Is this the Vital 2T taliban dream bike? YZ 220 Retro

The air cooled aspect is the biggest draw for me.

There used to be tons of mods for the blaster engine. Probably still are. It was one of only a handful of quads in its class for over ten years on the racing circuits.

A modern no-link KTM or equivalent with an air cooled engine for under five grand would be a cool combo.

I have a complete It175F engine on the shelf.

Always figured it would be real nice dropped in an old supermini chassis for just general dirt fun for a smaller rider

Yep. I also grew up in this era. Once in a blue moon, a guy with an IT200 or KDX200 (or 175) would show up at the track and race it in the 125c class. Even though they were underpowered and undersuspended slightly, they were competitive with mid pack riders and could have a great time. I know the idea of a new 200cc two stroke isn't gonna happen, but couldn't someone make a 300cc air cooled four stroke with 30hp that a guy could have a good time with on a MX track? Something along the lines of a pumped up CRF230 or TTR230 with suspension from the 21st century and more power.

I'd really like to see his YZ490/YZ250 hybrid build.

I would think that the way around the emissions crap would be to sell a "kit" bike with no carburetor on it. The customer would have to buy the carb separately.

Who ended up winning the Honda dream bike?

I'd like to see air-cooled kdx 200 engine in a kx250f chassis. I had a 86 air cooled kdx and it was a great bike.