Old skool legends

[junkmanjoe]

Hello adv biker people..

In past years there have been some really good rides come out of the factory's..

what would you class as the best old skool duel purpose bike...make and model. and why.
im sure most of us saw the mono shocks come of age, and the great old twin shockers had there place in history.

i grew up with a PE 250. on the farm...and moved up in the bikes over the years.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/suzuki-pe250b.jpg
i soon found my boundary's with the bike but many a time pushed them over the limit..............

as a younger lad a i raced my PE at castlepoint beach a couple times.............

your thoughts.


JMJ

[Waihou Thumper]

The old school might include those sort of magic Dakar years too Joe...
Those sort of proven years and tested years but at the same time something has captured our lust and imagination to explore and give the beast a second chance at life......as she built and designed for....:)
Bring on those bikes with twin lights, those bikes with a pumping single and a proven reputation....
Those riders that excelled at the most demanding of endurance events...
The Stephan Peter Hansels....The seven times dakar winners of those awesome 750 Teneres....:) aah....
Those were the days mate..................

[junkmanjoe]

there a massive beast mate..........

http://www.classic-motorbikes.com/scripts/show_image.asp?ImageID=170045&width=640

JMJ

[Waihou Thumper]

You got it......a lovely bike, great lines, and a powerhouse between the kness..A go anywhere, do anything leviathan...:) Well, not quite, she wasn't heavy in any stretch of the imagination....:woohoo:

[Motu]

In old school any bike was an adventure bike.We even used to take an NZeta scooter off road.There were more gravel roads back then,and they were ridden on with any bike with wheels.I built my 1954 BSA B31 with the intention of it being able to go anywhere...I had 350,500 and sidevalve engines,18 and 19in rear wheels,19 and 21in front wheels,the rear wheel being QD so I could change wheels as fast as a BMW mono.Big tanks,small tanks,dual,solo seats - it's all been done before man.

My next adventure bike was a Rickman Metisse....from the MX track into a road bike.I could change the engine from Daytona spec to ISDT spec on a saturday afternoon.The small tank was always an issue,but there were more gas stations back then,and they were open 7 days.I built this bike in 1974/5.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2662/scan0021fixedwv0.jpg

[pete376403]

I had this bike for years but this is one of the few photos I can find of it. Son and grandson having one last scoot down the paddock before it was sold a couple of years ago.

At the time the IT400 came out (1976?) Japanese priorities dictated monster engines with afterthough suspension and brakes. The IT improved on the suspensio a bit, but the brakes were still marginal, considering the speed it could go.

The old bikes were pretty good for their time, but they would seem pretty inadequate now.

[wysper]

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2662/scan0021fixedwv0.jpg

Thats nice Motu.

[Woodman]

Thats nice Motu.

belongs on the cool wall thread.

Is there anyone in NZ adventurising any oldskool brit stuff?

[Crim]

belongs on the cool wall thread.

+1 - icecold - don't you wish you had that still sitting in the shed?

[Taz]

My first adv bike / tourer / commuter / crosser / racer was one of these.

Rode that thing everywhere Including 5 trips to pouto from auckland in the school holidays. One of those trips was 2 up :shit: Cost nothing to run and spare parts were cheap.

[That looks like fun]

My first adv bike / tourer / commuter / crosser / racer was one of these.

Rode that thing everywhere Including 5 trips to pouto from auckland in the school holidays. One of those trips was 2 up :shit: Cost nothing to run and spare parts were cheap.

Awwh now youve made me all choke up with tears :crybaby: Yep first scoot that I rode also. Not so good in the mud but unstoppable (bad brakes :facepalm: ) everywhere else :yes:

[Bald Eagle]

My first adv bike / tourer / commuter / crosser / racer was one of these.

Rode that thing everywhere Including 5 trips to pouto from auckland in the school holidays. One of those trips was 2 up :shit: Cost nothing to run and spare parts were cheap.

Geez I rode one of those to college ( early 70's ) during the week and stripped it's plastics and paddock bashed around the new sub divisions on weekends. Used about 2/ 6d fuel for a week if I remember rightly. :scooter:

[dino3310]

my old one and a photo of the original 81 enduro :drool:221768221769221770221771221772

[PeteJ]

Well, in the PJ shed there're one of those early Honda 50 stepthrus (a C102) that's doubled as transport around the 10 acres occasionally.

And a 1st series XL250 Motosport - a true adv bike in the modern idiom.

And an OSSA 250 Explorer, to make easy the tracks 'n' trails which adv bikes can't manage all that well.

Oh, and the Silver Bullet (Mitas tyres on it now, so it can manage trails):

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r78/PJay_2007/BulletandGT6.jpg

[dino3310]

but then something like kokopellis basic would be kinda close to the bestest allrounder for kiwi metal
221773

[Oscar]

Hello adv biker people..

