|
Welcome to the Dnepr Kit Experience. Continuing the saga from Page 1, we now have a kitbike that had some engine issues, which is no surprise. I've ordered many new parts from Roman, and a new engine from Lloyd.
In this part, I will also tear into the Yuri engine, to show everyone exactly what you get from Yuri.
|
| |
| December Parts arrive from Roman. Wheels and tires are in great shape. Engine from Lloyd is unbelieveable! Looks like a work of art. This is an export engine, with higher compression, external filter,
pressure gauge and transmission. Also ordered the second muffler, which allows better outflow, and helps to tune the individual carbs. Looks nicer as well. My buddy Dave came over and we swapped the old Yuri engine with the new Lloyd unit. Hooked
up the carbs, picked up new fasteners, filled the oil with Shell 20W50 and fired her up! This engine is noticeably smoother, 70 psi at idle, and runs great. The wheels from Roman are in good shape, and the bearings are perfect. The following pictures are the maiden run with the sidecar. |
| |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |
| |
Conclusion
Am I glad I did the kitbike route to Dneprland? Yes. Would I do it again? Maybe.. Total calendar time was 9 months. Added parts: 1 Engine from Lloyd,
3 new wheels (the Yuri wheels are serviceable, but not usable as is), 1 muffler (optional), misc. fastners, transmission (optional). Out of the box the Yuri bike has issues with the powerplant and transmission. But if I had
bought an original bike to rebuild, it would have probably cost as much or more with the same amount of time. For all the things that the kitbike had wrong, there were some good pieces. All the rubber, the wiring worked, and most of the paint was very good.
A rebuild would have needed lots of powdercoating or other paint, and at least an engine rebuild. So, for what a kitbike offers, if you are looking to rebuild a bike yourself, it's not necessarily a bad deal. But don't expect a road ready machine.
And DO NOT get the electric start option - total waste. And if you are not mechanically inclined, or at least willing to learn, don't buy a kitbike. |
| |
| Curt's Kitbike Bbuyer Matrix |
| What you want | Type of bike |
| Immediate ride - no wrenching | Buy a Japanese Bike |
| Sidecar with some work - minimal wrenching | New Ural |
| Sidecar with little work - | Dnepr from good ready to ride source |
| Sidecar to partially restore the major bits | KITBIKE! |
| Sidecar to FULLY restore everything | Kitbike or original beater |
|
|
