Details of Cars

Ural M-63: swingarm suspension for the Ural sidecar outfit

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Ural M-63 of 1972
Ural M-63 registered in 1972. Photo by Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Ural M-63, sold as the Ural-2, replaced the M-62 in 1963 and stayed in production until 1971. Its main advance was a new frame with a swingarm rear suspension working on spring-hydraulic shock absorbers, a layout that was later extended to the sidecar wheel.

Ural M-63 at a glance

Ural M-63 key facts
Maker Irbit Motorcycle Factory (IMZ), Irbit
Production 1963–1971
Also known as Ural-2
Predecessor Ural M-62
Successor Ural-3 M-66
Rear suspension swingarm on spring-hydraulic shock absorbers
Sidecar wheel received the same suspension later
Ground clearance increased by a new exhaust system
Engine 649 cc air-cooled boxer twin, 28 hp

There is no separate Wikipedia article for the M-63; the model is described in the model list of the Russian article on Ural motorcycles.

History of the Ural M-63

A new rear end

The M-63 of 1963 introduced a frame with a swingarm rear suspension on spring-hydraulic shock absorbers in place of the older layout, and the same suspension was later fitted to the sidecar wheel. A new exhaust system raised the ground clearance, which mattered both on dirt roads and with a loaded sidecar.

Between M-62 and M-66

The M-63 kept the 650 cc engine and its 28 hp output; the jump to 32 hp came only with the M-66 of 1971, which also strengthened the crankshaft and added full-flow oil filtration. During the M-63’s eight years the factory was producing motorcycles mainly for the domestic market, as a cheap alternative to a car.

Design and features

  • Swingarm rear suspension: spring-hydraulic shock absorbers instead of the older rear end.
  • Sidecar wheel suspension: the same layout was later applied to the sidecar wheel.
  • More ground clearance: a new exhaust system lifted the low point of the outfit.
  • Proven 650 cc engine: the air-cooled boxer twin of the previous generation, with 28 hp.

Ural M-63 versions

  • Ural-2 M-63 (1963–1971): the standard sidecar motorcycle.
  • Sidecar-wheel suspension cars: later M-63s with the revised sidecar wheel mounting.

The M-63 came after the M-62 and before the M-66; the whole family is covered on the Ural 650 page. More machines are in the Ural collection.

Video: Ural m 63

Video by DragUral on YouTube.

Sources

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