OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Competition => Topic started by: Doc on September 10, 2008, 07:49:02 pm

Title: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Doc on September 10, 2008, 07:49:02 pm
Rule book states 'Exhausts may be modified but must generally follow the original lines' could this infact mean a downpipe on an F11, DT, MT or a TS250 is technically a contentious issue? I have photo's from 1969 of a kitted TS250-1 and the factory kit pipe was indeed a downpipe exiting on the left unlike any TM that shoot out to the right. There were factory and aftermarket downpipes of the era available for near all models but they didn't follow the original lines. It might be paultry but the rules are rules if a protest arrises. Also for dirt track near all the front runners of the era used aftermarket downpipes so they were around in numbers back when. This rule just seems a little harsh if it's to be followed to the enth degree.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mike1948 on September 11, 2008, 02:56:58 pm
The TS250 factory kits did vary.  I have a poor condition black & white photo of a TS250 I raced for the local dealer which had the race kit fitted, and it had a high pipe with much the same bend as the original stock pipe, an up pipe exiting on the right.  Not a bad bike on flat track, but totally inadequate geometry & suspension for anything else.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: vandy010 on September 12, 2008, 08:48:54 am
Doc, i'd really like to think that any MA official that was to make a descion over a pipe protest would have enough brains to make the correct desicion. me personally, if it doesn't "follow" origional lines i couldn't give two hoots! as long as it was sympathetic to the era, but if it looks like a modern "fatty" pipe on a pre~75 bike, then perhaps there's be a case.
after all, the people that write these rules stem from a motorcycling background, not from a top flight lawer/legal background.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: bigk on September 12, 2008, 09:22:56 am
Hey Doc, have a read of the conflict along the same lines in the Husqvarna forum, under "Big k's CR400". There are some interesting points of view.
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mx250 on September 12, 2008, 10:12:02 am
I don't know if there are any complete or correct answers. Everyone has an opinion, a different interpretation of the rules and history, and a different solution.  Ditto different clubs and controling bodies.

Although associated with other issues such as 'bling' chamber design is probably the most contentious.

(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l187/mx250a/SMF-PoisonLil87.jpg)

Take Poison Lil (the bike ;D). The pipe faithfully follows the general line of the original. The numbers crunched to arrive at the shape and the technology to make the pipe, were all probaqbly available 'in the day'. But it's performance and appearance is discintly 'modern' to my eye. Although as you walked passed it or as it flashed passed, a spectator probably couldn't tell the difference (or care).
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 12, 2008, 10:37:50 am
If the rule "18.3.0.4 "Exhaust may be modified but must generally follow original lines." had been literally enforced over the last twenty years a fairly high percentage of bikes would never have made it through scrutineering and a right political furore would have emerged. As it is, the first time it's come to any sort of debate to my knowledge is Yammiefans criticisms of BigKs Circle F pipe on the Husky page.

If that rule had been literally enforced any DT1 or any trail based machine fitted with a downpipe, any Honda XL 4 stroke with a re-routed pipe and shorty muffler, any Triumph fitted with up pipes, any pre '78 Maico fitted with a Wheelsmith or Aaen Eng. up pipe, any CZ or OSSA fitted with a snail pipe or any of the hundred other similar cases would have to be declared ineligible to race. Australian VMX is in its 20th year and I must confess that I haven't seen many pipes that offend my sense of "spirit of the era" during that time. Sure I have seen a small number of overly fat pipes, usually fitted to highly modified dirt track Elsinores or Maicos but those type of pipes aren't suitable for motocross and aren't so common anyway.



In any case, when the rulebook was first formulated in the early nineties, I'm certain this rule didn't exist. My earliest copy of MOMS goes back to 1999 and it wasn't included then or for the next three issues. Because I'm no longer licenced and don't race any more I don't need a copy of MOMs so I haven't got any copies after 2003. Can anybody check their post 2003 issues to see when this rule was introduced please? I was one of the team that formulated the rules on which vintage MX and DT are governed and I remember that we were careful not to over regulate in a bid to make the whole process as simple as possible. Over the years various later commissions added and subtracted wording and paragraphs but many of the changes, such as 18.3.0.4 weren't needed in my opinion. The "spirit of the era" has always been the overriding "rule" used to determine right from wrong. It's worked for twenty years without any major problems so why now regulate on something that has never been a problem?

I own a NOS Suzuki TS250 race kit pipe and it's indeed a down pipe
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Freakshow on September 12, 2008, 12:14:03 pm
I agree in the day you could have built it up or down, so who cares what it left the factory like its near irrelivent

You could have changed it to suit yourself in the day so why would that not apply now ? GEneral lines only applies to Frames i belive, the rest is up to the individual in Keeping with the "spirit of the Era ideal".  Its not like Down or up pipes where new technology pre 75 they had already discuvoured Chamber design so there is no technological advantage if you used one or the other, it personal and discipline specific.  Funny you say this casue i had some guy at a race meet tell me my Down pipe on my MXA didnt follow original lines, which i though was strange considering he was on a TM suzuki which had a under pipe, so if in the day it was invented as was displayed on his mount, i thought nothing more than saying it was a modified Elsie pipe and it was bought in 74, thus pre 75 legal.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: JC on September 12, 2008, 01:33:58 pm
Mark,

Thats very good reasoning based on the original intent & the way its been applied over the years - precedent as the legal eagles would say. Thankfully it seems to have been interpreted that way most of the time over the years.

Trouble is, it doesn't really resolve it unfortunately, if you look strictly at what the wording of the rule actually says. At the end of the day & when all the heat dies down, it matters little/nothing what any of us on the forum says/thinks.

It only matters how the rule is interpreted by the officials on the day. And that I think is what Doc & EvoHusky are worried about when they raised it wrt a downpipe on the F11 & an up-pipe on the TNT250.

Spare a tho't also for any official placed in the position of having to hear a protest of such bikes according to what the rule actually states as it stands.

I hesitate to enter the 'debate' - & I most assuredly DON'T have any problem w BIgK's 400Husky pipe or Doc's downpipe or Mark's up-pipe - but the issue needs to be resolved, & good/healthy discussion is an appropriate means to that end.

To be fair to Yammiefan (elsewhere) I don't think he was being pedantic in drawing our attention to what the rule actually says. To my mind those pipes are all suitable to the era, but that's not what the rule actually states as the criterion.

Seems to me the problem is w the word "original" which actually misrepresents the intent of the rulemakers - quite blatantly. Even when qualified by "generaly follow original lines", while it could be argued either way for the 400husky pipe (at least its an up-pipe like the "original", but how generally does it follow the "original lines"?),  clearly a downpipe on an F11 & an up-pipe on a pre75 TNT250 do not follow "original" lines at all & so do not fit the rule as written, even tho such pipes were obviously around & used in the era (& I have no problem w them).

The crazy thing is, the pipe on "Poison Lil" (above) does "generally follow original lines" & so fits the rule, but is a much more modern fatty-pipe design (if you've seen a clearer pic of it) that is not era-sympathetic at all.

While we can argue about people being too pedantic/legalist in interpreting the rules, if its left the way it is, it is too ambiguous & (more importantly) it gives no security to people like Doc, BigK & EvoHusky when they rock up w their bike hoping to race it rather than have a protest upheld against it.

