Motorcycle "Kovrovets" - peaceful production of the weapons factory

After the victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet leadership decided to set up production of light and medium-sized motorcycles on the basis of technologies and equipment of the German firm DKW, which turned out to be in the zone of Soviet occupation. In 1946, an appropriate decree was issued on the organization at the Degtyarev plant in the city of Kovrov in the Vladimir region, which previously produced weapons (including the famous PPSh), motorcycle production. So on the Soviet roads appeared the famous "Kovrovets" - a motorcycle, the price of which made it the most affordable and massive two-wheeled vehicle of the post-war period.

As a prototype the model DKW RT 125 was chosen. This light motorcycle at that time was considered the best in its class. In addition, during the war, specialists of the company DKW, this model was significantly upgraded. The first motorcycle "Kovrovets-125" was released in the same 1946, and until the end of the year they were released 286 pieces.

A similar motorcycle called "Moscow" was produced at the Moscow plant MMZ. With the external similarities between them, there were small differences relating only to electrical equipment.

A range of motorcycles from Kovrov

Motorcycle "Kovrovets" was produced from 1946 to 1965 and had the following modifications:

• K-125 (years of production: 1946 - 1951). The motorcycle was equipped with a two-stroke single-cylinder engine with a working volume of 123.7 cm3 and a power of 4.25 hp. The engine was located in the block with a three-speed gearbox, which was switched using the foot handle. The rear wheel of shock absorbers did not have and was attached directly to the tubular welded frame. The fork was parallelogram shaped with stamped feathers. The K-125 could accelerate to 70 km / h.
• K-125M (years of production: 1951 - 1955). It was an insignificant modification of the 125th - the parallelogram front fork was replaced with a telescopic fork with hydraulic shock absorbers, otherwise the design remained unchanged.
• K-55 (years of production: 1955 - 1957). A new motor cycle "Kovrovets" received a somewhat boosted engine. By installing another carburettor and muffler, it was possible to slightly increase the power of the motorcycle engine to 4.75 hp. In addition, the K-55 began to install a pendulum rear suspension.
• K-58 (years of production: 1957 - 1960). From its predecessor K-58 differed in the increased capacity of the gas tank and a more powerful engine (5 hp). In addition, a battery-free ignition system was used, and the speedometer was mounted in the headlight. Motorcycle "Kovrovets-58" had a top speed of 75 km / h.
• K-175 (years of production: 1957 - 1959). This model was produced in parallel with the K-58 and received a new engine from an aluminum alloy with a volume of 173 cm3 and a power of 8 hp. The first motorcycle "Kovrovets" K-175 had a round fuel tank (as in the motorcycles "Java"), which housed an elongated instrument panel. Subsequently, began to install a gasoline tank, identical to the K-58.
• K-175A (years of production: 1959 - 1962). This model was distinguished primarily by a four-speed transmission. In addition, the gas tank for the first time began to use the emblem, which depicts two running hares - the same as the coat of arms of Mr. Kovrov.
• K-175B (years of production: 1962 - 1964). This model had a 9-horsepower engine, allowing the motorcycle to accelerate to 85 km / h, as well as a new carburetor and alternator.
• K-175V (years of production: 1964 - 1965). This model did not last long - just one year - and was produced with two engine options: cast iron (with one exhaust pipe) and aluminum alloy (with two exhaust pipes). In the same year of 1965 the factory was re-qualified for the production of the motorcycle "Voskhod", which later became one of the most popular in the USSR.

In addition to serial motorcycles, the specialists of the plant also produced sport models in small lots (K-55S1, K-58SK, K-58SM, K-175SK, K-175SM, K-175SMU), which successfully performed at numerous, including international ones Competitions.