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I took these pics of James at Perris on a 250f.I think it was before he raced it at the final National in 2004. I was able to print them out and have him sign them for me. I remember him being a pretty shy kid then.
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Location: southern, CA USA
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Joined: 2/12/2009
Location: GBR
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Joined: 1/27/2020
Location: FM, USA
Edited Date/Time:
Damn I miss that era! Super cool shots man.
Kind of forgot that I had those boots. First "nice" boots I ever had.
Motorcycles have been keeping me smiling for 19 years and counting!
The Chap - My YouTube channel. Trying to share the stoke!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqTZ4lNA_xYv6N2DS4L1Now
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Location: Cape Town / London, GBR
wish you had more photos - but even in 1 scrub photo you can tell his race style was literally a decade and a half ahead of its time. He was a pioneer of the technique we still see today's (young) pros using.
Roczen slander bloodhound...
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Location: Portland, OR USA
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Joined: 4/1/2008
Location: USA
I always wondered. Had he been on that 250f all season. If he wouldn’t had any DNF with it. The Kaw/Suz 250s then weren’t the most reliable. He was almost a sure bet on the 125 for any race.
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Location: Steamboat Springs, CO USA
Edited Date/Time:
Thanks for sharing! Here's a couple of Canard on a quiet practice day at Perris in 08 
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B Lenny wrote:
Saw him race that at GH..He killed them..
Me Too. He blew that field away on almost a completely stock bike.
Big James was pissed that Kawi didn't have more performance stuff for the bike, but James sure didn't need it.
He could have podiumed in the (then) 250 class the way he was riding that thing.
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Location: GBR
vansnxtweek489 wrote:
Damn I miss that era! Super cool shots man.
Kind of forgot that I had those boots. First "nice" boots I ever had.
Got a brand new set in box
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Joined: 9/27/2018
Location: Victimville, CA USA
Couple of things.
1) Sure wish James did not feel that he had to win every race/moto. How many titles would he have won if he learned a 3rd was a solid "bad" day.
2) James singlehandedly changed the way were ride/race motocross.
3) Canard's bike has Torco and Amsoil stickers on it?
human/kind ... be both
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Did we ever hear why he said no to the 250f? I figured he blew a few of them up and knew they wouldn't be reliable, but that's just a guess.
Instagram: vanillaice782
Amateur helmet painter
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Kevin852 wrote:
Couple of things.
1) Sure wish James did not feel that he had to win every race/moto. How many titles would he have won if he learned a 3rd was a solid "bad" day.
2) James singlehandedly changed the way were ride/race motocross.
3) Canard's bike has Torco and Amsoil stickers on it?
Short lived Torco racing fuel sponsorship. Was talked about in the FC bike history thread
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Location: Victimville, CA USA
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Joined: 12/10/2011
Location: FL, USA
B Lenny wrote:
Saw him race that at GH..He killed them..
Brent wrote:
Me Too. He blew that field away on almost a completely stock bike.
Big James was pissed that Kawi didn't have more performance stuff for the bike, but James sure didn't need it.
He could have podiumed in the (then) 250 class the way he was riding that thing.
Moto 1 AVG lap time James 2:46.2 & Ricky 2:45. James would have gotten 2nd. Nuts.
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smashingpumpkins167 wrote:
Did we ever hear why he said no to the 250f? I figured he blew a few of them up and knew they wouldn't be reliable, but that's just a guess.
A couple bogs/air stalls on the early 250F if I remember correctly.
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Joined: 4/30/2010
Location: Billings, MT USA
Bjorn645 wrote:
wish you had more photos - but even in 1 scrub photo you can tell his race style was literally a decade and a half ahead of its time. He was a pioneer of the technique we still see today's (young) pros using.
My thoughts as well. Looks like how a pro would look in 2020. He was way ahead of his time.
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Joined: 2/9/2009
Location: Beverly Hills, CA USA
epic photos. Stewart was the best to ever do it. That photo of Canard is so 2008, loved that bike, the No fear gear when it truly peaked before going under, and that Shoei helmet was cherry.
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Location: Inglewood, CA USA
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Location: Addison, TX USA
Awesome photos. James has other worldly talent, and I'm thankful I got to see him race in person a few times. When he didn't crash, no one touched him.
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Location: Lake Elsinore, CA USA
vansnxtweek489 wrote:
Damn I miss that era! Super cool shots man.
Kind of forgot that I had those boots. First "nice" boots I ever had.
If I remember right the inside was polka dots
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Location: Sydney, AUS
Thank god he didn’t race that bike all those years. It would have been an absolute snore fest! Probably would have pulled every start and won by a minute.
Cheers, Crush
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