Seems to me what needs to be debated is a better wording which more accurately represents/states the era-sympathetic intent. Perhaps something like "Exhausts may be modified but must follow lines/designs of the era", or "must generally follow lines/designs of the era". Or just outlaw low-boy/fatty style pipes. You still have some interpretation problems. Perhaps drop the rule altogether!

A wise old legal eagle (who was a Justice of the Hi Court) once told me, the less words the better cos every word opens up problems of interpretation. Too true.

Anyway, its worth debating a rule change to accurately represent the correct criterion/intent. And lets do so, if I may so bold, with  light rather than heat.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mx250 on September 12, 2008, 01:50:39 pm
i thought nothing more than saying it was a modified Elsie pipe and it was bought in 75, thus pre 75.
"I'll see you and raise you one" ;D
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: oldfart on September 12, 2008, 04:16:00 pm
Definitions  as I understand them ,    so may to me is an option  ::)
Shall = Mandatory
Should = is recomended
May   = is an option or permission by



Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Tim754 on September 12, 2008, 04:44:33 pm
Shite how you going to apply this to sidecars!!! Except for the first 60mm at the manifold all four of pipes are totally different to the four individual set up of a CB750, just about eliminates all outfits as how many you ever seen follow even "generally" the factory lines??????? ;)
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mike1948 on September 12, 2008, 05:21:43 pm
Sidecar outfits usually consist of a frame kit, then a range of individual components added by the owner, many of which are home made, and not sold in complete form.  These rules are designed to apply to bikes sold complete.  I'm sure your pipes are OK, no matter how much like spaghetti they look.  In your case, it's probably frame kit & engine which must meet age & design eligibility.   
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Lozza on September 12, 2008, 05:35:56 pm
If you have proof that a modification was used in the day then it be legal.The whole thing is a non issue, build the pipe Doc.Active protesters have to part with $50 before it's heard.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Doc on September 12, 2008, 06:31:43 pm
I didn't realize it would raise the storm it did and I'll have to go look at the other posts and read them but my main concern is as JC states, at the end of the day the bottom line written there in black and white is the rule book generally follow original lines. I wasn't thinking but Loz also mentioned the countless post '76 RM's, CR's, YZ's and many others that ran downpipes for dirt track. I personally think the rule needs changing to exclude fatty pipes and such yes but I don't feel there can or should be any contraints on whether it's up or down, this goes for all classes not just pre'75 as it's always been an available aftermarket option or sometime factory part for near any model you care to think of.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: GMC on September 12, 2008, 10:25:59 pm
I think the rules intention was to stop too much modernising of exhausts that would change the era-sympathetic look, but it's this sort of thing that is the hardest to write a rule for. I feel any proof of "available in the day" would overwrite this anyway.
"Poison Lil" I don't mind too much but I have seen bikes with modern pipes made to fit which I feel do look wrong. I also find it odd that a lot of guys that supposedly race for fun seem so concerened about being protested over something trivial???
Trying to write a rule that banned so called Fatty pipes would probably sink from loopholes too. At what point does it become "fatty". Their is allready a natural rule for this because too fat can become detrimental to the performance.
On a personal level, I'm not sure how my pipes would stack up to any so called Fat rule, but with 50 or more jigs for various models I'm not about to start redesigning pipes & jigs all over again so would proabably just sell them for export.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: TC91 on September 13, 2008, 12:24:52 am
Too many rules equals too many hassells.7 inches front, 4 inches rear and era applicable appearance. 3 rules should be all that is needed for pre 75 for example. You will never be able to legislate against people fitting fatty pipes, digital ignitions, coated pistons etc but these should be discouraged strongly as being against the spirit of the sport. If a rider needs to win that bad as my younger brother would say ' I will buy you a trophy and the rest of us will get on with enjoying our racing '. Sure I can get very competitive and tune my bikes as well as I can but I also believe in racing era specific bikes. Instead of a fatty pipe,new tyres and efficient brakes and suspension may work a lot better or better still just go out and ride the wheels off the thing and enjoy it for what it is!
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Tim754 on September 13, 2008, 11:16:12 am
Mike, I was being very "tongue in cheek" with my sidecar bit, But big thanks for responding I do appreciate your interest for sure. Cheers Tim. ;) :)
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Doc on September 13, 2008, 02:47:56 pm
'Too many rules equals too many hassels'

TC91, I totally agree!

'I also find it odd that a lot of guys that supposedly race for fun seem so concerened about being protested over something trivial???'

Geoff, I as well as countless others do just race for fun but by some weird happening if I/they ever found my/themselves at the pointy end it'd be wrong to be denied because of a rule book technicality. Not so much protests from the older 'mature' entusiasts but what's to stop a young guy protesting at a titles event? He doesn't care how many old buggers he offends he's there to win not make friends. My point being the rule is not specific to snuff out these foolish protests if they hypothetically did happen plus also in my personal view is it is a little easier to build and personalize a bike whilst staying well within 'era' if said rule allows an 'era' or 'era replica' up or downpipe
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mx250 on September 13, 2008, 11:01:58 pm
Hey Doc, I don't think there is an answer; maybe good better and best, but no answer.

Just stuck it and see. Play hard, ride hard and enjoy. Cross that particual bridge if and when you come to it.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: GMC on September 14, 2008, 01:56:55 pm
Geoff, I as well as countless others do just race for fun but by some weird happening if I/they ever found my/themselves at the pointy end it'd be wrong to be denied because of a rule book technicality.

Too true Doc, it just seems to me, and maybe I've led a sheltered life, that the last few years on this forum have brought up more double meanings to rule book paragraphs that I've ever heard in my whole life. The OEM statement has been in the book for years but has only recently been questioned. I don't doubt that some stupid protests have been lodged but it also seems that some worry too much.
No doubt their are a few rules that need better defining, & this forum / clubroom is a great place to debate these things, but if you really want them changed then you need to put it in writing to your local controlling body. (MA)

"Too many rules equals too many hassels"

"Just suck it and see. Play hard, ride hard and enjoy"
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Doc on September 15, 2008, 01:09:54 pm
yeah I know and I totally agree Geoff, it is a silly hypothetical scenario but also consider this. All us old blokes are not getting any younger hence new younger blood is filtering in. This new blood isn't from the same 'old school' blood that many older rider share. They ride to win and win they do and this will become more and more the norm. I just think something so simple could be rectified now before it ever becomes an issue because sure as eggs one day it will and as someone else stated, I'd hate to be the poor bastard officiating ;) It's no biggy to me but a downpipe on an RM125N dirt tracker for example in my eyes looks horn ;D
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Freakshow on September 15, 2008, 01:35:19 pm
Fill in that little post back rule change thing that comes in the MOms
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Nathan S on September 15, 2008, 04:51:12 pm
It's an easy rule to side step - say your down-pipe-equipped DT1 is questioned. You can then claim that you're actually riding a special (aka hybrid) that's made up of parts from a DT1 and a 'something with a down-pipe', and you'll be untouchable.  ::) /  ;) / :)

Really, while I agree with the GMC's stated intent of the rule, its basically impossible to enforce as written.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: JC on September 16, 2008, 09:51:26 am
Probably, most of us agree, "too many rules = too many hassles", but it solves nothing as it stands since the rule is already there.

