The 70’s

WhipMeister
Posts
5259
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Big D, TX US
6/27/2026 7:52pm
Whip, there's that slow mo moment in the MX part On Any Sunday where the CZ shifter is just springing back and forth after a shift...

Whip, there's that slow mo moment in the MX part On Any Sunday where the CZ shifter is just springing back and forth after a shift.  They had quite a throw.  Tranny's were bullet proof though.  

I know the scene! And CZ riders swear you get used to it. Only gear I found consistently was neutral!

1
cz2crf2wc
Posts
544
Joined
11/22/2013
Location
Solona Beach, CA US
6/27/2026 7:55pm
Whip, there's that slow mo moment in the MX part On Any Sunday where the CZ shifter is just springing back and forth after a shift...

Whip, there's that slow mo moment in the MX part On Any Sunday where the CZ shifter is just springing back and forth after a shift.  They had quite a throw.  Tranny's were bullet proof though.  

I know the scene! And CZ riders swear you get used to it. Only gear I found consistently was neutral!

Hold the throttle wide open and pull up on the shifter, it was like a automatic. And you didn't need the clutch.

2

The Shop

motorick5052
Posts
815
Joined
9/8/2018
Location
Hillbillyville , FM US
6/27/2026 9:11pm
Thats great to hear! I got that KX from Mike more than 16 years ago now, but all these laters, I still remember that dealing with...

Thats great to hear! I got that KX from Mike more than 16 years ago now, but all these laters, I still remember that dealing with him was as good as it gets, when buying a used bike! He underpromised & over-delivered! I have never forgotten that he was a good person & I am glad to hear that Mr. Hance is still going strong in the moto community!

😎 👍❗️

Second time trying to type this out. F'ing app lets you (accidentally) jump out without asking "Are you sure you want to lose these 500 words?"Don't...

Second time trying to type this out. F'ing app lets you (accidentally) jump out without asking "Are you sure you want to lose these 500 words?"

Don't want to inflate his ego too much.  But Mike Hance is probably the nicest, big-hearted guy I have ever met in this sport:

209567 1666661310294 892410 o 1666661310294
Mike Hance - 2011 Diamond Don's Riverport AHRMA National

1) My very first race at our local “Chicken Licks” raceway, which is Jody Weisel’s label for Rabbit Run – yes. Before MXA and California Jody rode out of the same shop in Richardson, Texas that Mike and I ended up riding for. Big R Cycle.

I was in the signup line, scared to death. I hand the lady my form and money. She looks it over and says, “Aww, honey. We already have a #17 in your class. You’ll need to pick something different.”. Shoulders slumped with a “What the hell do I do now?” look on my face. A couple of seconds later, somebody taps me on the shoulder. I turn around and the guy says, “Hey, bud? Keep your 17. I’ll change mine to 71.”. That was the moment I met Mike “Lord” Hance. We’ve been friends ever since. We kept those numbers. And, then, when Chicken Licks became an AMA track, we had to switch to 3-digit plates. Naturally, I became 170 and he became 171. I only switched to 177 because Bates was out of white #0s when I set up my 79 Elsinore.

2) That was only the beginning. About 2015 he purchased, refurbed and gifted an 83 RM125 to former national #220, Paul “Bermshot” Burnett at Oak Hill. 
 

DSC 0989 10.JPG?VersionId=M9wIUR3xvgO3kqA
Hance surprising Paul "Bermshot" Burnett with a new tribute bike.

3) Same day he brought out a #21 Husky 250 for the late Tim Riddle to ride just like the one Tim rode BITD. I think Tim raced it a couple of times before his doctors told him “No more.”. One of those races was at the late Mike Kidd’s Scramblecross events.

4) Same day he has a CZ 400 that he was letting anyone that wanted to spin some laps on it. Only condition? The bike belonged to terminally ill guy. After your laps, Mike would hand you a sharpie and ask you to pen words of encouragement on the gas tank. Only time I ever rode a CZ. How the hell did anyone get used to that shifter?!?! 

DSC 0722 5.JPG?VersionId=hJ.NOCxCK37
My first time to ever ride a CZ.

