Soviet Steeds

This is going to sound placating, but so what - here goes....

I just want to say thanks to all of you who have taken the time and effort to help those of us who are mechanically, electrically, and all around challenged when it pertains to all things Ural.

Flashback to November 2014 - Tomcatfixer and I take a trip to UralNE from Newport, RI (US Naval War College Senior Enlisted Academy) one Saturday to look at some bikes....fast forward a few years - he has Mobile Chernobyl and a friggin' barnfull of rides.

After darn near killing myself in a freak accident 5+ years ago on a F650GS on an off ramp going to work one morning (Scott AFB), I have not been able to get back on two wheels. To assist with keeping up with rehab for TBI and damage to hands/shoulder, it was recommended that I get into something to keep me busy...Ural certainly fills that void....and I get my first Ural - a '98 Italia....short lived due to more surgery from the accident - need to have electric start and disc brakes - I get a '16 cT - best therapy a person could ask for!

My latest tip was reading the advice of tapping the metal seal on the pushrod cover to press the rubber seal back toward the engine case - you saved my butt from taking the head off and replacing the seal - a job I have never attempted before and to be candid am a bit concerned about performing solo....just came back from a 130 km shakedown cruise into St. Louis at varying speeds and guess what???? NO LEAK!!!

With so much vitriol going on these days, I can't let this go any more without saying thanks to folks who offer their expertise to those of us who are all but lost without the tips and tricks of the trade found on this site.

I appreciate your most valuable asset - time

A nice write up and I echo the same sentiments. I would have never gotten the bug if there hadn’t been a site that I knew would help me with the simple and complex.

Wow it sounds like you had a bad accident. Sorry for you troubles. I too am thankful for all the help I have received our group has some amazing talented people.

I absolutely think one of the main things lacking in our culture, for a long time now, is gratitude. I make sure to express thanks on a regular basis and it’s extraordinary how far that goes, because it isn’t as common today as it should be. So, thank you all for the support all these years. It is truly appreciated.

Fortunately there are a few that are kind enough to offer their knowledge and assistance to those of us that are less than capable.

Thank you all!
BillyG and JohnBG first. And all members who can contribute, share their experience, as well as all others who come here to read, ask and just lurk.

Yes!!
I have received great help/advice here from the good board members and - occasionally - very poor attempts at humor....sometimes mine included!!

No matter how experienced you are, equipment specific knowledge is beyond valuable. There are a lot of non mechanics that know far more about the Urals mechanics than mechanics do.

I continue to learn those oddities of the Ural all the time here.

Mattzahr,
attitude is what counts and get back into the stiff Ural saddle surely did give you a good part of rehabilitation exercise you needed.
As old friend Jose Angel says: "Everything happens in the head."
Paint yourself that big grin in your face too, when J-A told about his last granddaughter, which had never been expected to come.
Peace in(/piece of) mind and attitude makes the difference.
Nobody will be able to take from us what we danced!*
Sven

Side note: a Thumbs up for Snakeoil. "it worked".
*Costarrican popular saying

That was a fun journey of discovery, Matt. I sure enjoyed it.

This site was what pushed me over the edge and into a Ural purchase. The sage advice I received from the Collective definitely allowed me to broaden my skillset. As an added bonus to the readily available wisdom, the 'Steeds is remarkably free of trolls and ne'er-do-wells that plague almost every other forum.

What an overall great experience created by great people.

Mattzahr,

Nice writeup. I enjoy this community and its helpfulness. I was at Scott from 1991 through 95, left service under the VSI program in 95 after 15 years active. Still have 5 years reserve to serve. Lived in Collinsville, Belleville, Fairview Heights, and 2 houses in Freeburg before heading south to TN. No taxes and no (real) snow or ice.

As a bonafide Mr. Ten Thumbs, this site and Billy G’s myural site have been invaluable since buying my first Ural in April 2004.

I will add my thanks as well to everyone that shares information here!

By the way, I am currently at Scott AFB

I too am grateful for all of the help and information. It makes owning a Ural more enjoyable.