Where did the nickname "Macaque" come from?
M1A, and subsequently M1M, received the nickname “Macaque” among the people. Now it’s difficult to determine where this came from, but there are two main versions. The first is related to the peculiar driving position. And the second says that the combination of the letters M and A in the name of the model hints at the word “macaque”. In any case, this nickname stuck firmly to the first Minsk motorcycles and is already inseparable from them.
The M1M Makaka motorcycle ceased production in 1961, when the M103, and subsequently the M104, took its place on the assembly line. The M1M was a good bike. He had his problems and shortcomings. But this did not stop him from becoming the favorite of many Soviet citizens.
Motorcycle Minsk R250
Minsk R250, twin brother of Megelli 250R, the only difference is the brand name on the side. But it is worth noting that Minsk is assembled in Belarus, and its clone in China, although it was designed in Europe.
Minsk is ready for sports driving, and can prove it exactly as much as the pilot demands. And all this thanks to the rigid “birdcage” frame. For drivers taller than average, it will be inconvenient to hide their knees; the side fairings are not designed for tall drivers.
The device is quite decent for clearing traffic jams in the city. But don’t forget about the non-adjustable fork and rigid monoshock, because of which on the roads that are typical for all of us, you can get a good blow to the “butt” or shake your hands.
The 250 has very good brakes, which was a pleasant surprise. But with tires things are much worse. No, you can drive on standard tires, but not more than 60 km/h. The manufacturer, of course, promised to take action. The engine runs smoothly, without failures. I would like some pickups, but alas. 6000-7000 rpm, in this range it produces all its power.
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There would be no happiness, but misfortune would help
The history of the “Minsk resident”, in fact, dates back to the distant year 1945. Just as the last battles on the fields of Europe died down, the allies began to divide fascist goods among themselves. As reparations, part of Germany's technical, industrial, and material reserves was exported to the USSR. This part includes mechanisms and technologies from the German DKW plant in the city of Czopau, or Zschopau. Based on the advanced motorcycle of this concern, it was decided to make our own, domestic, model of a two-wheeled companion.
Electrical equipment
The M1M was the first to use electrical equipment operating on alternating current. Thus, instead of the G-35 direct current generator, the G-37 alternating current generator was installed. Naturally, the headlight had to be modernized. The ignition coil, horn, low and high beam switch, tail light and battery are used from the previous electrical equipment set.
The speedometer is located directly in the headlight housing - a common feature on post-war motorcycles.
Instead of a rear light there is a reflector. They didn’t think much about safety back then.
Suspension
But the main difference was not the engine upgrade, but completely new wheel suspensions, which significantly increased driving comfort. Instead of a telescopic front suspension, a push-type short-link fork with spring shock absorbers was installed.
The M1A did not have rear suspension. The unevenness of the road was smoothed out only by the spring suspension of the seat. This defect was corrected on the M1M Makaka motorcycle by using a pendulum rear wheel suspension with spring shock absorbers. The suspension was equipped with dampers in which vibrations were damped by dry friction between friction washers.
Motorcycle Minsk 103
The Minsk 103 motorcycle is a further modernization of the M1M motorcycle. It differs from the latter mainly in the design of the chassis.
The installation of a front telescopic fork and a rear suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers (see motorcycles K-125M and K-55) significantly improved the smoothness of the motorcycle. The electrical equipment and ignition system on the M-103 motorcycle are made according to a scheme similar to the M1M motorcycle; the exception is the G 401 generator (instead of G-38 and G-37).
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Release of M1 series motorcycles
The M1A was produced until 1956, when it was replaced by the modernized M1M model. The easiest way to distinguish the new model is by the different welded front and rear fenders, which received sunsets - a characteristic feature of motorcycles of those times. It is thanks to this feature that the M1M looks much more old-school than the M1A.
Like the M1A, the modernized M1M Macaca motorcycle was a single-seater. There was a trunk above the rear fender, on which, however, homemade seats were often installed. But the motorcycle had difficulty carrying two adults, because it was designed for a maximum of 150 kg.