In past years there have been some really good rides come out of the factory's..

what would you class as the best old skool duel purpose bike...make and model. and why.
im sure most of us saw the mono shocks come of age, and the great old twin shockers had there place in history.

i grew up with a PE 250. on the farm...and moved up in the bikes over the years.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/suzuki-pe250b.jpg
i soon found my boundary's with the bike but many a time pushed them over the limit..............

as a younger lad a i raced my PE at castlepoint beach a couple times.............

your thoughts.


JMJ

Your memory is coloured by time, dementia or drug abuse.
PE250 - flat as a plate of wees.

[junkmanjoe]

we had a blast on them up the farm..............untill dad brought a brand new XR500 Pro link................Hmmmmm Nice,,:yes:

[Oscar]

we had a blast on them up the farm..............untill dad brought a brand new XR500 Pro link................Hmmmmm Nice,,:yes:

Now yer talking...

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:D8l7JAB4svDHZM:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/jammerjamesharmon/Honda20XR500R207920201.jpg&t=1

[Phreaky Phil]

This was my Pride & Joy in 1984. KTM 250XC. Wish I still owned it ! Wonder where it is, if its still alive

[Oscar]

This was my Pride & Joy in 1984. KTM 250XC. Wish I still owned it ! Wonder where it is, if its still alive

That must have been something of a rarity back then.

[tegeem]

my very first memories of a motorbike in my life was as a toddler. The old man had a really rare 650 bsa which he put a knobbly on and used for a farm bike. i grew up thinking 50 foot rooster tails of crap flying off the back wheel was totally normal.

hes since had it restored to its former glory, without the knobbly...

[gav24]

You guys dont need to look back on bikes like these - you can still get out and ride and race them with blokes like me!

VMX guys - its bloody awesome!

I currently have a DR400 (1980) and a 78 PE250 (still has all the road gear on including a number plate and trumpet-horn!) ready to ride this year. As well as an RM400, 78 as well, a 1980 RM125 and cr80.

Dont be put off by the VMX title, its just a bunch of top blokes having fun on their old bikes - in fact their motto is "same old dirt. same old bikes, same old fun"

Some guys give it heaps but most enjoy riding their old DR's PE's XL's XR's even a few BSA's and the occasional Rickman (Hmmm - yum!) at everything from fun days, trail rides and Motocross (forget the jumps though - its Vintage mx!)

If you want a look for yourself head to Feilding on Oct 31st for Rd1 and google VMX new zealand to find the website. Get out the old bike and turn up on the day to ride in the rec (recreation / fun) class...

Careful mind - its addictive! (plus Pre 86 bikes are now going for peanuts on TM!)

[Phreaky Phil]

That must have been something of a rarity back then.Yea, there was only a few in the country. I think Joe forsyth had one, in fact, i think he my have burnt one if I remember right. Had a crash and knocked the fuel line off and it caught fire. Imagine standing in the tussock watching you $6000 (1984money) bike go up:gob::gob:
Wide ratio 5 speed. Wind it out in 4th, click it into 5th at 110kmh, just coming onto the pipe at that speed, and hang on !!

[tri boy]

Now yer talking...

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:D8l7JAB4svDHZM:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/jammerjamesharmon/Honda20XR500R207920201.jpg&t=1
My first real adv bike, circa 86.
Explored alot of country west/nth of Cairns.
Removed the petal block from the intake, worked the head/pipe/air box etc.
Could beat "Jimmy the Lizard" on his 860 Ducati.
Sweet memories.<a href="http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/triboy1/?action=view&current=XR500rbMareeba87.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/triboy1/XR500rbMareeba87.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[dino3310]

My first real adv bike, circa 86.
Explored alot of country west/nth of Cairns.
Removed the petal block from the intake, worked the head/pipe/air box etc.
Could beat "Jimmy the Lizard" on his 860 Ducati.
Sweet memories

dont forget it won the Paris - Dakar in 82:yes: :Punk:

[Phreaky Phil]

Heres a couple of pics taken at the 85 3day National Enduro, held at Woodhill and Riverhead forests

[gav24]

(re-) live the dream!

See you at Feilding on the 31st:rockon:

[junkmanjoe]

lov that face mask............... bog hazards and logs to navigate......

JMJ

[Sensei]

Old School Legendary 500cc Single for me it is my latest Twin Pipe worked 79 TT500

[junkmanjoe]

Wicked..........

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/XL500R_Paris-Dakar.JPG/800px-XL500R_Paris-Dakar.JPG

first time id ever seen one.....

JMJ

[BMWST?]

I had a DT3(250) Yamaha andi thought that was a great trail bike.I test road a RT3.....seemed like it had three times the power of my 250...

my 250 was like this
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCVUhKKCDp7_wxcHO_1xhh4SVjcN9Av xhPKbZEB-Khs3cdwiY&t=1&usg=__GHKGPz18uUkummRMVwUQvpx-pe4=

the 360 was like this
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS1HfG9v7WaM_rDk8O5TczL7mAQusYF3 RxnxwyETTsSRYs5ab8&t=1&usg=__-sN5wAXmParF_PZwKAxH-ZrJKFU=

[Motu]

I don't have a road bike to take off road these days - but am using an old school bike to recreate the feel of an even older school bike.This is the sort of bike I used to ride on these roads....just my modern take on it.

