Ohlins upside down forks

[JohnnyO]

JohnnyO needs to read what the rules say, not what they used to say or he's been told they mean.

Unless the rules specifically prohibit water cooling (as the Evo rules do), then the period-correct Shinobi water cooling kits are 100% A-OK.

Same goes for any other component, including swingarms: if it existed in the era, then it is acceptable unless the rules specifically prohibit it.

I'd like some clarification on that by someone with the authority and that ain't you..!
In the past those parts were never allowed, have the rules changed?

[Nathan S]

Read the rules. They have changed a lot in the last few years: this was most of my point.

Verbal clarification from anyone doesn't override what's written.

[KTM47]

If you have something that you think is from a bikes era, don't just put it on the bike, submit it to MA, who will ask the Commission if it is ok.  Don't just take anyone's word.  Any request (IMO) should go through MA not individual commissioners.

There are a lot of so called X-spurts on this forum.  What they say (including myself) is just their opinion and not official.

[evo550]

16.15.11 Acceptable machines and components: Pre 78 Solo
16.15.11.1 Acceptable for the Pre 78 classes:
a) Machines and components that are limited to the 1975, 1976, 1977 models alone. The only exception to this rule is where the model remains unaltered after this date.
b) Pre 78 Women’s class: acceptable machines and components are up to and including the 1977 model year. The only exception to this rule is where the model remains unaltered after this date.
16.15.11.2 Front wheel travel will not exceed 229mm (9 inches) rear wheel travel will be limited to 229mm (9 inches) measured at the axle. Rear shock absorbers will be in the original position using the original mounting points.
16.15.11.3 Engines and gearboxes must remain externally unchanged.
16.15.11.4 Carburettors; any type of pre 78 round slide may be used.
16.15.11.5 Exhaust may be modified but must follow the original lines and meet sound control regulations in GCR 16.12.
16.15.11.6 Folding footrests must be fitted.
16.15.11.7 Countershaft sprocket covers will be fitted.
16.15.11.8 Acceptable follow on models pre 78
a) CZ 125 1978, CZ400 1978,
b) Montesa VB (must comply to suspension limits),
c) Yamaha TT500 1978.

As it is written.
11.3 could be used to prevent w/cooling, but it would also rule out anything from fmf, dg webco ect.
pre 75 is the same, so if there was an alloy swingarm built in '74 that fitted a Honda, then whats stopping it.

[JohnnyO]

That's good if those water cooled heads can be used in pre 78..
Just because works Hondas may have had box section alloy swingarms in 74 I don't think that means you can use them in pre 75.
I believe a part had to be available to the general public for it to be considered legal and no one made box section alloy arms for 73/74 Elsinores in the day.

[Nathan S]

Evo550's last paragraph nailed it.

If the part existed in the day, and you can prove it, then you can use it in VMX now. If there was a requirement for it to be a commonly available item, then the rules would say that.

[211]

Evo550's last paragraph nailed it.

If the part existed in the day, and you can prove it, then you can use it in VMX now. If there was a requirement for it to be a commonly available item, then the rules would say that.

Nathan
your right - I know; we have differed in the past but, your right, EV550 last paragraph sums it up..
DT

[JohnnyO]

So if a part was on a works bike but you couldn't buy it in the day it's now legal?
That opens up a can of worms and also makes upside down Ohlins forks ok for pre 90.

[211]

So if a part was on a works bike but you couldn't buy it in the day it's now legal?
That opens up a can of worms and also makes upside down Ohlins forks ok for pre 90.

No John, I agree that an aftermarket head is ok if it was available in (say) 77  for the pre 78 class regardless if water-cooled or not.
I agree with you on the swing arm issue; if someone finds the works arm then that's another issue however it wasn't commercially available then no one is going to have the acceptable item anyway
on the forks issue - if the part was commercially available in 89 its pre 90 legal - the Ohlins in question in my opinion are not ones that were commercially available and are in fact a 90s period item. I would need to see documents on the forks if it were in my scrutineering line.
DT

[JohnnyO]

Cool that's how I see it but a few people on here seem to think if it existed on a works bike then it's ok to use in that era..

[ola_martin]

So this isn't a favorite then?? 


Actually the bike isn't ridden, I had a NOS Öhlins kit for 99 Honda, so I put it on here just for the cool looks. Not pre 89 at all...

[evo550]

Cool that's how I see it but a few people on here seem to think if it existed on a works bike then it's ok to use in that era..

All I'm asking is show me the rule that excludes works or non commercially available components of that particular era...

[KTM47]

Those forks look exactly like the forks that are on the RWJ Honda CR 500 I sold a couple of weeks ago.  The bike was used in the 2000 World MX Champs.  So yes they wouldn't/shouldn't be legal for Pre 90. 

So if anyone has them on a Pre 90 bike they probably should get a set of Pre 90 legal forks for the bike.

[KTM47]

Cool that's how I see it but a few people on here seem to think if it existed on a works bike then it's ok to use in that era..

All I'm asking is show me the rule that excludes works or non commercially available components of that particular era...

No that's not the way it works.  Show us the rule that says you can use works etc parts.

Anyway this thread is about Ohlin USD forks.

[Nathan S]

So if a part was on a works bike but you couldn't buy it in the day it's now legal?
That opens up a can of worms and also makes upside down Ohlins forks ok for pre 90.

If the part existed in the era, it is acceptable. It's "Pre-90", not "Pre-90 production racing".

If the later production Ohlins USDs are the same as the older works parts, then they qualify as a replica part. Otherwise, they are obviously not Pre-90 legal.