Posts
1616
Joined
11/9/2009
Location
Avonmore, PA
US
Edited Date/Time
5/29/2022 7:57pm
Myself , my 31 yo Daughter and Son-in-law all race Vintage X-Country and Moto. My daughter just started racing last season and has done remarkably well . So well in fact, that the AHRMA board bumped her into the Expert class, so I figured "what the hell, might as well build her an Expert type of machine" I found a decent 82 XR200R ,but the Cam bearing was bad so obviously that meant an entire frame up ,super modded , trick-out ,high performance rebuild was needed !!
I wanted to trim some weight off the bike as it weighed in at 246 when I got it home. I used a lot of aluminum and titanium hardware, drilled some holes, used later model alloy triples and stem, (saved 2.2 lbs there) the stock steel swingarm was replaced by an 85 XR350R alloy swinger, that required a good bit of machining to get it properly fitted (saved a whopping 7.5 lbs there!),used the XR350 rear hub too. I had to fab and weld a rear brake cable mount on that arm because the 350 uses a brake rod instead of a cable. Obviously dumped the lights,extra wiring, and fender mounted tool bag. trimmed the gigantic skid plate back to a more realistic size.
Performance mods were -- entire engine was torn down ,with new seals,bearings , bored .030 over with a Wossner piston, went with a mild Megacycle Cam ,stock ignition, stock re-jetted carb , super modified the restrictive air box, built a custom stainless exhaust from pieces from Cone engineering (great dudes) . To improve the braking ,got a 78 CR250 front hub ,laced Dubya spokes to an Excel rim , fitted up a set of Simons forks, had to bore the clamps 2 mm to accept the larger tubes. front brake mechanism needed machined to make clearance, but all came together nicely , custom gripper seat cover from EVO in the UK with her sponsors ( should be MY name,lol) name stenciled on . Added some bling with some Ano billet parts , Cerakoted the hubs in flat black and the backing plates in dark bronze, did the engine in Tahitian red ,powdered the frame the same. Just broke it in and the bike rips .Much stronger than I expected, and got the weight down to 223 wet.
She's been undefeated so far in her short race career (hence AHRMA's decision to bump her) and hopefully this bike will help her continue the streak . And she selected my AMA amateur number from the 70's to compete with.. Thats my girl
I wanted to trim some weight off the bike as it weighed in at 246 when I got it home. I used a lot of aluminum and titanium hardware, drilled some holes, used later model alloy triples and stem, (saved 2.2 lbs there) the stock steel swingarm was replaced by an 85 XR350R alloy swinger, that required a good bit of machining to get it properly fitted (saved a whopping 7.5 lbs there!),used the XR350 rear hub too. I had to fab and weld a rear brake cable mount on that arm because the 350 uses a brake rod instead of a cable. Obviously dumped the lights,extra wiring, and fender mounted tool bag. trimmed the gigantic skid plate back to a more realistic size.
Performance mods were -- entire engine was torn down ,with new seals,bearings , bored .030 over with a Wossner piston, went with a mild Megacycle Cam ,stock ignition, stock re-jetted carb , super modified the restrictive air box, built a custom stainless exhaust from pieces from Cone engineering (great dudes) . To improve the braking ,got a 78 CR250 front hub ,laced Dubya spokes to an Excel rim , fitted up a set of Simons forks, had to bore the clamps 2 mm to accept the larger tubes. front brake mechanism needed machined to make clearance, but all came together nicely , custom gripper seat cover from EVO in the UK with her sponsors ( should be MY name,lol) name stenciled on . Added some bling with some Ano billet parts , Cerakoted the hubs in flat black and the backing plates in dark bronze, did the engine in Tahitian red ,powdered the frame the same. Just broke it in and the bike rips .Much stronger than I expected, and got the weight down to 223 wet.
She's been undefeated so far in her short race career (hence AHRMA's decision to bump her) and hopefully this bike will help her continue the streak . And she selected my AMA amateur number from the 70's to compete with.. Thats my girl
The Shop
All your bikes seem lovely! (Did you sell that superb 1980 RM100 DG bike?)
Best of luck to your daughter on this lovely bike build.
...My slightly older Sister was also really fast- was one of the first Girl racers in UK - way back- like 1978 she actually had abit of a race with a few of the quick National youth top riders (Boys), couldn't believe how quick she was. She was fast. Was a right 'Tomboy' (English expression for a girl who was as tough as boys!) She was an animal on a bike, very skilful.
Alot of the clubs did not allow girls to race back then- but my Sis could take it to the best of them! She stopped riding because it was so hard to get entries to races back then for girls- but man- was she fast!! She still talks about the times and days.
Yes I am proud of my daughter, although her successes are somewhat of a surprise since she had never raced ,and hadn’t even ridden a bike in over 10 years. 2 short practice sessions at home and she wanted to give it a go. That was last July ,and she has won 9 in a row,including a National , I like to think it must be in the genetics ,lol
Strangely sound similar your Daughter and my Sis... my Sis only competed in about 2-3 races before quitting(although she rode for like 3 years). In the last race she did was 3 boys who were like top 10 in youth Nationals (or better), she got like 2nd place start, lost 2nd place to one of the quick boys, then the 3rd quick National level lad got her- she took him back a few corners later! He got her again shortly after then a lap later she fell... that was her last race.
As said girls were barely allowed to race back then, only a few clubs allowed it, I previously said was about 1978, was earlier, think like 1976-77.
Always felt bad for her when she quit as she loved riding. My Dad continued to take me, she was faster than me and more skilful. Also we (our family) used to be Road race fans, Dad used to take us to some of the big Road races, Barry Sheene, Roberts, Agostini etc. Barry Sheene used to sit my Sis on his lap (she was about 8 years old) and do interviews, he really inspired her. Probably why she was so quick!
Super memories and best of luck to your fast Daughter!
Show some more of your lovely bikes if you can!
But to answer your question, her 82 can be raced in Women’s PostVintage Expert with no suspension travel limit. She races a 74 Husky MK frame with a 73 Honda XL250 engine shoehorned in Women’s Vintage Expert. That’s the 74 and prior class with 7” front and rear 4” travel as I’m sure you’re aware of. I’m finishing up a super badass 74 YZ125 Noguchi for her to race the Moto events,since her 74 Husky/Honda is bit too heavy and slow for MX, but more than adequate for the tighter ,slimier XCountry events.
A22~sounds like Sis was a real natural ripper, too bad she quit so early . And yes , I’ll post some more of my bikes including the Noguchi, my 82 ProCircuit/Anaheim Husky CR250 and the 203lb Hurricane 1980
Pit Row
Hopefully the 74 Noguchi Stage 2 125 will be ready for that one too, so she has something a bit quicker and lighter than her Husky MK framed~Honda XL powered XCountry machine
If it weren't for the internet I would never believe that there are so many cool women into riding.
You must spend a lot of time in the garage
As far as the Husky/Honda — it started out as a purely, VERY experimental piece and was built as such. I will have to say ,it is NOT very photogenic,in its current state. The plan was to race it to work out the bugs and THEN tear it down and “prettify” it. But, since she’s got 12 races on it with only 1 DNF ,It seems to have proven itself,so this winter it will get the treatment. Actually the only pics I have of it is of my daughter on it at the races. I’ll take some pics of it possibly tonight when I get home from the office.
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