Izh Planeta 5 Scrambler

A scrambler based on a soviet legend – Izh Planeta 5, a motorcycle with a 350cc 2-stroke single cylinder engine.

Иж П5 / Izh motorcycle

Concept

Lots of Russian bikers have their old two-wheeled friend standing in a shed and waiting for them since the last summer of their childhood. But few people decide to remove a 20-year old dust layer and give a new life to an old buddy. Yes, this moto grandpa still can choke a little but then start and remember some good old days when it was riding around the countryside and carrying young ladies on a rear seat. This project started in the end of 2016 and was finished in 2022 after several rebuilds and repaintings. Finally, we have an Izh Planeta 5 Scrambler – a newborn 1996 Izh, a threat of suburban roads and countryside quiet.

Awards

Izh Planeta 5 Scrambler took 1st place in a Cafe Racer class at a Custom & Tuning Show championship at a 2022 MotoVesna exhibition.

ИЖ награда / prize

Gallery

Changes

What have we changed in a bike? Well, almost everything…

  • We took a classic soviet engine, repaired & painted it black for this project. This 350cc engine has traveled only 200 km in it’s life so it is nearly new.

  • The frame and the seat underframe are completely rebuild and adapted to a new geometry. We installed original rollover bars in the front (but we had to chop them a little though).

  • A new seat was made by Mikhail Ivanov from FURIA Custom Motorcycle Leathers.

  • We used a lot of Royal Enfield parts we had from our previous projects. So our Izh proudly stands on it’s Royal wheels armed by Royal drum brakes. Front wheel is 19″, rear wheel is 18″. Front fork and trees are also from Royal Enfield 350. The steering now is as good as it never was on an Izh!

  • Handmade rear swingarm is working with a set of Paioli shock absorbers from Royal Enfield Continental GT.

  • A Continental GT’s front fender has taken it’s place over a front wheel. The rear fender is also made by cutting an Enfield’s rear fender. Shock absorber springs are painted black to match the new color palette.

  • A stainess steel fuel tank is fully handmade. However, we used a Royal Enfield’s cap atop of it (and we painted it to match the new design).

  • Side covers are from Royal Enfield Continental GT too. One of them has the ignition lock installed now.

  • Guess where do brake and clutch levers come from? Right, still from the Royal Enfield.

  • Grips and handlebar ends are from some Honda. Front footpegs are from BMW K1600.

  • Side stand, gearbox pedal and rear brake pedal are all handmade.

  • Front decorative plate, air filter case and handlebar are also fully handmade.

  • An old Izh speedometer now sits in a new case and has a new brass face with numbers engraved by a laser.

  • An alternator cover now carries our studio logo, thanks to O2 studio and their laser engraving skills.

  • An old ignition system is replaced by a modern magneto.

  • The most recognisable feature of the bike are those terrifying sounds that erupt from a handmade exhaust system with a huge expansion chamber and a tiny muffler. That’s really brutal!

  • Everything was painted and airbrushed by Vladimir Vlasov, a brilliant painter.

Work process

© Melnitsky Motors