Posts
18
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
Edited Date/Time
1/27/2012 7:35pm
Well I did it I got the bike out onto a track and got it all dirty!
Vintage racing is a real blast, at least with the club that promotes here on the East coast. Very laid back day lot's of great old bikes and the smell and sound of two stroke motocross bikes. I miss that sound so much that I watch current racing with the sound turned down real low and imagine braap, braap sounds.
I had some bike issues, but it's not surprising because this was the first time the bike was ridden! Yup I just up and went to a race without even testing or anything. Sure I had ridden the bike across my yard a time or two but no other track time. I may be a nut but it was fun!
Of course a bunch of people asked if I was really going to ride the bike and get it all dirty. I'm glad that Pipe was not there I'm sure he would have tried to talk me out of it. LOL
[img:755c7]http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m26/YZ_John/Berwick_5-5_104a.jpg[/im…]
Since the day was going to be my track day I did not even think about competing with other riders. Just ride around get used to the bike and stay out of everyone's way. I suited up to get ready for practice but the track was really wet because they had the watering system going for a few hours. Like I said racing at an ACR event is laid back. They had four open practices so I waited for the last one so that the track would be a little drier. I started up the bike let almost everyone go before I rolled out onto the track.
The first thing I noticed was that the bike was pretty darn fast. Sure I have not raced since 1984 but I had ridden a bike here and there over the years including a 2005 KTM200, 2004 RM125 and a 2003 YZF250 and my little vintage racer had real pull. Maybe it's just the power delivery but it felt fast. The other thing I noticed is that I am a complete spode. Being rusty would be an understatement. The track had some pretty steep hills and I was a little wuss riding the brakes down every single one of them! But what goes down must at some point come up and here were some pretty steep uphills too. In fact quite a few bikes were getting stuck going up the hills. I guess I was just scared of having to push my bike up the hills because I made it up every lap.
As soon as the bike warmed up it began to ping. It was horrible going up the steep hills. I really thought that the jetting was way lean. So before the first moto I grabbed the largest main jet I had and stuck that in. (from a 340 main to a 360 main) I also richened up the needle.
In the first moto I decided to let everyone go before setting out, so I lined up on the extreme outside. Dumped the clutch and found the front wheel of my bike pointing to the sky, lost my balance and was heading straight for the fence. Shut down the throttle, pointed the bike towards the first turn and rode carefully in that direction. I surprised myself by catching up to another rider in less than a half a lap. I was afraid to pass him so I followed around for a while. When I almost ran into him for the third time I attempted a pass and I made it! I sort of remember passing one or two other bikes but my friends told me I passed like 7 other bikes. They must have pulled off the track or something.
Of course the bike was still pinging horribly and I was trying to short shift it so I would not cause any damage. The hills caused me fits because I had to scream the bike to get up those damn things... they were really that steep.
Between motos I looked around for some Mikuni jets. I found a 400 main that I put in and an 85 pilot jet, they were as rich as I was willing to go. Then I headed out for the second moto. This time I was able to keep my bike straight off the line and got to the first corner with all the other bikes. The bike started pinging again after the first lap (good thing the motos were only 4 laps!) I didn't really remeber passing anyone but my friends were flashing me the peace sign. Or did they mean that I was in second place? No way.... they were just being nice.
In my class there were a total of four bikes. Since that is not very many ACR runs multipe classes at the same time. In the first moto I finished third and almost passed the second place bike. How the heck could that have happened? In the second moto I got a second for second overall! Okay now I really like this vintage racing stuff!
[img:755c7]http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m26/YZ_John/DSCF0024.jpg[/img:755c7]
Sorry that this is so long. Just wanted to share my experience and maybe convince a few of you into racing a vintage race or two. It really is a blast!
John
[url:755c7]http://home.hvc.rr.com/projectyz/[/url:755c7]
Vintage racing is a real blast, at least with the club that promotes here on the East coast. Very laid back day lot's of great old bikes and the smell and sound of two stroke motocross bikes. I miss that sound so much that I watch current racing with the sound turned down real low and imagine braap, braap sounds.
I had some bike issues, but it's not surprising because this was the first time the bike was ridden! Yup I just up and went to a race without even testing or anything. Sure I had ridden the bike across my yard a time or two but no other track time. I may be a nut but it was fun!
Of course a bunch of people asked if I was really going to ride the bike and get it all dirty. I'm glad that Pipe was not there I'm sure he would have tried to talk me out of it. LOL
[img:755c7]http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m26/YZ_John/Berwick_5-5_104a.jpg[/im…]
Since the day was going to be my track day I did not even think about competing with other riders. Just ride around get used to the bike and stay out of everyone's way. I suited up to get ready for practice but the track was really wet because they had the watering system going for a few hours. Like I said racing at an ACR event is laid back. They had four open practices so I waited for the last one so that the track would be a little drier. I started up the bike let almost everyone go before I rolled out onto the track.
The first thing I noticed was that the bike was pretty darn fast. Sure I have not raced since 1984 but I had ridden a bike here and there over the years including a 2005 KTM200, 2004 RM125 and a 2003 YZF250 and my little vintage racer had real pull. Maybe it's just the power delivery but it felt fast. The other thing I noticed is that I am a complete spode. Being rusty would be an understatement. The track had some pretty steep hills and I was a little wuss riding the brakes down every single one of them! But what goes down must at some point come up and here were some pretty steep uphills too. In fact quite a few bikes were getting stuck going up the hills. I guess I was just scared of having to push my bike up the hills because I made it up every lap.
As soon as the bike warmed up it began to ping. It was horrible going up the steep hills. I really thought that the jetting was way lean. So before the first moto I grabbed the largest main jet I had and stuck that in. (from a 340 main to a 360 main) I also richened up the needle.