Here's a very real scenario: A keen VMXer travels thousands of Km to the Nats, spending $1000 on fuel alone, & taking a week of his holidays or time w'out pay to get there. He's racing for fun, goes hard at it, has a ball & manages to get on the podium. The guy he pipped for 3rd place doesn't like getting pipped, notices that his F11 has a downpipe when it was originally fitted w an up-pipe, & protests that his pipe does not "follow original lines". (Putting up the $50 to protest is a pittance compared to what the other guy has spent just to get there.)

The only thing the officials of the day have to go on is the rule as written. Obviously the bike was not originally fitted w any kind of down-pipe, so the protest is upheld. Understandably, the guy is shattered, even tho he's only there for the fun, & he probably never comes back. Many are rightly disgusted & the flow-on disillusions others as well.

We can say all we like about it being bad sportsmanship, unfair, ridiculous, mean-hearted, pedantic, etc, but such people are out there. As the saying goes, "there's one in every crowd", & it only takes one. With younger racers & their diff attitudes comes younger officials (eg their Dads) also w diff attitudes.

It's a very real scenario for those who live a long way from the action. There's already a precedent. Something almost identical happened to John Boag at the WA Nats over bolts instead of rivets. My perception of that action is that it had a massive impact on pre75 racing, esp at Nats level. People rightly think, "If thats how they're going to play, I'm out of here". We can ill-afford another like action.

But nothing will change if all we do is discuss it here. Somebody has to fill in one of those rule change forms & get it reworded (or dropped completely). Until then, the bloke in the above scenario is very vulnerable. As Doc says, better to do it now before it happens & avoid the considerable pain, repercussions & disillusionment.

PS, GMC yr pipes are very tastefully done, blending modern pipe designs w era-sympathetic lines extremely well in a way most of us would regard as entirely appropriate. What we need to avoid is things like the lowboy pipe on the YZa in VMX mag several issues ago.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 16, 2008, 11:14:43 am
I see this situation from both sides. It's so very easy to say that "I'm only doing this for fun" yet the fact that you've gone to the expense and trouble to get a full racing licence and enter a Championship event would tell me that youre indeed taking the sport very seriously. If you were only playing with old bikes "for fun", I would asume that the local club vintage meet that doesn't necessarily have to enforce MOMs would suit your involvement level. If you are intent on racing VMX at a championship level we have to look past the "she'll be right" attitude. What's expected from each class needs to be spelled out in clear detail to close the loopholes that some racers use to advantage or simply so that every racer know what's expected from his bike. This pipe rule is a clear example of a rule that was placed in the rulebook with the best intentions but unfortunately it's not clear enough in it's definition. I'll bet that the person who proposed it (and those who passed it) hadn't considered the period aftermarket products that were available prior to 1975. To disallow a downpipe on a DT1 and the many of other similar examples because they don't "follow original lines" is a serious problem that needs addressing fairly quickly. Common sense has thankfully taken precedence in the past but we all know that there are some extremely pedantic folks out there who seem to regard petty protesting as a birthright.

I'm also surprised that the pedants haven't taken the "Engines must remain externally unchanged" rule literally. If the rule was literally enforced all aftermarket heads, bolt on or weld on reed kits and even aftermarket cylinders would be found ineligible to race. At the Cherabah Nats in 1995 I came in second in pre 70 250 on my DT1 and in the parc ferme after the event, the fourth place getter protested the bike as he suspected that I had too much rear suspension travel. After the scrutineers checked the bike they found the suspension kosher and the protest was dismissed. If that protester would have studied his MOMs carefully he could have nailed me because the DT1 had a Webco head, DT2MX outer cases and a period snailpipe, all ilegal by the rules. Thankfully commonsense was in place and things like this are rarely if ever bought up.

Both of these rules can be easily fixed by a simple reword. The pipe rule could read "all exhaust systems must conform to the "spirit of the era. Pipes with tapered headers or large centre sections must follow period lines." The engine rule could be worded "All external engine components must be in the spirit of the era" and be manufactured prior to 31st Dec 1975."
I know these words are also open for manipulation but they are a lot better than what we've got now.

Like most things in life VMX needs firm, easily followed rules or we would be in a situation similar to our Classic Road Racing brothers where manipulation of the rules has driven many legitimate competitors away because they got tired of been beaten by rulebook manipulators and scrutineers too apathetic to deal with the problem. Our rules are pretty good as they stand except for some wording tidy ups. If you build your bike legitimately "within the spirit of the era" it's to be raced, you won't need to ever use the book again. We also have to look within ourselves when we feel that we need to protest another racer and ask the question as to whether the percieved ilegality is blatant enough to have made a difference to the performance of the bike. Most protests are childishly pedantic examples of "making a point" and have little bearing on performance or period integrity.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Nathan S on September 16, 2008, 12:42:44 pm
Funnily enough, the rally scene has the opposite problem for the same reason - they too have fundamentally good, well supported rules that are poorly worded, which create lots of ambiguity and stress. But rather than having petty protests over trivial things, nobody ever protests - even when they know another car is clearly illegal. And the scrutineers are never sure whether they stand in terms of enforcing vehicle eligibility, so only really blatant stuff gets icked up there...

The outcome is just as bad for the racing - people get the shits and go/stay home.


In Firko's example from the '95 Nats, I wonder whether the whole scenario of "protesting" is a big part of the problem.
I know nothing of the details (other than what Firko just posted), but if the guy honestly thought that Firko's bike had too much rear travel (even though he was wrong), then he's fully entitled to question it. The whole process of having a "protest" and forking over money, automatically makes it antagonistic, and will bring drama into the situation.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Freakshow on September 16, 2008, 01:12:41 pm
I agree Nat you should only have to fork out the $70 if it involve engine questions/ pulling somthing apart, other obvious period questions should just be a case of ask the question and let the scutineer or clerk decide its relevance, if i had to pay $70 by that action alone i would want a result and press for it,  but by making it open as a question, you may get more indirect adjudications and a better spririt of competition as folks conform.

At the 08 Canberra nats that Slider #710 that came in 3rd in the PRe 75 i think it was,  had a complete YZc/MXb motor in it, ( see bike next to my #52) and not just some bits, THE whole freakin MOTOR. 

I know 211 picked it up later in the event, but the guy in 4th probally never knew, he would have been handed 3rd on a platter.   I made the final of the 250cc shoot out and truth be known, had i been that guy in forth i would have paid the money, No questions asked.     

Why? i had spent a lot $$ in fuel and took time off work to drive 14 hours to get there to experiance the event, but ultimately why should you be unfairly beaten by something that should be riden in another class up ( pre 78), just because some other guy is too lasy to read the book or makes such a massive Fo-par  ( how in the 'spirit of era' is a light frame and a later model fast motor Kosha ? )  It not,  its just unfair to the other 10 guys that were sitting on the finals grid trying to do the right thing.

Being able to question it during the event ( at no charge) allowed the scrutineers to get it on the radar and at least inform the rider he was on notice should someone protest, that gave him the option to correct the unit before the finals, but also enoforces the spirit of the event in that if it made a significat differance to his placing it wouldnt be fair of him to compete.    Personally i would rather have seen that bike finished 4th albeit just to see a correct period bike earn the trophy properly but still to save any protest carry on in the park femme or later.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: JC on September 16, 2008, 02:40:07 pm
Well said Mark.

