rare Mexicans.

[firko]

Here's a couple of rare trials bikes a mate's just landed from the USA. GRM, made in Mexico.
                               
                   

[Moto]

Have a look at the size of that sprocket!! it must have road racer ratios in the gearbox.I don't think that muffler is going to look too good after the sprocket gets hold of it.
 A nice rare oddity just the same.

[frostype400]

Very unique good to see alot of rare and unusual bikes coming to aus thanks Michael.

[mx250]

......and there was I thinking a rare Mexican was a Victorian who was sober and who could ride straight............

[albrid-3]

They look good, l wonder if they handle well.

[firko]

Apparently the handling was the best part about them Dave. They were devdeloped by an American trials rider called Bill Grapevine and made by Moto Islo in Mexico. Apparently they are a bit heavy but the engine is similar to a Cooper motocrosser and is rock solid. One of the bikes will be restored and the other sold off. Jonesy and I will hit a few twin shock trials events once he comes to grips with going so slow and I get the Maico sorted. I like the look of the bike, a bit Montesa Cota-ish.

GRM stands for "Grapevine Racing Motors". The bikes were designed by American trials pioneer Bill Grapevine. Bill was an early trials enthusiast involved with the introduction of trials in the USA in the 1960's. Mr. Grapevine contracted with the Moto-Islo motorcycle company in Mexico to build 1575 bikes from 1971-1975. Moto-Islo went out of business in 1980 and parts are difficult to come by. Sadly, Bill Grapevine passed away last month.

http://www.joe250.com/motorcycles/grm/grmrestoration.html
http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://bmccny.homestead.com/files/grm2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://bmccny.homestead.com/ProjectBikePages.html&usg=__-9ymvtB5HUUQjzLmgqDR8zk9BQ4=&h=324&w=432&sz=81&hl=en&start=7&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=rBurQe-sP1nWrM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3DGRM%2BMOTORCYCLES%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1W1GGLG_en%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

[BJJ]

Thanks Firko,  this is great stuff!

[albrid-3]

Mark it is a bit montesa, l didn`t realise that you are keen on trials, what would you recommend in a twinshock trial bike.

[firko]

Don't know if keen is the word Dave. I've got my Maico trials biike and a basket case TY250 so once I've dropped a cfew more pounds I'll get some practice on the things and then have a go at a couple of low key twin shock events. I'm probably not the right bloke to ask for advice but for what it's worth, based on trials riders opinions and looking at thr results of local events, the Yamaha TY175 seems so be a good choice.

[albrid-3]

I have owned KT 250, and loved the whole bike bought it new, ridden the TY 250 and TY 175, Liked the 175, I do like the Montesa Cota 200, and the Honda TLR 250. and tl 125. But l can`t make up my mind. Thanks mark for your opinion.

[firko]

Here's some shots of the actual two GRMs we've bought into the country. The best parts from both bikes will be combines for the 'keeper' and the remaining parts put together for the 'seller'. Both bikes are in good order, one of them only has missing forks and front wheel. The engines were removed for shipping. Both of the bikes are in great nick and won't need much resto. They will be tidied up a bit and the mechanicals sorted.....that's all.
 It'll be interesting to see the reaction at the first twin shock trials event we show up to with these and my Maico.