Signs you might be an old motocrosser….

gantry25
Posts
198
Joined
2/28/2015
Location
Henderson, NV, USA
1/30/2025 9:44am
mx317 wrote:
When you remember moving up your shocks using Poppy body Konis. Gary Jones was winning nationals. You lined up next to a CZ and a Bultaco...

When you remember moving up your shocks using Poppy body Konis. Gary Jones was winning nationals. You lined up next to a CZ and a Bultaco, but a Maico gets the holeshot. You started with a rubber band start. Metzler for hard-pack and Trelleborg for soft tracks. You had hair on your head. You watched ABC's Wide World of Sports when they broadcasted the Carlsbad GP while playing CCR in the background. I could go on and on lol.

There's a place up ahead and I'm going
Just as fast as my feet can fly
Come away, come away, if you're going
Leave the sinking ship behind
Come on the rising wind
We're going up around the bend
Ooh!
Any time I hear that song it reminds me of that broadcast!
2
SCYRacing
Posts
522
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Mingo Jct., OH, USA
1/30/2025 9:48am

Ordered stickers from Stick 'Em Up. You cut out the ad and circled the ones you wanted

"Turn the gas on dummy"

3
mx317
Posts
5332
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
1/30/2025 9:51am
gantry25 wrote:
There's a place up ahead and I'm goingJust as fast as my feet can flyCome away, come away, if you're goingLeave the sinking ship behindCome on...
There's a place up ahead and I'm going
Just as fast as my feet can fly
Come away, come away, if you're going
Leave the sinking ship behind
Come on the rising wind
We're going up around the bend
Ooh!
Any time I hear that song it reminds me of that broadcast!

I saw John Forgerty last summer and he is awesome as ever. 

1
Hasletjoe
Posts
610
Joined
7/29/2013
Location
Haslet, TX, USA
1/30/2025 10:16am

I am so old I would like to be just old! 

Okay, how about you had to adjust the timing (Bar Mounted control) when starting. Then set to advanced for the race....

2

The Shop

1/30/2025 10:26am
gantry25 wrote:
There's a place up ahead and I'm goingJust as fast as my feet can flyCome away, come away, if you're goingLeave the sinking ship behindCome on...
There's a place up ahead and I'm going
Just as fast as my feet can fly
Come away, come away, if you're going
Leave the sinking ship behind
Come on the rising wind
We're going up around the bend
Ooh!
Any time I hear that song it reminds me of that broadcast!
mx317 wrote:

I saw John Forgerty last summer and he is awesome as ever. 

We went to the short track race's at the Lodi cycle bowl and my van took a shit. We were "stuck in Lodi again".

3
wreckitrandy
Posts
4205
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Granite Falls, NC, USA
1/30/2025 10:37am
Hasletjoe wrote:
I am so old I would like to be just old! Okay, how about you had to adjust the timing (Bar Mounted control) when starting. Then set...

I am so old I would like to be just old! 

Okay, how about you had to adjust the timing (Bar Mounted control) when starting. Then set to advanced for the race....

HA! Are we talking motocross or board tracks?! You may be the winner!

1
1/30/2025 10:54am

You know what blendzall smells like.

Mudd801 wrote:

and adding a cap-full of Blendzall Gold label into every gas-powered piece of equiptment on your property... 

Still use itIMG 1517 0.jpeg?VersionId=EPLSv7r.8ot5Z9eO5vu0 lDTWS5j9V

6
KHNC
Posts
654
Joined
5/24/2023
Location
East Flat Rock, NC, USA
1/30/2025 11:07am

When you have a giant azz NO FEAR sticker on the windshield of your brand new 2WD single cab 1995 ranger pickup with a smokin hot brand new YZ125 with full North County Yamaha graphics. Of course, decked out in the Extreme NCY sponsored jersey and pants,  along with  AXO helmet and boots. Oh damn, that was how it used to be. Now i just walk around after my "HOT Lap" at the track telling everyone how 2T's were awesome and race gas was the ultimate pheromone. 

