OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: Tony Two Times on January 13, 2016, 10:43:31 pm
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Just getting started so I don't know much but are 1980s XRs a viable VMX bike if they are stripped of road going gear and set up accordingly? Run in the 4 stroke class with XT/TTs and the like even though they are a bit younger than the 70's classics of those models?
Tony
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Just getting started so I don't know much but are 1980s XRs a viable VMX bike if they are stripped of road going gear and set up accordingly? Run in the 4 stroke class with XT/TTs and the like even though they are a bit younger than the 70's classics of those models?
Tony
Plenty of fast four strokes around mate. A well set up XT/TT HL Replica will keep you honest. There's even a quick KLX with a hugely oversized XT250 motor running at the front of some races (most actually). Personally I run an XR500 RC occasionally for MX and Vinduro. Great bikes, just love them, but a bit of a handful in the scrub BUT the reason I love it is because I associate with it. I had one back in 1982 and it started my love affair with them that still continues today. I say buy whatever takes your fancy as long as you can afford it. Cheers :)
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Hey Tony, some years ago Firko wrote an article about the twin shock XR/XL's being a cheap and good 4 stroke VMX mount. But I thought you wanted a Panhead.
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There's space in the shed yet mate. :-)
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I've got a couple of 500's parked next to the pan.
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Yeah I think that visit might be overdue.
Might see an ATK on the track this season?
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My brother is selling a TT500 orange with aluminium tank, quite original..He is in guildford Sydney
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.....the reason I love it is because I associate with it. I had one back in 1982 and it started my love affair with them that still continues today. I say buy whatever takes your fancy as long as you can afford it. Cheers :)
These are very wise words.
Especially on the internet, we get far too caught up with what is the "best", and then we often miss the real point of VMX: Having fun on bikes you like.
To answer your question:
The RFVC motors love to chew cams/can bearings in the heads, and to crack the heads. The older motors are more durable, but also weigh more and don't go as well. They also have too-short swingarms (to compensate for the lack of grunt from the big, heavy donk) which makes them handle funny.
Yes, they can work, but only in a sow's ear kind of way.
That said, there was some bloke at the National Titles on an XR500 a few years ago, running in the top three and making a lot of good riders look silly.