Seeing that the other "newbie" post I started got hella long I thought I'd start another one. Sorry for the delay on the Ural report but I was out ... er ... Uraling!! I got home yesterday from Bellingham around 4pm. I was having Jeep issues (and trailer issues {the Ural didn't want to fit so we took it mostly apart}). By the time I got home and got the trailer back together it was already getting dark. My Jeep got parked (KIA ... AGAIN!!) and the Ural came off the trailer. I couldn't wait to take it for a spin so I got my gear on and out I went.

The evening went something like this; Trip around the neighborhood. That wasn't good enough so I HAD to go to the hardware store. I needed sand bags for the sidecar you know! I never made it inside ... made a lap around the parking lot then kept going. I was excited to get the Ural up to 35 mph (all new to me). I practiced everything that I had learned and enjoyed every second of it. I went back to our house and told my husband I HAD to go to my "2nd Parent's" house. I got there ... nobody home so I returned. This is when we experienced our 1st UDF. A neighbor we had never seen or even spoke to before came over and knocked on the garage. "Can I look at your bike??" He turned out to be a great guy.

Today all I could do was clock watch at work. I didn't ride it in because I'm not ready for a 35 mile one way trek (not just yet). I left work a 1/2 hr. early just so I could beat the turkey crowd. I skipped all housework and headed to the garage. This was the 1st time I got to back out of the garage. I let it warm up in the driveway and "motorcycle boy" (a neighbor kitty-corner from us who drive me CRAZY!!) just HAD to pull his chopper out to fire it up as well. I suited up and off I went. I followed the same route as last time but I added a different return. I decided to give The Big Hill a try. It was fun going down the hill and I even got up to 40 (and into 3rd gear {1st time for that, too})! Going up I was worried that I would get snagged by a red light (ON A HILL!) but luck was with me. I stopped to see a buddy for a soda at a local watering hole on the way back. I kept a close eye on my Ural. Sure enough! Two blokes started doing circles. I went out to get something out of my trunk (because I "forgot it") and was stuck w/UDF yet again. It was fun talking bikes. "You sure this is new?" "Yeah, I'm sure."

I backed it in the garage tonight when I got it home. My husband suggested that I park it in the garage until we clear some project stuff. I wasn't going to agrue. There sits my Ural in all of it's glory! I am so in love it's unreal! I sat out there for a good 1/2 hr. sippin' a brew and just looking at it. THAT URAL IS MINE! It's still hard for me to believe. Tomorrow I'm riding it to the in laws for Thanksgiving dinner. It's a great excuse to cut the visit short. "Sorry. Gotta go. The Ural awaits!"

I have attached a few pictures of my Ural's homecoming. I will take better pictures w/my fancy-pants camera soon (these were brought to you by iPhone). Thanks to everyone for all the info I have gotten so far. It's MUCH appreciated!! I am hearing the "CLUNK" of the gears going into place and I even adjusted my own idol (it kept cutting out at the stop lights) w/o freaking out too much. I'm sure I will have more questions later but for now it's all comin' together.

I'm glad to hear you finally got it home, enjoy!

Chuffed to bits for you Trace.

Great looking rig. It sounds like you are having a blast.

Buck

Good on ya Trace, great stuff.

Jules

DO THE 35 MILE JOURNEY! You will be more relaxed with the bike after a longer run. And don't put sand bags in the sidecar. That way you don't get any nasty surprises when you forget to put them back after taking a passenger for a trip. An ammo box full of tools is about all you should need.

Better yet an ammo box full of ammo....I wish sometimes.....................

Serious Black gave you some good advice, the best ballast is spares and tools.

I'm glad you're having a great time!

Dave

It just gets better from here, have fun !

congrats !!!!!!! if i did not have the mt 16 i would be having just what you have i fell in love with the Sahara the first time i saw the pics of it on the Ural web site

brilliant!! Glad you're on the road,there's almost nothing as satisfying as riding a brand new rig that you can call your own.Especially if it's a ural!
ride safe,ride free.
all the best martyn aberdare.

Feels good...don't it? So...still got that grin plastered on yer mug? Yes? Bet its from the ridin' and not the Leinies... Ride safe and be cool...

