VintDirt-digest Saturday, June 28 1997 Volume 01 : Number 031 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 28 Jun 1997 09:55:04 -0800 From: "Michael Moore"Subject: VintDirt Re: TriBSAs > 29pound I bought a Tribsa, 500 triumph alloy motor, Gold star gear > box, BSA a10 frame, oil in the frame conversion, Norton roadholder > forks with Rickman fibre glass tank and seat assembly. > Thanks Kevin Hello Kevin, Thanks for the post. I've got about 2/3 of a TriBSA project bike. After I saw and heard Dick Mann's bike I started accumulating parts - his bike was so neat. Unfortunately, that project isn't very high in the queue at the moment. I do keep my eyes peeled for any bits that might help to finish it. Then again, the BSA frame is soooo heavy that I'm tempted just to build a Cheney/Rickman/Wasp style frame for the rest of the bike to fit into so as to lighten it up a bit. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 Jun 1997 09:55:04 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: VintDirt Re: first race For my first race I entered the 250cc and under Novice class at our local MX track in Albuquerque. I made cardboard numberplates for my TS185 Suzuki, which was stock other than the addition of a 21" front wheel and knobby tires. I got a 3rd place, behind a Bultaco 125 Sherpa S and a Hodaka Super Rat. By the next race I had bought the 71 TM400 Suzuki that the shop had sponsored someone on - talk about jumping in at the deep end! Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 Jun 1997 12:50:27 -0500 From: no1oscar@juno.com (Stephen S Lucas) Subject: VintDirt intorduction No1oscar@juno.com hello fellow subscribers, greetings from scenic wonderful eastern Nebraska. I mostly lurk and delete posts which don't immediately grab my fascination. My intrests are mainly motorcycle magazines, yamaha dt1,rt1,and 60's Honda's. I like to see posts of Motorcycles, magazines, and Parts for sale at bargain basement prices. Is there a motorcycle I wouldn't enjoy riding, the wooden Daimler...maybe. I think the best motorcycles are yet to come, but there is every reason to enjoy fine or even not so fine vintage bikes. Especially in the here and now as they have never been so affordable. I will post my stuff for sale or trade by and by. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 Jun 1997 22:45:39 -0500 From: Ron Sutton Subject: VintDirt Introduction Hello Fellow Vintage Dirt Subscribers, OK Michael, you shamed me into it. My name is Ron Sutton, I live in Alton, IL and I have two Rokon's (the motorcycles, not the 'MotoTractor'). One is an 1974 RT340 (Enduro) the other is a 1974 MX340C 'Cobra' (MXer, but you may have figured that). The RT I bought new and it in pretty good shape. The MX I bought from a kid and the front torque converter is trashed and the torque converter cover is missing. I'm going to put some of the RT parts on the MX and see if I get it running and take it to some AHRMA MX races in the area. That is if my wife doesn't find out (Honey I'm going out for some milk, I'll be back late Sunday night). I have established a Rokon Web Page at http://www.siue.edu/~rsutton/rokon I haven't done much with it lately but I'm planning on doing some updating fairly soon. Check it out if you get a chance. Ron ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 Jun 1997 23:47:10 EDT From: unklneil@juno.com (Neil J Novack) Subject: Re: VintDirt Some list stats and administrative hectoring Ok, I guess it's my turn. I got into vintage dirt a few years ago. I used to go up to the Cow Palace in San Francisco for the winter Motorcycle show every year. They used to have Ovserved Trials exhibitions, and every year I'd say," I'm gona try that some day...". Well about 6 or7 years ago, I had surgery on my right knee.(used to have a triumph with a simi-stripped kickstart rachet that used to not catch once in awhile = much pain and knee damage) and the doctor said no more riding motorcycles. I said, "Uh, doc, you don't understand." He reconsidered,and we decided that I shouldn't start and ride anymore 'kickstart fourstroke' motorcycles. So at the time, the only bike I hadn't worn out completely was a Norton Comando. It was a great old beater bike. I won more RAT BIKE trophies with that bike!. I knew I'fd never get a lot of dollars for the bike,so I traded for a '74 Yamaha TY250 trials bike. And that started my vintage dirt. I used to ride dirt as a kid, but discovered drugs,drink, females,and street bikes were more to my liking after puberty. People have told me lots of times that I got burned on the Norton/Trials bike deal, but on a fun factor, it was a good trade for me. It got me started doing something that I'd always wanted, and may not have had another chance at. I've since owned several vintage trials bikes, and am starting to get into Vintage Sidecar Motocross. I've got a '73 WASP/Kawi H2 motocross/sidecar bike. Unfortunatly most sidecar cross races are in southern California and I live in norhtern/central California. Next year I hope to get into the AHRMA races in this area. Not much compitition tho. As in none. But it'll still be nice to get on the track....Neil ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 29 Jun 1997 00:12:00 -0400 From: Harold Subject: Re: VintDirt Introduction Here's a story for your Rokon Page: I was director of the Tallahassee National Enduro in October of 1976. I was keen during my enduro racing days to keep the bikes and the riders environmentally conscious to forstay land closure in the south and elsewhere. Consequently, I ordered strict enforcement of a decibel level for all bikes which would compete in the '76 national, and clearly announced my intention to do so on the race flyer. I had seen decibel checks at other enduros half-assed enforced. The rider would 'rev' up his engine a few hundred rpm, and the bike would pass. However, at our enduro, I instructed the volunteer who administered the decibel check to wick on the throttle himself, not to let the rider do it, so as to see whether the bike was properly muffled. Since this is a Rokon story, you can probably