What did you do to your Ural today?

[Lofty]

I was going to suggest that it's odd to see a Ural leaned over like a MotoGP bike.

[stagewex]

Swapped Dash Covers, one of my mini Winter projects:

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In cleaning up my garage and storage space I found this dash cover that I had powder coated perhaps 10 years ago still taped and covered in bubble-wrap. It was the original chrome (at least the Russian version of chrome) cover that I had stripped. Memory is the powdercoater forgot to include it with a bunch of other stuff he did for me. I happened to have a spare cover from a salvaged bike so I just primed and spray painted it a few coats of Desert Tan and installed it:

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Only thing I had to do was drill a hole for the accessory lighting switch:

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Idiot lights and speedo swapped:

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All done. I'm liking it and now the dash matches all the rest of the ancillary body parts:

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[Birdy]

Looks good, nice contrast to the tan.

[stagewex]

Thanks. The Desrt Tan was supposed to be the base coat for Desert Camo. But I like the tan by itself.
Yeah, it takes me 10 years to actually finish a project, the ultimate procrastinator.

Also dealt with that tiny Tachometer lamp that blew. I just couldn't get the thing out of it's holder. This lamp is actually smaller than the ones you find in the Urals idiot lights. At NAPA one parts guy told me it was probably corroded and rusted in the holder. Another guy told me the holder and lamp are the same thing and started searching the store for a replacement. Fortunately Youtube came to the rescue so just in case you ever have to do this it's super easy:

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One tip I can add... this lamp blew after close to 15 years. If you want it to last another 15 make sure you clean the lamp with a swab of alcohol after you install it. Doesn't matter how clean your hands are there will be residue and oil from your fingers on the lamp. Even that tiny lamp will get hot and bake/blow from that oil.

I did order a couple spare lamps and mounts on ebay but didn't see an LED alternative. But happy that it works now. This was a 5 minute operation other than the auto store detective search and as always a funny experience between going to my local NAPA where at least they tried to help me and did get me the right lamp. Or the local Autozone across the street from NAPA that just couldn't get past "what year & car is it from" on the store computer, poor bastards. I might as well have been showing them a piece of plutonium they are so clueless

[VWNate1]

That looks like a # 194 bulb to me, there are LED replacements, my brother bought a box and gave me a couple .

Some of this try of bulb and holder are soldered into place .

[Birdy]

If you ever need a bulb, www.superbrightleds.com can offer you a bunch to pick from, you dash light can be found here. www.superbrightleds.com/cat/instrument-cluster-gauge/

And if you need plugs connectors of almost any type, relays or even electrical tools www.cycleterminal.com it the place to go.

No I get no kick backs But they have both treated me right and had what I needed and were able to help me if I needed it.

[bratmanxj]

That looks a lot like the Ford HVAC bulbs & bayonetts in my Escape & Explorer
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TE ... UTF8&psc=1

[zookster]

Put in a new battery. Far as I know the Yuasa YTX that was in the bike is the one it came with, so it lasted 8 years and 20k km. No one local had a Yuasa in stock, online showed around 1.5 to 2 weeks for delivery. So I went with a Duralast Gold BTX20L AGM with 310 CCA that the local Auto Zone had on the shelf. No problems getting it fitted, thankfully I have a 2013 with the removable seat plate. Also swapped the pusher for the as yet unused spare.

[stagewex]

That looks like a # 194 bulb to me, there are LED replacements, my brother bought a box and gave me a couple .

Some of this try of bulb and holder are soldered into place .

I think I'm going to be alright with these regular incandescent tiny lamps I had ordered before I went to NAPA and found the right lamp. And before I also figured out how to get the darn thing out of the holder.
Based on the close to 15 years the original lasted I'm probably good for 150 years.

NAPA's price for one (1) lamp was $3.99. What you see in my hand was about $5.00 for ten (10) of them plus the two (2) mount holders. Oh well:

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[tgtrotter]

........
Also dealt with that tiny Tachometer lamp that blew. I just couldn't get the thing out of it's holder. .....
*****scroll up to read entire post***

+1. Great post Mike. Always enjoy your reads.
The "what did you do to your Ural " is a good place to find "greasy wrench" options.

[cookiemech]

Well, since it wasn't a very nice day (temps around freezing and occasional snow squalls), I spent a few hours in the garage attempting to suss out the differences between the headlamp circuitry in my 2020 GU and that of machines that permitted a normal headlamp switch. I bought one of the Domino right-side switches and did some continuity checking, then consulted the wiring diagram for my machine (you'd think they could either print a more clear diagram in the owners manual, or at least produce a clean pdf to print; I have both and have a hard time making out connector numbers).

I "think" I can make the Domino switch work by properly connecting its wires to a 9-pin Molex connector to mate with the factory harness. I've done considerable searching on this site and haven't found a definitive answer.

Probably I should not admit to being an electrical engineer with 36 years experience. OK, I won't . . .

[stagewex]

Probably I should not admit to being an electrical engineer with 36 years experience. OK, I won't . . .

HaHa, perhaps meaningless with the set-up on these bikes

Just kidding of course. My eye's have been wandering the want ads at British autos and motorcycles lately. You'd think I'd have learned my lesson dealing with "Lucas" electrical systems. Perhaps what has made the reliability of the Ural even more enjoyable, no "Prince of Darkness" circuitry.

[cookiemech]

Another day of half an inch of snow with two inches of salt on the roads (wouldn't want anyone to actually HAVE to develop winter driving skills, would we?) So today I finished my headlamp switch odyssey (successfully) and it pleases me perhaps more than it should. Yes, Virginia, you CAN connect a proper factory-like headlamp switch to a late-model Ural without modifying the wiring harness. I did a writeup in case anyone else wishes to do the same.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=58176#unread

[chaos2]

Tried a new position to transport my bicycle. I had been throwing it across the back sideways, but it was a pain to bungee and too many rub points. This way it only needs one bungee on the steering head and the one rub point on the crosstube I cushioned with some old inner tube. It is strange taking the Ural and bicycle over to my riding buddies then changing from motorcycle gear to cycling gear, riding 20-30 miles then changing gear again, all in sub freezing weather when normal people are not doing either of these activities. Glad I'm not normal

[Tomcatfixer]

I did a writeup in case anyone else wishes to do the same.

Was my write-up helpful to you writing your write-up?
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=20169

Tried a new position to transport my bicycle.

If you have a car roof rack tray for your bicycle, you can also use it on your Ural, like this...

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