Going Vintage racing

Huckster
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Huckster
Edited Date/Time 2/26/2013 6:11pm
I have decided that this probably is my last year of racing and I want to go out with a bang. I want to attend the MX Rewind at Unadilla so I am in the market for a vintage or Post vintage bike. I had a '81 YZ 465 about 10years ago, raced it and had a blast. Any advice on what I should get? I am not looking for a restoration project. I want something I can pick up and go racing on for a season. Leaning towards a 78-81 Yamaha but willing to listen to any advice. Would love to have a '81 Maico but its probably not in the budget. Looking to spend about $2k or so to get started.

Thanks in advance....
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FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 2/14/2013 10:48am
2/14/2013 10:48am Edited Date/Time 2/14/2013 10:49am
Pretty sure Joe has a bike for you!

Drum or disc, long or short travel, twin or single shock?
Huckster
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Huckster 2/14/2013 11:14am
2/14/2013 11:14am
I don't know much about the vintage rules but from what I saw on Unadilla's web site I am leaning towards a post vintage bike. I kind of liked that 81 YZ 465 and have been looking at CR's around that era as well. Probably something from '78-82 and a 250 or bigger.
newmann
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newmann 2/14/2013 11:24am
2/14/2013 11:24am
Joe has a $3250.00 bike.... Super low hour original and unrestored 81 YZ465H. Still has the kickstand and those are all of the original decals. Original owner must have flipped it and parked it. Front fender is scratched. Bars were bent, levers missing and rear fender cracked. Fork boots were dry rotted and seals were oozing. Tires were hard, chain had surface rust and air filter had disentigrated. Now has fresh Renthals, Dunlops, tubes, rim strips, fork seals and boots, grips, levers, Twin Air and new chain. Rear fender was replaced with nos Yamaha part. Probably needs the carb cleaned as it has been sitting the last four or five years. For the price and what you are getting, really a pretty cheap deal. Needs nothing to go racing unless you wanted fresh oil in the monoshock.


newmann
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newmann 2/14/2013 11:26am
2/14/2013 11:26am
Could race it for the year and probably get your money back out of it when you are done. I just depleted my bank account buying something big and red. Too much junk, some of it has to go! FTE needs to get ready to buy a cherry 87 CR250.

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Huckster
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Huckster 2/14/2013 11:26am
2/14/2013 11:26am
that beautiful and would be perfect but a little more than I want to spend plus I would have to have it shipped. East coast vintage has one that looks to be in as good a shape for a bit less as well. Newmann whats your opinion on the YZ of that era vs the CR's or RM's? Anything that I should stay away from for sure?
FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 2/14/2013 12:36pm
2/14/2013 12:36pm
Do you want a 125, 250 or open bike?

Open, the 83 cr480 is a good bike.

82-83 rm 250 and 125 are fun bikes.

Pre 81, the Suzukis are good, the 78-79 cr250's (partial to those)
Huckster
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Huckster 2/14/2013 1:44pm
2/14/2013 1:44pm
250 or bigger....probably too big for an older 125cc. I saw a really nice '82 rm 250.
moto922
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moto922 2/14/2013 6:56pm
2/14/2013 6:56pm
I like my 82 CR480R. On most MX racetracks I can ride in second & three gear. You need to match the bike for what club & class you're going to ride. Read the rule book in AHRMA if that's the club.
Huckster
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Huckster 2/15/2013 3:20am
2/15/2013 3:20am
Nice bike. I did check the AHRMA rule book and I am interested in any Post vintage bike 250cc or bigger. I am not sure what the difference is in the 3 classes though, Historic, Grand Prix and Ultima. I would also be racing +40 as well. What class would the '81 YZ 465 be eligible for? What about a '82 RM 250? Or your bike, 82 CR 480?
evomx244
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evomx244 2/15/2013 3:47am
2/15/2013 3:47am Edited Date/Time 2/15/2013 3:48am
YZ 465 would be in the GP class

RM/CR would be in the Ultima class

You can run either bikes in the plus 40 class
Huckster
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Huckster 2/15/2013 7:30am
2/15/2013 7:30am
Thanks evomx244. Within these classes are those individual bikes considered competitive? I don't want to bring a knife to a gun fight.....
newmann
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newmann 2/15/2013 8:53am
2/15/2013 8:53am
Historic class is up to 1977 or like models. Drum brakes, air cooled, twin shock or Yamaha monoshock and up to 9 inches of travel if not mistaken.

