TM Bills idea sounds pretty good
I think its been proven that the rules really need to be laid out in black and white. Get it all out so there’s no reading between the lines, no secrecy as what the rules are really trying to say, no assumptions need to be made, no rule bending, no differing interpretations, no ‘just use your own common sense and it will all be ok’ Its been proven time and time again that the rules are not clear enough for EVERYONE and they need to be. People should not have to be contacting MA to ask for clarifications all the time and there should not be differing interpretations.
We could go around in circles for ages but this could be so simple/easy if a 84 model cut off was put on EVO.
So my thoughts on how they could be much clearer could go something like this. If the rules were like this or even worded better I can not see how there ever would be any issues ever again. Even a 5 year old could follow these.
Eligible machines shall be
-Twinshock or non linkage
-Drum braked
-Air cooled – SEE NOTE 1
-1984 or older model cut off
-Reproduction or new custom made frames acceptable but the motor should still be a 1984 model or older.
-No converting linkage rear suspension bikes to twinshock
-No Converting engines that were originally water cooled to be air cooled
-No fitting of major/non consumable components from pre 85 or newer class bikes – SEE NOTE 2
-No follow on models – SEE NOTE 3
1 – I personally would not be against allowing period aftermarket watercooled kits, original or repro or own/custom designed conversion if it was within the spirit/looked right but admit could be hard to police as what looks period to 1 person does not to another. I do have old magazine articles from this period where there was how to articles on doing your own water cooled conversions. I do understand if the majority do not want to see this at all though.
2 - Major/non consumable parts will need to be clarified. I do not really have an issue if someone wants to use OEM grips, pegs or handlebars off a pre 85 bike but components such as forks, wheels, triple clamps, swingarms, seats and tanks should not be used. Leave all the components on those newer class bikes on those bikes. If you really want to ride with those parts then just ride the bike they came off of in pre 85 or ride the Evo Franken bike in pre85 if it has pre85 parts on it.
3 – I think this is the best option unless someone can point out where it would be really hurtful to the class to not allow a particular model as a follow on. I am not up to speed on every single model and how many 1985 or newer models could be a true follow on. I do think though if you really, really want to ride EVO then get an EVO bike that’s clearly 100% EVO. And make it easy for yourself. A 1984 model or older bike that does not have discs/watercooling/linkage is an easy way to go about it!. Theres plenty of options out there. Stop trying to work out ways to get a bike that is not 100% EVO into that class.
Maybe there is room or enough of a demand for another class for people to build specials out of single shocked bikes converted to twinshocks or putting pre 85/pre90 components onto older bikes or whatever, but I don’t think these sorts of bikes represent what EVO is trying to be
But overall I think if you put 1984 year cut off on it, still call the class ‘EVO’ and then everything that has factory discs/linkage/watercooling goes straight to Pre85 it would be so much easier/clearer.