Whats obvious from this thread is that the rules need ammending.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: DJRacing on September 16, 2008, 05:49:53 pm
Just a thought......
    When it comes to scrutineering why cant the riders of the class (eg pre75 125) scrutinize each others bikes(as a group) at the start of the day. If all riders in that class agree the bikes are legal to race against each, then go racing. If one or more riders find fault(s) with a bike in there own class then all the other riders are there to say yes or no to whether the bike is ok to race or not. All this happens before the racing starts and once it is sorted you have no problems at the end of the day.
 
An official would need to be present at any objection to give a final decision or at least be an unbias judge.

Most of us know what is legal/illegal in our class and concerning the gray areas of the rules if all agree on the day to race each other then what more can you say.

Just a thought.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Lozza on September 16, 2008, 06:30:32 pm
"Onus of proof of eligabilty lies with the entrant" in other words if you have proof(pictures or magazine articles) that the part was used in the period then that overrides everything.NO protest will ever stand with kind of proof.Rules are fine and since log books were introduced in Period road racing eligabilty issues/protests have gone away.The famous 'twin down tube" saga(if I have that right) would have ended quickly if the entrant had proof of a twin down tube was used in the day.Simple. I seriously doubt a PVL or an adapted late model ignition passes "spirit of the era" tests,however components like ignitons are not rare, expensive or exclusive and freely available to anyone.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 16, 2008, 06:51:28 pm
Lozza.....The whole reason the Vern Grayson twin downtube saga became such a shitfight is that Vern did have written proof including a letter from Eric Cheney, the manufacturer and from Jim Holt, the president of the British Pre 65 club who raced a twin tube Cheney in the day and was still riding it up 'til the 90s in Brit pre 65 motocross. That's why Vern fought so hard. I still don't understand why his case was dismissed as I have copies of all of the evidence and it's pretty convincing. In the end it's the most disgraceful example of discrimination I've seen. I still get angry when I think about it.

Besides that, I agree with you wholeheartedly with the onus of proof point, but have to disagree that eligibility issues have gone away in classic road racing. The blatant cheats have just become more cunning. If my mate Peters specially cast Villiers barrel that features late model YZ Yamaha porting including an integrated reed block can get through scrutineering with a pat on the back from the scrutineers, the problems are still there. They're just turning a blind eye.

As an aside....Vern will have his famous Cheney in the Kevlar Kompound at CD6 so everybody who doubts the legality of the bike can see it for themselves.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mx250 on September 16, 2008, 06:54:49 pm
Just a thought......
    When it comes to scrutineering why cant the riders of the class (eg pre75 125) scrutinize each others bikes(as a group) at the start of the day. If all riders in that class agree the bikes are legal to race against each, then go racing. If one or more riders find fault(s) with a bike in there own class then all the other riders are there to say yes or no to whether the bike is ok to race or not. All this happens before the racing starts and once it is sorted you have no problems at the end of the day.
 
An official would need to be present at any objection to give a final decision or at least be an unbias judge.

Most of us know what is legal/illegal in our class and concerning the gray areas of the rules if all agree on the day to race each other then what more can you say.

Just a thought.
Hmmmmm. Certainly has merit ;). I can think of some additional benefits other than just rules. But I can also think of a downside. It would have to be thought through. I would be very dependant on the group and group dynamics.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: DJRacing on September 16, 2008, 08:01:24 pm
Just a thought......
    When it comes to scrutineering why cant the riders of the class (eg pre75 125) scrutinize each others bikes(as a group) at the start of the day. If all riders in that class agree the bikes are legal to race against each, then go racing. If one or more riders find fault(s) with a bike in there own class then all the other riders are there to say yes or no to whether the bike is ok to race or not. All this happens before the racing starts and once it is sorted you have no problems at the end of the day.
 
An official would need to be present at any objection to give a final decision or at least be an unbias judge.

Most of us know what is legal/illegal in our class and concerning the gray areas of the rules if all agree on the day to race each other then what more can you say.

Just a thought.
Hmmmmm. Certainly has merit ;). I can think of some additional benefits other than just rules. But I can also think of a downside. It would have to be thought through. I would be very dependant on the group and group dynamics.


MX250, At the start of the day you get to meet your competitors, their bikes and if one of the group protested a "spirit of the era" down-pipe/up-pipe/rivets V's bolts etc and the others in the group dont see the problem with the part then the bike stays and goes racing. It would also be a good way to discuss guide lines for modifications/parts and could put a stop to petty protests on the way the rules are worded. It would also help newbies to the sport on what is excepted and what isnt excepted. Plus you would also get to know the shit stirrers and put a stop to their bullshit.
At the end of the day it always seems to be the decent guys that decide to leave the fold because the crap isnt worth listening to, so they leave and dont come back. If the other riders of the class get to have a say at the start of the day and keep the small minded/petty protests in check, then maybe there wouldnt be people leaving vmx because of 1 or 2 assholes and they could stay and enjoy their racing because of the sensible decent common majority of people in vmx.

Once again.... just a thought.....
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: GMC on September 16, 2008, 09:29:59 pm
Probably, most of us agree, "too many rules = too many hassles", but it solves nothing as it stands since the rule is already there.
I say get rid of this rule alltogether. I doubt anything could be written without a loophole of some sort or penalizing someone for nothing.
"Spirit of the era" is to vague, too many different opinions on where to draw the line.

"What we need to avoid is things like the lowboy pipe on the YZa in VMX mag several issues ago."
This pipe looked so out of place on this bike, to me it was all wrong, but what does it really matter? Are we concerned about ugly bikes at the races or being beaten by an ugly bike?

It's a very real scenario for those who live a long way from the action. There's already a precedent. Something almost identical happened to John Boag at the WA Nats over bolts instead of rivets. My perception of that action is that it had a massive impact on pre75 racing, esp at Nats level. People rightly think, "If thats how they're going to play, I'm out of here". We can ill-afford another like action.
The old bolts versus rivets myth again.
Never has a protest been lodged on the basis that rivets were replaced by bolts.

This story refers to the pre 65 CZ twinport which has a funny sort of one-piece sprocket / brake hub with a ¾ alloy hub riveted to it. By the late seventies they had the more conventional style hub with a normal style sprocket bolted on. Two very different types of hubs that are described as either bolted or riveted
The bike in question at the Nats had the later hub in the earlier bike & this was the basis of the protest. Yes, it’still a very anal point as it clearly wasn’t performance enhancing but as the major part was from another era the protest was upheld.
Much the same as having a round section swingarm instead of square box on a pre 70 DT1, not performance enhancing, but the parts must be of the era.
The rider I believe was Boagy & he should have known better at a National but I don’t believe he was trying to cheat but simply swapped parts in order to keep a bike running.
He would be excused for taking his bat & ball & never returning but to his credit he copped it on the chin & still turns up with a tandem full of bikes & rides his tits off.

PS, GMC yr pipes are very tastefully done, blending modern pipe designs w era-sympathetic lines extremely well in a way most of us would regard as entirely appropriate.
Thanks JC, your checks in the mail ;D
While I like my pipes to look right, any rule that trys to ban fat pipes or tapered headers would just be a pain in the arse, not just to me but also riders & scrutineers.  Who's going to be able to measure a pipe on raceday to decide where the header ends & the diffuser begins. The 250 Elsinore had a very advanced pipe for it's day with a tapered header & multi stage diffuser.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Nathan S on September 16, 2008, 09:51:24 pm
Much the same as having a round section swingarm instead of square box on a pre 70 DT1, not performance enhancing, but the parts must be of the era.

Ah, and there's another one...