In the first moto I decided to let everyone go before setting out, so I lined up on the extreme outside. Dumped the clutch and found the front wheel of my bike pointing to the sky, lost my balance and was heading straight for the fence. Shut down the throttle, pointed the bike towards the first turn and rode carefully in that direction. I surprised myself by catching up to another rider in less than a half a lap. I was afraid to pass him so I followed around for a while. When I almost ran into him for the third time I attempted a pass and I made it! I sort of remember passing one or two other bikes but my friends told me I passed like 7 other bikes. They must have pulled off the track or something.
Of course the bike was still pinging horribly and I was trying to short shift it so I would not cause any damage. The hills caused me fits because I had to scream the bike to get up those damn things... they were really that steep.
Between motos I looked around for some Mikuni jets. I found a 400 main that I put in and an 85 pilot jet, they were as rich as I was willing to go. Then I headed out for the second moto. This time I was able to keep my bike straight off the line and got to the first corner with all the other bikes. The bike started pinging again after the first lap (good thing the motos were only 4 laps!) I didn't really remeber passing anyone but my friends were flashing me the peace sign. Or did they mean that I was in second place? No way.... they were just being nice.
In my class there were a total of four bikes. Since that is not very many ACR runs multipe classes at the same time. In the first moto I finished third and almost passed the second place bike. How the heck could that have happened? In the second moto I got a second for second overall! Okay now I really like this vintage racing stuff!
[img:755c7]http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m26/YZ_John/DSCF0024.jpg[/img:755c7]
Sorry that this is so long. Just wanted to share my experience and maybe convince a few of you into racing a vintage race or two. It really is a blast!
John
[url:755c7]http://home.hvc.rr.com/projectyz/[/url:755c7]
LOL!
Great report! and I hope to someday ride and maybe race one of mine.
Sure sounds fun
Maybe that story will inspire you to start restoring your 81 YZ80H
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Bravo my friend!
-Steve
Yeah, and what about that pinging? You ever stop it? Timing? Air leak? Come on man, you just can't leave us hanging wondering when the bike will blow up?
If you look closly at the "dirty" picture of my bike you will probably guess the cause. It was leaking at the junction of the head and the cylinder. So no matter how rich I made the carburetor there really was no change in how much it pinged. It is really good that I went richer otherwise the poor bike probably would have blown up!
[img:1424f]http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m26/YZ_John/DSCF0029.jpg[/img:1424f]
I found that the head was warped so it was miled by the local machine shop. I still have not bolted it back together so I'll let you guys know once it is running again.
There are a few race tracks I am really looking forward to "racing" this year. The first is Southwick. Yes it's true our vintage club uses Southwick as one of the races in our series. In fact I origanally built my bike just so I could ride at this track. The other track is the old National Track at Broome Tooga. Since I was lazy earlier this year I missed the Budds Creek round of the series but I really need to get there for next year.
It is so cool going to these National tracks and seeing all the vintage bikes running. In fact Mike Bell is supposed to be racing at Southwick this year. He is a true Iron Man of the sport. The last time he was there he rode like 9 different classes! That is 18 motos in August with temps in the mid-90's!
If anyone is interested in racing vintage don't do what I did and "pimp" your bike out. Just get a good running machine and do the basics to make sure it runs good and then go out a have a blast. One of the newest and largest classes is called the Vintage 80's class. You get to race vintage bikes from the early to late 1980's and they have separate 125 and 250 classes. It is really great fun to watch. These bikes are a bit easier to find parts for and the bike prices are not outragous... at least not yet.
John
I dont like when they only have 3 riders per class. My brother in law tells me of his finishes. I forget he is getting scored against 3 or 4 other guys. Im glad you raced. I have a passion for vintage bikes. It is just that it takes so much money and time to do it. I know I will eventually have one to race.
Lee wouldnt be trying to convince you not to go out there, he would want you to beat the shit out of it so he could buy it from you for 50 dollars when you were through with it. I dont blame him for not riding them,I know what it takes to restore these bikes. I just thing he would have such a good time racing these old bikes.And he is a good rider so I know he would be having good finishes.
Your bike looks really good with the white plates.[/color:5b640]
Yes the track was Evansville Raceway in Berwick, PA it's about a three hour drive from my house. It was a fun track.
As for how many bikes are in each of the classes, that changes based on so many different things. When I started restoring my bike the EVO 200 class (which my 125 fits into) was the largest class! But that was a bit over three years ago. Now the biggest class is the vintage 80's class.
Maybe it has to do with how valuable the bikes become after a few years. Then don't forget the riders are always getting older. Plus the word vintage has different meanings to different people based on age. My idea might be the mid to late 70's era while for older folks it was the late 60's and early 70's. Of course for the younger set it could be 1995!!
As for cost it really depends on what you find. As you say Lee is able to find some super deals... you never know what will turn up. I know a few years ago I bought a 1979 RM125 for $650.00 it was in really good shape and you could have gotten it race ready for a few hundred dollars. I ended up selling it though. (probably shouldn't have after seeing how much I spent on my bike!)
The deals are still out there but not on places like E-bay, the swap meets or Craigs List.
For example I went to a local gas station to have my trailer inspected and the guy asked what the funky contraption was mounted to the front of my trailer. It was an ATK bike shoe and mentioned that it was for my dirt bike. He proceeded to tell me about a super low hour 1986 RM250 that a friend was selling for $800. So you never know where deals will find you. In fact if you're close to the NY state area I can probably hook you up with the guy.
Look around for a bike that's selling cheap and get involved. You'll have a blast!
Good Luck!
John
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