OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ktm181 on February 07, 2013, 02:57:06 pm
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I stumbled across this some time back and think it might be a timely discussion again...previous post by 090 which might again be enlightening.......
"With the twin shock/ linkage debate, i thought i'd ask who is riding what (era not specific brand) and how old you are(tell the truth now)just to see how many venture to older bikes other than their 'era' just to see if the majority are sticking to the bikes that they rode in their youth.... or not. Also how often, like regularly or dust it off for a title meet."
Me first: 52yrs young. started mx in 1974 riding my yz80 against the big boys (no juniors back then) still managed to win a couple that first year, lots of mx from 79 to end of '86 then nothing til '93 when cross country racing and some enduros took over, did ok on Katos but too much $$$$$, no racing now,just RIDING RIDING RIDING!
current stable:
kTM450 EXC- too fast but is a modern
RM465- old and tired but just a lovely old girl
RM500- looks about a month of use total in 30 yeas odd!
Z900- have to admit,full rebuild mechanically and is my all time favourite bike,although the 465 is a close second.
I think the age thing is telling, you/we need new blood and i reckon that will only happen with "their" era bikes,a rolling cut-off so to speak, pre 90, pre 95 etc, maybe set a 20year limit or something for the cuto off point for the bikes etc......
Cheers,
Kt
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Well Kt,
I'm into Evo, Pre-85 & Pre-90
I'm 42 soon, & in the Evo days (1980 for me) I rode a YZ80G, YZ80J & YZ80K, YZ125G at 12-15 years old. Now I'm still doing the same thing but with 250's & 500's! They still remind me of the same type of bikes I rode back then. When I was 16 I bought my first new mx bike a YZ125W 1989. This seems kind of strange but 2 years later I went & bought a second hand KX500E1 1989 for $1500. Sold it for $3000 a couple of later (when I met my MRS). The strange thing was I never owned a 250, till a few years ago. So what I'm saying is, "the true senior race bikes back then" for a 42 year old (today) were at least Pre-90 to 95 bikes correct?
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Well Kt,
I'm into Evo, Pre-85 & Pre-90
I'm 42 soon, & in the Evo days (1980 for me) I rode a YZ80G, YZ80J & YZ80K, YZ125G at 12-15 years old. Now I'm still doing the same thing but with 250's & 500's! They still remind me of the same type of bikes I rode back then. When I was 16 I bought my first new mx bike a YZ125W 1989. This seems kind of strange but 2 years later I went & bought a second hand KX500E1 1989 for $1500. Sold it for $3000 a couple of later (when I met my MRS). The strange thing was I never owned a 250, till a few years ago. So what I'm saying is, "the true senior race bikes back then" for a 42 year old (today) were at least Pre-90 to 95 bikes correct?
Errrr, i think so! Now where the list of your current riders!!!???!!!
(wish i was 42 again young man!)
Kt
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I agree with the way you're thinking. I expect it to erupt into the usual poop storm...
I'm 37 this year.
My old-dirt-bike fleet is roughly summarised:
2x Pre-75 bikes.
2x Pre-78.
1x Evo.
2x Pre-85.
2x Pre-90.
5x Pre-95.
In order of my enthusiasm: Pre-95, pre-90, pre-78, pre-75, everything else.
If Vinduros were pre-90 (or pre-95!), one of the pre-85 bikes would be gone in a heartbeat.
There's plenty of blokes who will race any era - when you ignore them, there's a pretty consistent trend tha blokes want to race the bike of their heyday era, and have minimal interest in bikes away from that era.
The average age of the Northern Districts club (pre-90) is clearly younger than at Heaven (pre-85, but historically Evo and older), for one simple example.
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Well Kt,
I'm into Evo, Pre-85 & Pre-90
I'm 42 soon, & in the Evo days (1980 for me) I rode a YZ80G, YZ80J & YZ80K, YZ125G at 12-15 years old. Now I'm still doing the same thing but with 250's & 500's! They still remind me of the same type of bikes I rode back then. When I was 16 I bought my first new mx bike a YZ125W 1989. This seems kind of strange but 2 years later I went & bought a second hand KX500E1 1989 for $1500. Sold it for $3000 a couple of later (when I met my MRS). The strange thing was I never owned a 250, till a few years ago. So what I'm saying is, "the true senior race bikes back then" for a 42 year old (today) were at least Pre-90 to 95 bikes correct?
