Motocross Stories

The progress of man - Let's get heavy!

I remember fondly my 1982 YZ250. It was really heavy compared to the competition. Riding that bike is what made me move to the 125cc class in 1983. I went from riding a bike that weighed 240 pounds to one that weighed 190 - or so the manufacturers say in their specifications. Every year, there i...

2001 RM 250 Project

I found this 2001 Suzuki RM250 on Kijiji. The guy was asking $1300 and the ad said it needed a clutch and a pipe. The title said "Need Gone!" I offered $600 based on the age of the bike and the fact that just to get it running it would need a clutch, a pipe and a seat assuming everything else was...

Preparing the bikes for Spring

I went a little overboard with the bike graphics. I normally would not care in the least what graphics are on the bike, but now I seem to desire some personalization. Number 81 is my sentimental favourite number. In 1983, that was my assigned racing number allocated by the Canadian Motorcycle Ass...

Some adjustment are in order

Since last we spoke about the 1984 Suzuki RM250, I was lamenting all the reasons not to go and ride the old beast. Since then a lot of time has passed by and a lot of things have happened. I went to B.C. and rode dirt-bikes with family and friends. I started a new job at place I used to work at...

The first ride of the 1984 RM250 VintageMoto.ca Bike

Well, here is something a little different... perhaps a little nerdy.

I bought a Mac a while ago and started using iMovie. I am getting the hang of using it. I put this video together to document the occasion. The song I used is by Charles de Lint from his Old Blue Truck record. Thanks for the...

A new pair of shoes - Metzler knobby shoes

An exciting day today in the restoration of the 1984 RM-250 that I have been talking about non-stop . I acquired a set of Metzler MX5 tires and went and visted my friend Mark Hurst to install them.

When I think about Mark Hurst, I realize that he has been a very bad influence on me. He has cost m...

Excellent choice for the levers

I am quite pleased with how this turned out.

It is difficult to find a decent front brake lever for an old bike with drum brakes. Since 1984 almost every bike made has come with front disk brakes which means there is a master cylinder instead of a cable perch. To compromise, I put a clutch lever o...

Number 81 Rides Again

Today the graphics went on and I am number eighty one again.

I don't know what it is, but I just get so excited about this old bike. I didn't get this excited when I bought my last new one - maybe I did, I just forget.

Today I got the graphics and installed them. I decided that since this is a...

Time for the top-end

It is time for the top-end

Finally the piston ring has arrived, it was the last piece that I needed in order to assemble the bike. As you can see in the picture above, the bike is pretty close to completion.

I ordered most of the parts from Wheelsport in Ottawa. They are one of the Suzuki deal...

Assembly of my first project

Today I drove my brother Pat to the train station at fallowfield and now for the first time in more than a week I am alone with time to reflect on a fantastic week of Motocross, Music and Family. Today is also my 23rd wedding anniversary. Mrs. Vintage Moto is at work today even though it is Sunday...

Everything is a project

There are so many things that need to change to make room for a new hobby.

As mentioned before, I gradually but impulsively became a Vintage Motocross Racer. Well how hard can it be for a man with my background to get back into motocross? My early mid-life re-entry into the moto world in 2002 see...

The Carburetor

The Carburetor was badly plugged.

Not suprising, the carburetor of the old bike was plugged solid but what is surprising is that the guy that owned the bike was able to get it started at all. When I found the bike on kijiji, there was a video that showed the bike running, not moving, just running....