IMZ M-72M Russian Motorcycle and Sidecar

It’s History…

Technical data for the M-72M:

Engine:            746cc side valve, flat twin, shaft drive, 4-stroke

Power:             22 BHP at 4600rpm

Torque:           4.0Nm at 3200rpm

Transmission: 4 speed with chain drive

Suspension:    Front – Telescopic

Rear – Plunger

Dry Weight:    Solo – 211kg

Sidecar attached – 340kg (370kg fuelled)

Top speed:      Solo – 105 KPH (65 MPH)

Sidecar attached – 85 KPH (53 MPH)

            Crew:               3 persons maximum

            Date of Mfr:    1957/8

Detailed research points very strongly to this outfit being an IMZ M-72M model from 1957/8, built at the Irbit factory (IMZ– Irbit Motor Zavod) in the former USSR. It was almost certainly produced as a military vehicle.

The original model of the M-72 was developed from the 1938 BMW R71, under licence from the Germans, prior to hostilities between the two countries. The R71 was not manufactured in great numbers nor was it an official German Army motorcycle.

Development of the M-72 commenced in 1940 at the Moscow Motor Works (MMZ – Moscow Motor Zavod) with the M71 model. The subsequent M72 was a much-improved model and was also built in Leningrad. Due to the war, manufacture was moved out from Moscow to Irbit (IMZ) and Leningrad to Gorky (GMZ).

The M-72 had a production run of nearly 20 years. The majority were fitted with a sidecar as standard, and most were destined for military use.

After the factories closed around 1960, the obsolete tooling and plant was offered to the Chinese who produced a home-market version of the M-72 in 1961, often built with Russian spare parts.