1979 Dnepr 14.9
The work on a specialized escort motorcycle was begun at the KMZ using the best practices made when sport vehicles were created. Although, the same old serial motorcycle was taken as a basis, very substantial alterations were made in its design. The sportive cross motor 750СК01 of 750 cm3 capacity served as a principle for the engine of the escort Dnepr –the factory sportsmen took part namely in such class. The escort engine had an upgraded open lubrication system with a centrifuge (of an altered construction) for oil cleaning, an oil pump with gears of 20 mm high and oil inlet for a back connecting rod bearing with the help of oil collectors (as on K-750). To raise the stability of the motorcycle the undercarriage was altered. The motorbike got a stockless front fork of an innovative design with a hydraulic damper of the handle bar and a new shield for the front wheel.
The saddle on the escort Dnepr was one-seat of a cushion type. It could be tipped on the side, opening the access to a small saddle box for instruments where there also was a battery disconnect switch. The escort motorbikes Dnepr-14.9 were exploited in summer single and in winter with a sidecar, not designed to carry passengers, but especially developed to provide the motorbike stability in the winter time. The sidecar which was built at the KMZ differed radically from mass-produced by the frame, 18-inch wheel, a wheel shield and a non-passenger fiberglass body of modern for that time design.
The first motorcycle of this range, received the factory index KMZ-8.953 and the name Dnepr-14.9 was produced in 1976 and passed to Moscow into GON (the garage of a special purpose) for testing. Meticulous customers made about two dozens of remarks, but on the whole they liked the motorcycle. It looked more attractive and above all featured high power and better dynamics. Thereby commercial motorbikes, used for an escort were given up for lost.
It took more than two years to produce the first batch of 25 special escort motorcycles and they were surrendered to the customer only in 1979. The pain in the neck of their creators did not finish thereupon. In the process of keeping honorary escort service by the motorbike Dnepr-14.9 all new and new their drawbacks were determined, and the customers actually formulated wishes to their improvements. Everything was taken into account, and the motorbike’s design was cultivated continually just in the operational process.
In 1982 the KMZ was charged to make a new batch of escort Dnepr-14.9 preliminarily integrating all improvements existing by that period of time into their construction. A number of field research institutes and enterprises were obliged to render all possible assistance. Thus All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Motor Industry in Serpukhov helped to produce a number of engine components and mounts, to assembly and try it, and also to adjust the suspension. Scientific Research Automobile Motor Institute took part in production of the fiberglass skin on the fly-screen. It did not go without co-operated deliveries by the All-Union Production Enterprises “Soyuzavtoelectropribor” and “Soyuzpodshipnic” and others. Therefore the second batch of 25 escort motorcycles Dnepr-14.9 was produced already much sooner – at the end of 1983 – beginning of 1984.
The saddle on the escort Dnepr was one-seat of a cushion type. It could be tipped on the side, opening the access to a small saddle box for instruments where there also was a battery disconnect switch. The escort motorbikes Dnepr-14.9 were exploited in summer single and in winter with a sidecar, not designed to carry passengers, but especially developed to provide the motorbike stability in the winter time. The sidecar which was built at the KMZ differed radically from mass-produced by the frame, 18-inch wheel, a wheel shield and a non-passenger fiberglass body of modern for that time design.
The first motorcycle of this range, received the factory index KMZ-8.953 and the name Dnepr-14.9 was produced in 1976 and passed to Moscow into GON (the garage of a special purpose) for testing. Meticulous customers made about two dozens of remarks, but on the whole they liked the motorcycle. It looked more attractive and above all featured high power and better dynamics. Thereby commercial motorbikes, used for an escort were given up for lost.
It took more than two years to produce the first batch of 25 special escort motorcycles and they were surrendered to the customer only in 1979. The pain in the neck of their creators did not finish thereupon. In the process of keeping honorary escort service by the motorbike Dnepr-14.9 all new and new their drawbacks were determined, and the customers actually formulated wishes to their improvements. Everything was taken into account, and the motorbike’s design was cultivated continually just in the operational process.
In 1982 the KMZ was charged to make a new batch of escort Dnepr-14.9 preliminarily integrating all improvements existing by that period of time into their construction. A number of field research institutes and enterprises were obliged to render all possible assistance. Thus All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Motor Industry in Serpukhov helped to produce a number of engine components and mounts, to assembly and try it, and also to adjust the suspension. Scientific Research Automobile Motor Institute took part in production of the fiberglass skin on the fly-screen. It did not go without co-operated deliveries by the All-Union Production Enterprises “Soyuzavtoelectropribor” and “Soyuzpodshipnic” and others. Therefore the second batch of 25 escort motorcycles Dnepr-14.9 was produced already much sooner – at the end of 1983 – beginning of 1984.
