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...

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...

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...

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...

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

Riding the Whoops at Limerick

A selfie VintageMoto style...

I have not posted in a while. I have been busy working at the marina, working for my own website customers, playing music and riding dirt bikes.

I have some epic stories that I want to write. Next on the list is a chronicle of my great adventure to BC with Bernie...

Finally my first real ride

Yesterday I wrote a story about finally getting the engine running properly and the suspension working a bit better. I was also pining about not having a place close by to go for a ride. When I woke this morning and did some further editing on that story, it drove me over the edge. Maybe I shoul...

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...

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...

I am now a Vintage Motocross racer

I am now a Vintage Motocross Racer!

Actually, I have yet to enter a vintage class race, but I will next year as I plan to attend at least one race. So how did this come to be you ask, it happened gradually.

I have been a motocross racer on and off since I bought my first true motocross bike in...