Motocross Stories

The Burnt River vintage moto invasion

The back-story

In September of 2017, I attended a vintage motocross race at SandDelLee in Ottawa. The event was organized by John Lebrecht, a Canadian motocross legend from the early 60s, and Johnny Grant of MX101. The event was well attended. We had about 25 bikes on display and 10 or 12 r...

First race for a 33-year-old Suzuki

Just like I would have done back in '84, I woke early, jumped in the car and set out to the races. And just like back in the day, I had two bikes in tow. Many motocross racers in the 80s had two bikes; a 125 and a 250. If you wanted to run more than two motos in a day, your only option was to buy...

First ride of 2017 on my new RM-Z 250

Last fall I went for one last ride for the the 2016 season. I went to Limerick forest and had a very unfortunate incident when I decided not to tie my bike down to the trailer properly. I did manage to salvage that day and get out for a good ride but it was that ride that got me to thinking about ...

A Motocross Wedding/Flight of the RM

So why would I try to make an 84 RM fly? My Uncle Mike was right on the money, I watched my Dad do it and refused to be outdone, especially during the week of my wedding.

This story is part counter-story to So how far can you safely jump a 1984 Suzuki?

Contrary to popular belief, riding Mot...

Too Many Projects, Not Enough Room & What Makes a Bike “Vintage”?

As can be seen in the above photo, I have too many projects on the go, and not enough room to do them.

My first project didn't actually have anything to do with motocross. I finally grew tired of putting studs in my rear tire and attaching my homemade front ski, just to ride it once or twice, real...

So how far can you safely jump a 1984 Suzuki?

I know for sure you can fly 110 feet without any problem at all.

Last summer my nephew and his bride had their wedding in our hometown. Since buying the old '84, I had really been looked forward to taking it to the track where I cut my teeth as a young motocross-crazed kid.

Have you ever done anything this dumb?

Back in 1982 I bought a brand new Yamaha YZ-250. It was the first year that Yamaha used International colours for Canadian bikes. Mine was white with a red seat and gold rims and it looked amazing. The reason I bring this up is because this was the first time I had a bike fall off a trailer. Yes

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...

So many reasons not to ride

I just spent a winter restoring a bike and the results are fantastic. Why not ride it?

On Tuesday I put new rubber on the wheels. This was the last stage and my plan was to come home, put the mounted wheels in the basement and then when I get back from my trip I will drag the bike outside and pu...

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...

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...

1984 Dirt Bike Magazine 250 Shootout

Here is something pretty awesome... I found this article on the web but I did purchase and read this issue in 1984.

I read every word several times over. Honda was the big deal for me back in those days- they could do no wrong. The Suzuki was picked as the winner for this shootout. I remember

Kent Howerton's 1980 250 championship RH80

This is a very good story from mxworksbike.com

mxworksbike.com is an awesome website that I discovered today. They are the home of the largest collection of works bikes and bikes of historical importance. I particularly liked this story as Kent Howerton is telling the story of his championship 19...