Show us your trail bike

[jady]

The old XR400 takes me everywhere I ask it to, slowly, but lotsa fun. It has taken me all over the Victorian high country without missing a beat.
 
 
Viper in Victoria has an open class for modern bikes, which I entered one time last year after removing all the lights, speedo, etc. The other kids on the starting line laughed at me on my XR. Then proceeded to lap me. 
 

 It was fun, but I don't seem to be able to ride faster than trailriding speed in motocross... guess I need some practice!

cheers Jady

[EML]

Good on you Jady. Who cares if you get lapped, at least you had a ride and that's what it's all about. I'll bet they wont be laughing when they need one of those $3000 rebuilds.
Keep on Hondaring

[firko]

Sadly many of the kids of today think that XR400 is a vintage bike.  I took my '00 KTM EXC 400 last year at Pacific Park a couple of years ago and overheard a young bloke describe it to his mate as a 'sick old vintage bike'.  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I get the same from the kids because my mobile phone is a basic unit and doesn't  even have an inbuilt camera. They think it's funny.

Cool XR though.

[frostype400]

My cousin has a new wr450f he is always telling me how good it is. It was funny to see his face when the big PE was coming up fast on him he couldn't outrun me or do anything my bike couldn't.

You don't need the newest bike to have fun all my mates just assume because my bikes are old they are useless but when the see it on the trails they get a suprise and who cares if it were useless as long as you are having fun.

[BJJ]

Do I get a prize for the sadest bucket of bolts?

[DR]

the TS looks okay to me, just needs a little detail

[TT]

Is that a "Detail by Doc" or one done by us mere mortals? 

By the way, I'd buy it for the headlight. 

[firko]

Hey Tony, I got a NOS Preston Petty headlight, still in the bag and including TWO PP stickers the other day for $40US! There's another one on the Swapmeet right now for $10. They were ugly bloody things when new but I reckon they're kinda pretty now. Sweet TS BTW.

Hey Doc, while I've got you here...I think you've answered this before but what's the difference between  '75 TS 250, '76 TS250 and TM250J engines? I've got all three and we're trying to work out which one will be best in the upcoming flat tracker TM.

Now, resume normal viewing....trail bikes.

[LWC82PE]

NOS yellow PP lights can sell for over $150 US at times.

[TT]

Hey Tony, I got a NOS Preston Petty headlight, still in the bag and including TWO PP stickers the other day for $40US!

I'll give ya 50 for it!
That's 10 bucks profit. Can't say fairer than that. 

[oldskool]

hey billijackjane my pe on the first page must get second prize  and i ride mine every weekend,off to rippleys on sunday out near ipswitch to give the young fellas on there modens a scare(or maybe a laugh )cheers gary

[DR]

Looks to me the mighty TS185 has plastic levers and PP Mudders too!..that is one trick bike with some serious patina you have there Bill! serious! fit a hooker pipe and an era plastic vesco tank and it's the complete deal

Tony, I'd probably just give it a wash and rub back where ever needed, a splash of black, a couple of tank emblems and ride it as is

Firko, I hate to give wrong advice so I'll say this, the later black '76 TS would be the best to hot up due to having a little extra something but I'm not sure if the electrofused barrel could be 'cost effectively' modified....Lozza!

Swap the gear clusters, primary drive and ignition for TM items and retain the TS cases to match the later TS cylinder (the later TS also run a normal 2 bolt rubber push in type carb spigot ala TM which save manufacturing anything). Someone like me takes the easier way and uses the normal '74/'75 TM or TM styled TS bits because there's no chrome bore to worry about but for actual outright HP I'd reckon a modded '76 TS would deliver the most ponies. This is all only if the cylinder could be effectively replated or maybe even rebored to a regualr oversize after the port work. Again, I assume the grand master Loz will know the answers Most of the difference with the 72-75 TM/TS is the early J and K had the pushrod operated clutch setup. Different outer cases and longer selector shaft but the rest is much of a muchness right through. Early exhaust exit angle is different also, a minor issue. Personally I'd use the '74/'75 TM but it depends if you looking or can afford the absolute which dirt track requires.

Another big question here, is the '75/'76 TS a follow or not? same goes for the '76/'77 TS125, are they a follow on or flow on? I really wish I knew for sure.

[firko]

Another big question here, is the '75/'76 TS a follow or not? same goes for the '76/'77 TS125, are they a follow on or flow on?  I really wish I knew for sure.[/quote
]With this bike it's not all that important at present Doc. Neither of us will be riding opens so it'll only be used for club days and the Bonanza. Never say never of course so if it does seem that the bike might get a run at the DT Nats we'll look into it further. Are the engines identical externally? Does the earlier '75 barrell go straight on the '76 bottom end?

[YUMASTEPSIDE]

.......don't see a problem with the old TS bj,I reckon they're great.One of the things that annoys me when young blokes come looking for an " old bike just to ride around the paddock on " is when you show them an old twin shock they say " oh no ! Its gotta have discs and mono shock and water cooled, blah, blah, blah!!!!"  Thats not an old bike to ride around the paddock on ! My scrub bikes an  '89 XR250, I think its the newest bike I own. There's a bloke with a '74 husky sportsman up the road, that he just rides around the farm on, now that would make a sweet traillie   

                          Roger     

[john d]

This is my main trail bike. I have one that's 1 year older , different brand that we are working on now , but this is my first choice for the trail.
Before we restored it in the fall of 2001

First ride after we got it trail worthy spring of 2002

We bumped the engine up 50 CC to make it easier to ride in the mountains in the summer of 2002


In the summer of 2007 we  added a little travel to the suspension for old bones  and rode it at the 2007 ISDTRR here in the states.
 Its still runs well. Hope to get another 10 years out of it .Thats if i can still throw a leg over one  10 years from now.  chuckle chuckle!!!!!!
john d.