Lovingly restoring the worst bike I've ever ridden.

[rtwdoug]

I can get ya some tank decals, but it may not be until next summer.

also, if you wanna bring em to bama, you can tag em, no problem

They made a gazillion minsks, they are all over the place (just not in the US)

In fact, I think they still make em! I saw a few still in the crates, at a bike shop in siberia.

Its probably Belarus's biggest export, along with their tractors. (made in Minsk, of course!)

Hey, at least the dismantlers didnt take the motors apart....

So did US customs say anything about it being 'bike parts'?

good luck, & have fun!

Doug

[YamaGeek]

If you don't consider the subpar welding those Minsk frames look like they were from a 400 cc size bike. This thread is my new favorite, please, more pictures, I like to see welding worse than mine..

[Sniper X]

[IMG][/IMG]

[istandalone]

Mullet5,

Let me guess, you used to be a farmer and you lived through the great depression and WWII.

Maybe born around 1914?

You remind me of my grandfather - except for the beer. He turns 96 next week.

[Uncle Pollo]

I would love something that looks that cool.

[Sniper X]

Originally Posted by Alejo

I would love something that looks that cool.

Buy the Jawa Californian off Cl then....it is uber cool, and a two stroke. But alas, it is a more reliable bike than the Minsk.

[fishkens]

Originally Posted by rtwdoug

I

Hey, at least the dismantlers didnt take the motors apart....


Doug

And wrapped the pieces in connecting rod shaped pieces of cardboard.

[Mullet5]

Originally Posted by fishkens

And wrapped the pieces in connecting rod shaped pieces of cardboard.

Yeah, when I started unwrapping all of the individually wrapped parts I began to break out in a cold sweat, picturing individually bubble wrapped piston rings, carburetor needles and floats. You can not imagine how relieved I was when I found a complete engine, with the carburetor still on it.

[Mark Manley]

This is the kind of bloody daft thing that I would do, you have my admiration and respect.

[azcycle]

[Hawk Medicine]

Originally Posted by Mullet5
I am definitely going to try to get them street legal. Does anybody have any good resources for info on registering highly questionable machinery? Tips? Tricks?

I've been through the Cali system a few times and heres what I'd do...

1) Make sure that the frame carries a set of stamped-in numbers.
2) Install standard lighting and a license plate mount
3) Get the whole bike assembled and running
4) Find an old Cali "Blue plate" that guaranteed not to be in the system. (I have one if you need it.)
5) Take it to the CHP for inspection and tell them that you bought it out of a barn for $10 and show them a receipt with an unreadable signature.

If the bike meets Cali code, they'll write you a title and if necessary, tag it with a new Vin number.

This isn't guaranteed to work but it should. If you need any more info, PM me. I could use a good excuse to drop by the DMV and ask some questions, plus they know me and I could go over to my local inspectopn office with you and the bike.

[Mullet5]

Originally Posted by mymindsok

Originally Posted by Mullet5
I am definitely going to try to get them street legal. Does anybody have any good resources for info on registering highly questionable machinery? Tips? Tricks?

I've been through the Cali system a few times and heres what I'd do...

1) Make sure that the frame carries a set of stamped-in numbers.
2) Install standard lighting and a license plate mount
3) Get the whole bike assembled and running
4) Find an old Cali "Blue plate" that guaranteed not to be in the system. (I have one if you need it.)
5) Take it to the CHP for inspection and tell them that you bought it out of a barn for $10 and show them a receipt with an unreadable signature.

If the bike meets Cali code, they'll write you a title and if necessary, tag it with a new Vin number.

This isn't guaranteed to work but it should. If you need any more info, PM me. I could use a good excuse to drop by the DMV and ask some questions, plus they know me and I could go over to my local inspectopn office with you and the bike.

That sounds like it could work! I might have one on my GS450e parts bike, but I don't think so. I will be doing three of these bikes, so if anyone else has some out-of-the-system plates they will sell me I would buy them.

I'm working on the bike now, so I'll do an update later with pictures. Thanks to everybody who is posting, it's keeping me motivated!

[Mullet5]

Originally Posted by rtwdoug

I can get ya some tank decals, but it may not be until next summer.

also, if you wanna bring em to bama, you can tag em, no problem

They made a gazillion minsks, they are all over the place (just not in the US)

In fact, I think they still make em! I saw a few still in the crates, at a bike shop in siberia.

Its probably Belarus's biggest export, along with their tractors. (made in Minsk, of course!)

Hey, at least the dismantlers didnt take the motors apart....

So did US customs say anything about it being 'bike parts'?

good luck, & have fun!

Doug

I have heard that Alabama is rather, ehh, "relaxed" about titling vehicles. Used to be that you could steal something in one state, then just have it re-titled in Alabama, right?

I had a customs broker do all the legal work down in L.A., and as far as I could tell from looking at the big crate, they just kind of opened one corner, looked inside, and saw all the cardboard boxes labeled "moto parts" and let it go. None of the cardboard boxes had been opened! So if you ever want to import drugs, elephant tusks, or small children, just write "moto parts" on the boxes.

[TedShred]

Originally Posted by Mullet5

I have heard that Alabama is rather, ehh, "relaxed" about titling vehicles. Used to be that you could steal something in one state, then just have it re-titled in Alabama, right?

I had a customs broker do all the legal work down in L.A., and as far as I could tell from looking at the big crate, they just kind of opened one corner, looked inside, and saw all the cardboard boxes labeled "moto parts" and let it go. None of the cardboard boxes had been opened! So if you ever want to import drugs, elephant tusks, or small children, just write "moto parts" on the boxes.

You can title just about anything in Arizona and Idaho too. Little closer than Alabama

[Kjharn]

Damned cool project!