predict what happened next. You could, that is, if I had told you about lake Talquin, adjacent to which tech inspection was held. Sure enough, a fellow rides up on a 340--which was a fairly quiet bike. The rider relaxes astride the seat with his hands on his hips. My volunteer approaches from behind the rider, turns on the decibel meter, and reaches around the rider and gives the throttle a good blip. Within seconds, the rider is off the back, and the bike is axle deep in the aquatic vegetation at waters edge. The rider isn't happy and the volunteer is stunned. However, the rider was a good sport, and made the starting line the next morning with no problem. The volunteer gained a bit of insight into centrigugal clutches and varible diameter pulleys. Harold McLean ------------------------------ End of VintDirt-digest V1 #31 ***************************** VintDirt-digest Monday, June 30 1997 Volume 01 : Number 032 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 28 Jun 1997 23:33:49 -0500 From: Ron Sutton Subject: Re: VintDirt Introduction At 12:12 AM 6/29/97 -0400, you wrote: >Here's a story for your Rokon Page: Harold, Great story, I'll definately include it on Rokon Page in the near future. Thanks Ron Sutton rsutton@siue.edu Keeper of the Rokon Page http://www.siue.edu/~rsutton/rokon 78 Yamaha SR500 74 Rokon RT340 74 Rokon MX340C ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 14:57:40 -0700 From: rcording@qntm.com (Rick Cording) Subject: VintDirt new family member: '72 Husky Couldn't resist the ad stating: Husqvarna $100. So my already crowded garage now has to provide space to a '72 250cc CR Husky. Engine won't turn over and the bike looks like what you'd expect from a $100 buck bike, but all-in-all it's pretty complete. Ideas on how to unstick the piston? Unfortunately it's at the top of its stroke so there's not alot of room to soak the piston. I thought I'd try a few 'gentle' taps with the rubber mallet and if that doesn't work maybe a block of wood... Any Husky sages who can offer advise and parts sources? rick ------------------------------ End of VintDirt-digest V1 #32 ***************************** VintDirt-digest Tuesday, July 1 1997 Volume 01 : Number 033 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 15:06:08 -0700 (PDT) From: Eric Murray Subject: VintDirt Re: Husky > From: rcording@qntm.com (Rick Cording) > Subject: VintDirt new family member: '72 Husky > Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 14:57:40 -0700 > > Couldn't resist the ad stating: Husqvarna $100. So my already > crowded garage now has to provide space to a '72 250cc CR Husky. > Engine won't turn over and the bike looks like what you'd expect from > a $100 buck bike, but all-in-all it's pretty complete. Ideas on how > to unstick the piston? Unfortunately it's at the top of its stroke so > there's not alot of room to soak the piston. I thought I'd try a few > 'gentle' taps with the rubber mallet and if that doesn't work maybe a > block of wood... Ah, so you're the one who bought that. I too had the urge to call, just to find out what the heck it was. And I don't even like Huskys! Maybe the best way to sell bikes to people like us is to advertise as little information as possible: "Motorcycle, old. $500." Being stuck at TDC is good in some respects- you can fill the cylinder with oil and not have it run down the transfer ports. If it's really right at TDC it'll be a bad idea to hammer on it, that could damage the crank bearings. Hopefully it's a bit before or after TDC, then it's not so bad. There's a Husky page somewhere out there on the net, try checking AHRMA's page for a link. - -- Eric Murray ericm@lne.com Security and cryptography applications consulting. PGP keyid:E03F65E5 fingerprint:50 B0 A2 4C 7D 86 FC 03 92 E8 AC E6 7E 27 29 AF ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 21:06:02 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: VintDirt re: Temptation (was new family member: '72 Husky ) I'm buying a majorly disassembled 1972 250 Sherpa T from a friend, but at least it is supposed to have fresh rings and mainseals, so I don't feel so bad about the exorbitant sum I'm paying. Somehow, when I heard it was $200, I just couldn't pass it up, though I've got plenty of other projects I could be working on instead. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 Jul 1997 07:04:06 -0700 From: harold Subject: Re: VintDirt re: Temptation (was new family member: '72 Husky ) I know a thing or two about 250 Sherpa's 350's too. You wanna ID the bike for certain, go to Hugh's Bultaco page: he has an excellent identification thingy. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Jul 1997 07:14:13 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: VintDirt re: Temptation (was new family member: '72 H > I know a thing or two about 250 Sherpa's 350's too. You wanna ID the > bike for certain, go to Hugh's Bultaco page: he has an excellent > identification thingy. Hello Harold, I'll do that. I had a 1974 350 T that I bought new in ABQ and rode in the NM Trials Assn. That was the first year of the newer style frame, and the bike was very nice to ride. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Jul 1997 15:02:38 -0400 (EDT) From: APGUSER@aol.com Subject: Re: VintDirt new family member: '72 Husky In a message dated 97-07-01 00:12:44 EDT, you write: << Any Husky sages who can offer advise and parts sources? >> Give this page a try: http://pegasus.adnc.com/~websites/motox/ URL is for Vintage Husqvarna in Vista, CA. John L. is proably the premier Husky restorer in the US. Doug ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 Jul 1997 14:22:13 -0700 From: harold Subject: Re: VintDirt re: Temptation (was new family member: '72 H Here's Hugh's site: http://www.hughsbultaco.com/page9.htm ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Jul 1997 14:58:00 GMT+6 From: "Jeffrey W. Spencer" Subject: VintDirt Peoria AHRMA Trial and my life flashes before my eyes Well, I'm back from the Peoria AHRMA Trial this last weekend and I had an absolute blast. Anyone who was there wouldn't have