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169
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2/24/2009
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Edited Date/Time
9/30/2022 10:38pm
I remember seeing pictures of oddball euro bikes back in the day. Ancillotti, Fantic, maybe Aprilia and or Derby? I'd forgotten all about them until I stumbled on some 1982 Italian 80cc mx.
Ever see any of these? Ride them? I swear there are zero japanese bikes in that footage.
Ever see any of these? Ride them? I swear there are zero japanese bikes in that footage.
The Shop
many countrys in europe had in this days 80cc classes with "big wheel" bikes.
http://www.vintagedirtbikeparts.net/VintageAncilottiASPESBetaDerbiFanti…
I've always wanted to find a fullsize TM85.
The frame is modified (taller and stronger, allowing CR125 steering stem) by RIWA, the fork is a WP4054 from a cr125, Öhlins rear shock, Talon hubs with 21/18 inch wheels, CR125 rear brake, ported cylinder by MTF, special exhaust, alu ignition cover.
At that time many riders had modified bikes like this, some even had RM125 chassis with RM80 engines.
The RM80H - 21" front wheel, 18" rear, and, an absolute Hoot to ride (and a hell of a lot safer for an adult to ride - minicycles are bloody dangerous for adults). :
In Europe, there are still 50cc full sized bike classes in quite a few Enduros. There are plenty of videos to be found of them.
And not only Italian brands, also KTM had there big wheel 80cc bike back then
I recall as I was in school to become a car mecanic, one of the teachers had his as sons bikes at the shcool, boy had a 80cc KTM whit a tiny 3,75-18 Trelleborg rear tire. Himself the teacher had a RM500...
A nother brand that I think is not Italian is Simpson, might only had enduro bikes, remember them singing at the 1990 ISDE in Sweden
The proberly biggers Italian brand is TM Motor whit there trick bikes, aluminium tanks....
A odd brand was Tresoldi
Pit Row
Converted CR125’s, then YZ100’s etc.
Never seemed common in Australia.
And, in many countries, there still are 50cc full sized bike classes. And still, a few manufacturers making them.
Unless you are a pup, you might have heard of Larry Roeseler? Well, he rode a KX125 / 80 hybrid in at least 1 ISDE - the 1989 German one, to fill out the Teams capacity range needed. Got Gold, but the Team had other problems. You can find the Dirt Bike Magazine article on it quite easily on the Internet, and a 9 /10 minute on board video that is supposed to be of the bike being put through it's paces.
I had a course marshaling job at the 92 Australian ISDE, and rode most days trails. I got to follow the 80cc riders a fair amount, and they were Spectacular. Only about 7 or 8 came out to OZ, but they were the very best 80cc riders. I can tell you, I had quite an interesting time keeping up with those blokes,, usually on sections I knew Very well, and they had never ridden on. They were amazing.
The last year for 80s in the ISDE was 1993.
I'd like to see the small capacity bikes, And the "Jumbos", re-introduced into the ISDE / EWC. It's Not going to happen, but I really think we are missing out without the Tiddlers and Monsters.
Sure a amazing build, like the one he did whit a KDX 200 engine.
I like small cc bikes as much as the bigger!
http://www.enduro21.com/index.php/40-general/2951-first-look-2018-beta-…
That looks like too much fun. Arcarons won the European Championship on this Montesa 75cc. When did the class go from 75cc to 80cc? That was why most early 80's were around 72cc. YZ, XR, TM apparently.
One of the years Gaston Rahier was here, when a few said that the reason he was winning races was because he was on Factory RA125s and RN370/400s, he jumped on a production RM100 and continued with his riding lessons.
A very young Paul Edmondson with his Enduro set up CR80, circa 1985(?)
I was aware of his brother,Derrick, through Trials, then Enduros, ( I think he was the Outright winner of the 1988 ISDE at Mende , France), but started to see Paul in the TMX newspaper on the CR80 Big Wheel:
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