Random 1980s racing pictures

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

@phantomtracer - I only know his first one had a aircooled KDX200 engine but do not know anything about the chassis or who if anyone helped him build it but he had it a good year before Kawasaki released their 250. After the KDX he raced pretty much run of the mill Tecates and i stopped seeming him at the big races around the end of 1985. I do not recall ever speaking to him in the pits or having a very close look at his bikes. Paul also had a really nice watercooled CR125 three wheeler but i have not come across any photos of it.

Lee Rodgers name rings a bell but i can remember any details about him.

[atc007]

Take note of the amount of people in the stands alone,,,,,in 1981,,,not counting all the friends ,family and crews in the pits . Try and fill them today at a 3 wheeler race... Stellar as always John. LMAO about Charlies Dad,and his crooked goggles. That was always a pet peeve of mine lol. After the races,,,fine,but at the start. Straighten your goggles!!

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

Some 200x fun

Got my 200x when they first got released for 1983 and we had to call a bunch of dealers before we found one in stock and we picked it up on our way to a race in LA.

First day with the new 200 was a Thursday night race at Corona. We put a pipe, rear tires and a number plate on it and went racing..but if you look the pipe has already fallen off.


I raced my 200x nearly every weekend and remember it being super reliable.


The 200x is a great flat track bike.


We used to always race two or more classes back in those days.


*for atc007*
Next time you talk to Jeff at Maier tell him to check their 1986 catalog...im the guy on the quad.

[atc300r]

John did you use any type of lowering link on the rear of your 200x.

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

More work on the Rotax cleaning it and replace the rubber bits that are crumbling and falling apart while i can still find the parts. The newest thing needing replacement is the carb intake flange is cracked, seems a pretty standard Rotax part but it has a small bit of machining to clear part of the custom intake manifold so gotta sort that out.


Disassembled the 38mm Lectron powerjet carb yesterday, everything was good with it but i wanna replace the gaskets before i put it back on.


@atc300r - We did use lowering links on our 85 Honda 250s and on my Quadracers but on the 200x i believe i would back off the preload on the spring and used a steel cable that had an eye bolt on each end and i would use that to limit the travel. Would only do this on tracks with no jumps.

It was ghetto but worked, here is a even more low budget version on my Can-am 400

[onformula1]

^ That intake boot looks like it is off the 370-400cc engine that had a reed valve.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/1990-ATK-406-...item2ed555e5d9

They fit a 38mm carb too.

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

@onformula1 - I was gonna order this one - http://jbmindustries.com/912socket.html

The holes are 75mm from center of bolt to bolt and with the jbmindustries version the backplate is steel so it will be easy to machine the notch to clear the bolt holding on the aluminum manifold.



The amount machined off the one currently on the bike is more than it needs.

[Poco Loco]

This is one of the best threads I've seen on any forum. I only have 1 pic to contribute.

While at pine lake I was hangin in the ATC Boy's pit after the races and have a cocktail while who walks in, it was Tom Carlson of TC Racing. He had some old pics of him racing at Pine Lake back in the 80's.
He was kind enough to give them away and sign them. Pretty cool. Every body got a pic and none were the same. he brought about 5 or 6 pics.

Here's the one I chose.

[Toaster556]

John, I see you ran a Maier low profile fender on your Quadracer. Did you ever have any problems with it? Any more quadracer pics?

That manifold adapter on the Rotax is a work of art, I also can't believe that Lectron bowl isn't discoloured!

[onformula1]

@onformula1 - I was gonna order this one - http://jbmindustries.com/912socket.html

The holes are 75mm from center of bolt to bolt and with the jbmindustries version the backplate is steel so it will be easy to machine the notch to clear the bolt holding on the aluminum manifold.



The amount machined off the one currently on the bike is more than it needs.

Looks like a perfect fit, it's amazing that those Rotax/Bombardier engines have that kind of interchangeability.

Go Kart, Ultra Lights, Snow mobiles, dirt bikes, street bikes, trikes. Many parts can be swapped around.

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

After removing the sideguard for the airfilter and carb i got to thinking...you could put any Rotax motor you wanted into that frame and the only thing requiring any fabrication would be making an exhaust pipe. I love that you can remove the engine without having to remove the swing arm pivot bolt.

But there is only one engine i would want.



Rotax 250 is exotic and cool but the KTM495 was a legend even in its own time.

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

@Toaster556 - They would drag on the tires but i never could ride with the high stock fenders so we would just replace them often. I have a few Quadracer pics ill upload in the couch section later but my Dad was more focused on his stop watches than the cameras by the time i started racing quads so there are only a few photos of them besides whats in the old magazines.

This 80s racing page needs more 80s racing..

One of my Dad's weird front tire ideas, i believe the front tire and brake was off a scooter and the forks are off a XR200.



Carnegie cyclepark 1982, my trophee was taller than George's so chubby kid is pleased with himself.





On soil like the photo below (Hangtown OHV) it worked well but on hardpack or bluegroove it would just push and we only used this setup for a few races before changing to a 82 ATC250r front end that worked well.

[onformula1]

After removing the sideguard for the airfilter and carb i got to thinking...you could put any Rotax motor you wanted into that frame and the only thing requiring any fabrication would be making an exhaust pipe. I love that you can remove the engine without having to remove the swing arm pivot bolt.

But there is only one engine i would want.



Rotax 250 is exotic and cool but the KTM495 was a legend even in its own time.

The KTM495 still is a legend-
1981 KTM 495
This was the first model year for the Great White. This was also the year that Dirt Bike magazine had it flat out at 123.75mph (200km/h) at the El Mirage dry lake.

The 1981 model is known to be the fastest of them all. It didn't have a reed valve intake. A very long intake manifold and a small exhaust volume contributing to the overall power output at high rpm. Due to this setup, the engine was capable to overrev without losing too much power. It was the lightest 495 ever made; this was the reason why this bike could reach this enormous top speed. One year later KTM added some ponies, but at lower rpm. The head had the twin spark plug. The idea was to get a more complete combustion despite the huge volume. The compression was 14:1. The front fork was a 38mm conventional Marzocchi unit. The rear shock was Öhlins or WP piggybacks, except the US model that was equipped with FOX air shocks. It had the typical rear fender with number plates. Drum brakes both front and rear. This bike is very rare and the twin shock setup makes it qualified for certain vintage classes and therefore it holds a high value.

[Toaster556]

After removing the sideguard for the airfilter and carb i got to thinking...you could put any Rotax motor you wanted into that frame and the only thing requiring any fabrication would be making an exhaust pipe. I love that you can remove the engine without having to remove the swing arm pivot bolt.

But there is only one engine i would want.



Rotax 250 is exotic and cool but the KTM495 was a legend even in its own time.

How about a 504 thumper? I rode a KTM MXC504 a buddy of mine restored, and while it didnt hold a candle to the top end rush of my 500XC Husky, it sure made for a fun ride.

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

KTM 550..because more is better