Founder of the legendary Team Cramp. (IYKYK). 

“Championships won at 3pm and 3am”. 

Best pit setup anywhere. 

“Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.”. 

“You can either get busy living or get busy dying. The choice is up to you.". 

Modelo Especial. 

Teekeelya.

Legends and Heroes could do worse than officially honoring my friend.

That’s AWESOME stuff! Great pics too! 
I actually participated in a few TVRC MX events back in maybe 2015-16 & had a BLAST! I was SO impressed by the club and how welcoming they were to guys from other places & regret that I have never been able to participate regularly! 

😎 👍❗️

2
R66
Posts
1331
Joined
4/16/2021
Location
Atlanta, GA US
1 day ago


My ‘78 RM80 that replaced the XR75

IMG 1873 3.jpeg?VersionId=Q0n1rgaSHdZXoFqwLujRe
15
Kenny Banyan
Posts
4077
Joined
6/2/2024
Location
Seattle, WA US
1 day ago
R66 wrote:
My ‘78 RM80 that replaced the XR75


My ‘78 RM80 that replaced the XR75

IMG 1873 3.jpeg?VersionId=Q0n1rgaSHdZXoFqwLujRe

Bet you wish you still had that.😎

1
sumdood
Posts
8848
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA US
Fantasy
1 day ago

The 70’s also brought us crochet bikinis 👍

IMG 4911
15
Wandell
Posts
7840
Joined
12/17/2008
Location
Cairo, GA US
1 day ago
IMG 3647.png?VersionId=yfoMozqyKGkWc7m.SLEIZi8q
R66 on his brothers 1973 GTMX 80

MY FIRST BIKE WAS A 77MX80.

1
1 day ago
R66 wrote:
My ‘78 RM80 that replaced the XR75


My ‘78 RM80 that replaced the XR75

IMG 1873 3.jpeg?VersionId=Q0n1rgaSHdZXoFqwLujRe

Can anybody explain that rear tire? Looks gnarly.

WhipMeister
Posts
5259
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Big D, TX US
1 day ago
That’s AWESOME stuff! Great pics too! I actually participated in a few TVRC MX events back in maybe 2015-16 & had a BLAST! I was SO impressed...

That’s AWESOME stuff! Great pics too! 
I actually participated in a few TVRC MX events back in maybe 2015-16 & had a BLAST! I was SO impressed by the club and how welcoming they were to guys from other places & regret that I have never been able to participate regularly! 

😎 👍❗️

If you get a chance, come on down for this race.

22nd Annual Diamond Don Riverport AHRMA National

Pretty sure Mike and the rest of the TVRC crew will be there (in Team Cramp corner). Typically so will Brad Lackey, since he has helped promote this race from the beginning. Blake Wharton, Windham, Trampas Parker (and his kin, who are all fast) and others are regulars at this race. The XR200 and 100cc special races are usually epic.

1
motorick5052
Posts
815
Joined
9/8/2018
Location
Hillbillyville , FM US
1 day ago Edited Date/Time 1 day ago
If you get a chance, come on down for this race.22nd Annual Diamond Don Riverport AHRMA NationalPretty sure Mike and the rest of the...

If you get a chance, come on down for this race.

22nd Annual Diamond Don Riverport AHRMA National

Pretty sure Mike and the rest of the TVRC crew will be there (in Team Cramp corner). Typically so will Brad Lackey, since he has helped promote this race from the beginning. Blake Wharton, Windham, Trampas Parker (and his kin, who are all fast) and others are regulars at this race. The XR200 and 100cc special races are usually epic.

Thanks for the heads up & info! 
I would LOVE to come participate, or at least spectate that event! 
Regrettably I do NOT currently have a functional vintage MX bike, as I have my 2005 YZ apart for a long needed refresh and like the world class Moron that I am…I sold my 1983 YZ490 to fund another project! 
(Ironically, I am almost certain my 490 eventually made its way through another Oklahoma legend, Trey Jorski & might being ridden by Trampas curently!? 🤪 ) 

I attended the event Trampas put on in Henryetta back in 2018 and it was a BLAST! Watching the team 100 race was such a cool deal! 👏❗️

Maybe I can get my bike back together or luck onto another vintage bike by then! I’ve never been to Diamond Don’s but I have seen pics and read about it, I know its THE event to attend!