Errrr, i think so! Now where the list of your current riders!!!???!!!
(wish i was 42 again young man!)
Kt
I won't go into current riders ;) Just current racers:
Evo YZ250 & 465H's
Pre-85 YZ250 & 490L's
Pre-90 KX250G1 & 500E1
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I'm a ripe old 29 and dont have a racing background but have always felt the same "buzz" we all feel eversince 87 when the old man dragged home a rm50 for me to toodle along behind him on our many camping trips to mathoura/echuca/mildura and various other murray river towns. My current shed stable (which is declining) currently houses:
YZ125E
IT200L
DT175G
IT250K
IT175G
95 Triumph Tiger
12 Husaberg TE250
My love of old yamaha's has been a growning passion and it's only half about the bikes, most of my bikes were manufactured while i was still hanging out in my old mans briefs! The thing that draws me to this hobby is the people, the quirky characters, great knowledgable people, people who have stories, experiences and bikes that they are so passionate about they'll tell you anything you want to know. My riding other than a csc meet here and there is out in the bush on the modern or at Vinduro's, i look forward to every chance i get to meet new people in this scene and hear their stories of days gone by and arguably simpler times. The era of bikes i grew up on were probably the same as what most of you 40-50 year olds did as the old man wasnt rolling in $hit when we were growing up and what we had was we could be afforded, I too had the yz80g's, xr75's and so on well before people thought to bother restoring them as by then they were just old bikes and not "old collectable/valuable bikes as they have become. I loved them just as much as im sure you all did, i look back on the days i spent riding them around the same track or trail over and over just as fondly as im sure most of you do.
Cheers, Brendan
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48 soon, started on a RM80B, then a RM100T, RM125T, RM125X, RM250Z, KX250C1, KX500A1, ETC ETC. Current riders, pre 85- 81 RM250X (Now for sale), and post 90- 91 CR250RM. Modern is a U.S. Model KTM250XC 2 stroke ( basically a 250sx with a sidestand, exc electric start , bigger fuel tank and 18"rear wheel. Oh and almost forgot the old Kawie GPX750 87 Model roadie. Pre 85 is my favorite era, closely followed by evo, but i still enjoy anything from pre75 up to modern.
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Good on you Brendan, FANTASTIC to have some younger blokes around enjoying the VMX scene, MORE POWER TO YOU and bring your mates along!
YOu are right about the blokes and the good info on here, i'm not too interested in the racing myself (not anymore as a rider anyways) but i LOVE riding them and working on them and talking about them, and looking at them, bloody hell thats too many "them"!
We need more "ride" days, well actually, we need more days where a club hires a track and we SOCIALISE exactly like Classic Dirt just smaller and more often, it'd be like meeting your mates for a BBQ but having a ride and chat as well. I am finding therer are a lot of bikes not being used, just sitting in sheds across the country, we need to get them out and about and more blokes (and God forbid, WOMEN!!!)onto them, get the party started so to speak. Most blokes find the racing scene hard, to early, lots of expense,need to be committed etc, WHAT DO WE RECKON!
Kt
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Im a grumpy 50 yr old ;D
I race
Pre 70
Pre 75
Pre 78
Evo
125 / 250 and open
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Hmmm... I'm almost 54. I discovered 'vintage' in 1998 after 10 years away from dirtbikes. At that stage, I'd last owned a newish dirtbike in 1987 when I bought a second hand TT600N. I was also racing a 1982 RM250Z in dirt track at the time. I got into dirtbikes as a trailrider in 1976.
So, my interests for the 12 years I did vintage was pretty much my 'era' - that is anything from about 1976 to 1985 and I rode bikes that represented that range - Pre 78, Evo and Pre 85.
These days I focus on modern dirt track with a 2005 YZ125 and in the shed is a 1980 RM250 and a 1980 IT175. I have to admit to no more than a passing interest in anything made prior to 1976.
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I am 42.
Own and race
1983 RM 125D
1985 RM 250F
Thus my main passion Is Pre 86 racing ( NZ era classes are different to Australia)
Currently restoring a 1988 RM 250J the Pre 90 bike and trail bike which I hope to debut at TM Bill and Dazzlers Taupo race at Easter.
