1971 Minsk M-105 Motorcycle

Description

Minsk is a motorcycle manufacturer out of Belarus that made a name for itself producing durable motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and snowmobiles available in Russia, Cambodia, the UK, and Vietnam. Minsk Motorcycle and Bicycle Plant (MMVZ) is the formal name of the enterprise, which has been in private hands since 2007. Also known as M1NSK, the business was set up after World War II when the documentation and equipment of the German DKW factory in Zschopau was taken to the Soviet Union as war reparations. Production of the RT125 model began in Moscow under the M1A brand before, by order of the Ministry of automotive industry of the Soviet Union, it was transferred from Moscow to MMVZ (then Motovelo). The M1A became the basis of the simple and dependable Minsk models, which continue to be produced today. Designed primarily as a commuter bike, the M-105 model was built between 1967 and 1971 around a welded tubular frame, with telescopic front forks and twin-shock rear end. It was powered by a 125cc air-cooled single cylinder engine, good for between seven and 10 horsepower depending on model. The engine used an aluminium head with a decompressor, with cast iron cylinder liners embedded in the cooling jacket to dissipate heat and improve performance, as did a new upgraded K-36M carburettor. Chain driven through a four-speed transmission; drum brakes featured on both wire-spoked wheels. Top speed was said to be 100 km/h. More than 6.5 million Minsk motorcycles have been sold worldwide.