What about "cartridge valve emulators". I run '83 tls,43mm forks on 1980 Evo bike and it is a lot easier to ride. I don't run these cartridge valve emulators, which I hear are worth every cent. I am mostly thinking, what the hell,who really cares- BUT ,they were not available in the day and favour the cashed up types-though as GMC said it will probably not affect the placings in a race, but it does ,to some degree, affect those who cannot afford them, say. From a competition point of view, I think one of the biggest issues is age grouping- but here too, if we are struggling for numbers, and lap scorers for that matter, it could be difficult to implement. I think this is more important at the big turn-out meetings.
I have heard argument that the "cartridge valve emulators" are an old design but they weren't very common back then, dunno. I think that if something can make the suspension better without changing the look of the bike then this may help keep riders on the track which will be a good thing for the sport. Banning them however will lead to forks being pulled down at Natioanls & races being won off the track which I beleive would be a bad thing.
If everone has access to them then they can't be an advantage to anyone. Expensive? from what I have heard they are cheaper than a racing licence, cheaper than a GMC pipe even 
Still if you can't afford them, just get some "cartridge" stickers for your forks. Ink cartridge stickers will do. Then start cycling 3 times a week. The guys you used to dice with will be impressed with your new found speed & then spend all their resources searching e-bay for ink cartridge kits for their forks 
No need to apoligise for intellegent input DJ. I like your wording except for the pre 82 bit. I don't see the problem with Evo being open ended, I think some people just like to see everything defined in absolute black & white. Huskys had twin shocks later than 82 & it's not like they dominate the class. The more eligible bikes for a class the better. As it is, the only "late model" bikes that fit evo that I can think off are the Postie bike & Yamaha RT100 & I don't see them destroying the class.
There may even be some other European models that fit evo later than 82???
Just curious too, it seems you New Zealanders are more laid back in your events, which is great, but I imagine you don't actually have a rule book written up??
All our problems seem to stem from double meanings for words / sentences, not the actual intent.
Geoff i think it is fair to say that NZ events are a bit laid back , and there is no National rule book to adhere to .
There are really 3 seperate vintage organisations in NZ , 2 in the north island and one in the south.
The 3 outfits run different classes with the common theme being a pre 86 bike cut off,
and in one case a pre 81 cut off
I think what keeps it simple is that Vintage MX in NZ has
NO affiliation to Motorcycling New Zealand
AND LONG MAY IT REMAIN THAT WAYIts not all beer and skittles though and somone will always try it on with later components , however with no formal rule book and no where to run off and appeal a decision ie MNZ the events are self policing and people generally tow the line.
Also any idividual or group of people can source a suitible piece of land and run an event at any given time and create there own rules and classes for the event.
Iv'e said it before and ill say it again
just because it works here does'nt mean it will work elsewhere.
As an outsider who gets to ride a few of your events, i find them very enjoyable . Particulally the Classic dirt events , the only real advantage i find in NZ is at competition events we seem to get a shit load more track time ie longer races and more of them