😎 👍❗️

1
WhipMeister
Posts
5259
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Big D, TX US
1 day ago Edited Date/Time 1 day ago
Thanks for the heads up & info! I would LOVE to come participate, or at least spectate that event! Regrettably I do NOT currently have a functional vintage...

Thanks for the heads up & info! 
I would LOVE to come participate, or at least spectate that event! 
Regrettably I do NOT currently have a functional vintage MX bike, as I have my 2005 YZ apart for a long needed refresh and like the world class Moron that I am…I sold my 1983 YZ490 to fund another project! 
(Ironically, I am almost certain my 490 eventually made its way through another Oklahoma legend, Trey Jorski & might being ridden by Trampas curently!? 🤪 ) 

I attended the event Trampas put on in Henryetta back in 2018 and it was a BLAST! Watching the team 100 race was such a cool deal! 👏❗️

Maybe I can get my bike back together or luck onto another vintage bike by then! I’ve never been to Diamond Don’s but I have seen pics and read about it, I know its THE event to attend!

😎 👍❗️

I am almost certain that Jorski will be there. He always is.

Many, like me, don't race. We're there just to hang out, see old friends, take it all in, tell lies, feed the gators, taking in the benefits of the  brotherhood. There's always some satellite rides through the countryside as well. He's got a cross-country loop staked out, too. Every night there's something going on in his massive pavilion. 

I bring my Husky FE dual sport and a couple of pit bikes. If you do want to race, there are many that will let you race one of theirs. Mike can probably fix you up with a ride.

You never know who you will run into. (Coombs, Lackey, Alex Moroz of Legends and Heroes).

DSC 7229
Davey, Brad and Alex - 2011



There's also a lower key dual-sport event there in November as well. Same scene, but not the Woodstock for motocrossers the September race has become. We show all these movies on a 120" screen in the pavilion.

2
NorcalVet
Posts
641
Joined
9/6/2007
Location
Nor-cal, CA US
1 day ago
R66 wrote:
My ‘78 RM80 that replaced the XR75


My ‘78 RM80 that replaced the XR75

IMG 1873 3.jpeg?VersionId=Q0n1rgaSHdZXoFqwLujRe

Can anybody explain that rear tire? Looks gnarly.

Probably a Metzler 

  • I had it as my oem tire, on brand new 79 RM 125 that I looped out on my 2nd practice start

    -$950 OTD from Hayward Suzuki 

2
G-man
Posts
9087
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Mesa, AZ US
1 day ago Edited Date/Time 1 day ago

Great thread and pictures guys! Here are some from the infamous Carlsbad Raceway 

Damn I miss racing on that track. It was so gnarly and fun. Here's going up the ledge.

The Trifecta of AWESOME So Cal tracks that are gone but not forgotten......

1000016849 2.jpg?VersionId=sfsDdvYOGn5

 

1000016796 0

 

Indian Dunes 

1000016850.jpg?VersionId=0N0ERonJszHR5kiAur8YudTnuKrb

 

1000016854 0

 

1000016852
13
Kenny Banyan
Posts
4077
Joined
6/2/2024
Location
Seattle, WA US
1 day ago
G-man wrote:
Great thread and pictures guys! Here are some from the infamous Carlsbad Raceway Damn I miss racing on that track. It was so gnarly and fun. Here's...

Great thread and pictures guys! Here are some from the infamous Carlsbad Raceway 

Damn I miss racing on that track. It was so gnarly and fun. Here's going up the ledge.

The Trifecta of AWESOME So Cal tracks that are gone but not forgotten......

1000016849 2.jpg?VersionId=sfsDdvYOGn5

 

1000016796 0

 

Indian Dunes 

1000016850.jpg?VersionId=0N0ERonJszHR5kiAur8YudTnuKrb

 

1000016854 0

 

1000016852

Awesome pic Gman!💯

1
R66
Posts
1331
Joined
4/16/2021
Location
Atlanta, GA US
21 hours ago

Can anybody explain that rear tire? Looks gnarly.