5
peanutt
Posts
120
Joined
6/26/2018
Location
Chula Vista, CA, USA
1/30/2025 11:08am

Must haves; Answer Roost Boost Plus electronics,  Boost Bottle. Remember Yamaha had them Boost Bottle stock on their bikes called Yamaha Energy Induction System (YEIS)

4
1/30/2025 11:35am

Loaded the bikes up the other day to go ride, a couple of surron kids rode by and asked where I was going. Told them pala and they didn't know what I was talking about, then one kid asked if I ever ride fox raceway. These kids makin me feel real old. 

3
Forty
Posts
3061
Joined
7/27/2009
Location
Saint Paul, MN, USA
1/30/2025 11:37am

Great thread - memory lane.  Keep them coming.

2
TeamGreen
Posts
37010
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA, USA
1/30/2025 11:54am Edited Date/Time 1/30/2025 11:59am
peanutt wrote:

Must haves; Answer Roost Boost Plus electronics,  Boost Bottle. Remember Yamaha had them Boost Bottle stock on their bikes called Yamaha Energy Induction System (YEIS)

What about B.A.S.S. …1985 YZs…? I remember the 1st time I saw it…I think it was on a TZ? 

1
SEEMEFIRST
Posts
13779
Joined
8/21/2006
Location
Arlington, TX, USA
1/30/2025 1:06pm

Banke Snake pipes.

2
sumdood
Posts
8855
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
Fantasy
1/30/2025 1:27pm

If you had an aftermarket plastic tank that sat over the frame on a hunk of foam and was held on with hose clamps and bungee cords

A Tweaky Bar was a fork brace,  not a bar where meth heads hang out 

If you ever "Modified" a Yamaha mini enduro 80 by shortening the piston skirt and drilling lubrication holes in the side of the piston because you heard that was the trick set up, and laid down shocks of course 

 

5
sumdood
Posts
8855
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
Fantasy
1/30/2025 2:05pm
TeamGreen wrote:

What about B.A.S.S. …1985 YZs…? I remember the 1st time I saw it…I think it was on a TZ? 

Drops the rear when you step on the back brake...  looked good on paper  ! lol 

1
Forty
Posts
3061
Joined
7/27/2009
Location
Saint Paul, MN, USA
1/30/2025 2:24pm
TeamGreen wrote:

What about B.A.S.S. …1985 YZs…? I remember the 1st time I saw it…I think it was on a TZ? 

sumdood wrote:

Drops the rear when you step on the back brake...  looked good on paper  ! lol 

Right - The good thing about B.A.S.S. was that it worked!  

The bad thing about it was that it worked! 

 

5
1/30/2025 2:57pm

Being able to buy a 1974 Elsinore with money saved from working a paper route for a year..

Seemed Ike a lot of money back then, now wouldn't be enough to rebuild a top end on a  modern 4 stroke.

2
BAD10
Posts
1135
Joined
1/3/2009
Location
San Diego, CA, USA
1/30/2025 3:23pm
TeamGreen wrote:

What about B.A.S.S. …1985 YZs…? I remember the 1st time I saw it…I think it was on a TZ? 

sumdood wrote:

Drops the rear when you step on the back brake...  looked good on paper  ! lol 

Actually didn't drop the rear, it reduced the compression damping in the shock when braking. Theory was that it would help the rear stay planted in braking bumps.

1
JustMX
Posts
5260
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
1/30/2025 3:43pm
mx317 wrote:
I’m wearing one here. Mine was called a Pacifico Face Fender.

I’m wearing one here. Mine was called a Pacifico Face Fender. IMG 4183 3

I know that is a forward falling gate, but seeing that guy leaning on the plywood reminded me of something a saw once at a race with a rubber band start.

For those not familiar with a rubber band start, surgical tubing would be anchored in two places, one of them parallel with the start line, the other out in front of the gate10' - 20'. Then there would be a ring in the center of it to make a triangle to the pin that released the band.

Ideally the band would be pulled in front of and away from the riders so that they would not snag the band.

Now keep in mind that band is going to be tight to move fast. on a long gate it would take somebody pretty stout to pull that ring to the pin.

Then when the pin is pulled that washer, or whatever they have in the center goes rocketing across. Usually they had a piece of plywood or some kind of wooden structure for it to hit.

It was not unusual for it to knock holes in a piece of wood, so then they would just untie the plywood and slide it a foot and let it hit an undamaged area until it required attention again.

So now imagine somebody decides the band is not tight enough and shortens the band a couple of feet. and the center ring is anchored so the band can't center itself.

First race of the day and a guy is standing partially behind the plywood. Pin is pulled and the dude gets absolutely nailed in the upper thigh about where the bottom of a pocket is, by a piece of tow chain link that then ricochets grazing his junk.

had a bruise the size of a volleyball on his thigh, but damn,  2 or 3 inches over and they might have been looking for his nuts.

2
mumbles
Posts
860
Joined
11/15/2006
Location
Perry, GA, USA
Fantasy
1/30/2025 3:52pm
mx317 wrote:
I’m wearing one here. Mine was called a Pacifico Face Fender.

I’m wearing one here. Mine was called a Pacifico Face Fender. IMG 4183 3

JustMX wrote:
I know that is a forward falling gate, but seeing that guy leaning on the plywood reminded me of something a saw once at a race...

I know that is a forward falling gate, but seeing that guy leaning on the plywood reminded me of something a saw once at a race with a rubber band start.

For those not familiar with a rubber band start, surgical tubing would be anchored in two places, one of them parallel with the start line, the other out in front of the gate10' - 20'. Then there would be a ring in the center of it to make a triangle to the pin that released the band.

Ideally the band would be pulled in front of and away from the riders so that they would not snag the band.

Now keep in mind that band is going to be tight to move fast. on a long gate it would take somebody pretty stout to pull that ring to the pin.

Then when the pin is pulled that washer, or whatever they have in the center goes rocketing across. Usually they had a piece of plywood or some kind of wooden structure for it to hit.

It was not unusual for it to knock holes in a piece of wood, so then they would just untie the plywood and slide it a foot and let it hit an undamaged area until it required attention again.

So now imagine somebody decides the band is not tight enough and shortens the band a couple of feet. and the center ring is anchored so the band can't center itself.

First race of the day and a guy is standing partially behind the plywood. Pin is pulled and the dude gets absolutely nailed in the upper thigh about where the bottom of a pocket is, by a piece of tow chain link that then ricochets grazing his junk.

had a bruise the size of a volleyball on his thigh, but damn,  2 or 3 inches over and they might have been looking for his nuts.

When I started racing in 1972 they only used one rubber band or tube. Tied at the right and the starter would just hold it until it was time then let it go. You better make sure you got to the line first so you could get as close to the starter as possible. Outside had no chance of a good start. Wish I had a good picture. 

This is the only pic I have. It was really foggy that day. You can see the band lying on the ground in front of me. I was on the wrong side of this start.

IMG 2637

 

1
1/30/2025 4:24pm
YZ515Vet wrote:

When you use to describe how you went through a section using BRAAP BRAAP!🤪

Still do

1
CDA331
Posts
331
Joined
3/22/2022
Location
Coeur D Alene, ID, USA
1/30/2025 4:24pm

When you still refer to them as 60s and 80s. Back in the day if you called them 65 or 8 you were a total poser, now it’s the norm? 

wwdiii
Posts
2575
Joined
4/15/2019
Location
League City, TX, USA
1/30/2025 4:37pm
mx317 wrote:
I’m wearing one here. Mine was called a Pacifico Face Fender.

I’m wearing one here. Mine was called a Pacifico Face Fender. IMG 4183 3

JustMX wrote:
I know that is a forward falling gate, but seeing that guy leaning on the plywood reminded me of something a saw once at a race...

I know that is a forward falling gate, but seeing that guy leaning on the plywood reminded me of something a saw once at a race with a rubber band start.

For those not familiar with a rubber band start, surgical tubing would be anchored in two places, one of them parallel with the start line, the other out in front of the gate10' - 20'. Then there would be a ring in the center of it to make a triangle to the pin that released the band.

Ideally the band would be pulled in front of and away from the riders so that they would not snag the band.