There are two easy ways to argue that a round section swing arm is legal on a DT1 in pre-70:
1. As the RT1 is an allowed pre-70 bike, and no RT1 was ever fitted with a square section swingarm, then the round section swing arm on my DT1 is legal. If push comes to shove, then my bike is simply a DT1/RT1 special.
2. There are TWO listings for DT1 in the list of eligible bikes. The first is the age-old "DT1 with square section swing arm", while the second is the newer listing that says 'AT1, CT1, DT1 and RT1 when fitted with a non-reed-valve barrel'. My bike does not meet the first criteria, but it meets the second - so its indisputably legal in pre-70.
The original rule should have been deleted when the newer one was added.

Apart from anything, in an era when vintage bikes are sporting modern style alloy swing arms, $500 DT1s with round swing arms won't cause the sky to fall in.

I agree that the restrictive pipe rules can't be made to work - and I'm saying this even though I hate "low-boy" pipes on old bikes.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mainline on September 16, 2008, 10:48:59 pm
apologies to MXA for the unauthorised use of material..........

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn38/mainline_bucket/IMG.jpg
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mx250 on September 17, 2008, 06:59:17 am
apologies to MXA for the unauthorised use of material..........

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn38/mainline_bucket/IMG.jpg
Priceless ;D
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 17, 2008, 08:20:17 am
Quote
This story refers to the pre 65 CZ twinport which has a funny sort of one-piece sprocket / brake hub with a ¾ alloy hub riveted to it. By the late seventies they had the more conventional style hub with a normal style sprocket bolted on. Two very different types of hubs that are described as either bolted or riveted
This brings in another anomoly in the rulebook. While Peter Lawson (there, I've outed the most pedantic man in VMX)
did indeed succeed with his protest on Boagy in WA, he managed to miss a couple of local Metisses fitted with the later bolted CZ hub at the same event. Gavin Martini and Alan Jones, to name just two racers off the top of my head, both have bolt up CZ hubs in their Rickman Metisses and have not only competed at national level, but won titles in the pre '65 class. I'm certain ther are many more as the magnesium CZ hub is the hub of choice for many pre '65 racers.

For 20 years, nobody has given a damn what CZ hubs are being used in pre '65 so the situation Boagy encountered in WA would seem to be a problem with anal retentive pedantics from fellow competitors and a misreading of the rulebook by scrutineers. Rule 14.2.10 Acceptable Components...Wheels states...."Rickman alloy and magnesium, REH, BSA/Triumph conical alloy, AJS stormer, Greeves conical, small Husqvarna,CZ MOTOCROSS and pattern parts to these designs. Early Bultaco with full width hubs and Montesa full width are allowed". As you can read, there is nothing stating that the early hub must be used so I reckon Boagy was treated unfairly. Like GMC says, Boagy took it on the chin and continues racing and winning to this day but that doesn't detract from the fact that he was indeed robbed.

Boagy and Grayson aren't the only ones that have been treated unfairly by the system. I don't thing the "problem" is to do with the rulebook per se, but more to do with pedantic serial protesters. If you checked the DNA of most of the controversial protests in VMX over the last 20 years, you'd find the same names attached, time after time. Like I've said elsewhere, we need rules to prevent anarchy but they are sometimes used to the detriment of good sport and common sense. If we controlled the pedantic attitudes rather than the alleged cheats, our sport would be a nicer place to be.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: JC on September 17, 2008, 10:28:17 am
      "The old bolts versus rivets myth again.
      Never has a protest been lodged on the basis that rivets were
       replaced by bolts.
"

With all due respect, the point is that the part was a non-performance-enhancing part & the protest was pedantic, but was upheld because of what the rule said - precisely the issue at stake here.

And it had a massive impact on the sport - precisely what we're trying to avoid happening again.

    "Onus of proof of eligabilty lies with the entrant" in other words if you
     have proof(pictures or magazine articles) that the part was used in the
     period then that overrides everything.NO protest will ever stand with
     kind of proof."

Loz, you seem to be interpreting the rule "must follow original lines" differently to most others. Most others seem to interpret that as following the lines of the original exhaust on that model. You seem to be interpreting it as following original lines of any aftermarket pipe of the day. More ambiguity! But the rule does seem to imply the former/majority interpretation.

     "What we need to avoid is things like the lowboy pipe on the YZa in
       VMX mag several issues ago."

       This pipe looked so out of place on this bike, to me it was all wrong,
        but what does it really matter? Are we concerned about ugly bikes at
        the races or being beaten by an ugly bike?

It seems to be the general consensus that lines/appearances should be consistent w those of the era, & that the type of parts used were available in the day.

      "At the end of the day it always seems to be the decent guys that
      decide to leave the fold because the crap isnt worth listening to, so
      they leave and dont come back."

All too true, which is why it needs resolving.

The options seem to be either of the following:

1) Delete the rule altogether (with nothing in its place)
2) Replace it w a rule banning low-boy pipes only
3) Reword the original rule to read something like,
      "Exhausts may be modifed but must generally follow the lines of pipes
       available in the era"
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 17, 2008, 11:05:48 am
Quote
With all due respect, the point is that the part was a non-performance-enhancing part & the protest was pedantic, but was upheld because of what the rule said - precisely the issue at stake here.
With respect John, the rule covering the CZ hub in pre 65 is perfectly adequate, and in fact allows quite a number of post '65 hubs such as REH, Alloy and Mag Rickman and others. The problem with the Boagy decision was not that it was "upheld because of what the rule said" as you state, but because the rule was either inadvertantly or deliberately misinterpreted by officials.

Our problem with most of the supposed rulebook discrepancies is quite often to do with the interptretation, not the actual wording. The hub situation backs my point. The pipe rule however is misleading and vague and most definitely needs some alteration. Having said that, the rule has never, to my knowledge been questioned in the heat of a race meeting before as I feel that most competitors and officials have a reasonable knowledge of history and understand what's period acceptable. The only problems are when competitors with weird agenda like to enter protests that do nothing but create bad blood and weak officials who are too gutless and ignorant of the rules to stand up to these bullys. Full marks must go to Herb Conlon and Kevin MacDonald for standing up to the serial protester at the Coffs Nats and dismissing his attempts at protesting a bike out of the meeting. If more officials had the balls and knowledge that Conlon and MacDonald posessed, we wouldn't be needing to tighten the wording in the rulebook.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Brian Watson on September 17, 2008, 06:28:25 pm
Mark, whilst the reference to "hubs" is a little off topic, I believe that the "hubs" rule was changed sometime after the "incident" at Northam...So...at the time ..as the MOMS was worded...the protest was legit....similar to the use of carbs for pre 65 bikes....that was also changed after the Nats in WA...That said...I do see some groundswell of support for a re-word of the pipes item...with particular interest is the slider guys who mostly ran down pipes on whatever they were competing on...
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: GMC on September 17, 2008, 09:33:41 pm
      "The old bolts versus rivets myth again.
      Never has a protest been lodged on the basis that rivets were
       replaced by bolts.
"

With all due respect, the point is that the part was a non-performance-enhancing part & the protest was pedantic, but was upheld because of what the rule said - precisely the issue at stake here.

And it had a massive impact on the sport - precisely what we're trying to avoid happening again.

