Vintage Dirt Digest #31-40


VintDirt-digest        Saturday, June 28 1997        Volume 01 : Number 031




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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

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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

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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

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End of VintDirt-digest V1 #31
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VintDirt-digest         Monday, June 30 1997         Volume 01 : Number 032




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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
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VintDirt-digest         Tuesday, July 1 1997         Volume 01 : Number 033




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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

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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




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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




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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
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> 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.

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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-- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Jul 1997 09:52:32 -0800 From: "Michael Moore" 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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