Now keep in mind that band is going to be tight to move fast. on a long gate it would take somebody pretty stout to pull that ring to the pin.

Then when the pin is pulled that washer, or whatever they have in the center goes rocketing across. Usually they had a piece of plywood or some kind of wooden structure for it to hit.

It was not unusual for it to knock holes in a piece of wood, so then they would just untie the plywood and slide it a foot and let it hit an undamaged area until it required attention again.

So now imagine somebody decides the band is not tight enough and shortens the band a couple of feet. and the center ring is anchored so the band can't center itself.

First race of the day and a guy is standing partially behind the plywood. Pin is pulled and the dude gets absolutely nailed in the upper thigh about where the bottom of a pocket is, by a piece of tow chain link that then ricochets grazing his junk.

had a bruise the size of a volleyball on his thigh, but damn,  2 or 3 inches over and they might have been looking for his nuts.

mumbles wrote:
When I started racing in 1972 they only used one rubber band or tube. Tied at the right and the starter would just hold it until...

When I started racing in 1972 they only used one rubber band or tube. Tied at the right and the starter would just hold it until it was time then let it go. You better make sure you got to the line first so you could get as close to the starter as possible. Outside had no chance of a good start. Wish I had a good picture. 

This is the only pic I have. It was really foggy that day. You can see the band lying on the ground in front of me. I was on the wrong side of this start.

IMG 2637

 

I got the rubber band starting gate tee shirt also!

Philo Beddoe
Posts
1215
Joined
11/26/2024
Location
Kennesaw, GA, USA
1/30/2025 4:54pm

Never saw a rubber band start in person but the thought of that fucker somehow snapping  into me  was enough to keep me away.

kijen
Posts
1223
Joined
10/1/2010
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
1/30/2025 5:24pm

Disabling the auto injection on my dt90, so a could premix my gas, and be cool like the kids that had a yz80. Have a paper route in Santa Ana so I could buy a brand new 77 elsinore 125 as a leftover in 79, and glad I didn't have a 23inch front wheel but wished I had an up pipe. Ditch high school and ride saddle back and wonder why all those guys had painted vans, obviously I figured out they were pros after a whileSmile rode Gaylon Mosiers practice bike Maico in trubucco canyon, think it was there. Rode Victorville before it was developed. Cried when the cancelled the Bardstow to Vegas, stuck a phantom  duck sticker on my dad's dodge D50. Yep think that covers the 70s for meSmile

1
oldnescVet
Posts
162
Joined
12/5/2023
Location
By The Sea, CT, USA
1/30/2025 6:10pm

Never saw a rubber band start in person but the thought of that fucker somehow snapping  into me  was enough to keep me away.

You never lined up on the pull end, only on the release end. That band was deadly. Before band starts were clutch hand on the helmet neutral starts. All the dorks would sit straight up but the fast starters got that hand as close to the bars as possible.

1
Gravel
Posts
1849
Joined
2/22/2014
Location
Ridgecrest, CA, USA
1/30/2025 7:32pm Edited Date/Time 1/30/2025 7:34pm

Annealing a copper Elsinore head gasket to save the $2.25 a new one cost. For the fourth time. And listening to mom yelling about how her stove isn’t for bike part cooking..

8
Radical
Posts
2882
Joined
10/20/2012
Location
San Diego, CA, USA
1/30/2025 8:09pm
cmotodad wrote:

If you feel bitchn hitting that big double, 15ft. wide, till a kid on a 50 goes by making it a triple.

You said "Bitchin"! You're one of the cool kids

1
Radical
Posts
2882
Joined
10/20/2012
Location
San Diego, CA, USA
1/30/2025 8:15pm
RiverockMX wrote:

Gookinaid or Preston Petty sticker on your toolbox.

I still use Gookinaid sometimes.  It's now called Vitalyte.

1/30/2025 8:34pm
cmotodad wrote:

If you feel bitchn hitting that big double, 15ft. wide, till a kid on a 50 goes by making it a triple.

Radical wrote:

You said "Bitchin"! You're one of the cool kids

This thread is" totally Bitchin"!

 

3

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