I agree it was a non-performance-enhancing part & he was robbed, but what irks me is that it is always reffered to as "bolts instead of rivets" which makes it sound much worse than it was.
It is far more damaging for the sport to have potential members believe that they will be banned for replacing non standard bolts. This exagerated chinese whisper also brings on other questions like, "what if I use an aftermarket sprocket" & "what colour plastics can I use"

The options seem to be either of the following:

1) Delete the rule altogether (with nothing in its place)
2) Replace it w a rule banning low-boy pipes only
3) Reword the original rule to read something like,
      "Exhausts may be modifed but must generally follow the lines of pipes
       available in the era"


I like option 3 best JC
Option 1 would be my next choice.
I don't think option 2 would work. We we both know what a low-boy pipe is but it is also a vague term & some dickhead in years to come what turn it into "down pipes a banned"

Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Freakshow on September 17, 2008, 11:59:04 pm
Under or over it still a pipe. Period.

All moms should say is it has a silencer  :D
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 18, 2008, 07:12:36 am
In what year was the Northam Nats Yammiefan? I can go back to the '91 Nats at Dargle where a Metisse with a post 65 CZ hub won the class. He won again at Ravenswood the following year after being examined by legendary tough scrutineer Peter Drakeford who wouldn't have let something like that through if it wasn't kosher. I'm almost certain that the hub requirements for pre '65 have remained unchanged since the eligibility table was introduced to MoMs in around 1995.
See what you've started with this pipe thing Brian??  ;D

Quote
Sometimes your ignorance astounds me Freaky.   
Priceless ;D
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: JC on September 18, 2008, 08:44:01 am
Yeh, point taken GMC. I was just trying to keep the discussion on the topic at hand, rather than on tangents. Didn't mean to take a 'snipe' at you tho.

I like Option 3 (rewording) best too. Likewise, Option 1 next.

Like you said previously, you can't outlaw fatty-pipes cos at what point do they become fat. I take yr point about low-boy pipes too. I was trying to incorporate the general consensus view which seems to be that low-boy pipes are inappropriate to the era.

Fill in that little post back rule change thing that comes in the MOms

Until somebody does that (or similar) this whole discussion is all-but futile
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Freakshow on September 18, 2008, 09:26:49 am
Sometimes your ignorance astounds me Freaky.  :o
meH Why ?

if they only need to meet this db thats the only thing required.   i dont understand what all the fuss is about with all the pipe crap.    WHo give a shit about it being under or over ? im not sure why you ladies are still to coin a phrase "dragging it out "  Both where available so who care you cant exclude abike just because some 70's brouchure your mum has shows it with one style of pipe, thats ignorance a it highers level.

Pipes a pipe, low boy, high boy. mummies boy who cares this is getting stale.

Can someone DEFine low- boy ?  cause if your just generalising on a under pipe thats horse shit right there.  Why would you say thats in anppropriate or are you just reffering to some kinda specific version ?
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 18, 2008, 10:35:42 am
Quote
i dont understand what all the fuss is about with all the pipe crap.
Freaky, once again you go off on a rant, knowing forkall about what you are discussing. If you had followed the thread on this and the BigKs Husky topic you would know that the MoMs definition of what is allowable is totally inadequate. The fuss is to create intelligent debate and offer up alternative wording or interpretation to prevent some future pedantic troublemaker from protesting a legitimate bike out of a rightful win.

Quote
if they only need to meet this db thats the only thing required
This shows your ignorance of the subject. Being a newbie, sometimes it's better to shut up and learn from people who 1:have been around a bit longer than you, 2: Know what they are talking about, 3:can put up an intelligent, well structured argument and offer an alternative view and 4:Can put a post together with few if any spelling, grammar and syntax errors, something beyond your reach.  ;)
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mx250 on September 18, 2008, 10:49:30 am
There goes the neighbourhood ::),

(http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/nn458/mx250syd/bomb.jpg) ;D ;D

I'm not taking sides, I'm not taking sides, I'm not taking sides ;)
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: husky61 on September 18, 2008, 11:15:36 am
Tengan cuidado

Hay un oso en el bosque y el chico que está fastidiado
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: matcho mick on September 18, 2008, 11:37:38 am
keh? ;D
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 18, 2008, 11:42:03 am
Sí Shoey. ;D
Este tonto de freakshow se pone me enoja.
Penso con mucha ilusión en el Vinduro! Salute....Marco Grande
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: vandy010 on September 18, 2008, 12:07:01 pm
and again in french!

pizza pasta le perfum'e eh carbona'ra iffel tower !
Bonjour!
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: RIBBO on September 18, 2008, 12:38:11 pm
So Firko is the Spanish some left over from the Lobito
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: husky61 on September 18, 2008, 12:58:06 pm
Sí Marko

Entiendo la frustración.

Haré todo lo posible en la Vinduro como mi rodilla se siente mucho mejor.


Salute

Shoey
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 18, 2008, 01:09:12 pm
Shoey..... Me alegro la rodilla está bien. Vendré y echaré un vistazo otra vez pero busco mediados de los años 80 ATK durante el próximo año.
Estoy cansado de esto dickhead y su ortografía pobre, gramática mala e inhabilidad de entender el sentido común.

¡Ribbo, esto no es un terminado izquierdo del Lobito, esto es demasiado alimento mejicano cuándo yo era joven!
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mx250 on September 18, 2008, 01:23:21 pm
Spanish, French ??? ::)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l187/mx250a/9ab2_2-1.jpg)
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: husky61 on September 18, 2008, 01:23:56 pm
Marco

Esperamos verlo a usted allí.

Shoey
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: husky61 on September 18, 2008, 01:25:38 pm
MX-250

 Si , Spanish amigo

Shoey
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 18, 2008, 01:27:51 pm
No hay problema Sr Shoey........Senor Graeme, Espanol ;)
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Freakshow on September 18, 2008, 01:42:41 pm
Quote
i dont understand what all the fuss is about with all the pipe crap.
Freaky, once again you go off on a rant, knowing forkall about what you are discussing. If you had followed the thread on this and the BigKs Husky topic you would know that the MoMs definition of what is allowable is totally inadequate. The fuss is to create intelligent debate and offer up alternative wording or interpretation to prevent some future pedantic troublemaker from protesting a legitimate bike out of a rightful win.

Quote
if they only need to meet this db thats the only thing required
This shows your ignorance of the subject.   ;)

Whatever Dude....... i followed the "debate" from the first line so i understand whats going on here, learn to do your research you posted about 6th in this thread and i was 7th,  and if you bothered to read it back then you would see as much as it pains me to say it agreed with yours and the prevoius 6 opinions posted.   Maybe you dont get what the other Half the forum members think or even care cause its not what you want to hear ( all bow to me),  im just offering up an opinion and probally that of others which is what the "debate' asked for, but for some reason you always feel the need to muscle in and be some kind of control freak, thriving on putting others down, yet again, if they dont subscirbe to the world according you.   Your Newbie remark is offensive and goes to show your ignorance and immaturity  >:(

What if i reword my point for your old brain so it can come up to speed ?   My point was to say stop pissing about with rules, modifying rules, highlighting them etc etc, Just delete it.  stop wasting your time trying to reword a dead item.  if it pre 75 its all fair on pipes get it changed to that, if your the guru rule maker.  