missed me on my bright green Hodaka Road Toad. The sections were tough and I scored 25pts. in the beginner class and *STILL* took the second place trophy. Amazing eh? Now, for my death defying story. Section 7 wasn't the most challenging of sections. However, parking to check out the section was at the top of a hill because the section began right as you reached the bottom and then immediately went into a little dry creek and over a small bank. I'd already walked the section and it was my turn to go down the hill. Now, the little 98cc engine on my Toad doesn't like me using the brakes a lot and will die if I don't continually caress the throttle a bit. I got right down and into the start of the section when the bike died on me. Not giving up, I heaved forward, sat down on the bike hard, and it started. I popped back up and the bank was immediately upon me. I cranked the accelerator hard and went up over the bank. Now, here was the problem--I was already off balance and my concentration was totally blown. I panicked and kept the accelerator wide open, went through the tape, through about 2 feet of weeds and out into mid-air. It appears that there was about a 6-7ft drop on the other side of the weeds and I went off of it with the throttle in a death grip! The next thing I know is that I'm lying on my back in the creek bed, I see my helmet flying through the air, and I have no idea where the bike is. I get up and my father-in-law is as white as a ghost. He told me later that he was sure I was dead. I took that log right where my number plate straps on under my handlebars and amazingly never got a single scratch on my bike. I hit the log and just flipped over the handlebars and around the log and never got a single scratch on myself either. If things had been slightly different, I'd probably be hurting in the hospital or worse. It took 6 people to get my bike out and I got back on the bike and rode to the next section and cleaned it. Well, so I scared a few people and didn't even get it on video tape. It just goes to show you that you can learn a lot in a few years of riding, but it takes a long time to react smootly instead of panicking in sticky situations. Would you believe that I came back and cleaned section 7 the next loop?! cheerz, Jeff p.s. don't try this at home ;-) ******************************************************* Jeffrey W. Spencer Email: jws@ee.umr.edu Electrical Engineering Phone: 573-341-4919 University of Missouri-Rolla Fax: 573-341-4532 Alternate Personal Email at: spencer@rollanet.org http://www.rollanet.org/~spencer/jeff/jeff.html ******************************************************* ------------------------------ End of VintDirt-digest V1 #33 ***************************** VintDirt-digest Wednesday, July 2 1997 Volume 01 : Number 034 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 1 Jul 1997 16:27:59 -0400 (EDT) From: Ace90@aol.com Subject: Re: VintDirt new family member: '72 Husky In a message dated 97-07-01 00:12:44 EDT, you write: > Subj: VintDirt new family member: '72 Husky > Date: 97-07-01 00:12:44 EDT > From: rcording@qntm.com (Rick Cording) > Sender: owner-vintage-dirt@list.sirius.com > Reply-to: vintage-dirt@list.sirius.com > To: vintage-dirt@list.sirius.com > > Couldn't resist the ad stating: Husqvarna $100. So my already > crowded garage now has to provide space to a '72 250cc CR Husky. > Engine won't turn over and the bike looks like what you'd expect from > a $100 buck bike, but all-in-all it's pretty complete. Ideas on how > to unstick the piston? Unfortunately it's at the top of its stroke so > there's not alot of room to soak the piston. I thought I'd try a few > 'gentle' taps with the rubber mallet and if that doesn't work maybe a > block of wood... > > Any Husky sages who can offer advise and parts sources? > > rick > Hi Rick, Sounds like the rings are rusted to the cylinder wall, a common problem with any engine that sits for to long. I've had good luck with the following procedure. Remove cyl. head. Squirt plenty of penetrating oil in the cylinder, and allow to soak at least overnight. Believe it or not, I've had the best luck with a combination of WD-40 and Marvel Mystery oil. Make a wooden "bumping" tool, to fit the top of the piston. The tool should slightly smaller than the cylinder diameter, of adequate length, grain of the wood should parallel to stroke of engine. You should use a soft wood, such as redwood, pine, or fir, make sure end of the tool is a fairly good fit to the contour of the top of the piston. I made my last one from a 4X4 redwood fence post. To use the tool requires two people, so you will need a helper. One person must put a strong rotating load on the crankshaft, so the piston is being pulled, with reasonable force, in the downward direction. This insures that the clearance in all of the reciprocating parts is away from the piston and rings. With the load applied, the other person uses your "bumping" tool and a fairly heavy mallet, to drive the piston downward. The "bumping" tool must apply force to the entire surface of the piston top to prevent damaging the piston. Take your time, use increasing bumping force, until the piston moves. Hope this suggestion is clear enough, and of use to you. I've used this method many times, with success. Thanks, Avery Hensley (ace90@aol.com) P.S. I should have sent an introduction note to the list, long ago, but so far I'm doing good to lurk around and read the mail once or twice a week. Will send an intro as soon as I can make the time. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Jul 1997 21:26:49 -0400 (EDT) From: GrayJudge@aol.com Subject: In Re: VintDirt Hello Everybody I have been a member of the is since I first got word of it on the trials list. My name is Leo O'Biecunas, and I live in Northridge California. Currently I have a 1974 Honda Trail 90, which I've owned since my father bought it brand new for my mother to ride. I also have a 1975 Honda TL 125 which I've convert to a trail bike of sorts for my son to ride, and 1990 Husky WMX 125. I'm presently keeping my eyes open for either a 400 CZ or a 400AW Macio, but those my have to take back seat for a little while as I been bitten by the cuiser/touring bug and the new Harley's look awful cool. I used to ride Motocross at Indian Dunes, and Bay Mare, but now I just go to the practice sessions at Lemon Grove. Best Wishes Leo grayjudge@aol.