Differences between Chang and Dnepr?

Scrinch,
Quality control wise your '05 URAL is head and shoulders above either the Dnepr or the Chang. The '05 URALs benefitted with over ten years of influence from their partnership with URAL America which brought them well into the late 20th century.
Craftmanship, paint, body fit and finish, welding, were all very poor when they arrived at US dealers ten years earlier. After being brought up to speed the Russians sued, took the company back from the US partners (typical) and renamed it Irbit.
The other two clones never had the advantage of American partners so their products have lagged far behind in quality control.
All three hook up the same as an M22 BMW from whence they got their styling.
The Dnepr is known for out of round wheels, has no outside opening trunk and a rough body. The suspension is trailing link coil over shock as the URAL. Both have rubber isolated bodies.
The Chang is rough in finish, questionable grade fasteners, has a truunk, short torsional suspension with the body isolated with quarter elliptic springs.
All three cars weigh about the same.

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars

Thanks again Lonnie for your expertise. Whereas it is just a knock about rig I am putting together, to drive in the winter etc. I suspect the Chaing will suit my application just fine. I am planning on painting the rig flat green so I can grind down anything too obnoxious to the eye and can change out fasteners as I go. I wouldn't want it too pretty anyway....that's what the Harley RKC and Liberty rig is for.

Originally written by scrinch on 3/4/2009 5:27 AM

I still haven't pulled the trigger on a sidecar, but have the bike lined up. I will be picking up 2 Honda CB 750's this weekend. 750C running and a 750A for parts.

I was wondering if there is any difference in build quality, basic geometry, hook up between a Chaing Jaing sidecar and a Denpr? There is one of each on e-bay that I am considering.
I did own a 05 Ural but I wonder if these are different?

I can't speak to the Chaing, but have had both a Dnepr and a Ural. Aside from the obvious differences, like opening trunk, I found the Dnepr body mounts on different rubber mounts in the rear. They are more prone to tearing than the Ural. It also has a hold down bolt between the two rear mounts that rattles and drove me crazy. Every time I hit a bump it sounded like the body was going to come offf. I fixed it by adding an old valve spring which quieted it down nicely. The tonneau cover actually fits nicer on the Dnepr, but you don't get the holes for your windshield to go through. They can be added with grommets. On both of them, I replaced the two windshield bolts with a pin and spring clip so I could leave the windscreen at home when I wanted to. I think the body integrity is about equal, but the paint, welds, and general appearance of the Ural was far superior to the Dnepr. The Dnepr wheel was almost impossible to balance. I finally replaced it with a mag wheel. The Dnepr had it's own brand of lock for the trunk. It has a pushbutton above the backrest to release the seat. I if you turn this thing clockwise until it stops,the button will no longer function, effectively locking the back from anyone who doesn't know better. Oh, and one of those nifty 9 balls or skulls that you can buy for the shift knob in your truck will also fit that button.

I've got the Dneper on my Honda. As everyone has said already, the craftsmanship is rough. I'm a welder by trade. My sidecar looks like it was welded together with coat hangers. I've had it for 5 years now. I spend a good deal of time riding on the logging and mining roads in South Central Idaho. I broke the sidecar frame on a back road trip to Boise. I limped home on ratchet straps.
When I went to weld it back together, I found the the part that failed was the American made adapter. Those Russian coat hangers must be military grade.