OzVMX Forum
Marque Remarks => KTM => Topic started by: maicoman18 on December 02, 2009, 09:46:44 am
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One of the yank mags back in the '70s had a test on a 400cc KTM. It was on the cover and they called it "white lightening". Does anyone have that copy and is this the model they were talking about?
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/KTM-400-White-Lighting-1977_W0QQitemZ270493420640QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycles?hash=item3efaaa0c60 (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/KTM-400-White-Lighting-1977_W0QQitemZ270493420640QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycles?hash=item3efaaa0c60)
Ed
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Nice, I really like that era of KTM ;)
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The magazine was Motorcyclist Oct 76. Yes, it looks like that model. I have a p/copy of the test if you'd like a copy - I should be able to scan it & email. May even have the magazine around here somewhere.
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JC, that would be great if you could email it.
Thanks
Ed
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MXA also called it by that name and tested in either 76 or 77.
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Yeah motomaniac MXA tested it in oct '76 and gave it a good wrap.
That bike sold before the auction ended which is pretty common, the ebay listing is like a free add.
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john do you know how much
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The owner told me $4000 but i find it hard to believe. Apparently is going to WA.
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thanks
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The WA part is correct, the price has been slightly inflated. It's going to a very good home.
Cheers,
K
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Mmm, my older brother still has his 1978 GS400, which looks very much the same bike, just with an orange frame and different tank graphics, tucked up the back of the storage room under his house. It hasn't been ridden in at least 25 years, and I have been trying to talk him out of it for at least 10 years. Maybe I should put in a renewed effort to get it from him.
CJ
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There are some bikes that I really regret selling, one is the '77 KTM GS400 that I bought from a neighbour who had stored it under his house since 1979. I sold it to Brad Lewis along with an ex Geoff Eldridge ISDE '79 GS125 Kato and wish I hadn't to this day. There was no pre '78 class back then so there was a different mindset as to what was collectible or competitive.
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There are some bikes that I really regret selling, one is the '77 KTM GS400 that I bought from a neighbour who had stored it under his house since 1979. I sold it to Brad Lewis along with an ex Geoff Eldridge ISDE '79 GS125 Kato and wish I hadn't to this day. There was no pre '78 class back then so there was a different mindset as to what was collectible or competitive.
Firko as you know I have raced that thing and it's faster than last weeks pay the 400.
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We sold Pentons back in the 70's . when the first 400's came along the were called Mint 400 after a race we had in the States at that time. The power delivery on the first one's we got was like pulling the trigger on a gun chuckle chuckle!!!!!.
Riding one in the woods on one track with handle bar width trees about was down right scary !!!!!!
In the early 90's we found a 79 GS and restored it. It was a different bike from the first one.
That generation engine was a good one. True ISDT bike. Would last a long time and put out good power.
Here is a picture of that bike.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2991822956_7034173f6c_o.jpg)
We add one or 2 things to it but it was fun to ride in the woods. They had changed the porting and pipe design , added some weight to the crank and a heavy motoplat flywheel. It would pull from the bottom up nice and smooth. Had long legs and would handle well.
If you can find one like it i think its a very good choice for vintage off road.
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The 74 and 75 400's where just over bored 250's and were really 320cc I think? they were junk really a 400 thats like riding a 125, very narrow power band. The 77's were jems pulled like 14 year old's reading playboy, ride the whole track in 3rd. I have only seen one 74 , 400 in Aus and it was the GP framed 74.5 model. Very scary bike to ride and lots of hard work.
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Ktm 400 was only 355 cc. 81mm piston and 69 mm stroke .
Yes thay shaired the same Gear box and Engine cases But the Crank diffent (Longer stroke )..and Bigger /taller Cyclinder .
And a Good Bike Not Junk .
know of 3 still around just need to know where that are .
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Found these pics of Trevor Flood's 400 in Sept 1976 at the Hang Ten Motocross cup, Owen Park Wallan and Gary's 250 also in Sept 1976 at the Golden Breed Mr Motocross round at Amaroo Park.
(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/gf079/Flood%20Brother%20photos/TrevorFloodKTM001.jpg)
(http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/gf079/Flood%20Brother%20photos/GaryFloodKTM.jpg)
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74 400 Junk!!!! Being i ride of these , they are definitely not! Rare in Aus - Yes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqTlNTLWTvI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqTlNTLWTvI)
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74 400 Junk!!!! Being i ride of these , they are definitely not! Rare in Aus - Yes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqTlNTLWTvI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqTlNTLWTvI)
Even in the UTube clip you can see it has the wrong gear box in it, CR 125's dont need that many gear changes, Powerfull yes, scary yes , Fast lap times NO.
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Gee, I think you are being a bit harsh Slakewell....the ground looks like it is as hard as concrete..the bike would have been spining up like crazy....just keep changing gears to keep it on the ground...My father owned the first "400" KTM to come to Australia ...mid 1974....I was only 16 at the time and I rode it a couple of times...was great fun to race..especially after coming out of juniors and off a 125 KTM... great handling ....spectacular power...and just a little over weight...
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I have raced one at the Nats and I have just played ridden one as well, Its a great bike but it's really an over bored 250, You were 16 rose coloured classes etc, Its great to see a few more getting about, Brad Lewis has one which is a 74.5 GP frame with a 73 swing arm so no complains about rear travel. Its a nice bike but for lap times for most blokes a 74 400 Maico will eat it.
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Ozktm and my self both know Brad L very well ..
I would Like to See that Maico V KTM Race
Ist a Drag Race over the 1/4
and than some Laps on a Grass Track I think that OzKtm and I would Love to see That..
Yes The KTM is a Bit over weight
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Hello Mr Slackwell. Yes you know me ;). I know why you find the KTM hard to ride. In MX you must put weight on your feet & stand at least sometimes ;D. All Brades early KTMs that you & I rode like you to stand a lot even in a lot of courners. Do this & they are a great bike. Site down all the time they are very strange & are harder to turn than say a Maico.
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Guys ...you may remember that the 1974 500cc World Championship was won on an "overbored" 250...made by some guys in Sweden.... ;)
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The early 73 and 74 models 250's do need you to ride them with a different style. The 74.5 GP frame thou is very different in fact the front axle is 100mm closer to the foot pegs than the previous frames and they turn much better. This still dosen't help the power delivery and gear box of the 74 400 models. The GP framed 250's are arguable the best 250 on the track. The 77 400 is one of my fav vintage bikes if you cant win on a well set up one of these your not twisting the wire hard enough.