Congrats Trace,

You will have a ball. Enjoy every minute of it. I sure love mine.
I like your choice of beer too

P

THANKS for sharing my excitement guys! I should be out there right now but I'm having blinker issues (left rear). I need to get that fixed before I head out. And it's a nice day in WA, too! WTF?!?!!?

I took the Ural to the in laws yesterday. It was butt cold and a total DOWN POUR! I went out anyway. Minus my boots (I will get new ones soon) I have great great so no issues on that end. It was a great drive and my longest one yet (about 20 some-odd miles). Attached is a picture my husband sent me from his car. I still haven't had a hack monkey yet! The application is still out.

Back out to the garage I go ...

You can't just park the bike 'cos' the indicater is dodgy. Where's your spirit of adventure woman! You'll get us a bad name!

Don't fret Serious!! I still went out anyway! My longest (time wise) ride yet! AND I ventured into parts UNKNOWN! Found some cool stuff, too. I got my light repaired in the process, too ... THANKS to South Sound BMW!! I didn't have the tools for the job but they fixed me right up. I know where I will be taking my rig for all it's service now!

Ural blinkers have weak contacts. Like a cheap flashlight. One of the few things they haven't improved over the years.

Check for a blown bulb. If good, check for weak contact. They can be bent a bit to contact the bulb base better. A smear of dielectric grease is good on them too.

Congrats on the new rig. Very cool!!

Just curious. What happened to your poor Jeep?

Glad to see your home with your new rig!!!!! Looking forward to seeing it in person sometime soon. Congrats and have FUN.

Mark

Hey Rich. We did all the simple stuff 1st (started w/the bult) We worked our way ot the ground. Sure enough ... too much paint on it. I took my Ural to South Sound BMW and they fixed me right up!! We knew what it was but we had no way to get that paint off there.

Ah! My poor Jeep! It was (IN THEORY) ready on Monday the 23rd. I picked it up and everything was fine. By noon on the 24th it was smoking, gears were slipping, leaking oil ... I parked it as soon as I got it home. I drove the House Fly (lil' Honda car) Wednesday, Thursday was Thanksgiving so Friday back in the shop it went. We had to put 3 quarts of oil in it because it all leaked out!!!!!! What can I say? I'M PISSED! I am working on 30 days now w/o my Jeep. What a crock!! Will I ever go back to this dealership again? Um ... HELL NO!!

.... more to come on this I'm sure! I'll keep you posted!

Hi Mark! Yesh! I'm looking FWD: to meeting you in person sometime soon, too!! I plan on going to the big motorcycle show next month. I would love to take the Ural. You going? I also want to do the toy run that I have heard so much about! It was BEAUTIFUL yesterday and toolin' around was amazing (much better that the rain that I'm already used to). Looks like rain again for today. *Frump* That's ok! I'm going out anyway! I was supposed to have my 1st hack monkey this afternoon but I know she won't want to go if it's raining.

More soon!
TRACER

I had my 1st hack monkey victim today!! My buddy Melanie was all for it! We went out and got her a helmet 1st and then off we went! This was my longest ride to date and we had one hell of a day!! It was lots of fun for the both of us. She got to experience UDL 1st hand, too (and even helped me answer questions). She said she can't wait to go out again. "I want to be your hack monkey in all 4 seasons!" That's what I like to hear!!

Wow.... Sorry to hear that. Sounds like some major failures. My wife's last car was a 2001 Chrysler. Absolutely the worst built car we have ever owned. The German engineering ruined it. Really cheap Audi like suspension components were the biggest PITA. My old Rennault and MGB gave better service! Finally after seven years I had enough of rebuilding major components that shouldn't have worn out so soon and told Donna to trade it in before it dies and becomes worthless. Tranny leaked again and I was finding coolant in the oil AGAIN. Multiple suspension rebuilds. Many auxillary systems would just die. All at only 70k miles in seven years of use. She replaced it with a '08 Ford Focus and that car has been flawless for two years now. We both own Fords now. Darn good cars. Mine is an '07 Mustang Pony car. (V6)
I love the new four door Jeeps they came out with. Yeah, I know.... Longer wheelbase hurts off road performance. But I like the room and the stability at speed. But then I think back to her last two Chrysler products and the incompetent dealer services and lies we recieved.......... Bummer. I have had some other acquaintances have issues with their Jeeps. One had to tear his whole damned dash out to change a heater core! Just out of warranty. Now his dash squeaks like crazy. I'd love to try one, but just have no trust in the company.