Given my age I grew up wanting the full floater RM"s of the early to mid 1980"s so that's where my interest and $ are devoted.
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I'm 53
First real bike was a TM125L, raced Juniors in '74/'75
Furry magnet got me in '77/'78.
Raced in '82/'83/'84/'85 on the current bikes.
Roadraced from "86 on.
Current VMX bike KX250A5 & KX400A5 ('79)
Still have 2011 RMZ450
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Rookie your only 29 boy you must've had a hard early life :D
Im 44
own
RT3 360 stripped for vmx
XJ900s Diversion
Rickman zundap in bits about to turn it a DT version
Got dinked around on dads dt1 as a youngster then started riding dads dt175 as an 8 year old kid he had to run along side and let me go as I couldnt reach the ground, he then got xr200's for a while which I rode around the farm then he got a suzuki ts250 that went like a dog shot in the ass compared to the xr's and I was hooked from there on, ive been a bit of a brand whore IT's, KDX's, kx500 for a while wish I still had that one got it for free in about 5 boxes put it together to do pony expresses but 3 hours of straight riding on that thing was nearly the undoing of me several times , 2 x xr400's, drz400, cb750k4, suzuki t500 titan, and 1 Jawa. Looking for an IT to do for vinduro next.
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I am 49 have had my it490 for 15 yrs, it sat in the shed for 8yrs after a head on in the bush and it re emerged after I found uot about vintage dirt track 2yrs ago.
Fixed the exhaust and went along for a look and got bit by the bug and now have the following in the fleet,
2 it490, 1 set up for dirt track
yz400d
2 dt250, 1 set up for dirt track
mx400d
83 xt 600 tenere, got some it forks on it for dirt track and mx
dt3 250
76 pursang bitsa , still wodering why ???
suzuki t125
Buell Usilly
wr400
And just got a it465 finished for dirt track to keep the boys honest in the evo open at nepean.
Roll on Racing season ;D
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Just ticked over to 46. Plenty already know me as a self confessed bike whore ;D.
I found vintage late '06 and started racing in '07. I was doing the moderns and adult mini's from '99 till then ::).
I'm into all era's and most brands, but even my standards won't let me own a Bultaco or a Montesa :D.
My Dad used to follow my arse around in the eighties racing mx and a little dirt track. I got him interested in vintage and he now has some cool old Czech machines.
Dad so far hasn't ridden as he is happy to watch/help me. I think that will finally change this year and he will should have his first race at the ripe old age of 66.
He owns from pre 60 to pre 70 bikes. I race his bikes as well.
I own and race from pre 75 to pre 90. I don't have every class covered but I come close.
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Im 48 this year and didnt own a dirt bike until was 37 yet went to watch MX in the 70's as a kid.
Current rides RM400N, RM370, TM400....looking for a RM250Z to complete the set of great Suzuki's
Tim
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Well I am 57
I was following the race meeting in the 60`s, when my brother where racing, I started racing motocross in 1972, race until 1977, then stopped, came back in 1979 for a couple of meeting, then stopped, Got Married, restarted in 1990 when VMX started up here in Victoria, raced Pre 80 and Pre 75, 1978-9 Honda cr 250,1979 SWM 125 MC, Pre75. Montesa vr 250 Bultaco Mk 5 250 Bultaco Mk7 125. Metisse 500. Maico/Honda 125, Maico 250`s Plus many many more. I have stopped racing for a while now,the fire in the belly for motocross is not there as much as I would like it to be.
Current Bikes owned 1956 Adler MB 250 Scrambler, Penton 125, Sachs 125, Honda 125 and maybe there will be many more.
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G'day
I bought my first mx bike, a 77 yz125, from norm frasers,it was in the pile of bikes going to the wreckers,cost me $150,that was when i was 15. just over two years ago i had my first race and last year won heavans pre78 125 championship on the same bike,never to late to start i guess,i turned 48 last week and feel like a teenager every time i get on my bikes,not the day after,like the older bikes but would probably buy an evo/pre85 bike
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37
Never had enough money to ride/race also parents wouldn't allow it!!!!
1st bike was a yz125a I think I bought it for 50 bucks and I paid too much!
