Estonian inventor combines Soviet-era moped and chainsaw into 'Ankle Twister'

An Estonian inventor has created a unique vehicle called the 'Sääreväänaja' (Ankle Twister) by combining a Riga 7 moped — produced at the Sarkana Zvaigzne factory in Riga in the 1970s — with a Soviet-era Ural chainsaw built at the Perm machine factory. The quirky build merges two iconic pieces of Soviet engineering into a single nimble machine.

An Estonian inventor has built a one-of-a-kind vehicle by fusing two iconic Soviet-era machines: the Riga 7 moped, affectionately known as a 'võrr', manufactured at the Sarkana Zvaigzne factory in Riga during the 1970s, and the powerful Ural chainsaw, produced at the Perm machine factory in the Soviet Union. The result is a compact, fast contraption cheekily nicknamed the Sääreväänaja — Estonian for 'Ankle Twister'.

The Riga 7 was a beloved lightweight moped widely used across the Soviet Union and remains a nostalgic symbol for many Estonians who grew up in that era. The Ural chainsaw, on the other hand, was considered one of the most capable and well-known professional saws of its time, built for heavy-duty work in Soviet industry and forestry.

By combining the frame and mobility of the moped with the raw engine power of the Ural chainsaw, the inventor has created a vehicle that is as unusual as it is entertaining. The 'Ankle Twister' nickname hints at the machine's spirited performance — suggesting it packs more punch than its humble Soviet origins might imply.