http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6157

Ok, I got this bike for $31...why, who knows...it's different. Anyway, the LBS that had it has a wonderful basement full of old boneshakers and Schwinn Crate bikes, rear steer tandems, etc...they got about 5 of these in a crate back in 1970-something. NOS 60-70's CCCP Cold War russian made bike for $31. I guess one of the wrenches from the shop used one of them as a campus bike in the late '70's, and said it worked out great for that because it was something different.

The generator light works the tires hold air, it has a campy knock off 3 speed derailleur, toolkit, rides fine. Does anyone have a clue what the downtube and seat tube decals say? Any info on this bike?

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6158

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6159

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6160

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6161

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6162

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6163

The guys at the LBS were told it said Sputnik on it so that is what they nicknamed it.

Haven't got a clue. But that is a way cool looking ride. Keep a happy attitude with those cranks. You'll need it. <img scr ="http://forums.roadbikereview.com/images/icons/icon14.gif">

My Cyrillic is shaky, but I'd have to say that the downtube label does transliterate as "Sputnik." A truly groovy bike, by the way. Those lugs. That head tube badge.

My Russian is a bit rusty, and the script is a bit hard to read, but I believe the downtube says something like "chuchemichik". The seat tube sticker makes some reference to "USSR Steel". During that period, nearly everything made in Russia was a direct knockoff of an older western design, so I'd expect that bearings, etc., would be available somewhere.

By the way, if you want to see what the word "Sputnik" looks like in russian Cyrillic, here's a patch from the mission:
http://www.starfleet-museum.org/sputnik-patch.jpg
The word right after "YCC" is "sputnik".