Got it to move but it wouldn't hit band unless I turned the fuel tap off.
Anyway now I know I needed to drop that needle :)
I also had a sweet MR50 and man I wish I still had that little bike.
Anyway I didn't get a real bike until I was 26 and married with 2 kids!
Now I found a pre 78 125
And I hope I can compete!
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Well I am 40 and started at 10 years old on a mighty yamaha GT80 paid $60 bucks for it saved up mowing lawns :o
Then had plenty of AG 100cc yamaha farm bikes in home town NZ. (never raced only on the beach with mates )
then had a pe 250, suzuki ER 125 ,honda 200cc pull start ATC three wheeler with a AG yamaha front end ::) The last bike I had XL250 1983 with lights and all cool stuff speedo :o then moved to OZ and brought a XR 250 1983 to get my L licence.
then brought a mighty TT500 joined the HEAVEN vmx club
in 03 , been all good since ;) so I am one of the babys on here ;D :D
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50 last year and fit enough to rape a small village............. over a few days.
1973-1983 were my formative years in off-road riding.
Have raced MX,Enduro and DT and classic MX and DT in later years.
Most of the time I have had a modern,with the latest being the very porkable FE390 Husaberg.
I got back into vintage riding in 1995 with an RM250T.
I still have and occasionally race an RM250B, RM125D and CR125M and a couple of others I just look at and should probably move on..... As an aside, it has got me stuffed why good old dirt bikes lose out to old road bikes in the value stakes.
I would have thought that most bike riders in Australia would have started out on trail/dirt bikes and as such there sentimental/nostalgic value would have kept pace with the road bikes .Maybe they are now a luxury item and we are going through a luxury item squeeze?
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43yrs and maybe 100 bikes and cars through the turnstiles over the years from 1976 to current
Z50A
Mx80
ts100
ts185er
DT250 katana 650 GPZ750
gsx400 /4
VF1000R
ts200R
HArley lowrider dyna
Fatboy
sportster 1200s
Dyna supaglide
WR200
WR250
CRM250 honda hornet 900
YZ250WR
KTM300exce
YZ250H
YZ125C
YZ125A MX100
YZ125K RM125X RM125S TS250
YZ400D
YZ125C
CR250M
RM125A
RM250A
RM125A
kx400
cr250 83 KX250A4 YZ250E CR125Rz xr1200x YZ125E
Quite honestly the favourite is the YZ125E and the KTM300exce
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43yrs and maybe 100 bikes and cars
Z50A
Mx80
ts100
ts185er
DT250
gsx400 /4
VF1000R
ts200R
HArley lowrider dyna
Fatboy
sportster 1200s
Dyna supaglide
WR200
WR250
CRM250
YZ250WR
KTM300exce
YZ250H
YZ125C
YZ125A MX100
YZ125K RM125X RM125S TS250
YZ400D
YZ125C
CR250M
RM125A
RM250A
RM125A
kx400
cr250 83 KX250A4 YZ250E CR125Rz xr1200x YZ125E
Quite honestly the favourite is the YZ125E and the KTM300exce
Impressive.
There must be a clinical name for that ;)
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I am sure there is TFR, by the way only 7 of listed are current stable and thats 2 too many.
Brett
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48 years old owned a yz125j and 81cr450 back in the early 80s sold both in 85 and never thought i would ride/race again.Went to a a trail ride aweek after i turned 40 and my son and I got the bug sold the boatand the rest is history.Currently restoring 85cr500 so will be asking lots of questions.Cheers Cooch
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I am sure there is TFR, by the way only 7 of listed are current stable and thats 2 too many.
Brett
Now that makes sense!
I was thinking " man I would love to see that shed"
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40 at once? There's more than a couple of blokes on here who have done that - some still can.
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I know of a guy on the northern beaches of sydney who has at least 100 bikes, mainly trailies and enduro from the 70's. He had a massive collection of Kwaka 900's maybe 60 bikes, which got purchased buy a couple of japanese blokes all at once. I had heard of this folk storie before, but i actually met the guy and then realised it was a true story.