Hope they fix yours right this next time!

MAJOR FAILURES is right!! What gets me is my Jeep JUST turned 10 a few months ago and it seems all hell broke loose! Sounds like the same deal w/that 2001 Chrysler your wife had. Maybe the same guys were working on the line that built my Jeep? My Jeep has 160,000 some-odd miles on it. To me that's not a lot! Our little 1986 Honda (The House Fly) has 260,000 and it's still going strong!! The run around that we are starting to get from the dealership is starting to flat out chap my arse!! That whole counter of service reps can get in line and take a number to kiss my arse, too! I know their tech tore something out of my dash to cause a leak. I had a 1/2 inch of water in the driver's side after they "repaired" my dash lights. *sigh* Now the new line of Jeep models ... I don't mind the 4 door Jeeps BUT they have to be the old body style. The new body style that they have now (the JK {we call them the Just Kiddings}) SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!! It is NOT a Jeep! They should have called it something else because it is NOT a Wrangler. I like the old school look of things and you still had that w/the Jeep ... until they had to up and change it. Maybe that's why I love the Ural.

I don't expect to hear anything back from them on my Jeep for at least a week. I can't take my Ural to work until I get it in for it's 1st service (yup! Almost time for it's 1st service ... ALREADY!!). Looks like I will be Honda House Flyin' it ... for another week. You would think that after 30 days they would have my Jeep back to me??!?!? No wonder people drink.

Yeay, another Ural in King county! More rigs for the 2010 Stampede!

I have seen the Stampede pictures on another website ... and I am all for it!! It looks like so much fun!! By 2010 I'll have lots of Ural time under my belt. I'm actually in Pierce County but close enough! *wink* You went out w/North Bend Mark during his Ural snow trip ... didn't you?

I'm sure I will get some Ural time in today. I got up early to bust out my housework 1st thing. So far the garage is the most squared away area!! *laugh*

Congrats on the new Machine Fun Times ahead, Cheers to you and yours

Yup, just ran in to Him at a gas station in North Bend, Showed Him some good snowed covered areas to play in 2wd.

Hey Rich, wasn't it Daimler that was dumb enough to buy into Chrysler? I'm on my second Volkswagen Audi group with no real complaints.
Mind you my opinion of 'Yank Tanks' is somewhat well known around here.

Conversation in a garage forecourt as the local AmCar club pull in to fill up:

'So Bill, what do you think of that ( a rather nicely restored early Mustang)'?

'Has it got a turbo'?

'No'

'Has it got fuel injection'?

'No'

'Doesn't look like it's got four wheel drive'?

'Er, no'

'No ABS then'?

'Ah, I don't think it has a servo on the discs'.

'Aint worth crap then'.

At which point the tank owner coughed out his cigar. Sorry but you guys just can't make cars. And as for the Chrysler Neon----- Ah hahahahahahahahhahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahhahahahhahahahahhahahhahahah
hahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
h
ahahahah...........................

WOW! Those are some great pictures!! Looks like a good time to me!! I love the one w/the snow plow in the back! *thumbs up*

My next vehicle will be a VW Rabbit. It's no where near a Jeep but the hell w/it! That's why I got the Ural!! 1st I need to pay that hack off then it's vehicle shoppin' time!

Just make sure You give them lots of room, they can throw snow 150', and could eat a Ural for lunch.

HOLY CAT CRAP! I guess so! That really puts it into perspective!!!!!!!

I went to my CU Friday to make a payment on my Mustang. Down to just oweing $2400 on it now! And it's only a bit over two years old. About 7 more payments and it's all mine and will still be under warranty.
Tempting to trade for something else interesting. But it IS a great road car for trips and is a ball on mountain roads. (Has the GT handling package.) If it stays as perfectly reliable as it has been so far, I should probably just hold onto it.

I love my nice and simple 20 year old Land Rover. extras....well it has a heater, PS, wipers and door locks. 4X4 accessory list is much longer.
OK I over maintain it but it does have to carry my whole family safely, there are 7 of us. Oh and the odd Overland holiday........

