Ok, now that I have my vintage class 1974 250 Penton project well underway, I need a post vintage ride for AMA/VMD and AHRMA class competition. Due to cutoff of years between sanctioning bodies at this time, its looks that it needs to be a 75' 76' or 77' model. My intent is to be able to run as many classes as possible. I will be eligible for the 40+ open as of this summer.[:o)] Humm .. anyway, if you were in my shoes what bike would you like to have ?
1974 Penton 250 Hare Scrambler
1973 Honda CL 100
1983 Honda XL 185
1993 Yamaha RT 180
If you want a '75-'77 AHRMA Historic class bike look for an MC5 Penton, a 250 is easier to ride especially in the woods, but the 400s are nice too.
Brian
'72 Berkshire
Charles, You know sometimes like Ahrma Natls. - VMX and PVMX are run on different days. So you need to stay the whole weekend. Which is great, if you can afford the time on the road. Just something to consider when you run both.
BobW
The 1977 250 Penton is a awesome bike. Raced one in the ahrma nationals. I recommended this bike highly.
I have a late '76 250 MC5. You also have to consider your size when running the age class. I am 235lbs and in the PVMX age class you will be running against 400's and bikes in the early 1980's. I love riding my MC5 but at 235lbs and on a 250, it is difficult, never a hole shot but a lot of fun working my way through the pack.
I really enjoy racing my 250 MC5 but like you I am a bit on the large side...Still, the 250 is plenty fast enough. But of all of the KTM's that I have raced, the 78 400 was a really great bike. If I was to buy another open class KTM, I would go after a the 420 of maybe the 495. As important as picking the right bike is making sure that you set up the bike for you... Most guys do not take nearly enough time to do that... The wrong shocks and springs can turn a great bike into poor bike or transform a bike when set up right, As me how I know!
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)
I am about 170 lbs now, so the 250 is way plenty of power! I figured the 250cc was the most versitle size... I usually am many miles from home so when I go race I want to be able to get as much in as possible :D.. I have a 74 Penton 250 so I was looking for something a little different that is still competitive in the post vintage category.. I appreciate everyone's input ! I am now trying to figure out how to fit a drum brake to the front of my 1993 RT 180 so I can run it in post modern hare scrambles.. any ideas on changing the front setup? What would parts would work?(gotta delete the disc brakes for racing)
1974 Penton 250 Hare Scrambler
1973 Honda CL 100
1983 Honda XL 185
1993 Yamaha RT 180
If you dont want to go with another Penton the other really good Ahrma historic class bikes are the 77 AW Maico or a 77 RM. Along with the MC-5 these three bikes won the vast majority of races back then and are the cream of the crop for that era. I think the Penton is the winner due to the fact it had the handling as good as the Maico(although a bit different) and it had reliability that even exceeded the RM, both in one package. The Jap bikes didnt quite fully arrive in the handling department until the late 70's, or maybe even until the single shockers, but the RM's were close.
I ride a 72 Six Day in the Vintage and a 1980 RM 125 in the Post Vintage....at times I have had to ride the Six Day in the Post Vintage and short of getting beat up a little, it did the job.
Just my 2 cents in the small bore arena.
Victor
In response to Mike's take on the best bikes from 77, don't sell the YZ 250/400D Yamaha's short, that is the bike that Hannah won 12 AMA pro races on a production machine and all the tests from that era raved about how good they were if you could get used to the mono's tendency to hop in the back if you let off the throttle when hitting any braking bumps at the bottom of a hill or jump. I have a 400 with race tech forks and Work's Performance mono and it rock's!!. Fast, great power spread and deadly reliable, heck can even still buy piston's for them. Now if I could just come up with the 74-74.5 Mint 400, I'd be set.
OLD BIKES RULE!!!
[[(http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz168/yamyz250h/IMG_1767.jpg)/IMG]
OLD BIKES RULE!!!
A couple of pic's
(http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz168/yamyz250h/IMG_1763.jpg)
OLD BIKES RULE!!!
This was a good one too! This is my beater racing bike.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/MotoBrittB/SuzukiatSalemSpeedway.jpg)
Britt Boyette
1976 125 MC5
1975 250 HS
Nice bikes guys! Hey I think Chicago Jerry has a Mint 400 for sale.. Heck I really want a sweet 125.....
1974 Penton 250 Hare Scrambler
1973 Honda CL 100
1983 Honda XL 185
1993 Yamaha RT 180
I have an all original 1981 Suzuki RM 125 X. It was the first year for the single shock "FULL FLOATER", water cooled model. I am the original owner, and raced it for one full season of MX. The following year, I raced it about one month until I broke my leg in several places. I raced either two classes (125 and "lightweight") each event, or the "pro class".
i have a 84 yz 250. its almost like cheating. its like a modern bike with drum brakes, albeit a dual leading pivot point. if you are in a age group class in pv, you want the most advanced bike available. the yz has watercooling, linkage suspension, and a powervalve. hard to beat.
lets race!!! chi jer
Charles, what kind of 125 are you looking for?