Brett
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I know of a guy on the northern beaches of sydney who has at least 100 bikes, mainly trailies and enduro from the 70's. He had a massive collection of Kwaka 900's maybe 60 bikes, which got purchased buy a couple of japanese blokes all at once. I had heard of this folk storie before, but i actually met the guy and then realised it was a true story.
Brett
I reckon trailies don't count. They are like $200 a bakers dozen...
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Hey brad, I'm not really into trailies these days, but they seem to be getting a bit of $$ now if in good nick.
Thats a nice cr on evilbay right now is it yours?
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No I dont have anything for sale at the moment Brett. Will be putting up my 84 cr500 soon though.
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43yrs and maybe 100 bikes and cars through the turnstiles over the years from 1976 to current
Z50A
Mx80
ts100
ts185er
DT250 katana 650 GPZ750
gsx400 /4
VF1000R
ts200R
HArley lowrider dyna
Fatboy
sportster 1200s
Dyna supaglide
WR200
WR250
CRM250 honda hornet 900
YZ250WR
KTM300exce
YZ250H
YZ125C
YZ125A MX100
YZ125K RM125X RM125S TS250
YZ400D
YZ125C
CR250M
RM125A
RM250A
RM125A
kx400
cr250 83 KX250A4 YZ250E CR125Rz xr1200x YZ125E
Quite honestly the favourite is the YZ125E and the KTM300exce
Oh god don't get me started with all the bikes :-(
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Hi Kt, good post mate! I'm 52, First bike was a RM125A at 16 in 76, when I lived in Hong Kong of all places and returned to Aus early 78. I lived, breathed and slept Motocross for 7 years riding or racing nearly every weekend, until I quit for "a break" in 83 and got distracted with business, girls etc. 27 years later I stumbled onto VMX and turning up to a meeting at The Lakes to take a look, I smelled the burning 2 stroke oil, heard the sound of the 2 strokes in full flight up the hills, saw the lines of those beautiful late 70s and early 80s bikes and some of those early feelings came back to me. When I gave racing another try a couple of years back, I remembered why I began riding & racing in the first place. I drove home with the biggest smile on my face and now I am back into it I just love it. A member of Heaven NSW, a great club, well run with a friendly bunch, I feel lucky to be able to do this again.
I just run 1 1/4 bikes. A 79 CR250 RZ, my all time favorite bike, and an 84 CR250 RE, which only runs about a quarter of the time, but that is another story.
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OK Johnny whats the favourite bike you own and have owned?
Nathan must have owned a few
Brad this is the one that i thought was yours..
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/130843090222?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Brett
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OK Im 53 this year , started in 72 with a Honda z50 copy (scramble Horse I think ) on to a bent framed dt125 forks where bent aswell it left two tracks , got a new dt125 in 75 only trail riding in the hills in Canberra . Got the bug again in 93 and bought a TY250a and did twin shock trials with the Manly club . got into collecting twin shock bikes . 4 TYs , Sherpa 350 76 , ossa 250 Mar , Montessa cota's . Then found a DT 250 74 and that started the slide into obsession . current bikes
DT1 x3, DT3 x2 DT2MX x1 , RT1 x4 , half made RT2MX . MX250 , 360 , SC500 , Yzd 250 & 400 , Yzc 250 & 400 & 125x ,Yz 250h , dt125 x2 , TY250a , Yz80h , IT400c , XR75 ko 73 , Deckson GP , AND about 5 tonns of spares . Iain Call me a hoarder mmmm Yes it all mine you can fight over it when I croak it ;D
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OK Im 53 this year , started in 72 with a Honda z50 copy (scramble Horse I think ) on to a bent framed dt125 forks where bent aswell it left two tracks , got a new dt125 in 75 only trail riding in the hills in Canberra . Got the bug again in 93 and bought a TY250a and did twin shock trials with the Manly club . got into collecting twin shock bikes . 4 TYs , Sherpa 350 76 , ossa 250 Mar , Montessa cota's . Then found a DT 250 74 and that started the slide into obsession . current bikes
