Archive for January, 2009

This original test report from 1974 Cycle World tested the first monoshock YZ250b, it was a great bike then and you can see why…..

WE GET ASKED several times a month, through reader letters or at race tracks while testing, what we think is the best 250 motocrosser available today. Our answer has been, “It ain’t been built yet.” Oh sure, the 250 Elsinore is a bullet and it handles well, but trying to turn one is like trying to roller skate on ice.

The first Yamaha YZ was also fast, but it was too pipey, had zilch for tires, a toggle-switch rear brake, and wanted to high side a lot. The Montesa VR was a handling son of a gun, but try to name just three Montesa dealers in your area. Any three. How about two? One? The same goes for Bultaco and Ossa. Nice bikes, but what do you do when one breaks. And they will break, everything does sooner or later.

And what about Husky, Maico and CZ riders? Most of them would be on Japanese bikes if it weren’t for the fact that the only dealers in their counties are a couple of blocks away.

So you see, that elusive motocrosser, the one with the power, the handling, the right carburetion, non-mudding rims, cleated footpegs, gnarly knobbies and the rest of the proper paraphernalia, sitting complete at several dealers’ showrooms right near you just hasn’t been built yet. At least in 1974 it hadn’t been built. Read the rest of this entry »

A very nice 1974 Suzuki TM250 became available which is an active racer that has been well maintained and even has had a few bonus bits. The good thing about active race bikes is you know they can hit the track ok and most riders really look after their race bikes and fix any defects as they occur, a few scratches are normal and at least then  I am happy to add a few more  as well.

It is described as:

• There is a dent in the tank on the left side with some paint flaking off,
• Tank is rust free inside,
• Frame has been repainted, has a few race scratches and rub marks,
• Motor is bore to 1st over,
• New side panels,
• Renthal bars,
• New Renthal grips,
• Motion pro throttle,
• Akront rims,
• Good tyres,
• Works gripper seat,
• Works Shocks,
• New front fork tubes with cartridge emulators,
• Circle F pipe (just repacked)
• Just add fuel and race.
• ……

Well, that meant I had to buy it and I am currently arranging transport to Perth and for the tank to be repaired and repainted over the next month or so.

1974 Suzuki TM250

1974 Suzuki TM250

The 1974 Kawasaki KX125 has been reassembled ready for testing. Ater adding some fuel it has fired up and has a crisp throttle response, very nice. Now just need some cooler weather and a track test.

Sometimes you can find a hidden treasure, this brand new NOS tank for a 1974 Yamaha MX360 was found on the bottom shelf of a Yamaha M/C dealership and was all but forgotten about. It even had a new gas cap and petcock still in original packaging sitting with it.

It is perfect and makes a great part for the MX360 project, its a good start… now for the rest of the bike, well that will be a few months in the making.

1974 Yamaha MX360 Tank

Some months back I made a general enquiry about some vmx parts by phone to a professional motorcycle mechanic in the USA and he happened to mention that an old 1974 Kawasaki KX125 just came his way and would I be interested? These are very rare and the few KX in use seem to be never offered for sale as people know they will not be able to replace them easily.

We made a deal and that included him pulling the bike down into components and completely refurbishing everything and making sure it was race tuned to hit the track as well.

The frame was stripped and repainted, all the bike parts cleaned, replated, painted or replaced as required, seals replaced, motor overhauled, new tyres etc, etc, the full monty….

The overhauled components would then be shipped to me to rebuild the bike, they have now arrived…. some assembly required.

KX125 parts coming back together

Very Nice Kawasaki KX125 Engine

Those Rotary Valve Carb Configurations Look Interesting

Beautiful Paint Job on This KX125 Tank

LESSON : Professionals do very good work and it saves a hell of a lot of time and errors.