GP class iup to early 80's models. Drum brakes, air cooled, twin shock or Yamaha monoshock.

Ultima class is drum brakes, linkage suspension and watercooling. No internal power valves.

The YZ465 and Maico 490's are the top dogs in the GP open class and age group classes. The 83 CR480 seems to be the beast for ultima racing.
qtrracer
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qtrracer 2/15/2013 9:39am
2/15/2013 9:39am
newmann wrote:
Joe has a $3250.00 bike.... Super low hour original and unrestored 81 YZ465H. Still has the kickstand and those are all of the original decals. Original...
Joe has a $3250.00 bike.... Super low hour original and unrestored 81 YZ465H. Still has the kickstand and those are all of the original decals. Original owner must have flipped it and parked it. Front fender is scratched. Bars were bent, levers missing and rear fender cracked. Fork boots were dry rotted and seals were oozing. Tires were hard, chain had surface rust and air filter had disentigrated. Now has fresh Renthals, Dunlops, tubes, rim strips, fork seals and boots, grips, levers, Twin Air and new chain. Rear fender was replaced with nos Yamaha part. Probably needs the carb cleaned as it has been sitting the last four or five years. For the price and what you are getting, really a pretty cheap deal. Needs nothing to go racing unless you wanted fresh oil in the monoshock.


May I ask if this bike is still available and how do I contact the seller? Thank you.
CamP
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CamP 2/15/2013 9:51am
2/15/2013 9:51am
Huckster wrote:
250 or bigger....probably too big for an older 125cc. I saw a really nice '82 rm 250.
The '82 RM250 is about as good as it gets for that era.

Here's mine.

newmann
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newmann 2/15/2013 9:52am
2/15/2013 9:52am
qtrracer wrote:
May I ask if this bike is still available and how do I contact the seller? Thank you.
It's still available. I even have the original chain, tires, bars and rear fender that came off the bike so you can see how little wear was on the original tire. newmann@gt.rr.com
Huckster
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Huckster 2/15/2013 11:29am
2/15/2013 11:29am
Huckster wrote:
250 or bigger....probably too big for an older 125cc. I saw a really nice '82 rm 250.
CamP wrote:
The '82 RM250 is about as good as it gets for that era. Here's mine. [img]http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/clpotter/SafetySeat002.jpg[/img]
The '82 RM250 is about as good as it gets for that era.

Here's mine.

that is sweet. I have a lead on one just like that and in the same shape. I am trying to decide whether to go that route or get a '81 YZ 465 that I also found. What are your thoughts? both are the same price and in the same shape.
CamP
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CamP 2/15/2013 3:51pm
2/15/2013 3:51pm
Huckster wrote:
that is sweet. I have a lead on one just like that and in the same shape. I am trying to decide whether to go that...
that is sweet. I have a lead on one just like that and in the same shape. I am trying to decide whether to go that route or get a '81 YZ 465 that I also found. What are your thoughts? both are the same price and in the same shape.
The RM's Full Floater suspension is light years ahead of the monoshock, so the choice was easy for me when I went shopping for a post-vintage bike. The screaming engine of the '82 RM250 is also a blast to ride if you are too heavy to relive your 125 days, but still want a bike that will rev to the moon.
Huckster
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Huckster 2/16/2013 4:06am
2/16/2013 4:06am
CamP what is fair price for a bike like yours in the same condition?

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CamP
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CamP 2/16/2013 10:16am
2/16/2013 10:16am Edited Date/Time 2/16/2013 10:21am
Huckster wrote:
CamP what is fair price for a bike like yours in the same condition?
Well my bike only has about 20 hours on it, much like Newman's YZ, so the price would be up there. When I found it, the original owner still had the MSO and it was still 100% original down to the tires, chain/sprockets, etc. He rarely rode it because it scared him. Then I added a complete 84 front end with race tech emulators and .46kg springs. Had the shock serviced and added a custom wound Cannon Racecraft 5.2kg spring. Fresh rubber and OEM bodywork. New chain/sprockets. New Renthal bars/grips. Fresh standard bore piston/rings. Found a complete safety seat and stored the mint original. New filters. etc. I think it's worth about $4k now, but it's not for sale since it would be nearly impossible to replace.

