OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: William Doe on July 30, 2016, 08:28:27 am

Title: Works bikes of the golden era of MX and Trials
Post by: William Doe on July 30, 2016, 08:28:27 am

Define a factory or works bike ?

To me a works bike sometimes referred  to as a factory bike is the hand built exotica that existed from the mid 60s until the mid 80s .

Im sure there were earlier examples and maybe the odd later one .

Bikes and parts hand built that were unobtainium to the rank and file . These bikes were the holy grail of our sport and coveted by us all ( of course in reality how many of us would get any real benefit  from one is debatable )

This thread got me thinking about what diluted efforts some will try to pass off as a works bike .

http://forum.ozvmx.com/index.php?topic=40760.msg389740;topicseen#msg389740

Title: Re: Works bikes of the golden era of MX and Trials
Post by: William Doe on July 30, 2016, 08:32:55 am

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/tmbill/CCI18112013_0017_zps86173349.jpg) (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/tmbill/media/CCI18112013_0017_zps86173349.jpg.html)

With the exception of Joel Smets and Jacky Martens (standing behind RDC ) all these guys raced true hand built works exotica.

For an extra point who is standing behind Brad lackey ? I have no idea anyone else know ?
 

Title: Re: Works bikes of the golden era of MX and Trials
Post by: William Doe on July 30, 2016, 08:39:43 am

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/tmbill/CCI18112013_0014_zps217663d1.jpg) (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/tmbill/media/CCI18112013_0014_zps217663d1.jpg.html)

2 multiple world champions and a multiple vice world champion along with a club wobbler .

2 of them raced proper works exotica the other production based modified bikes , can you name the riders the venue the year and the event ?

Title: Re: Works bikes of the golden era of MX and Trials
Post by: William Doe on July 30, 2016, 08:59:46 am

Works bikes

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/tmbill/showcase75_zpstnkpwmdk.jpg) (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/tmbill/media/showcase75_zpstnkpwmdk.jpg.html)

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/tmbill/309445_252804191421721_1525774563_n_zpsipjdi3rf.jpg) (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/tmbill/media/309445_252804191421721_1525774563_n_zpsipjdi3rf.jpg.html)

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/tmbill/305811_252708668097940_1416355025_n_zpsietkd3o7.jpg) (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/tmbill/media/305811_252708668097940_1416355025_n_zpsietkd3o7.jpg.html)

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/tmbill/old%20computer%20115_zpsptxnq1vg.jpg) (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/tmbill/media/old%20computer%20115_zpsptxnq1vg.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Works bikes of the golden era of MX and Trials
Post by: William Doe on July 30, 2016, 09:07:51 am

Not a works bike

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/tmbill/kiwi%20VMX%20rd%201%202012/7321814952_9a1963eceb_b_zps0buomfgk.jpg) (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/tmbill/media/kiwi%20VMX%20rd%201%202012/7321814952_9a1963eceb_b_zps0buomfgk.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Works bikes of the golden era of MX and Trials
Post by: Nathan S on July 30, 2016, 01:15:27 pm

There was lots of exotic bikes still in Japan into the mid-90s (and possibly later). I seem to recall Smets' Husabergs being pretty special, although the hand built nature of the early Bergs kind of stopped that being so obvious.

The top riders' "production" bikes today are still going to be miles ahead of what's in the local dealer's showroom. The freedoms of the production rule, the perfection of the set up for the individual rider, and the fact that everything is kept super fresh, make the modern "factory" bikes something special.
I think that there's also a better understanding that a fast bike is one that the rider can trust, as much as big HP figures or a billet doo-hickey.

That said... I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering what a proper, no holds barred modern works bike would look like. :)

Title: Re: Works bikes of the golden era of MX and Trials
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on July 30, 2016, 01:18:56 pm

I know in OZ Honda didn't venture too much with Works bikes - in 81 the bikes were basically standard but fitted with upgraded suspension and Mugen kits.

Title: Re: Works bikes of the golden era of MX and Trials
Post by: tony27 on July 30, 2016, 01:22:25 pm

I can remember being at the NZGP at Woodville when Darryl King was riding the big Husky/Husaberg & it was wheeled through scrutineering, it was pretty special but doubt that it was hand built