photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Ian Dalgliesh | all galleries >> Galleries >> Motorcycles > Cossack 175cc , 4/1975 --5/1977
previous | next

Cossack 175cc , 4/1975 --5/1977

Mine was in red with cream trim.The manual was in Russian.On day one I filled up with 2-star fuel.It wouldn't start,so I had to push it 2 miles home.Nobody had told me that a 2-stroke needed oil mixed with the petrol.One friend mused at the time that it was certainly robust and was probably made from melted down german tanks.I would pull in for petrol/oil mix,but if I didn't change the spark plug,it wouldn't start.It looks good,til 5/1977,but after I tried(?) to change a piston ring,when nobody had told me about the pin on a ring groove,and I snapped a piston ring which then fell into the engine.The bike then sat in the garden until a gentleman offered to buy the bike off of me.I told it like it was,in 5 part harmony,and he said he still wanted it,so having taken his £30($60,in those days),and with tears in my eyes,he pushed the bike away.I was so glad to see the back of that bike,now I could plan for a real bike.Imagine then my horror,as I answered the door about 3 months later,to find the same man standing there.He said"I really feel I've short changed you.The bike is wonderful.(?)It's taken me to and from work these past 3 months,never missing a beat.So,here,have another £30".And with that he departed,never to be seen again.see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsPx56eHA2E


other sizes: small medium original auto
previous | next
share
Martin 06-Mar-2011 04:26
Had one of these for a couple of years-76-78 and,though it did take me to Chamonix and back on a climbing trip,I was glad to see the back of it.It broke down in the rain once whilst returning to Crook near Kendal from blackpool;I pushed it from Burton in Kendal services on the M6 to the Sun in at Crook,about 16 miles.I could'nt manage the hill out of Crook so I ditched it behind a hedge to return the next morning by which time the electrics had dried and it started up!It came to Eskdale with me where I worked in a hotel.I met my wife in the valley and we did our courting on the bike,me taking her back every morning down the valley where she worked,often having to push start the thing.What were the worst things?Horrible brakes,poor electrics.The good things;easy to strip down,light enough to push?Sold it eventually and got a Z400.Wow,proper brakes and lights;seemed like a Rolls Royce after "Betsy"
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment