Tardy intro...

[pmcburney]

After having already started a couple of threads without introducing myself, I thought it prudent to do so.
Better late than never?


I'm Paul from SE Queensland and I've only recently gotten into the VMX scene even though I've had a bike for a couple of years.

I was (strongly) encouraged to buy a bike from eBay by a mate of mine. He wanted to grab it, but a lack of finance at the time was his downfall (I don't know why he thought I could buy it...).

Long story short, I won myself a very tatty '81 KTM 495.

It was pretty much all there and came with some spares, but it was very tired and in need of a complete restoration.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that parts were fairly easy to find and not too expensive. Plus the likes of Andre and Flash and Mr Lewis (thanks for the beautiful pipe Brad) and their dedication to old Austrian Combine Harvesters meant that I found everything I needed fairly quickly.

So, after two years I went from this:





To this:







Just received my race number (M36) so I'll be doing the full QVMX season this year (including the Championship) as long as my separated shoulder holds out, and I'm booked in for CD8 all weekend as well.

Feel free to have a chat if you see me in the pits, especially if you're a (now) Kato tragic like myself, and I'll try not to get in your way on the track.

And I reserve the right to keep picking brains here on this forum - I reckon I still have a crapload to learn.


Cheers
Paul

[Hoony]

welcome ! nice bike the "Great White" 81' 495.  love that era of KTM.

[DR]

The Katoom is a credit to you Paul. I'll bet your mate who put you onto it is spitting even moreso when he looks at the bike now. He may not show it outwardly but eh, it must hurt Cheers

[pmcburney]

The Katoom is a credit to you Paul. I'll bet your mate who put you onto it is spitting even moreso when he looks at the bike now. He may not show it outwardly but eh, it must hurt Cheers

Well, I dunno. He has enough projects of his own (he's a Husky tragic).


He always comments about how clean it is every time he sees it.

I never tell him how much I had to spend to get it like that though...

[oldfart]

Looks like pic is taken next to dunny block at Connondale    what a sweet looking resto you have there Paul.

[VMX247]

Looks like pic is taken next to dunny block at Connondale    what a sweet looking resto you have there Paul.

Hey someone's nicked all the fire wood   

Very tidy bike ..enjoy pmcburney,you have some wonderful country to vmx explore !! 
cheers A

[pmcburney]

Looks like pic is taken next to dunny block at Connondale    what a sweet looking resto you have there Paul.

Thanks for the kudos.


Yep, that's the Conondale dunny block in the background.

The pics were taken at last year's Conondale Classic.
I managed to compete in my first race  - I managed to not fall off.

I didn't come first, however, but I didn't come last.
Hopefully the rest of the year will pan out the same...