DT1 x3, DT3 x2 DT2MX x1 , RT1 x4 , half made RT2MX . MX250 , 360 , SC500 , Yzd 250 & 400 , Yzc 250 & 400 & 125x ,Yz 250h , dt125 x2 , TY250a , Yz80h , IT400c , XR75 ko 73 , Deckson GP , AND about 5 tonns of spares . Iain Call me a hoarder mmmm Yes it all mine you can fight over it when I croak it ;D
Hang on a minute Ian .. I spot an XR75 in there ... give, or sell it cheaply, to me and rid yourself of the red scourge less it impacts your Yamahahahaha heard ;D
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Mark Firkin age 63. Here's a Readers Digest edition of my time in the sport......Started racing in 1969 on a Bully Sherpa S 125 and graduated to an RT1MX Yamaha in 1970. Bought my first Maico, an MC350 later that same year and still own the bike 'til this day. I raced motocross and dirt track on a succession of Maicos and a couple of Yamahas with an amazing lack of success until 1975 when I went to the US where I worked for Mike Goodwin's Stadium Motorsports, the original supercross promoter for a few months. During that time I raced my own Montesa VB360, and Goodwins Husky 360 auto (later to become mine) and IT400 in desert and GP events before leaving to backpack with my partner in Mexico, Guatamala, Nicaragua and Belize for 8 months. Upon my return to the US I ran a small bar in Long Beach, CA and played A level Rugby Union for the next 5 years until a broken relationship and homesickness brought me home to Oz in late 1980. From 1980 to 1986 I rode club enduros (and the odd big one) on Maico Magnum GS400, '82 Maico GS490, and Yamaha TT600 and a few others until rugby took over again for a few years. In 1986 while in California visiting friends I went to the original Dick Mann Vintage Rally at Sandhill Ranch near Livermore, California where I instantly fell in love with vintage motocross. Upon my return I got together with my club, Penrith and my friend Geoff Eldridge and mapped out what was to become the first vintage meeting in Australia, eventually held at Amaroo Park at Easter 1988. In 1988 GE asked me to write some vintage articles and a monthly column for ADB which I did until I chucked it in in 2008. I now write the occasional feature for VMX as well as continuing the column tradition that started with ADB in 1988.
I organised the first VMX Nats at Dargle in 1992 as well as helping with the '94 Mt Kembla Nats and the '97 Nepean Vintage Dirt Track Nats and helped Des O'Shea set up the Condoblin Greybeards meeting, held every June long weekend for the 10 years of the nineties that often had entries topping 200..all pre 75. I competed in VMX until 1999 on the following bikes (in rough cronological order)..Maico 250 squarie, Maico 350 squarie, '74 Maico 440, MX125 Yamaha, Champion Honda XL350, Yamaha DT1, Champion Yamaha SC500, Yamaha SC500, Maico, TM250 Suzuki, Maico AW400 and a few more that I've forgotten.
While I no longer race vintage motocross I still like having guest riders on my bikes and that tradition will return this year with Tony Clarke aboard my Cheney RT1 in pre 70 and RT2MX in Pre 75. I'll return to dirt track on my Cycle Factory RT2MX flat tracker and motocross tackle with suitable tyres this year and hope to have my Trackmaster Benelli up and at 'em later this year.
The current colection comprises.............
*1970 Maico 350 square barrel.....my one owner bike
*1970 Maico 350 square barrel....the sister bike to above....currently dismantled.
*1973 Maico 250 radial ....currently dismantled.
*1964 Maico 360 Metisse ...next years project bike.
*1964 Maico KR250 short tracker.
*1973 Maico trials bike....I hope to ride it a bit more this year.
*1972/76 Suzuki TS250 powered TM Suzuki...VMX Mag project bike.....currently undergoing conversion to flat track
*1974 Boyd and Stellings framed TM400 Suzuki.....to be raced at some stage this year.
*1968 Yamaha DT1 Enduro...restored for Yamaha Australia to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Currently undergoing conversion to DT1MX specs.
*1969 Yamaha 'DT1 from Hell'..my original pre 70 class DT1, slowly returning to the track, possibly next year.
*1969 Yamaha DT1 pre 70 racer....Purchased from Nathan Senior, now fitted with Swenco leading link front end and Arnaco shocks.
*1969 Cheney RT1 Yamaha....this years team leader race bike.
*1970 Hindall RT2MX flat tracker.
*1972 Hindall RT2MX motocrosser.....this years other motocross star.
*1970 Cycle Factory framed flat tracker fitted with either DT1MX or RT2MX engines, depending on the meet.
