I've been thinking about racing vintage MX and could use some good sites for the gear, parts, etc. I love riding with my modern bikes but at 45 and w/all the young kids wizzing by I think it's time to get back to my roots. I'm kinda exicited because it will give me a reason to pick up an inexpensive bike (thinking Honda elsinore or similar) and doing a restore this winter. Need to get something that parts can be had fairly easily. Then, get some retro gear like I used to have when it was the "new stuff". Thinking 1974-1977 era, that's me! Mostly just want info that works for you, this will help me find stuff quicker I hope. I'm not giving up the modern bikes, just getting a new hobby.
New Hobby
- Thread starter Uchytil
- Start date
http://www.metroracing.com
http://www.vintageiron.com
http://www.amsracing.com
http://www.honda-elsinore.com
Here are a few off the top of my head!
The vintage classes are so cool! Theres another mindset there, it's more about respect than trying to kill each other.Although dont get me wrong, there is PLENTY of competition!
Good Luck!
http://www.vintageiron.com
http://www.amsracing.com
http://www.honda-elsinore.com
Here are a few off the top of my head!
The vintage classes are so cool! Theres another mindset there, it's more about respect than trying to kill each other.Although dont get me wrong, there is PLENTY of competition!
Good Luck!
markthomps
Sponsoring Member
- May 27, 2000
- 255
- 0
Go to the AHRMA web site at www.ahrma.org You'll find all the vintage schedules, a vintage online classifieds, rules, and some links to sponsoring shops. I'd personally recommend looking for a bike that fits the Post-Vintage classes, as the oldest stuff (pre-75) is expensive to keep up and as reliable as an unbribed politician.
Ignore the Metro Racing link above. That's just clothes. AMS is a good source for parts, but there are others. It depends on what bike you want to race. Most of the Euro stuff you can find parts for, but some of the early Jap stuff you can't.
There's a lot of vintage events in MI and OH, so you should be able to find plenty of chances to play with your old toys. District 14 has an entire series of vintage events and you're just hours away from teh biggest vintage event of the year, the Mid Ohio vintage weekend in July.
Ignore the Metro Racing link above. That's just clothes. AMS is a good source for parts, but there are others. It depends on what bike you want to race. Most of the Euro stuff you can find parts for, but some of the early Jap stuff you can't.
There's a lot of vintage events in MI and OH, so you should be able to find plenty of chances to play with your old toys. District 14 has an entire series of vintage events and you're just hours away from teh biggest vintage event of the year, the Mid Ohio vintage weekend in July.
Oregon Trail
~SPONSOR~
- Aug 2, 1999
- 263
- 0
Wear your modern gear, the protection is way better than what you had 'back in the day'. :bang: You can find 'retro' jersey's at Metro or some other sites, but stick with good modern protection. I'd say 95% plus of the racers wear their modern gear to race in. ;) Sounds like for bikes your choice is an Elsinore, pretty easy to find parts for those, so go for it. :aj:
I mentioned Metro because he said he wanted some retro gear as well.
Anyhow I agree- stick with modern technology for the protective items...I see some guys wearing the old open face helmets with a Scott face protector, you know the kind with goggles built in..I would not want to hit the bars with that set up.
Point is you wont be out of place even if you have a complete suit of modern styled gear on.
Anyhow I agree- stick with modern technology for the protective items...I see some guys wearing the old open face helmets with a Scott face protector, you know the kind with goggles built in..I would not want to hit the bars with that set up.
Point is you wont be out of place even if you have a complete suit of modern styled gear on.
Vintage stuff
From what I can tell out racing, the 1973-74 honda cr250 would be your best bet, for parts, and web sites with restoration parts, and ideas.
The 1974 class and older is considered vintage.
1975 and up to I think 1977 is historic
1975 to 81 is evolution?
I race the vintage class, and parts are getting tougher to find, and the pices are high(all 1974 good motocross bikes parts are high).
The best bikes in the vintage 250 class are: the ultimate is the 1974 yz250a, next would be the 1974 ossa phantom 250as, then the 1974.5 maico 250, then the honda cr250, & kx250, then the cz's. these bikes will cost allot to keep running and restore... but it is a major addiction and the prices wont bother you.
The good old starter bike would be a 1974 mx250... tons of parts, and tons of bikes out there. another would be the tm250, same thing, lots of parts...
This is just my opinion.
Let me know if this helps, I have a ton more info if you want!
See ya Coop :clue:
From what I can tell out racing, the 1973-74 honda cr250 would be your best bet, for parts, and web sites with restoration parts, and ideas.
The 1974 class and older is considered vintage.
1975 and up to I think 1977 is historic
1975 to 81 is evolution?
