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Chris is on the Yamaha in the Harry's cycle sales jersey,
and i'm on the R&D Suzuki with chest protector on.
The Shop
Started racing at OCIR 1981 KX80
Raced 125 Int 1983 and Pro 1984-86 mostly NMA, CMC and other clubs in California
I remember racing NMA pro 125 and being up against some riders who are some of the greats, Bobby Moore, Larry Brooks, Jeff Matasivich, Mike Healey, Mike Fisher, Mike Kiedrowski, Willie Surratt, Todd Campbell, Sam Storer, Paul Denis, Bader Manneh, Kurt Henrickson, Billy Frank, it’s no wonder I had a hard time finishing in the top ten.
Lived near Jeff Ward and started to hang out with him a bit 1985/86. He really opened my eyes to what level of conditioning/dedication/talent it took to be great.
Look for a new Harry's topic, I talked to Chip V yesterday and we need to get everyone together for some old time fun and stories.
It's 1982 and Bunch has taken the wholeshot at Saddleback. I see #4 Larry Brooks, and I think Troy Blake #5. Can anyone name the rest? #1 on the Honda? Kawasakis up top? Look at Bunch and notice his upright style. Kinda like the bomber"Barnet". Also, notice he has the power on and is charging hard for Webco. Bunch was so smooth, look at his foot just skimming the ground. Awesome! btw: I know it 82 because he is on the full floater. BTW: Picture: Tom Corley
There is also a rider crashing to the left of #99 Mike Healey. I wonder who that might have been? Sure glad that I took that shot. There is another Bruce Bunch holeshot from the back track that I'm getting ready to print up.
S
CMC
I remember the day I found out about the passing of Bruce Bunch. Some of you might know the name Brandon Schneider, he too was a R&D rider and was a friend of mine. He told me the sad news and I couldn't believe it.
I was fortunate enough to be racing myself around this time on a 81 YZ 80 and then on a 82 CR 80, and what a awesome thing it was to watch Bruce fly around the track.
Bruce is what most of us tried to emulate. I remember being with my dad out at Indian Dunes watching the experts race and being in awe of how Bruce could go so fast and make it look so easy. My dad and I walked over to a part of the track to watch and learn from what I was seeing. I remember going out after the race to try and do what I had just watched. It definitely helped as I soon picked up on what I saw and improved quickly.
Some time back a friend of mine was talking to Dean Dickerson about purchasing a 125 that George Holland rode back in 1980 that was still sitting around the shop after all these years, he told my friend about Bruce's bike being their also and he would sell it too. Well, my friend told me about it and I jumped at the chance to buy it. The bike still had the dirt on it from Ponca City. I asked why Bruce's dad didn't keep it and was told that his dad was to tore up over the loss and didn't want to be reminded. I certainly could understand and was glad to have the opportunity to own & restore this " GEM" asap.
Dean told us that this bike was the 105cc bike that Bruce raced that day. He told us that Bruce liked the twin shock better than the new single shocker for this class. Supposedly, Suzuki made him race the 82 model in the stock class but let him ride this bike in the 105 class. Maybe someone can confirm this
This bike ran a larger carb...28mm I think, hand formed pipe. R&D airbox, custom aluminum swingarm, Trick....Triple clamps, curnutt shocks, Yamaha wheels & hubs due to being lighter & stronger,and of course Deans magic motor mods.
This is truly a mini works bike and a treasure that I'll keep for a long time to come. I hope you guys enjoy looking at it as much as I do. It never gets old looking at it.
Pit Row
Can you post some more pics of that bike?
Thanks for posting that.
Did you happed to take any pictures of the bike when you first bought it (withdirt still on it) that you could post?
What all was involved in the restoration?
Does anybody have any of track pictures of Bruce or Kyle or Rick that they could post? The one that Webcokid posted is so small you can't really see him. I have never seen what the Bruce or any of the other kids looked like with out their helmets on. Keep up the cool stuff!!!
Webcokid
Post a reply to: Bruce Bunch, Rick Hemme, Kyle Fleming