Old YZ Memories

[3Z with Fangs!]

Just sold this thing this year, coolest old bike I ever owned. Scary fast, unpredictable and Raw. Had some good times and some really bad ones with it. Just thought I'd share. What are some of the old machines you guys have had come and go that are legendary?254963 This was my 1980 YZ465. It came to me as a job from a guy that wanted it running again after he'd spent $500 at the local Yamaha dealer and it still didn't run. Naturally, I couldn't resist at least checking it out. Part of that was the mechanic in me and the other part was I just had to see this old bike that I'd never seen before. At the time I was doing a lot of port work and stuff in Blaster engines (love those machines btw) and I figured what the heck it can't be much different right? Fundamentally no, but the animal is a way different character. Even the bestest Blasty is a housecat to this Lion.

[3Z with Fangs!]

Yes I got it running lol, then I bought it. Had to have it since it was born the same year I was. Yes, it hurt me really bag at least once. I know many of you were wondering lol! How fast was it? Man, I really don't know but I can say this... My cousin had an XR650L at the time, it has a speedo and it would top out at about 90 with me on it and I'm about 100 pounds heavier than him. We did this on the black top one day. He ran the 650 out the big end all it would do and I could pull up beside him on the 465 play with him. Gag the throttle and Gap him so who knows? It's not mine anymore so I have nothing to gain by telling fish stories I just enjoyed it while I had it. The guy I sold it to recently popped it running from State troopers on the asphalt. Older guy with no sense (clearly) whose been around and has had more experience with big bore bikes than me and he said it was the fastest bike he'd ever ridden including a CR500 that belonged to a friend. IDK, it was fun and fast and I'd love to hear it's stories if it could talk.

[Rob Canadian]

Does a 1978 Kawi KE125 count? Hehe. Old cottage bike many years ago... Road around with friend that had a CanAm 400. 1980ish. It would dig a drench on the gravel roads. He was a couple years older at the time than me. I never road it. At 16 I got into streetbikes then after a couple years got into duel purpose. I still have a 1985 Honda XL250R.

[El Camexican]

Regarding the top end on that open class Yamaha, I recall reading that Brock Glover was clocked at over 90 mph on an MX track on his DETUNED 490.

I had a chance to ride a CR480 when I as a 130# 15 year old. Coming off a YZ80 that was an eye opener.

[HondaRidr]

A few years ago I was itching to get a dirt bike came across a 86 CR500 for a good price. Went and checked it out and came home with my first bike lol. It was a fun bike but was a beast to start; knowing what I know now it was not jetted correctly down low. I sold it at the end of the summer because it needed quite a bit of work and I didn't to spend the money. Wish I still had it :cry:254965

[3Z with Fangs!]

I thought about trying to buy it back if I could get it cheap enough. Refresh the top end on it, ride it a little and then resell it.... Again lol

[Dirtcrasher]

My 82 RM250 turns out to be one of the best MX bikes of all time to own. I had lots of run with that bike, I was 19 years old.

I always sold bikes to get bigger ones :naughty:

[shortline10]

I love the early air cooled 2 stroke dirt bikes .
I just did a complete rebuild for a customer, 1976 yz125 , very challenging finding parts but a lot of fun .

[oldskool83]

I had a 95 YZ125 and way too many others. 01 YZ426F was the favorite...not sure who needed more power then those...they went anywayre and run veyr long time.

[El Camexican]

My 82 RM250 turns out to be one of the best MX bikes of all time to own. I had lots of run with that bike, I was 19 years old.

I always sold bikes to get bigger ones :naughty:

That was THE BIKE to own in 1982. I drooled all over that cover of Dirtbike Magazine. Got to make a single lap on one after the races once, it ranks high on my sweet memories list.

[3Z with Fangs!]

254979 Another that I sold a few years ago. Quite a handful when I was done and it was just mild. If I could ever get the TRI-Z to run like the 700 it would be outrageous.

[3Z with Fangs!]

This I built ground up and still have. 254980 I bought it as a running turd basically but I hadn't had a machine to play with in about 14 years so I took some pride in it.