I race the vintage class, and parts are getting tougher to find, and the pices are high(all 1974 good motocross bikes parts are high).
The best bikes in the vintage 250 class are: the ultimate is the 1974 yz250a, next would be the 1974 ossa phantom 250as, then the 1974.5 maico 250, then the honda cr250, & kx250, then the cz's. these bikes will cost allot to keep running and restore... but it is a major addiction and the prices wont bother you.
The good old starter bike would be a 1974 mx250... tons of parts, and tons of bikes out there. another would be the tm250, same thing, lots of parts...
This is just my opinion.
Let me know if this helps, I have a ton more info if you want!
See ya Coop :clue:
- Thread starter
- #8
All great stuff specially the AHRMA site. I already decided to stick with my mod gear except for a retro jersey I already have. I have multiple helmets so I'll probably airbrush one to look a little "retro". I will do more research based on year but I still am leaning towards Honda. I am pretty taken by the 79 CR250 but also like the earlier (74) CRs also. I'll decide soon and base some on parts availability. One thing I can't find is track layouts. I went to a few vintage races and the riders were riding the same tracks as the new bikes. My 2004 can do it but it does not seem it would be as fun on a older ride. Do most vintage races do this? My latest AMA mag talked about laying out a track just for a vintage race and that seemed :cool:
Keep it coming, this is more my speed.
Keep it coming, this is more my speed.
Most of the vintage tracks around here are either specifically for Vint/Post-Vint, or they knock the tops off the launching pads and flatten out the ridiculous stadium-style whoops on the modern tracks.
Either way, from what I've seen around Missouri they try to remove the vertical game, which seems to return the sport to what made it great in the first place...
Either way, from what I've seen around Missouri they try to remove the vertical game, which seems to return the sport to what made it great in the first place...
markthomps
Sponsoring Member
- May 27, 2000
- 255
- 0
Most of the vintage events race the same tracks but with changes to accomodate the shorter rear suspension of the vintage stuff. For the Post-Vintage (newer) bikes, a modern track isn't usually that difficult as you have enuf suspension. You need to attend a specific vintage race. I'm not sure what's left on the District 14 schedule, but the Casey IL round in early October is one of the best places around to race vintage. This will be the first year I'll miss it, due to shoulder surgery.
The '78-79 Honda CR250s are very good bikes, few flaws. The '74 Elsinores however, unless modified, tend to be rather fragile. They need quite a few things to make them reliable. If you want to talk to someone who really knows them, let me know as I can point you their way.
As for vintage 250s, I wouldn't completely agree with the list posted by someone. The YZ is okay, but needs a good rider and parts are pricey. An Elsinore is the best of the Jap vintage bikes, once properly set up; a Maico or CZ is the best of the Euro vintage stuff.
Join AHRMA for a start and come to at least one vintage race first and talk to people. Lots of opinions but you can see for yourself what bikes interest you and what's working. This is good fun and a great way to spend your kids' inheritance. I know I have.
The '78-79 Honda CR250s are very good bikes, few flaws. The '74 Elsinores however, unless modified, tend to be rather fragile. They need quite a few things to make them reliable. If you want to talk to someone who really knows them, let me know as I can point you their way.
As for vintage 250s, I wouldn't completely agree with the list posted by someone. The YZ is okay, but needs a good rider and parts are pricey. An Elsinore is the best of the Jap vintage bikes, once properly set up; a Maico or CZ is the best of the Euro vintage stuff.
Join AHRMA for a start and come to at least one vintage race first and talk to people. Lots of opinions but you can see for yourself what bikes interest you and what's working. This is good fun and a great way to spend your kids' inheritance. I know I have.
Britt Boyette
Member
- Aug 16, 2004
- 280
- 0
Don't worry about which bike to get as you don't find the bike, the bike seems to find you. If your use to paying for modern bike part prices, then vintage won't be too bad. You also won't have to worry that the "next years model"' will make your "this year bike", a relic. It's way more fun too!
redrocket190
Member
- Apr 9, 2002
- 42
- 0
My personal experience with racing historic MX over the last three years has been great :) I kick myself for taking 20 years "off". I started with a Honda CR250R 1979. It is fast and reliable, and between e-Bay and some historic specialists (Red Racer etc.) you can get just about any part and any advice you need. I did learn the hard way that you need strip any old bike down to attone for the sins of its previous owners. You don't need to do a full-on restoration, just check out all the mechnicals.
We have AHRMA and several local historic MX clubs here in SoCal. They do "vintage-friendly" tracks that a sympathetic to the older bikes and their older riders. Lots of camaraderie and "gentlemanly" racing without the need to risk your neck on some Supercross-style jumps.
