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I also raced a 1980 YZ250 and it was an entirely different experience. Much faster class and of course more air time. Both of those bikes were easy to keep running and parts were not an issue.
vintage tracks are awesome and so are the people.
good luck and have fun
Have started riding again yet? And what bike did you decide on?
Since you already ride trials; have you thought about vintage trials? STRA has a vintage class (not sure if you ride with them currently; you're a bit north of me and much closer to most of their events)
I've just finished my bike build, and doing my first event in the vintage class this weekend up at TTC.
Regardless of what you end up doing; be smart about what bike you pick to ride and do your research. You will need parts, and some bikes are much easier (and cheaper) to source parts than others.
For example; the TY was relatively easy and can still buy a good bit of parts new from Rocky Mountain.
Currently building a Fantic 240 for my father, and that is a pain to find parts for; almost every order is from somewhere in Europe.
Keep in mind, racing a vintage bike is about the fun of riding an older bike. As mentioned, the brakes are a limiter, but the suspension is as well. You will need to be able to spin wrenches. And a lot of times the older rides will down right baffle you when the most unexpected item decides to fail.
The fun is chasing the parts you need, adapting modern parts (Shocks, seals, tires, etc...) to get your ride back on the track. You will meet a lot folks who careless about their finish and just are happy to not do the walk of shame (push your steed back).
Been doing this for quite a while and enjoy it to this day. The warning is that while he cost of vintage racing is tolerable, the collection sometimes can get a bit out of control (My name is joe and I am a vintage addict!)....
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Florida has the sunshine state series which covers north Florida. Great series
There's a Kiwi Company run by a fellow (Glynn / Glen - I've forgotten his second name) who worked with Sports Motorcycles of Ducati / Mike Hailwood's triumphant return to the TT fame and renown, that does Externally adjustable Emulators.
But, they want a heck of a lot of money for them. Fair enough.
I think it Is under the Sports Motorcycle name - he bought the name from Steve Wynne to my dim recollection. I try to avoid going back into "Ducatisti Land" , as I've enough involvement / tie ins with that side of things as it is. I try to stick with my making frames for some of them. And helping a mate with his Ducati workshop and Importation business, at times. "Retirement", is Bloody Busy!
If I were ever to put the 44s back into use, I'd do a Cartridge conversion . The Removable bottom fork slider cap and damper rod circlip retention in the stanchions really lend the 44s to have a cartridge be fitted in, quite easily, with some simple machining ( by my standards - I've 'done' suspension since the 70s). I don't think I'd bother making new Top caps , as Thor Lawson's Vintage and Evolution Suspension Products, last time I checked, had them at a price more appealing to me than machining some myself.
LOVE your bike! And great advice on things to keep in mind when riding. I'll definitely look into suspension upgrades. Thanks!
Excellent tips on backing up the corner and standing--I'll remember that. I'll put Husky at the top of my list. It's convenient that I also think they're some of the best looking. Haha. Awesome photo, too. Thanks for the info!
Good suggestions on checking Partzilla and eBay. It sounds like finding the right bike and doing parts research is going to be the ticket.
I've never heard of the "full floater" rear, but I'm curious and will do some Googling. Beautiful bike you've got!
Holy smokes! What a collection!
I admit to being rather a reluctant wrench-turner...but my husband loves it. He's the natural "team mechanic." He enjoys the parts hunting and restoration work and seeing a bike he worked on perform well. Our plan is that he'll handle (and enjoy) the wrenching, and I can focus on riding, and it'll be a true "team effort" when we finish a race.
We bought a blown up '03 GasGas for $500 a couple of years ago, my husband rebuilt it, and I finished a 24-hour race on it later that year. We both took a lot of pride in that finish, and having done it on the rebuilt POS made it so much sweeter. I expect that vintage racing will have a similar appeal.
What contributed to the difference in the bikes? Just the technology improvements between those years, or was it more the specific design of each?
I actually do ride with STRA! We plan to be at the event this weekend at TTC as well. Wave me down if you see me. My name is Caroline. We actually bought an Ossa MAR last year and are working on restoring it, but I'm really itching to work my way into some speed/moto riding, hence the interest in vintage MX. My husband will probably ride the Ossa when we finish it.
That is a BEAUTIFUL TY. Is that what you'll be riding this weekend?
There's also a club called the North Georgia Vintage Trials Club that you might want to check out. Might be a little far from you, but they're a great group of people. I used to ride their events when we lived up there. There's a fellow in that club with a Fantic 240 and he really does some amazing things on that bike. Beats a lot of the modern bikes on it!
Here are my two race bikes. I also have a garage queen I don’t ride.
Those RM465s are sweet bikes. Suspension was very good and they were so easy to ride.
That is incredible! Awesome collection 👍
I'll have the TY and my Sherco out there this weekend, probably do 1 day on each assuming no issues out of the TY. This will be the first real ride on it outside of playing out at our property. We should arrive sometime Friday afternoon.
My wife will be disappointed she's not going this time; she's always excited to meet other girl riders.
Pit Row
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