IZH 49 (1951-1958) Specs, Performance & Photos

The IZH 49, also known as the ISH 49 or ISCH 49, was a Russian motorcycle manufactured in the Soviet Union. As people believed, it was not a copy or replica of the German DKW NZ 350 model but was a modified version of the DKW production motorcycles.

The modified IZH 49 was manufactured from 1951 onwards. The main changes were the front telescopic fork and the rear swingarm. The model retained the proven central tube frame of the DKW NZ 350 but extended by 1.5 cm.

The IZH 49 was the first motorcycle built by Izhevsk Motor Plant to have a sidecar. Between 1951 and 1958, the company manufactured over 507,600 units, the most sold machines in Russia at the time.

In 1951, the Russian motorcycle maker introduced the IZH 49, a motorcycle with features such as a round headlight upfront, two separate seats, a center stand, and wire-spoke wheels with conventional tires.

The bike was made around a central tube steel frame that housed the suspension system. The system comprised a telescopic fork on the front and a swingarm assembly on the rear.

Breaking-wise, both 19-inch spoke wheels were fitted with drum braking units, providing optimum braking performance.

In the performance department, the 1951 IZH 49 had installed a 346cc two-stroke air-cooled single-cylinder engine at its core, boasting 11 hp with maximum strength at 3,200 rpm.