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 09:01:26 +0000 From: MONVSE@scc.se (Mats Olsson) Subject: VintDirt Intro My name i Mats Olsson, i live in sweden, outside Stockholm. I have been working on a Triumph Bonneville 1967 for a year, trying to get it into a 60's Flat-tracker. I'm not trying to make a true copy (i'm not even sure there was a specific style for a triumph flat trackert that early), rather a nice looking bike (according to me). Some Specs: - - 1 3/4" TT-Pipes, no mufflers - - Concentric 32 - - Ching Cheng ? (Dunlop K70 repro) - - Seat unit in glass fibre from Omars dirt track racing - - T140 inlet cam - - 3134 outlet cam - - Head ported - - No fenders - - Just a small tractor headlamp - - New suspension from Hagon - - The small US tank - - Boyer electronic ignition Barely street legal, but fun like hell to ride. Still need some more time to get the hang in thoose dare devil sliding techniques. Q: When was the trackmaster frame introduced to the scene? Was the original Triumph frame ever used to race with? Regards/ Mats Olsson Eskilstuna, Sweden Triumph Bonneville 1967 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 07:11:29 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: VintDirt Intro > Q: When was the trackmaster frame introduced to the scene? > Was the original Triumph frame ever used to race with? > > Regards/ > Mats Olsson Hello Mats, The Trackmaster frames were started when Ray Hensley built his first frame for a CB72 Honda dirt tracker. I don't know just when that was, but an article says that he was inspired by seeing a factory H-D racing frame for an Aermacchi single in 1965. Lots of people used the 650 frame, though it was probably more popular for TT use than half-mile/mile racing. It also saw lots of use in desert racing. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 09:56:37 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: VintDirt Many more pictures I just got my photos from Laguna Seca developed and from that roll of film I've added: 8 detail photos of the Honda 250/6 2 detail photos of the MV 500/3 1 detail photo of the Benelli 350/4 2 detail photos of John Cronshaw's BSA Gold Star 1 photo of a Scott two-stroke race bike 1 photo of a Moto Parilla Gran Sport (with a Manx in the background) The above are all on the graphics page, under either the Vintage Japanese or Vintage Roadracer sections. I've also added some more 125/150 Laverda thumpette pictures, both the to the 150 Laverda page and duplicated in the Vintage Dirtbike section of the graphics page. On the "weighing the Laverda 750 racer" page I've added some photos of the lightened fork caps, rear brake panel assy, and the frame assembly including the swing arm, triple clamps and rear dampers. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ End of VintDirt-digest V1 #34 ***************************** VintDirt-digest Sunday, July 6 1997 Volume 01 : Number 035 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 03 Jul 1997 15:41:28 PDT From: "Wesley Katz" Subject: VintDirt My Turn Hello everyone (that is, vintage dirt dudes and dudesses) !! It is now my turn to cease and desist from my lurking, and join ya'll. I'm Kevin Adams, a 37 year old Mechanical Engineering student here at Texas Tech University.(There--done with the dreary stuff.) I've had a life long love of motorcycles and have ridden since I was 15. I grew up in Gainesville, Florida in the '70's and would go with friends to the "Winter Am's". Back then they were THE winter warm-up series and riders like Tony DiStefano, Jimmy Wienert, Jimi Ellis, Rex Staten (I remember seeing him ride the Harley with fork units in the rear) et al would really put on a show. I remember well the year that Bob Hannah showed up on an OW Yamaha and Broc Glover on a DG 125 Yamaha. They blew the comp away, Marty Moats was the only guy that could even keep Hannah in sight, on an Ossa (Stilletto?). Jeeeeez but those guys were SERIOUSLY fast, Hannah looked like he was going to crash at any time. Great memories! I started out racing a Penton 125 with the Sachs engine, it would take ALL of the skin off of the top of your left toe by race's end. Lovely tranny. I've owned Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Maico ('77 400, great bike), Husky and Harley. I currently own a '74 CR125 Elsinore that is heavily modified and I ride 2-3 times a week. I have a '7? Husky WR250 that I need to restore to rideable condition one of these days. Well, that's my $0.02 worth, and THANK YOU MICHAEL MOORE!! Kevin PS Please ignore the "Wesley Katz" ID. It is merely a nom-de-plume, to keep the net crazies at bay when need be. Thanks _______________________________________________________ Get Private Web-Based Email Free http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 03 Jul 1997 15:55:54 PDT From: "Wesley Katz" Subject: VintDirt My Turn Hello everyone (that is, vintage dirt dudes and dudesses) !! It is now my turn to cease and desist from my lurking, and join ya'll. I'm Kevin Adams, a 37 year old Mechanical Engineering student here at Texas Tech University.