*1967 Hindall Ducati 250....garage queen
*1981 Yamaha IT250J...Vinduro toy.
*1982 Suzuki PE400Z ....garage queen
PROJECTS WAITING IN THE WINGS:
*TriBSA 500....BSA C15 frame, TRIUMPH 500 unit motor. This years #1 project.
*Trackmaster Benelli 650 flat tracker......I'll soon resume work on it for next years races.
*Trackmaster Yamaha 650.....waiting for the right motor to come along.
*1973 Rickman Metisse Moto Islo fun project.
*1971ish Antig Maico 250 square barrel.
*1974 Yamaha TY250....very trick bike that deserves full attention......next year.
In storage at the farm I have 4 x Suzuki TS90s, an XL350 and an RT1 Yamaha basket that's been run over by a bulldozer. I've got a shitload of Maico and Yamaha motors and parts, a C77 Honda and who knows what else. There are a Sherco trials bike, a couple of quads and my beloved mountain bikes, including the one with the 50cc motor. I currently don't have a modern.....there's no room ;D
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Thank god you have a good collection of spares Ian the bit you sent me was greatly needed and appreciated dont let the white goods on wheels honda turn you to the dark side Ian stay true.
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You slowed up too as ya got a bit older Firko? Cheers Tim754
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Hi Kt, good post mate! I'm 52, First bike was a RM125A at 16 in 76, when I lived in Hong Kong of all places and returned to Aus early 78. I lived, breathed and slept Motocross for 7 years riding or racing nearly every weekend, until I quit for "a break" in 83 and got distracted with business, girls etc. 27 years later I stumbled onto VMX and turning up to a meeting at The Lakes to take a look, I smelled the burning 2 stroke oil, heard the sound of the 2 strokes in full flight up the hills, saw the lines of those beautiful late 70s and early 80s bikes and some of those early feelings came back to me. When I gave racing another try a couple of years back, I remembered why I began riding & racing in the first place. I drove home with the biggest smile on my face and now I am back into it I just love it. A member of Heaven NSW, a great club, well run with a friendly bunch, I feel lucky to be able to do this again. end quote.
Well bugger me! lol lol lol lol. apart from the Hong Kong bit, this just about sums it up for me although have not got the race bug again (yet!!! never say never!) I had my first race on an Yz80a against a field of 250 seniors of all things, BUT ended IN 2ND PLACE! lol. started again on a Cr390 in 79 then another one in 80 and then a 430 in 81 & 82, then saw the light and a brand new $1200 RM465 from Frasers had me hooked and up front a bit more, broken leg put me out for a while and resulted in a series of Kx 250 til end of 87 then quits til 93 and a Kato took over, well 17 Katos took over til 2000!!! Then nothing but roadys til Ando got me hooked on VMX,well he did have two RM he wanted to off load! One semi-restoration under way, teh other is too good to touch!
I am glad i kicked this thread off,lots of like-minded "older" blokes,BUTnot many youngins, how are we going to fix that men? From reading all this i reckon its showing its an era thing,something related to each of "our" own eras,so we just might be shrinking, HOW ABOUT RIDE DAYS OF A SORT INSTEAD OF RACING? First rule would be you MUST bring a non-VMX mate to ride your bike as a try out and stay for the bar b q after!!! Other than that just ride wht you like when you like for the day but ONLY VMX era bikes on a track we hire for the day????????
Kt
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Hang on a minute Ian .. I spot an XR75 in there ... give, or sell it cheaply, to me and rid yourself of the red scourge less it impacts your Yamahahahaha heard ;D
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Simo63 its a gray one with red stickers a gen 73 KO . The joke was I only bought it to teach my lady friend to ride as the YZ80h was to tall for her (yes she has ducks disease " steps off the curb and hits her bum on it " ) so I went looking for a mini bike by seat height not make found the little XR at a good price . When I got it home to find it was a KO I was very happy .
Iain
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This is cool seeing how everyone got their passion.
I'm 46
When 10yrs old a mate let me start his XR75, I was hooked.
Pestered the old man until he bought a mint condition TC100 to ride to work, I couldn't touch the ground or pick it up but rode it every chance I could.
DT100C my first bike, $150, rode it to death.