Unfortunately this forum Albiet set up for MX, seems to slant rules in that genre, unfortunatley what many fail to remember is its knock on effect in Dt as well cause they are stacked in the moms together, unfortunatley lumped under the same rule every time you  piss about with it in mx, it can be detrimental to other disciplines.    And you know in 2 years time ,some one in MA will delete a section to save paper and the whole context changes again ( which has happened ) and then it starts all over again.

Forget the lines - up and over/ under debate.    The debate should only be ensure the rule states one basic  thing, 'any pre 75 exhaust can be any thing and any lines you dam well please so long as it was available prior to 75 or what ever you cut off is'.      

IF i want to put a low down on my MXA as a Dtracker i shouldnt have to worry about some dumb arse rule that now may be altered again and again to "must follow originals lines" or versions of the same,  other wise whats next we ban your mates purple bling bike cause it wasnt sold in that colour originally ?  And as you have freely admitted your self your bikes have been far from correct and illegal at many times, so why wouldnt you be voiceing to delete the pipe rule in its entirity to ensure open competition for all and showcase the evolution of the sport to encompase all that the era had to offer, not just the bits some visually like as a personal preferance, its not a museum or a brouchure competition.

Dont Waste your time trying to rewrite it cause the next version will be just as retarded, the rule is old, just delete the thing.   The more you stir it up chances it again being reworded wrong and highlighting it just made it a point for the next titles for someone to protest.  

Y para usted sen~or Firko porque no tienes los huevos para dirigir tus cojudeces directamente a mi en Ingles envez de ser un maricon y escribir sin cara.  Pd yo usere mi gramatica en la forma que me de la puta gana.   :-*
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Freakshow on September 18, 2008, 03:51:03 pm
Dont worry Ross,  by 8pm tonight all the idlers will have weighed in for browny points, so you can have a good laugh then. 

Basically translated he says im an idiot and a dickhead,  wanky i agree and have no idea why rant and insult in another tougue,  guess us low lifes couldnt possibly speak other languages could we  ::)
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Hoony on September 18, 2008, 03:54:37 pm
Phuck, site has been hacked again, not by the Turks , this time by the tapas munching Barcelona Paella Boys.

Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 18, 2008, 04:16:51 pm
I do indeed have the balls to say what I think of you in English. Freakshow. I called you a tool and told Shoey that you annoy me. I knew you'd look it up.  ;) That' OK, you don't like me but please don't confuse me with someone who gives a toss. My friends and loved one like me, that's all I need.....

Now that that the formalities are out of the way, I'd fully expect half of the forum to disagree with what I have to say, I'm fine with that. That's democracy in action and that's what debate is about. I'd be a little disapointed if it was any other way. Remember though, that if half disagree with me, the others must agree :) I didn't start this thread and have only added my ideas, as have a number of other forum members. It's not me calling the shots here, I'm just agreeing or disagreeing with other points of view and contributing my own slant on it. I may not always be right but I've got as much a right to an opinion as you "dude".
 
If the newbie remark offended you, so be it. If you want to be treated seriously, contribute sensible argument and don't ask dumb questions. There's no problem with newcomers asking questions, but for a bloke who's so into these bikes your knowledge base is strangely basic. Many forum regulars have a great old head shake at some of your questions and statements. So, you don't like being called a newbie?? Well stop acting like one. Everybody is a newbie at some time, but the key to any new person getting on in any sport, job or activity is to listen to people who've been there and done it before you. Who knows Freaky, some of it may just sink in.

As far as your spelling and grammar, you have proved in the past that you can actually put a post together that's articulate but you continue to post badly produced crap. That my friend is an insult to all that have to read your rubbish. If you can't take the time to produce a well spelt and thought out post, why should we be burdened with trying to work out what you're trying to say? It demonstrates a pure lack of respect for your reader. That Freaky is what gets up my nose. If you hadn't produced good stuff in the past, I'd put it down to dyslexia or that you jigged school during the English lessons and ignore it but the laziness in your posts is an insult to other forum readers.

Now..to the subject at hand. If the pipe rule was removed wholly it would leave it to open slather and before long there would be all sorts of non period and visually inapropriate pipes that would detract from the period integrity of what our sport is about. I see the vintage movement as celebrating various periods in motocross (or dirt track) history and by allowing open slather on pipes, which are a visually prominent part of the bike, we'd lose much of the unique look of bikes of the period.
I like the following excerpt from the AHRMA handbook covering pipes..........

"Any replacement of the original expansion chamber must be of period design, with only two cones maximum of constant angle. The center section must be of constant diameter and the head pipe must be of constant diameter until it meets the opening cone. Fitting a more modern expansion chamber will move the machine to the Sportsman class".
Perhaps we could change that last paragraph to "Fitting a more modern expansion chamber will move the machine to the next division eg pre 75 up to pre '78".
" It's not perfect but it gives us a basis to work from.
Quote
The debate should only be ensure the rule states one basic  thing, any pre 75 exhaust can be any thing and any lines you dam well please so long as it was available prior to 75 or what ever you cut off is.
I agree, that's what I've been saying all along. The following excerpt from the AHRMA handbook covers it, in my opinion. By all means use a fat pipe but you'd better have some sort of photographic evidence that the design was around prior to 1975.
"No major components may be later than 1974 (i.e., frame, forks, engine, gearbox, wheels, etc.) The burden of authenticating is on the rider. Press clippings and photos with identifiable dates may be helpful. Period modifications are allowed on all standard legal frames. However, no parts of later-period frames may be used for those modifications".

......The Spanish was a bit of a wank but Shoey and I were having a bit of fun with each other...It's an old private joke and maybe we shouldn't have burdened you all with it. I enjoyed the opportunity to drag out some old backpacker Spanish though.










Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Freakshow on September 18, 2008, 04:54:51 pm
thats fine, I didnt need to look it up ol chum. 

To clear up your other point its not that i dont like you, i just dont like your ego, you need to use it more wisely.   And your right, who cares,  i realise that is how you feel about me so what and im not recruiting for freinds ATM so you'll have to wait.

OLD or new we can all learn, and to think you have more than anyone to contribute well refer point 1,  some of your stuff is right but i have seen many of your  guesswork in comment and in a few cases just plain wrong or miss-informed, but i dont feel the need to correct you.

i dont mind you disagreeing with me or anyone else but that still dont excuse the way you try to intimidate or stand over forum members in the way you do, and your direct comments at me above i think are just rude and arrogant, but hey thats you, but dont expect a free ride when you do. Your other comment didnt piss me off,  but i felt it would alienate newbies to racing full stop, not just so called newbie forum members like me as you put it, you really are so short sighted.

Like you Im happy to listen and soak it in when i think someone is right and has valuable information, lets just say im choosey.....

Anyway thats old crap, back on the topic.

So I still say delete it, so long as its not some ring a ding a ding expansion chamber on some pre 65 unit, its a no contest. 

The referance to visually appropriate is , well to say the least opinion and hard to quantify, as i indicated before i would find Bike bling and paint more offensive than a pipe so what class does that move up to ?  Period Rules can only be based on measureable items and technology dates, surely the rest as you say with the Twin tube cheney means squat when even if you have all the paperwork under the sun, someone who thinks they know more still makes the decision if its in or out.  IF you open it up every one can see the limits and the spirit for which it is intended.

Your going to make it even more complicate by even talking about cones and diffusers, do you want to make it even more retarded and hard to understand and enforce ? 

