YZ360B model years?

[Momus]

Were YZ360B's sold here in 1975, as well as 1974, making them Pre78 elegible?

[Brian Watson]

I am sure they were sold here in 1975... but..I would say not eligible for pre 78.....as they are not the 1975/76/77 model bikes.. the MXB's are..remember it is not about when they were sold ..or manufactured ..it is about the model.. and a YZB is a 74 model bike ( available late in 1973 in some places).... and a MXB is a 75 model bike..etc

[HeavenVMX]

The interpretation we were given a few years ago is that the YZ250/360B is an Australian '74 model even though you could still purchase them in '75 (I believe all were produced in 1974). The MOMS indicates that as they are a '74 model and Pre75 legal they are not eligible for Pre78 ('75-'77 models only).

This means that if you are not prepared to restrict the suspension travel to 7/4" you can not race them in Aust.

In the US they are determined to be '75 model.

[BSA-B5]

In 1974 , I was racing in South Australia at easter at Acuca Park and Keith, the YZ 250 B and YZ360 B where at pitman motorcycle shop on show for sale, I personally was looking at them on the saturday, Dave Bashman, Trevor Flood where racing them, YZ250 A model where on sale in 1973 on for one year only, as where the B models where on sale in 1974 for only one year. In 1975 the MX B model where available to the public.

[Rossvickicampbell]

correct - not 73 Watto 74 model - hence pre 75 with suspension restrictions.  And correct - if you don't want to restrict suspension no class to ride them in.

[BSA-B5]

If you where to up grade the YZ B shocks to much longer travel front and rear, then you could ride it in pre 78 classes, but not pre75, if that was the bike
and era that you wanted to race in.

[Rossvickicampbell]

not according to the current rules which specify pre 78 as 75, 76 and 77 models ONLY - as the B is classed as 74 you ride pre 75 or nothing.  And anyway - as good as I think the B is - racing against Maico 400s and Suzuki RMs is a bit of a push.

[micko]

This is an old post from Firko

 Back in the early 90's a guy named Jody Mason took our governing body, Motorcycling Australia to task over not being allowed to race his YZB in pre '75. He argued that as the YZB was designated by the Yamaha factory to be a 1974 model he was within his rights ro race his bike as long as the 7" and 4" suspension travel criteria was adhered to. He used the '74 Maico as an example of a bike with too much susprension in stock trim being allowed to race as long as the rear suspension was retro modified back to 4" of travel.
After verification from Yamaha and submissions from racers who raced B models in 1974, Motorcycling Australia very reluctantly had no choice but to allow the YZ 250/360B to compete in pre '75 vintage motocross and dirt track. Ironically Mason never raced his Yamaha YZ250B and soon left the sport. Since that decision was made, a small number of YZB's have from time to time competed but to my knowledge none have shown to have any advantage over any conventionally twin shocked bikes.
This was an extremely controversial situation at the time with many, including myself declaring that allowing the 'B' to compete in pre '75 would cause all sorts of problems but now, nearly 20 years later it's seen that allowing the YZB in had little or no effect on the integrity of the class

[Rossvickicampbell]

actually - contrary to Richo's comment - - only 1400 or so were ever made - therefore they are fairly rare and many converted to flat track in the US - however WA appears to be an anomaly to the number of bikes there.

[GO49NC]

How many of these were Australian delivered though.There wasn't many back in 74.KB 171 nows the number Millage brought in

[Davey Crocket]

That's the stupid thing about Pre78 rules, only allowing models designated 75/76/77 to compete.....if someone doesn't want to restrict there rear suspension travel then they should be allowed to ride in that class. This applies to a few models...Husky Mag etc and to Pre75 bikes that have had the rear suspension altered for more travel [and front]. No wonder MA is in turmoil.

[Gippslander]

 notice somebody above said that you can't race a  pre-75 bike in pre-78 –  not quite correct –you can if you're a girl
 by my recollection of the rules – happy to be corrected though

[Rossvickicampbell]

I might modify my bike to go pre 78 - sorry pull stumps at modifying the body though

[GO49NC]

Micko, Firko's old post is true except that I did race it a couple of times but sold it to a collector who was very keen for it.At the time in 91, there was a few B models being done up for racing.Gary Jensen in south oz raced his and Robbie Dick had one on the go.So.... there was others who wanted to ride them.As we know they were a successful bike in Australia in 74 but compared to the new models in 75 (MX400B) it wasn't long until they were dated.I do have a 360B and have ridden it at the bonanza a few times, and enjoy it in its original trim.I don't know if I would reduce the travel to race mx,just stick to racing dirt track.Maybe pre 75  should have been pre 74 in Australia.Jody

[HeavenVMX]

notice somebody above said that you can't race a  pre-75 bike in pre-78 –  not quite correct –you can if you're a girl
 by my recollection of the rules – happy to be corrected though

We stand corrected. The ladies class at National level is open to all Pre78 and earlier machines as is the case for Super Senior, which effectively ruled out early bikes for those classes as uncompetitive (that is an observation not a criticism) given that a great Pre78 bike is always going to be more competitive than a Pre75 or Pre70 given equal riders.