The definitive best pre 74 250 thread

[74yza]

Slake,  Glad you asked about the airbox - stock they are a pain in the ass but I am using a 75 mx250b plastic 2 sided airbox  bolted right up to the stock YZA frame mounts and fits like a glove ! Firko -You are right regarding the Honda , the cr250 was brought out in 73 and it was very affordable and in 74 the YZA shows up in limited quantitys at almost twice the price hence the reason CR's are and were more popular. 

[Slakewell]

I used to remove the rear wheel and inner guard to change (clean) mine. 

[jerry]

The thing about the early 70's bikes was that it was obvious where they were made and how they captured the personality of that particular country. A clear example is the Spanish trio. Colourful (think Phantom purple and orange!!), flashy and sometimes unreliable. Swedish steel. Staid, conservative, well engineered a bit bland maybe but did the job. Etc, etc, etc. For mine the era ended with the advent of plastic tanks. Cheers Jerry

[firko]

One of my favourite pre '75 250's is the stunning looking '72 Yamaha DT2MX. This was Yamaha's first purebred motocross bike not based of an existing trailbike and while it wasn't quite good enough to knock over the Euros and have the punters tripping over themselves to buy them, it was a great stepping stone for the not that far off YZA models. The DT2MX featured a finish the Euros could only dream about and a great engine that was unfortunately tied into a frame that didn't quite cut it in the handling and suspension stakes. Today, with the exception of the YZ360A and OW works bikes, the DT2MX and its 360cc RT2MX brother are the rarest of Yamahas motocross lineup.
I've bought two in from the USA recent times but sold one to Dave Alsop who soon sold it on again. Regretting that decision I recently bought another roughie for $200 out of Sanfrancisco which is currently on its way. Since that I've bought a tank, side panels and graphics kit. I'll wait until it gets here to see what else is needed. The guy who sold me the tank specialises in DT2MX restos and he's told me he'll help out with supplying the annoying little things that invariably make proper restoration so frustrating. I had intended to strip this bike for parts for my specials but my fellow 'good'ol boys' have convinced me that it's too complete and rare to chop up. So, despite my wish never to get involved in any more ground up perfect restos, this is about to become my long term "other resto''....the bike I'll work on when bored with the main interest bikes.

Below, the DT2MX I bought for $300 from the Arizona desert and sold to Dave Alsop who then sold it on again

The DT2MX currently on its way is better than it looks. It actually runs and most of the fidly bits are in a box with it.

[09.0]

Ossa Phantom, for the looks alone.
Supposed to be a very good thing to ride, but I wouldn't know...

When I get mine restored it will be up for test rides.

FWIW my top 3;

74 Mag Husky
MK 5/6/7/ Bully.
74 Ossa Phantom.

I would want a friend to own the Ossa, because I could get a ride one of the most beautiful motocross machines ever created now and then, but wouldn't have to worry about replacement parts.

Ossa World is a one stop shop for ALL Ossa parts. From piston kits to rod kits to replacement everything. They even do a replacement fuel cap and original lever assy's. It will be very easy to maintain.

[jerry]

Dont forget Steve Eastham in Melbourne for Ossa fibreglass tanks, guards, badges, fuel caps and upholstery. Excellent quality and value. He's also a good bloke and a font of Ossa know how. Cheers Jerry

[09.0]

Dont forget Steve Eastham in Melbourne for Ossa fibreglass tanks, guards, badges, fuel caps and upholstery. Excellent quality and value. He's also a good bloke and a font of Ossa know how. Cheers Jerry

Good to know Jerry. Can I have a contact number please?

[crankpin]

Ossa World is a one stop shop for ALL Ossa parts. From piston kits to rod kits to replacement everything. They even do a replacement fuel cap and original lever assy's. It will be very easy to maintain.

I might have to re-shuffle my top 3.

[jimg1au]

Quote from: jerry on Yesterday at 04:52:41 PM

(Dont forget Steve Eastham in Melbourne for Ossa fibreglass tanks, guards, badges, fuel caps and upholstery. Excellent quality and value. He's also a good bloke and a font of Ossa know how. Cheers Jerry

Good to know Jerry. Can I have a contact number please?)


we have our own ossa expert in fiberglas and he also races them matcho mick

[jerry]

Stephen Eastham 18 Bourke Road Mt Evelyn Vic 03 97361958

[mx250]

Note the LTR suspension - 1973 .



http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/asp/classics/bike.asp?id=96

[firko]

Note the LTR suspension - 1973 .

Like most works bikes, this Honda would have been a rolling laboratory for improvements and ideas. The bike might have started life in 1973 but I'd reckon those Maicoesque suspension mods wouldn't have appeared until 1974. The photo below, taken from the same source as the above shot, shows Gary Jones on the bike with more conventional suspension settings.

[mx250]

When did Maico go LTR? - first event?

[JC]

Notice that the engine in that LTR RC is very diff to prod'n CR - at least the bottom end is.

[jimg1au]

looks like a much different clutch on the works cr250