Would I swap it for a new car....no way!!! water + ECU= walking

And now have to go as my spares have just turned up from Ural-Zentraal....who--hooooooooooo

Went to my 1st Ural Clinic Saturday, December 5th. I missed the Oly Toy Run but I was very thankful that Ural Northwest puts on these clinic for those interested. There were 4 of us there; a husband and wife team (Bainbridge Island) who owned a Tourist and a BMW guy (Texas!) who was in WA State on business. He didn't own a Ural (YET!) but I have a feeling he may pick one up before too long. I learned SO MUCH in the 7 hours I was there! I can't wait to attend another!

My Sahara got it's 1st service and the break in process is going well. Now that I have a few more km to spare I can't wait to start driving it to work!! I have expanded my driving miles and every outing I'm more and more comfortable w/my Iron Kitten! I found out quickly that I need heated gloves! "Dear Santa ... "

Attached are some photos from the clinic. We worked on a Retro for most of the class and then my Sahara got to shine in the lime light. NOTE: w/one hand in my pocket and the other wrapped around a coffee cup ... I should try out for management! *laugh*

Congratulations. The excitment you have over your new ride is a delight to witness. It's great when realization equals anticipation.

The light sockets are somewhat poor and do a mediocre job of maintaining bulb contact.
Open up the fixture.
Tighten spring terminals.
Be sure wire is firmly under clip.
Spray metal with ACF-50 to prevent corrosion.
Reinstall bulb.
You should be fine.

I didn't realize that Leinies were available outside of Wisconsin.

Oh yeah!! They started shipping across the Mississippi a few years ago and it's FINALLY made it to WA State. I have found it from MA to TX already. We have a sweet little beer fridge out in the garage that is jam packed full of Leinies! When I would go back to WI to visit I'd always pay extra for my baggage because it was packed w/BEER! ha! Not any more! Now I just go down to the local grocery store. Tonight feels like another Nut Brown kind of night!!

Let's hear it for beer! Yay!!!!

Sounds like a day well spent. It is nice that the dealer takes the time to show how it's done. Serviceing the Ural is not bad , that is one reason I purchased my Patrol. You don't have to be a professional wrench bender to do your own services . You don't have to deal with all the high tech stuff . For me it is actually a nice way to spend a few hours on a Saturday ( This time of year in a heated garage ).
Heated gloves will make your ride more fun in this weather. I hope Santa comes through for you.
Have fun.
Buck

'tis the season! Time to spread some Christmas cheer w/a little help of my Ural!

Nice touch, Look's great.

Enjoy

Buck

THUMBS UP !! nice looking Ural you got there.. I rode 2 days with a bag of sand in the hack. then i figured i'd better learn how w/out the ballist.. and after 4 seasons, never missed the bag.. just learn the proper body english.

Bag of rocks is out in the good weather (40#).
It gets reinstalled when I might need the traction on the sidecar drive wheel.
So it's in for the winter.

I took the sand bags out after day 2...haven't put them back in since. Not only was the Ural new to but so was the whole art of sidecaring. And now I will get to go Uraling a bunch more ... as I type this from my iPhone in a broken down Jeep. AAA is on their way to get it. POS!!!!! Now I wonder WTF is wrong with it? Off to buy waterproof boots this afternoon. It has been raining a lot here in Seattle..I need to be dry as I Ural in the rain.

Pretty much summarizes the whole "riding thing".

As long as you are warm and dry everything is fine.

It's a Jeep! Buy a Range Rover, British engineering owned and improved by the Germans with an engine rejected by the Americans. Actually the V8 engine is one of my farourites and the Range Rover is supposed to be more capable off road than the Jeep.

Or you could just do the sensible thing and buy a Toyota............

Hope you get home safely.

I agree 100% , money spent on good riding gear that keeps you dry and warm is money well spent. When you get wet and cold it just seems to take some of the fun out of the ride.

Buck

erm...........I have to agree with SB

If you like doing home mechanics on an old Land Rover fine, but not really practical on the new range of cars, but Land Rover is in the top 2 of 4x4.
The other being Landcruiser........More reliable than LR probably by a factor of 10, but that also reflects the price of parts/servicing.

Jeep falls way short of both of the above, thats from first hand experience.

Cheers

Well, you see ... I'd be all up and ready to buy a Land Rover (or anything else OTHER than my POS Jeep) but I bought the Ural. I must wait at least 6 years before I even think about getting something else.

The Ural treated me well on the way in this morning. ZERO issues. I LOVE THAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT!!!