Jerry, I've got an 83 YZ250, I know what you mean. Lots of power, great brakes, and really plush.
Britt Boyette
1976 125 MC5
1975 250 HS
Quote.. "I ride a 72 Six Day in the Vintage and a 1980 RM 125 in the Post Vintage....at times I have had to ride the Six Day in the Post Vintage and short of getting beat up a little, it did the job.
Just my 2 cents in the small bore arena.
Victor"
Victor, I can't stand to hear about you taking anymore abuse. I'm willing to take that '72 Six Days off your hands and spare you the punishment. When should I pick it up? :)
Mike Fowler
Britt, I am open to anything that is competitive :) MC5 125 would be nice, I know dream on !
1974 Penton 250 Hare Scrambler
1973 Honda CL 100
1983 Honda XL 185
1993 Yamaha RT 180
Quotequote:Originally posted by Charles Gresham
Britt, I am open to anything that is competitive :) MC5 125 would be nice, I know dream on !
In stock condition, I think you could smoke it with a RM125 but you'll never look as classy riding anything else.
Britt Boyette
1976 125 MC5
1975 250 HS
I have owned and raced primarily Pentons (6 of them) in my earlier years of racing, and Suzuki (4 of them) in my later years of racing. On occation, I have raced other brands of bikes in other classes, too. What stands out in my mind of all the bikes and classes which I have ever raced is the one and only time I race a KTM MC5 125. I was presented the bike to race that day after practice. Therefore, I had never ridden the bike. I raced it two motos, and it was absolutely the best bike I had ever ridden for "me". joe
Hey Charles,
I have a 76 MC 5 250 that is going to be for sale in a couple of weeks. I am currently in Florida, but I will back in NY next week. If you are interested, send me an email and I will give you the details.
And Tim, if you think Hannah rode a totally production bike in those races, I have a nice bridge for sale........
James
James
I can supply you with articles from the day and an interview from a few years ago that support just that, heck they even auctioned the bikes off after the races, you could own the bike he raced that day. I already have my own bridge, thanks.
Tim
OLD BIKES RULE!!!
RM 125 anyone ? [:p]
1974 Penton 250 Hare Scrambler
1973 Honda CL 100
1983 Honda XL 185
1993 Yamaha RT 180
What year? I know a lot of guys that race '81-'83 RM125s with good results in both CC and MX. Several of them live in the Atlanta/Macon area, I could get you in touch with them if you want setup tips.
Brian
'72 Berkshire
1975 to 1977 RM 125 :)
1974 Penton 250 Hare Scrambler
1973 Honda CL 100
1983 Honda XL 185
1993 Yamaha RT 180
(//)IMG]http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz38/garrettccovington/79ktmjumping.jpg[/IMG] 79 KTM MC80
72 six-day
(//)(http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz38/garrettccovington/79ktmjumping.jpg)
72 six-day
I'm really happy with my 79 KTM MC80 250cc bike. It has a lighting coil in it already, so, you can add lights. There is a bolt on the side of the motor that you csn switch and change the motor from a 5 speed motorcross model to the 6 speed enduro model. The bike is really easy to work on. A couple of Poggers have them and they are a BIG help. Its Fast, great over bumps. I haven't really needed any parts yet, but the few I have needed, I was able to make them. You can get parts on this website, Al B or Andre' H In europe and they are resonable.
Bad things. Tank looks like crap! and you really have to sit up on the tank, back the bike into and fan the clutch on tight tight bermed corners. Of course I'm only a beginner rider. All in all very happy.
G
72 six-day
I always forget, Its my oldhizmers. Vance fixed the motoplat and Thanks to Phil, DC Plastics had the side Panels. Now all I have to do, is fix that ugggleee tank. I got to do it, I've read all the posts.
G
72 six-day
Yea I had a 83 KTM 250 that had all that except the power valve. How does it work on the 84 Yam and when did KTM adopt it? Yam was the first with it on a 250?
Whoops, I didnt see the second page. I was refering to Chi Jerry's 84 YZ.
LOL, I am planning on racing my 1982 Husqvarna XC250 in a modern SERA H/S this weekend to save my more modern Honda CRF230F (Much Much modified)for the next Nat'l Enduro. I figure if I finished 5th OA in the Nationl Enduros that I should be able to hang in the modern local H/S.
Well did ya?