(There--done with the dreary stuff.) I've had a life long love of motorcycles and have ridden since I was 15. I grew up in Gainesville, Florida in the '70's and would go with friends to the "Winter Am's". Back then they were THE winter warm-up series and riders like Tony DiStefano, Jimmy Wienert, Jimi Ellis, Rex Staten (I remember seeing him ride the Harley with fork units in the rear) et al would really put on a show. I remember well the year that Bob Hannah showed up on an OW Yamaha and Broc Glover on a DG 125 Yamaha. They blew the comp away, Marty Moats was the only guy that could even keep Hannah in sight, on an Ossa (Stilletto?). Jeeeeez but those guys were SERIOUSLY fast, Hannah looked like he was going to crash at any time. Great memories! I started out racing a Penton 125 with the Sachs engine, it would take ALL of the skin off of the top of your left toe by race's end. Lovely tranny. I've owned Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Maico ('77 400, great bike), Husky and Harley. I currently own a '74 CR125 Elsinore that is heavily modified and I ride 2-3 times a week. I have a '7? Husky WR250 that I need to restore to rideable condition one of these days. Well, that's my $0.02 worth, and THANK YOU MICHAEL MOORE!! Kevin PS Please ignore the "Wesley Katz" ID. It is merely a nom-de-plume, to keep the net crazies at bay when need be. Thanks _______________________________________________________ Get Private Web-Based Email Free http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 19:03:09 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: VintDirt Still more photos The latest additions to the graphics page are: about 10 different shots (mostly detail) of my friend Peter's Honda CR77 road racer, several photos of the mockup of my friend Larry's Husqvarna 125/Ducati 450 dirt bike, two pictures of Harold Park's 1966 250 Ducati road racer (which I raced last weekend), and a couple of pictures on the Laverda weights page showing the stock 8mm steel valves and the new 7mm titanium valves (with bigger valve heads). Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 4 Jul 1997 13:14:26 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: VintDirt Archived digests now available I've just finished dumping the back digests into html documents and putting them on the web site. You can find the links on the page that previously held only the subscription information for the lists. I've grouped the digests in batches of 10, and in spite of Julian's pointing me in the direction of some PERL software that would grab the digests and convert them, I just dumped them into html format with a tag, so they aren't terribly pretty. Now that I'm caught up it shouldn't be too much effort to add each succeeding batch of 10 digests to the archives. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 18:26:27 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: VintDirt Very many more pictures My poor scanner is panting, it has been working so hard. New additions to the graphics page are: Road race: Colin Lyster Lyntons, Manxes, G50s and 450 Hondas (with wings!) The 500cc Phoenix two stroke twin The 50cc Wooley/Yamaha two stroke single A 50cc Sachs A Mackintosh frame for a turbo Kawasaki road racer A Difazio hub-steering AJS 7R Action shots from two different Brands Hatch 500 mile production races (Ducati and Suzuki 250s, Triumph/BSA 650s, Dunstall 750). One of the pictures is a nice shot of Lance Weil. A Fahron 125cc two-stroke single The Ray Flack 350cc Manx kneeler (solo) An early Rudi Kurth BMW kneeler A MotoBi 250 Various racing drum brakes (on the drum brake page) Dirt: A Wasp MX sidecar A Cheney Suzuki (the early twin-exhaust port 250 engine) Some shots of a 175cc Honda twin trials bike An action shot of Dave Bickers monowheeling Engines: An article on a 350cc Desmo single designed by Major John Treen in 1959. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ End of VintDirt-digest V1 #35 ***************************** VintDirt-digest Wednesday, July 9 1997 Volume 01 : Number 036 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 07 Jul 1997 22:07:34 PDT From: "Wesley Katz" Subject: VintDirt Elsinore Peakyness Hello all, I've finally finished up on my '74 125 Elsinore, and from saddle time have noticed that it is VERY peaky. Now I realize that that was one of the characteristics they had, but how severely? Does anyone else on the list have one? Does yours have to be in the upper third of its RPM range to pull? I'd like to compare carb and jetting specs. Thanks, and keep on riding!! Kevin Adams _______________________________________________________ Get Private Web-Based Email Free http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:03:17 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: VintDirt Elsinore Peakyness > Hello all, I've finally finished up on my '74 125 Elsinore, and from > saddle time have noticed that it is VERY peaky. Now I realize that that > was one of the characteristics they had, but how severely? Does anyone > else on the list have one? Does yours have to be in the upper third of > its RPM range to pull? I'd like to compare carb and jetting specs. > Thanks, and keep on riding!! Kevin Adams Hello Kevin, Peaky sure describes my recollection of trying to ride a 125 Elsinore. My 125 Maico, and the 125 Suzuki I rode one time were a lot easier to ride, powerwise. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Jul 1997 07:14:53 -0700 From: harold Subject: Re: VintDirt Elsinore Peakyness I recall the 125 Elsinore difficult to get from the pits to the starting line. It would either load up or roost, there didn't seem to be any middle ground. It was a dedicated motocrosser, which of course, was the aim of its designers. Once on the starting line, it was ready to go if the rider was. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 10:13:32 -0400 (EDT) From: GrayJudge@aol.com Subject: Re: VintDirt Elsinore Peakyness Dear Wes From what I remember all 125's where extremely "peak" and the key to riding them successfully was to hold it wide open, and stir the gear box. If you recall up until the release of the Honda the most successful 125s where the Pentons. The problem was for every gear they had a netural. Have Fun Leo ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 17:45:23 -0400 From: "thebleys" Subject: Re: VintDirt Elsinore Peakyness Kevin, Riding a CR125 is like riding an RS125, TZ125, or even my CZ125 MX... Wide open throttle. You ever let it "fall off the pipe" and ya might as well paddle. Ride it a bunch and you will get used to rowing the gears and keeping it up in the power band. BTW my CZ is no match for a well tuned and ridden CR. The CR runs in the Sportsman Class, my CZ does well to run Classic. On the occasions when I ride with CRs it's like pitting my 125 against my 400. Zoom. Rick Bley, AHRMA # 90E/907, roadracer, MX and Trials rider. 