Keep it simple  - if you could buy it - you can ride it, up or down.  Case Closed.    anything else is just rivett and nuts. ;D

Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 18, 2008, 05:22:04 pm
I guess I'm not invited to the housewarming.  :'(
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mboddy on September 18, 2008, 07:41:42 pm
So can I paint the pipe on my IT pink?
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mx250 on September 18, 2008, 08:07:09 pm
So can I paint the pipe on my IT pink?
Is it Period Pink or Floro Punk Pink? ;D
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: micks on September 18, 2008, 09:49:14 pm
mark are you painting the pipe pink for breast cancer? because it is ok by me.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: TC91 on September 18, 2008, 11:27:01 pm
For forks sake you blokes, If you are going to build a pre 75 for eg race bike make it suitable. The basic idea ( in my mind anyway ) of vintage racing is to ride and enjoy these old bikes for what they are. Sure modify them for your own personel tastes, reliability or rideability etc because that lets you enjoy them. If you need to go to the expense, time and effort to make a modern fatty or whatever pipe to gain that 1 sec per lap you are in the wrong sport. Keep good tyres on it, get the brakes and suspension working efficiently and it will be more fun anyway. I have been in vmx racing since its inception and one major fact always stands out, egos and vmx dont last. I have had some very intense races with a top vmxer who I know uses a 75 frame with the suspension points changed to 74 standards. It doesnt make any difference to me because I couldnt beat him when he used the 74 frame(before he twisted it like a shoelace ) and  if I beat him it was because I rode better not because I protested him out
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mboddy on September 19, 2008, 07:36:38 am
Delete the stupid rule.
And if someone does fit a fatty to their YZA like in that issue of VMX magazine then we can all tell him what a wanker he is.
Just don't change the rules to ban the readily available pipes.
My IT400D pipe was very rusty and looked like it had been used as a hockey stick.
GMC didn't have time to make me a pipe and so I just bought a DG online from Dirt Overstock.
Don't stuff with the rules and end up banning these DG pipes.
You'll just be pissing a lot of people off for the sake of asthetics.
 
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: mx250 on September 19, 2008, 08:20:50 am
Delete the stupid rule.
And if someone does fit a fatty to their YZA like in that issue of VMX magazine then we can all tell him what a wanker he is.
Just don't change the rules to ban the readily available pipes.
My IT400D pipe was very rusty and looked like it had been used as a hockey stick.
GMC didn't have time to make me a pipe and so I just bought a DG online from Dirt Overstock.
Don't stuff with the rules and end up banning these DG pipes.
You'll just be pissing a lot of people off for the sake of asthetics.
 
Settle down Mark, my udnerstanding is your bike and the DG's would meet the current rules ;) ;D.

They would also meet the AHMRA's rule that Firko threw up....

"Any replacement of the original expansion chamber must be of period design, with only two cones maximum of constant angle. The center section must be of constant diameter and the head pipe must be of constant diameter until it meets the opening cone. Fitting a more modern expansion chamber will move the machine to the Sportsman class".I like it. Some won't. And some will have to change their pipe to comply.

From what I can make out there is no easy answer but I like DJ's approach and a rule along the lines...

"A bike representative of the period and with the major components from the period, and accepted as eligible by the majority of competitors in the class at the event".


(I can see the downside to such a rule. But then I can see all the rules and rule changes have a downside. 'Ya can't please all the people all the time'.)

I'm mucking with building a Hallman Replica....
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l187/mx250a/71_YZ250_mod_6_1280.jpg)

I'm doing it out of interest, challenge, to 'use up' some accumulated 'junk' and to have something different. And also have a little bit of history that underinformed plebs can look at and say 'Wow, '70's works bikes looked like that?'

But I would like also to take it for a run every now and then. Would it be accepted? '75 DT frame (cut about and modded), '76 rear hub, 76 tank etc etc. I would like rules that would allow for such 'liberties' ;) :)
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: GMC on September 19, 2008, 09:13:27 am

I like the following excerpt from the AHRMA handbook covering pipes..........

"Any replacement of the original expansion chamber must be of period design, with only two cones maximum of constant angle. The center section must be of constant diameter and the head pipe must be of constant diameter until it meets the opening cone. Fitting a more modern expansion chamber will move the machine to the Sportsman class".

Allthough I stand to be corrected here, the class that this refers to in the USA also outlaws Japanese brands. Elsinores, etc must run in the sportsman class.
The basic pipe as above is typical of a European pipe but not a Jap pipe. A lot of Jap bikes were running tapered headers & multi stage diffuser cone's pre 75, so again we have another grey area.
I think even Bultacos had differing angles in their chambers.
The Exhaust rule in question at the moment covers all classes, not just pre 75, so to use something like this would require an exhaust rule for every era.
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: firko on September 19, 2008, 01:17:44 pm
Quote
"18.3.0.4 "Exhaust may be modified but must generally follow original lines."
I guess most of us agree that the above stanza just doesn't work, no matter what slant is put on it. It creates more problems than it solves. We all also agree that there were numerous different aftermarket pipe concepts available to the race during the pre '75 period and that the above excerpt fails to recognise that. I've been trying to figure out a way of rewording it in a way that covers all the relevent issues but no matter what I wrote, it didn't work for whatever reason.
With that in mind I think it's probably the best option to remove it altogether and regulate exhaust along with all other major components under rule 14.2.1.4 "the onus of proof of eligibility rests with the owner and/or rider/entrant." I'd enlarge that short sentence by including something similar to the AHRMA reg that covers the same point..........
No major components may be later than 1974 (i.e., frame, forks, engine, gearbox, wheels, etc.) The burden of authenticating is on the rider. Press clippings and photos with identifiable dates may be helpful. Period modifications are allowed on all standard legal frames. However, no parts of later-period frames may be used for those modifications

If a racer feels the need to use a so-called fat pipe or modern appearing pipe he would have to furnish some sort of written or photographic proof that the pipe is indeed a pre '75 inspired item. Like I've said elsewhere, nobody has really worried about this in the past and I've rarely seen a pipe that offends my sense of pre '75 purity so removing the rule altogether should have no effect whatsoever. My head hurts ;) I'm going to Singapore next week to watch the first night F1 race. I bet they don't have these rule problems!
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Tony T on September 19, 2008, 01:22:11 pm
I bet they don't have these rule problems!

I bet they do............. they just have legal teams to sort it all out...................  :-\
Don't think we want to go down that path..................  ;)

Enjoy the 'show' Mark.
I'll watch on the telly.................
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: GMC on September 19, 2008, 09:18:56 pm
See poll, "an exhausting question".



Doesn't F1 have restrictions on how much you can practice?
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: TC91 on September 19, 2008, 09:59:09 pm
Hi Oldschool, thanks for enquiring about dad, he is going well, nearly 12 month since his accident and he is walking under his own steam again. Doctor says he should be using walking sticks but dad says he hasn't got time for those useless things, they only slow him down.He tell me he will ride again but for christs sake not to tell your mother! I dont know whats tougher his body or his mind. Regarding the pipes crap, I am in vmx for the bikes, the competition, the beer and the harmless bullshit that goes with it so I suppose I have a simplistic view of things, people who pick the flyshit out of the pepper in the rules give me the shits
Title: Re: concerning pipes that do not basically follow the original design
Post by: Freakshow on September 21, 2008, 11:06:18 pm
so after going full circle. is someone actually going to speak to ross or send in a rule amend to MA to get this deleted Etc .  or was this just another endless debate ?