For the typical race ready bike, you are looking at $2000-3000 range.
rob.boucher.547 2/17/2013 4:19pm
2/17/2013 4:19pm Edited Date/Time 2/22/2013 7:25am
I am a diehard Yamaha fan 1980-81 models, I own 2 resto racers, but if you go open class
the 81-82 RM465's are fantastic,
Turn on a dime
smooth
fast
I cannot state enough that the bike goes were you point it, and tracks true!

The 81-82-83 RM250's are hard to beat

This is all based of course on proper set-up,tuning
and race-tech mods

This is my favorite open bike in my collection
This photo was taken at Midway MX in Mn
one of the oldest tracks in the state
completely landscaped, grass , shade tree's,
the nicest pits anywhere!





n
SCREAMIN62 2/17/2013 8:24pm
2/17/2013 8:24pm
I agree with Rob, 1980-81 Yamahas are the way to go. Parts easy to get, great handling and power.
You should be buying Newmanns bike!
But if you're a real man you'd race a Can Am........Smile .[/img]
rob.boucher.547 2/18/2013 3:25am
2/18/2013 3:25am
Sweet bike, now that has to be a rare bike,

I grew up 6 miles from a Kawasaki/Can Am/Ski Doo dealer on the RANGE in northern mn.
I do not remember even seeing one in the dealer.
We bought many Ski-doo's, great sleds
DrGreg
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DrGreg 2/19/2013 5:51pm
2/19/2013 5:51pm Edited Date/Time 2/19/2013 5:56pm
Cam-
That RM is gorgeous!

Huckster-
There is a 1982 RM 250 on eBay now, that at the moment is in your price range, (although the reserve isn't met). Looks like they cut the front fender to make it work and have the shock reservoir hose routed through the carb, but it may be one to watch
Huckster
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Huckster 2/20/2013 4:31am
2/20/2013 4:31am
thanks! I saw that and am watching it. Are those details a big deal?
DrGreg
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DrGreg 2/20/2013 6:17am
2/20/2013 6:17am
Not in and of themselves a huge deal, but maybe an indicator of the quality of the "restoration" he's claiming. I also noticed on the photo of the seat and silencer, something doesn't appear to be installed correctly. I can't imagine the seat tab and silencer mount share a mounting bolt and frame mount. It also looks like he's using bolts on the foot pegs instead of mounting pins.

Again these are easily corrected items but speak to the attention to detail of the restoration work.

Hopefully Cam will chime in again here on this, I'm sure he could spot a few more things on it. If the reserve is reasonable it looks like its a pretty decent bike though.
DrGreg
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DrGreg 2/20/2013 6:25am
2/20/2013 6:25am
Check ad 3209812 on Mark's Vintage Swapmeet
Huckster
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Huckster 2/20/2013 12:21pm
2/20/2013 12:21pm Edited Date/Time 2/20/2013 12:30pm
DrGreg wrote:
Check ad 3209812 on Mark's Vintage Swapmeet
Nice bike and in my range. How were the 82's?
CamP
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CamP 2/20/2013 1:26pm
2/20/2013 1:26pm
DrGreg wrote:
Not in and of themselves a huge deal, but maybe an indicator of the quality of the "restoration" he's claiming. I also noticed on the photo...
Not in and of themselves a huge deal, but maybe an indicator of the quality of the "restoration" he's claiming. I also noticed on the photo of the seat and silencer, something doesn't appear to be installed correctly. I can't imagine the seat tab and silencer mount share a mounting bolt and frame mount. It also looks like he's using bolts on the foot pegs instead of mounting pins.

Again these are easily corrected items but speak to the attention to detail of the restoration work.

Hopefully Cam will chime in again here on this, I'm sure he could spot a few more things on it. If the reserve is reasonable it looks like its a pretty decent bike though.
I took a look at the RM on ebay. There are so many hardware store fasteners, missing parts and weird/incorrect details on that bike that I would be very leery of it. Looks sort of like a beater car with a fresh paint job.
CamP
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CamP 2/20/2013 1:28pm
2/20/2013 1:28pm
DrGreg wrote:
Check ad 3209812 on Mark's Vintage Swapmeet
Huckster wrote:
Nice bike and in my range. How were the 82's?
The '82 YZ's were decent bikes, but the 83-84 rear suspension was greatly improved.
newmann
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newmann 2/20/2013 2:10pm
2/20/2013 2:10pm
I know of a brand new 1982 RN500 Suzuki works bike if anyone wants to part with $60,000.00 euro....Blink

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