliably.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Bill G.
> >
> > Tim Tobin wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all
> > > I am interested in getting my first Ural.
> > > I have found a site that sells new Urals and an assembly version of
> > > the Ural.
> > > Does anyone have any experience with this or have an opinion??
> > > I'm looking forward to riding anew Ural to Daytona!
> > > Thanks
> > > Tim
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>