Pre-75 MX 250?

[Tahitian_Red]

I know these questions are subjective, but I just want some feedback. 

I have been thinning the herd recently and it will continue, but I do plan to always have at least one pre-75 250 motocross bike.  Here in the U.S. we are permitted to run some 1975 bikes in our version of pre-75, with some rear suspension mods. Currently I still have a 1974 Ossa Phantom, a 1975 Bultaco Pursang 250 and a 1975 KTM 250MX.  The Pursang is race ready, but the other two will need to be some work to get out on the track.  Should I keep one of these three or sell them all and pick up another pre-75 model? 

There are just so many good pre-75 250 MXers to choose from. 

[Richo52]

Personally ,I would keep the OSSA Tahitian red !

[80-85 husky]

me too, luuuurve that phantom

[John Orchard]

I've always loved the look of the Phantom BUT the few I have ridden were horrible things that were hard to kick-start and had gearshift issues.

I don't know much of the other two, I did get smoked by a few Pursang's back in the day.  If you've ridden the Bulty and thought it was ok, I reckon stay with it.

You'd probably get a good dollar for the Ossa from anyone that hasn't ridden one  ;-)

Now if it was Phantom GPIII ...... that's a whole other story  ;-)

[80-85 husky]

ive never ridden one, they just looked so good....

[Husky500evo]

I know these questions are subjective, but I just want some feedback. 

I have been thinning the herd recently and it will continue, but I do plan to always have at least one pre-75 250 motocross bike.  Here in the U.S. we are permitted to run some 1975 bikes in our version of pre-75, with some rear suspension mods. Currently I still have a 1974 Ossa Phantom, a 1975 Bultaco Pursang 250 and a 1975 KTM 250MX.  The Pursang is race ready, but the other two will need to be some work to get out on the track.  Should I keep one of these three or sell them all and pick up another pre-75 model? 

There are just so many good pre-75 250 MXers to choose from. 

What about a Can Am TNT250 ? I thought you had a MX6 250 at some stage , Red , so you would have experienced the legendary power that the rotary disc Rotax motors put out ? I know that some guys say that the early Can Ams had dodgy handling and I have heard them referred to as " Can Ambulances " .  But after having a ride on a TNT250 recently , I thought it handled ok and the motor was just awesome .

[Tahitian_Red]

Thanks for the input!

I love the Phantoms too, but they are like a Super-Model.  So beautiful to look at, but high maintenance.  I had three over the years and did race one for a short time.  I was just waiting for the transmission problems to show up and sold it when someone made me a nice offer for it.  The reason I held on to the last one is because I always dreamed of having all three of the Spanish beauties, but could not find a nice reasonably priced Montesa VR.

The '75 KTM was going to be my "Falta-nator".  Just wanted to race it as a little jab at all the CZ's that race around here.    It also has an affilliation with a bike brand that still exists.

The Model 135 Bultaco is a good race bike.  Not as exciting or rare as the Phantom, but very solid and lots of parts availability.  It is also ready to roll now.

I sold the Can-Am MX6 (Favorite racer ever!).  A '75 TNT is allowed in the pre-75 over here.  I love the way they look, but I have heard some negative things about the handling also.

[80-85 husky]

chase up an swm with the rotax motor, eliglble for pre 75 (I think), they go harder than the std rotax (maybe pre 78 )

[HeavenVMX]

The first year for the Rotax engined SWMs was 1976 I believe

[Husky500evo]

http://forum.ozvmx.com/index.php?topic=31575.msg309342#msg309342

      I have a project that I am ashamed to say is still ongoing . I should have finished this years ago , but work and other commitments , lack of spare time and just being plain lazy , have prevented me from completing what should be the ultimate pre '75 250 MXer . The motor is rebuilt , frame is painted in 2 pack, custom alloy airbox has been made by GMC , and everything is ready to be bolted together .  I have some time off over the X-mas break , so I will see if I can get into it . 

[GMC]

Didn’t you drive down here and stand over me while I completed it because you were in a hurry finish it
 

Best bike is the one you have an affinity to

[KTM47]

No one has said it yet, but really the best 250 MX bike in 1974 was the Maico.  Even with restricted travel they are still the best.

[Husky500evo]

Didn’t you drive down here and stand over me while I completed it because you were in a hurry finish it
 

Nah , wasn't this project Geoff . It was the Husky 510 exhaust that I stood and waited for . That project is still sitting collecting dust as well though  . Showed that you can definitely work well when you are under the pump though  .

As for the Maico being the best pre'75 250 MX bike , I have to disagree ,  Kevin . I have owned a '73 and a '74.5 GP 250 Maico and they were both as slow as . The 4 speed transmission didn't help though . I think I have ridden faster 250 trials bikes than the pre '75 Maico 250s . Best handling frame with the slowest motor I think .

[John Orchard]

No one thinks much of a CR250M ?  Didn't they set the world on fire back in the day?

[cemotobull]

Bultaco all the way. Plenty of parts available and you can get them moving with reliability very  easily!!!