Go for it!
We have AHRMA and several local historic MX clubs here in SoCal. They do "vintage-friendly" tracks that a sympathetic to the older bikes and their older riders. Lots of camaraderie and "gentlemanly" racing without the need to risk your neck on some Supercross-style jumps.
Go for it!
Oldschooldeathwish
Member
- Oct 10, 2004
- 163
- 0
Ive got a 70 Ct1 that I just finished restoring. Took all summer to work the bugs out of it though. There is a ahop up here called titan cycle titanracing.ca they do not have the site finished yet but these guys really know their stuff and can probably give good advice if needed.
If you get a Honda try red-racer.com They have plastic and some hop up parts and are very knowledgeable. I tried Honda first but have migrated to Maico. The first bike I restored about a year ago was a 75 Honda CR125. Very competitive and fun to ride. Lots of parts available. Don't look past the 125's if that's what suits you. You don't have to be small to compete in the 125 class. The 78-79 Honda CR250's are very reliable and fast, but have a light switch power band that makes them hard to ride smoothly. If you go for one of these I strongly recommend a PRF (Pro Form Racing) Pipe. A big improvement! As far as big bores, 78-79 Maicos are my favorite. They are somewhat overlooked because of the aura surrounding the 81 490 (much deserved), but the 78-79's handle better, have a lower seat height (for us vertically challenged), are less expensive to acquire and there are all kinds of repop parts available through places like maico only, NW CZ/Maico, Canadian Maico, etc. The Maico's were expensive back in the day for a reason, they were better built! Don't buy into that maico breako myth. If you maintain them they are stone reliable. I've been doing MX and Cross Country on my 78 440 all year after restoring it last winter and it has never failed to start and finish and nothing has fallen off. The Maico's have an unbelievably smooth power band that will make them feel slower until you start passing people on the track! OK, now everyone knows where my heart is, I'll duck back in my foxhole and watch for incoming!! :nener:
Tommy
Tommy
- Thread starter
- #16
Foxhole?
TVRider, No need to jump in a foxhole, LOL! I think anyone willing to blow, er, allocate, their kids inheritance on Vintage stuff, and then restore, ride, race, admire, etc, should get whatever pleases them. Actually you made a good point (for me). I ride a 125 now, a modern bike. I have pretty much decided to go with a 79 CR125 now. I was doing an evil-by-the-bay deal on a 79CR250 but lost due to snipeage and the fact the $ was too high. Maico-breako, nope! Back in 1996 I restored a 1982 CR125, and a 1979 XR80, my friend, who owned a bike shop, restored a CZ and raced it in a vintage race at Englishtown, NJ. He spent big dollars on the motor and suspension, during the first moto he blew the tranny, talk about breaking something. I just like Hondas, what can I say, besides I already have a vintage RED jersey that I need a bike to go with. Got my feelers out daily. Heck, there's Greeves, Bultacos, Ossas, blah, blah. They are all too cool.
TVRider, No need to jump in a foxhole, LOL! I think anyone willing to blow, er, allocate, their kids inheritance on Vintage stuff, and then restore, ride, race, admire, etc, should get whatever pleases them. Actually you made a good point (for me). I ride a 125 now, a modern bike. I have pretty much decided to go with a 79 CR125 now. I was doing an evil-by-the-bay deal on a 79CR250 but lost due to snipeage and the fact the $ was too high. Maico-breako, nope! Back in 1996 I restored a 1982 CR125, and a 1979 XR80, my friend, who owned a bike shop, restored a CZ and raced it in a vintage race at Englishtown, NJ. He spent big dollars on the motor and suspension, during the first moto he blew the tranny, talk about breaking something. I just like Hondas, what can I say, besides I already have a vintage RED jersey that I need a bike to go with. Got my feelers out daily. Heck, there's Greeves, Bultacos, Ossas, blah, blah. They are all too cool.
If you're going to do a late 70's Honda 125, get the '80 model. Much better engine and it's in the same class as the 79. The only downside is the plastic tank, but I've been told you can adapt an 79 aluminum tank to and 80. I've actually got an 80 CR125. DG Alum. swingarm, rebuilt Fox Remotes, bigger carb, 82 CR480 front end with the double leading shoe brakes and a DG Pipe. I bought this bike last winter and did a frame off resto. The only mistake I made was not painting the engine. I only had to do a top end to the motor and got lazy so even though I powder coated the frame it doesn't look as sweet as it should. If I painted the motor and powder coated the shock springs it would look new. Of course now I'm wrapped up in the Maicos and it just sits in the corner looking lonely.
Tommy
Tommy