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/41/p8300195.jpg

[rok-the-boat]

I have had various bikes, and there two gave me a lot of fun.

[NordieBoy]

1979 XR250Z. The first of the XR's.

Raced in MX and Cross Countries up to 6hr long. A 3hr could be done on a tank :scooter:

The good old days...

[Underground]

221814

Stole this pic off a current ad on tm
Exact colour and model of the one I used for some of my early adventures ,
90 mile beach , round coromandel 2 up , every other gravel road in the north (actually nearly all the roads were gravel then )
Made some paniers that held exactly 6 big bottles of beer each side for those beer drinking adventures .

[Motu]

Excellent - we need to show these young whippersnappers that you don't need the latest high tech bike with fancy suspension and tyres to have adventure!

[NordieBoy]

Stole this pic off a current ad on tm
Exact colour and model of the one I used for some of my early adventures ,
90 mile beach , round coromandel 2 up , every other gravel road in the north (actually nearly all the roads were gravel then )
Made some paniers that held exactly 6 big bottles of beer each side for those beer drinking adventures .

Shane uses that front brake on his TS400 classic mx'er.
Every so often someone complains but the brake is actually older than the TS.

[Underground]

That bid drum brake was actually pretty powerful if it was set up right,
Oh and after looking at those pics I've figured why the left side kick on my KTM felt ok for me ....the old Suzi was a left footer as well .

[Oscar]

Heres a couple of pics taken at the 85 3day National Enduro, held at Woodhill and Riverhead forests

I have pics of me on that very same log!!!!!!!!

[BMWST?]

221814

Stole this pic off a current ad on tm
Exact colour and model of the one I used for some of my early adventures ,
90 mile beach , round coromandel 2 up , every other gravel road in the north (actually nearly all the roads were gravel then )
Made some paniers that held exactly 6 big bottles of beer each side for those beer drinking adventures .

some one forget to tell suzuki that you didnt use the same sprocket on the rear wheel and the countershaft,man they were high geared those bikes

[dino3310]

Wicked..........

first time id ever seen one.....

JMJ

oh yeah :Punk:
221817221818221819

sorry i couldnt resist as these old dakar bikes just blow me away

Maybe start a dakar thread as well ?

[NordieBoy]

I have pics of me on that very same log!!!!!!!!

Last for centuries those logs.

[Oscar]

Last for centuries those logs.

:facepalm:At the same event:facepalm:

[marks]

221814

Stole this pic off a current ad on tm
Exact colour and model of the one I used for some of my early adventures ,
90 mile beach , round coromandel 2 up , every other gravel road in the north (actually nearly all the roads were gravel then )
Made some paniers that held exactly 6 big bottles of beer each side for those beer drinking adventures .

I had a drum braked 1970 Titan 500 - it was a lot of bike for an inexperienced 18 year old.

I remember, after rebuilding it and slowly running it in I gave it its first 100mph (full tit) run up from Mckay's crossing to Paraparaumu - when I slowed down and looked behind me I couldn't see anything but a wall of 2 stroke smoke.....

[bart]

OK, I had a 1984 XR250 with a 280 kit. Before that, it was hand-me-down farm bikes.

At the same time my bro had a 1984 XL250 which he never rode. Being road legal, I used to 'borrow' the XL regularly , and tear up the gravel/tracks/beach around the area I grew up. The XL was a lot milder and had shit suspension, but just seemed SOOOO much better on the road.

[Grubber]

221814

Stole this pic off a current ad on tm
Exact colour and model of the one I used for some of my early adventures ,
90 mile beach , round coromandel 2 up , every other gravel road in the north (actually nearly all the roads were gravel then )
Made some paniers that held exactly 6 big bottles of beer each side for those beer drinking adventures .

Had a couple of mates had those when i was at school. They were the bomb in their day. Sounded pretty damn cool too from memory.

[Phreaky Phil]

I have pics of me on that very same log!!!!!!!!Popular Log, Joe Forsyth made the cover over Kiwi Rider by crashing over the log

[NordieBoy]

:facepalm:At the same event:facepalm:

We believe you :yes:

That was the year the Moa got on the track and caused havoc?

[Padmei]

Along the same vein - check out the video there are some classic bikes comng thru

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246277

[Aslan]

Along the same vein - check out the video there are some classic bikes comng thru

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246277

Awesome vid Padmei - UK GSer is a top site eh. For me it great to see not only the beloved boxers but the Maicos, Jawas and CZ's - onya

[Padmei]

There was a beaut green Maico that popped thru. Must be steeper than it looks.

[pete376403]

Had one of these, too. $1169 brand new in 1972. I have no pics of my one but this was being raced at Onekawa (Napier) Pipe is non standard, but the rest looks stock.

Seems about once every thirty odd years I buy a new, green kawasaki.