1972 CZ 125, 1974 CZ 400, 1964 CZ 125 Trials. BMWMOA/RA, IBMWR, AMA. 1974 BMW R90S, 1980 Ducati Darmah SS (for sale $4,950.) Hickory (western North Carolina) > > Hello all, I've finally finished up on my '74 125 Elsinore, and from > > saddle time have noticed that it is VERY peaky. Now I realize that that > > was one of the characteristics they had, but how severely? Does anyone > > else on the list have one? Does yours have to be in the upper third of > > its RPM range to pull? I'd like to compare carb and jetting specs. > > Thanks, and keep on riding!! Kevin Adams ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Jul 1997 21:41:08 PDT From: "Wesley Katz" Subject: Re: VintDirt Elsinore Peakyness Thanks to everyone that replied. I've got some pilot jets ordered for it, maybe I can get it palatable. It's supposed to have the Klemm crank mod, so I guess I'll just learn to scream it real hard. The tranny doesn't have very definitive actuation, (which aggravates things, since it likes to drop into gear when you'r blipping the throttle in neutral) guess I'll have to split it this winter. Anyone ever done one? I can do the split no prob, just don't know which parts to look at once I'm in there. Kevin _______________________________________________________ Get Private Web-Based Email Free http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 09 Jul 1997 06:55:59 -0700 From: harold Subject: Re: VintDirt Elsinore Peakyness > The tranny > doesn't have very definitive actuation, (which aggravates things, since > it likes to drop into gear when you'r blipping the throttle in neutral) The bike wants to go motocrossin' How come you ain't ready? ------------------------------ End of VintDirt-digest V1 #36 ***************************** VintDirt-digest Thursday, July 10 1997 Volume 01 : Number 037 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 9 Jul 1997 13:46:21 -0700 From: rcording@qntm.com (Rick Cording) Subject: VintDirt Old Mags Just a reminder for those in need of a mid-week vint dirt fix: your local used book stores often have old magazines as well. Yesterday I picked up 5 old Dirt Bike issues (including issue #1) that had tests on my sorry lot of bikes. Couldn't find a test on the '72 CR Husky 250 though, only on the WR. Fun reading and perfect for figuring out what was stock and what the aftermarket stuff you found on your bike is (fenders, tanks, bars, compression releases, etc.). rick ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Jul 1997 23:55:15 -0700 From: Jared Bates Subject: VintDirt AMS online To all vintage enthusiests, AMS (your vintage headquarters) webpage is almost complete. If anyone is looking for one stop shopping for your vintage bike,check out their site. http://members.aol.com/vintageams/ams.htm Regards, Jared Southwest Montesa ------------------------------ End of VintDirt-digest V1 #37 ***************************** VintDirt-digest Saturday, July 26 1997 Volume 01 : Number 038 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 05:23:13 -0400 From: "thebleys" Subject: VintDirt CL72 Hello All; Susie and I just got back from AMA Vintage Days. Raced MX and did OK taking 2nd in Classic 125 on my CZ 125. Had to race back to back motos and fell trying to play catch-up when the flagman quick started race 5 (Sportsman 500). The weekend re-energized my desire to build a CL72 racebike for Premier Lightweight. So, I am still looking for a complete bike, frame, engine, etc. Doesn't have to be concours nice, just a racebike. I've decided to sell my 1974 CZ 400 red frame. It's completely trick and extremely fast. Plus, thought I'd sell the CZ trials bikes as I don't take time to compete in AHRMA trials. Rick Bley, AHRMA # 90E/907, roadracer, MX and Trials rider. 1972 CZ 125, 1974 CZ 400, 1964 CZ 125 Trials. BMWMOA/RA, IBMWR, AMA. 1974 BMW R90S, FOR SALE: 1980 Ducati Darmah SS $4,950 1964/5 CZ Trials bikes $1,500 1974 CZ 400 MX $1,250 Hickory (western North Carolina) and... looking for Honda CL72 stuff for AHRMA MX racer. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 17:51:30 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: VintDirt Japanese vs Euro/Brit MXers in the late 60s/early 70s This topic came up on the VJMC list a couple of days ago, and it was causing enough furor that I figured I'd through it out over here and see what kind of ruckus it would bring up. CZs and Maicos would run rings around those piece o' junk ill-handling Japanese bikes vs Maico-breako, Bultaco - Built to Blow, CZ - Seize Easy, Montesa - Monseiza Surely someone must have an opinion on the subject. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ End of VintDirt-digest V1 #38 ***************************** VintDirt-digest Sunday, July 27 1997 Volume 01 : Number 039 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 20:47:31 -0400 From: Harold Subject: Re: VintDirt Japanese vs Euro/Brit MXers in the late 60s/early 70s To summarize my side of the discussion: Jap bikes took over real damn quickly, particularly if one measures the time of transition not at the international level, but at every dusty, backwater MX track in America. In 1972, the Jap bikes were no where. By '77 if you didn't have one, you might as well stay home. I also pointed out that Japanese clutches actually worked back then and now, whereas a Maico clutch was just an auxillary flywheel which was ther to prevent the bike from going in to neutral with the engine running. Mr Moore? ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 21:31:58 -0400 (EDT) From: APGUSER@aol.com Subject: Re: VintDirt Japanese vs Euro/Brit MXers in the late 60s/early 70s In a message dated 97-07-26 21:06:09 EDT, you write: << This topic came up on the VJMC list a couple of days ago, and it was causing enough furor that I figured I'd through it out over here and see what kind of ruckus it would bring up. Surely someone must have an opinion on the subject. >> Well, I guess I'll throw in my 2 cents worth: The Jap bikes were definately faster once they began to get the handling right. Anyone remember the "delightful" handling of the Suzuki TM400 or watch the early 250 Yamahas try and pass themselves in the whoop de dos? As for Maico's, we always said they had the finest mahogany bearings money could buy; CZ's were fast and you could "buy spare parts at at any good farm implement dealer"; Huskies could only be riden fast by some blonde guy named "Lars" or "Sven" and so on. The real truth is that for performance, handling, and style nobody of the late '60s or early '70s could top BULTACO!!! Nowadays vintage racing guys are going back to the Jap bikes to race and win but it's the Buls, Maicos, Huskies, Ossa's, etc. that are being lovingly restorted and raced for the pure pleasure of riding them. The Japanese ultimately built better "machines" but the Europeans built better motorcycles. There, that should move things right along, Michael. ; - ) Doug Bultaco 250 Pursang MkIV (now) 100/125 Sherpas (then) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 21:37:29 -0400 (EDT) From: APGUSER@aol.com Subject: VintDirt Speaking of class... Just got my Pursang M68 engine back from Speed & Sport in Calif. today. The engine was very sad when Matt H. got it but it came back a thing of beauty. In fact it's so gorgeous that I've put it on display in my den while I work on the restoration fof the rest of the bike. The price was a bit steep owning to the worn piston, bad crank end, junk transmission., etc, etc. but as it is a Bultaco and not a rice bike it's worth the time and money to bring it back to life. Doug ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 20:29:29 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: Re: VintDirt Japanese vs Euro/Brit MXers in the late 60s/ea I think it boils down that in the late 60s/early-mid 1970s the Japanese dirt bikes were built down to a price for a mass market, and the European bikes were built up to a standard for serious competitors. A Maico 400 engine looked crude when compared to a TM400, but I can tell you from first hand experience (yes, I survived racing a TM400) that the Maico put its power to the ground far more control;ably then the Suzuki did, and the handling and suspension let it go a lot faster in the rough. The Maico wouldn't start in gear, you had to change out the primary chain now and then, and parts were expensive and sometimes hard to get, but the serious racers in the early 70s who wanted to win in the expert Open class and had to buy their own bikes bought the Maico 400/450 and not the first couple years of TM400s or 360 Yamahas if they could afford one. The European mfgrs sold what they raced the year before, or even earlier in the season. They were in the business of selling competition dirt bikes - they had no choice but to sell the best thing they could manage. Granted that the Japanese MXers were in many cases more reliable and cheaper to maintain, and usually had better detail engineering. Granted that the Japanese factories turned on the money tap and sent a bunch of good engineers to work on the dirt bikes and eventually got to the point where they were the equal of the European bikes. BUT, it didn't happen overnight, or over 1 or 2 years. My first MX win was on a kitted 1971 TS125 Suzuki that also had some shocks and a 21" front wheel. My 1972 Maico 125 was faster and handled much better, but then it was quite a bit more expensive. It also stopped a LOT better once I put a Yamaha conical front brake on it. I also remember people buying the DT250MX - the Euro style one when it came out and spending lots of money on them to try and get them to handle as good as the Euro bikes. The riders I'm thinking of were competitive local experts. I don't think it was a fast transition for the Japanese bikes getting competitive. Wasn't 1970 the first year of the Suzuki wins? Mikkola won a championship on Husky in 1976, and Mosieev won one on KTM in 1977. 7 or so years seems like a gradual transition to me. I was still beating a number of riders (though not winning) in the Intermediate 250 class in 1974/75 on my 250 Greeves Griffon. We still had local riders in ABQ doing quite well in 1976 on Maicos, Bultacos, etc. The Japanese production bikes got better every couple of years, and were in many cases more reliable/less labor intensive for Joe Average MXer. I had them both and appreciate their respective strengths. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 22:25:22 -0700 From: Jerry Erickson Subject: Re: VintDirt Japanese vs Euro/Brit MXers in the late 60s/early 70s Michael Moore wrote: > > This topic came up on the VJMC list a couple of days ago, and it was > causing enough furor that I figured I'd through it out over here and > see what kind of ruckus it would bring up. > > CZs and Maicos would run rings around those piece o' junk > ill-handling Japanese bikes > > vs > > Maico-breako, Bultaco - Built to Blow, CZ - Seize Easy, Montesa - > Monseiza > > Surely someone must have an opinion on the subject. > > Cheers, > Michael > Michael Moore > Euro Spares, SF CA > Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products > Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" > http://www.eurospares.com > AFM/AHRMA #364 Get a Penton if you want to go the distance! ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Jul 1997 05:04:47 -0400 From: Harold Subject: Re: VintDirt Japanese vs Euro/Brit MXers in the late 60s/early 70s Doug Sez: > The Japanese > ultimately built better "machines" but the Europeans built better > motorcycles. Yes, and if you want a true "masterpiece" you should go english? ------------------------------ End of VintDirt-digest V1 #39 ***************************** VintDirt-digest Sunday, July 27 1997 Volume 01 : Number 040 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 27 Jul 1997 22:38:25 +1200 From: David Gibb Subject: Re: VintDirt Japanese vs Euro/Brit MXers in the late 60s/early 70s At 05:04 27/07/97 -0400, you wrote: >Doug Sez: > >> The Japanese >> ultimately built better "machines" but the Europeans built better >> motorcycles. > >Yes, and if you want a true "masterpiece" you should go english? > > Funny but I had the uneasy feeling that the bike that won the 500cc MX champs last year was a KTM. Maybe it was just because the rider was a Kiwi. :-) Cheers Dave David Gibb MGNOC #12374 daveg@chch.planet.org.nz Christchurch, New Zealand. There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of preparation. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Jul 1997 08:49:19 -0400 From: Harold Subject: Re: VintDirt Japanese vs Euro/Brit MXers in the late 60s/early 70s - --------------3087E8056209E63CAC67A6BE Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Maybe it was just because the rider was a Kiwi. > Or perhaps because the majors don't contest open class anymore. > There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of preparation. > No that's something nobody can argue with. - --------------3087E8056209E63CAC67A6BE Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Or perhaps because the majors don't contest open class anymore.Maybe it was just because the rider was a Kiwi.
No that's something nobody can argue with. - --------------3087E8056209E63CAC67A6BE-- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Jul 1997 09:52:32 -0800 From: "Michael Moore"There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of preparation.Subject: Re: VintDirt Japanese vs Euro/Brit MXers in the late 60s/ea > Funny but I had the uneasy feeling that the bike that won the 500cc MX > champs last year was a KTM. Maybe it was just because the rider was a Kiwi. > :-) > Cheers > Dave Hello Dave, I don't think that really is fair to the topic of vintage Euro bikes, as it is real hard to find a bad modern motorcycle (at least in the $6000 and up range) since even the small manufacturers can afford CNC equipment to hold a high standard in the manufacturing process. Someone mentioned Maico 400s vibrating - they weren't any worse on that than a TM400. If you didn't keep after all the fasteners on a TM400 you'd have a broken frame pretty quickly. I found out that if you come over a jump pretty hard with a broken frame you can get enough slop/misalignment to throw the chain, which put a pretty big hole in the left side engine case on my TM. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Jul 1997 21:16:08 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" Subject: VintDirt Get a friend started racing I was talking with my friend Jim last night, and the subject of what he could use to start vintage roadracing came up (again). In the past I've advised him on what he'd have to do to build an AHRMA F750 Guzzi, and now that he has a 250 Ducati (and looks like he'll be getting a 450 R/T Ducati in part exchange on his now-crashed CX100 Guzzi) we've talked about what is involved with building and running some size of Ducati single as well. Jim isn't poor, but he does have a moderately new kid and bought a house about 6 months ago, so he's not exactly flush with disposable income. A Ducati single can be great fun to race, but if you get started fixing blown up engines etc it can get expensive, as well as time consuming to find parts. Jim's mentioned a time or three about how much he likes my Honda CR216, but if I were to sell it the price would not be "entry-level". As I have to others in the past, last night I suggested to him (again) that he build an AHRMA 200GP CB175. Readily available cheap core motorcycles, many of the race parts come from your local Honda or Kawasaki dealer, and they are reliable and fairly easy to work on. Plus, you can be somewhat competitive in the 250GP class too, giving you an extra class to ride in. After chatting a while about this Jim was hot to start phoning the salvage yards to try and find a 175. This didn't seem like the way to go to me - better, I suggested, he watch the weekly "Advertiser" classified ad newspaper or maybe advertise for a non-running 175. Upon further thought, I remembered that I've got a CB160 in storage that was given to me - it had spent a number of years sitting in a field in the Pacific NW, and, while fairly complete and stock, would be a real chore to try and restore. Also, the person who gave it to me never came followed through on finding the papers on it, so it looks grim for putting it back on the street. But as a core for building a racer it is a good start. So I told Jim I'd give that 160 to him if he'd actually build a racer out of it. This gets him started, and even more important gives him something in the garage that he can start poking at and bonding with, making it more likely that he'll actually embark on the project. Making a small space in my storage doesn't hurt either, and I also get to sell another copy of my 175 tuning manual to bring Jim up to speed on what needs to be done. I'd hazard that he'll be more than happy to sell the rusty air boxes and stock body work stuff to someone for shipping plus a mere pittance, which may also help someone elses project along. I know I'm not the only one with extremely dead project bikes sitting in dead storage. If you've got something like my 160 that you've got little or no money in, and know someone who's interested in building a vintage road racer/MXer/trials bike, or just wants to get an old bike and get it running to putt around on GIVE IT TO THEM. You know you're probably not going to ever do anything with it, and it is more trouble to chase the spiders out and take it apart to part it out at the swap meet than it is worth. Here's your chance to clear out some of the dead wood, help a poor motorcycle get rolling again, and rope another unsuspecting person into the vintage scene, all the while building up a store of good karma for the future. Talk about your win-win situations. Think about it. Cheers, Michael Michael Moore Euro Spares, SF CA Distributor of Lucas RITA and Powerbase products Sole North American source of "The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors" http://www.eurospares.com AFM/AHRMA #364 ------------------------------ End of VintDirt-digest V1 #40 *****************************
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