It was a Cheng Shen. That was my go to tire on my XR75 too. 

3
21 hours ago

Can anybody explain that rear tire? Looks gnarly.

R66 wrote:

It was a Cheng Shen. That was my go to tire on my XR75 too. 

I was going to say Chen Shen. I had many of those rears in the 70s. They were cheap and lasted a long time. I remember they were stiff and hard to put on though.

1
20 hours ago

Can anybody explain that rear tire? Looks gnarly.

R66 wrote:

It was a Cheng Shen. That was my go to tire on my XR75 too. 

It reminds me of a tire my older brother put on my DR125 way back in 1983-or 84. The Suzuki had a 17 inch rear wheel and the only 17 inch tire in town was I think a recapped Trellborg. And I wanna say it was a 5.1 at that. I must have lost 25% horsepower with that thing on. 

oldnescVet
Posts
162
Joined
12/5/2023
Location
By The Sea, CT US
14 hours ago
Scott920 wrote:
20180324 100314

Oh man! That’s beautiful, is that like a 71?

My cousin had a 69 396 with a four speed. Great times in that car. My 2016 mustang with a stage two kit and x pipe exhaust would kill that thing in the 1/4 though. 

2
skypig
Posts
945
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
Caloundra AU
13 hours ago
oldnescVet wrote:
My cousin had a 69 396 with a four speed. Great times in that car. My 2016 mustang with a stage two kit and x pipe...

My cousin had a 69 396 with a four speed. Great times in that car. My 2016 mustang with a stage two kit and x pipe exhaust would kill that thing in the 1/4 though. 

1969 Is a long time ago!


I loved the 1970’s but the reality is all the great bikes and cars don’t compare to what we have now.
When I got my first modern Trailbike for a long while - a 2006 KTM 450EXC - I rode it on trails I’d last ridden an early 80’s TT600 on. Apart from being far lighter, with more power, infinitely better suspension and brakes - things had hardly moved on! (Also ergonomically superior, but potentially the biggest improvement thinking back to that TT - electric start.) I can remember riding the KTM thinking a younger TT600 owning me would have been blown away.

Great memories, and they were the best available at the time - but time marches on.
I wish the 2026 version of me was as good as the 1983 version………

motorick5052
Posts
815
Joined
9/8/2018
Location
Hillbillyville , FM US
13 hours ago
Scott920 wrote:

70 SS454 

 

💥  🫪  🫨❗️😛  😘  💥

Seriously Dude…that is 4-wheeled porn! 

Absolutely GORGEOUS❗️

My best childhood buddy…his dear ol’ Dad had 1970 SS El Camino w/396 cowl-induction hood etc! He bought it from his Dad & has it to this day! Those late 60’s / early 70’s hot rod’s were THE epitome of kick-ass cool & Detroit will never ever be able to top them or those good ol’ days! 

😎 👍❗️

G-man
Posts
9087
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Mesa, AZ US
13 hours ago
G-man wrote:
Great thread and pictures guys! Here are some from the infamous Carlsbad Raceway Damn I miss racing on that track. It was so gnarly and fun. Here's...

Great thread and pictures guys! Here are some from the infamous Carlsbad Raceway 

Damn I miss racing on that track. It was so gnarly and fun. Here's going up the ledge.

The Trifecta of AWESOME So Cal tracks that are gone but not forgotten......

1000016849 2.jpg?VersionId=sfsDdvYOGn5

 

1000016796 0

 

Indian Dunes 

1000016850.jpg?VersionId=0N0ERonJszHR5kiAur8YudTnuKrb

 

1000016854 0

 

1000016852

Awesome pic Gman!💯

Thanks, Kenny and thanks for starting this thread. The 70s was an awesome time to be a teenager no doubt along with the music. Best times ever and I was lucky to make it out alive! 😂

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Mfngiap2V/

 

3

Post a reply to: The 70’s

The Latest