PE175T mates started getting RM & YZ80's so I worked doing anything I could to get money, roosted them all. Raced 2 enduro's.
XR350 Turned 17, removed the stickers to wheely the streets on my L's.
XR630 from Ballards.
CR250 88 model, started racing dirt track.
Several Modern KTM's before given a ride on a RM250B & CR480 at the Masters games in 98, hooked and had to get my own vintage bike.
KX500A1 found a basket case for $600 and been developing, refurbing and racing it ever since.
Can Am 250 TNT raced it for 10yrs then tried to retire, sold Can Am and KTM520.
RM250D was looking for another modern and stumbled across this, back into VMX.
Husky WR300, will sell soon to fund a pre 78.
Favourites have been the Can Am and a 97 KTM300.
1 Aussy title and 3 seconds.
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46 years in 2 weeks!
Love pre 85 bikes - don't race them but theres still time!
I fell in love with the 1982 RM Z's when in year 10, I remember the exact moment.......
I was at my best mates (still one of my best mates!) holiday house for the weekend and he had a brochure for the new range of RM's I picked up the brochure and was instantly smitten, If you could have a full on 'crush' with a machine then I had one!
Fasts forward 30 years and when I got the urged to buy and restore an old bike there could be only one.
I was discussing only last night with my wife the household budget and where we waste money (to her eternal credit she never mentioned dirt bikes!) and I told her every time a walk past her (The RM 465 that is) I linger just a moment, stare longingly into her eyes and my heart soars! My wife just laughed - I think she understands me too well!
Cheers
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Im 46 also ...
First bike I rode was a bombardier 50 at the age of 5. Couldn't touch the ground, but my old man put me on it and away i went. No problems until it came time to stop. Rode a borrowed Z50 on and off till I hit age 11 and got my very own, brand new XR 75. We had a paddock down the back, and I rode at least 2 hours a day and drove the neighbours mad. Raced at the minibike club for a year or 2 on the XR then graduated to a new RM80N. Raced that till I hit 16 when I left the minibike club and went to senior MX with a YZ125H. Also did a bit of grasstrack on a 125 Canam.
Raced C Grade MX for a year untill the old man couldnt afford to keep up with the cost.
Went on to own a 1979 XL250s on my 'Ls' , and then graduated to a 1980 XL500s. At some stage in there I had an XT250 aswell.
Had a few road bikes in between dirtbikes, and the last dirt bike I had for a while was an IT490.
Kids had chinese pitbikes for a while and I played around on them and a couple of chinese 250's.
Currently Im fixing up a 1982 XL500R so I can have a crack at some VMX.
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52 years old, I learnt to ride on my mates TC100 around his farm, got hooked, and at 15 saved $180 for my first bike a TC90 then came a TM125M which I raced short circuit in 77 and got creamed by every new model of that year, updated to a RM125A and gained a bit of ground :( but really got upto speed when I got a RM250B :) my first new bike. Started racing MX on an RM250C2 was a fair C grader :D.
Next a few enduros and Blue Lights etc on IT425,IT465,XR600 and sold the XR650 last year after one too many big getoffs up in the High Country.
Look at my bikes now and you can see a reoccuring theme 8).
Am I reliving my youth? You bet!
TC125M, TM125L, RM125S, RM250N sort of filled in the gaps, just need an RM250C.
Hoping to have the 250N sorted for a good ride at HBBB and CD10
Every Bike has been my pride and joy and all were great bikes.
Now an IT465 sounds good for Vinduros ;)
Cheers Nob
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Me - 37 years old. Started riding an XR 75 dad bought and then continued through to around 83 with CR250s and an RM250Z. Spotted a VMX Magazine many, many years later (curse you AJ and Ken et al) and bought a 73 CR250 to play with. Got into restos - did a few, got told off a lot ("why do you need 5 bikes") - so sold some (not for a profit eh - funny that!). Have a YZ360B currently (awesome bit of kit) - don't get to ride often enough but pre 78 will now be my era - like up to pre 85 but the biys get a bit serious, race for sheep stations too often and I am too unfit to be safe ::)
Unfortunately working overseas now so have been contemplating stepping out - but then look at my pics, rememebr the smells, all ther friends......................................and think if I did I might drop dead from boredom ;D