What was the last year KTM made the 250 with a front drum brake? I'm looking at a '81 (I think) Enduro model KTM 250 and wondered if it would make a good post vintage CC and MX bike.
If it is a 81 model, what would it be called; a GS...?
Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good
Pete,
It doesn't make a difference which year it is regarding the model designation. The "GS" term means "Gelandesport" or in our language, "enduro".
Dane
Pete,
If I am not mistaken, 1982 was the last year for drum brakes. 1981 was the last year for dual rear shocks. KTM called all of their Enduro models GS as far back as 1977, maybe earlier, if my info is correct.
Check the frame serial number to identify the year of the bike.
I will leave it to others to answer your question about a good post vintage CC or MX.
Tony
Thanks Guys. I have soooo much to learn.
Do you think the '82 single shock suspension was that much better than the dual shock suspenion? I would think it would be but sometimes there were bugs to work out on those early single shock suspenions.
Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good
Hey, I was just reading an article about the 82 495. The mag gave it high marks for rear suspenders. They said it is equipped with Ohlins so you can count on a $500 replacement shock if needed. You will find that a lot of these vintage bikes did not get ridden much so you may have a decent shock. I lucked out on my 78 and the bilsteins are like new. If you want to read the article its on the vintage KTM site. It has some neat reading about the Soviet MX team and how the switched to KTM in 73/74. Have fun,TTpaul
'82 495s went to Reed Valve motor and single-shock linkage rear suspension, but still had single action front drum brake. '83 495 had dual-action front drum brake (both cams activated, shoes opened on both end), same design as '81-'82 Yamaha front drum brake and much improved over older single-action. '84s had front disc. I believe this is the case for 420s, 250s etc at the time also.
Jon McLean
Lake Grove, OR
1982 had a disc brake on it for a 250. Then in 83 and 84 the 250,KTM went with double action brake drums. I rode an 1984 250 KTM at Mid-Ohio this year, what a rocket ship. Later Gary
Wow!
The learning curve is out of control here for me. Don't stop!
81: disc brake off 82: disc brake on, 83 disc brake off. So can we say that a 84 non-disc KTM is a legal bike for AHRMA Post Vintage?
I'll bet there is a big performance difference between a 81 and a 84 GS. Yes/No?
Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good
Yes 84 non-disc brake is legal. KTM tried the disc brake and then in 83 and 84 went back to the front drum. Your guess is better than mine on why they went forward and then back again. Later Gary
Hey Pete,
I'm in Texas for the last AHRMA PV race of the year tomorrow. Today they had a local race and I ran the first moto on my 1979 MC80 with a 360cc (Mint 400 engine) with reeds and a Lectron. The second moto was on my 1984 MXC 250. John Goss's wife and Ryan Penton timed me on both. I was a couple seconds faster on the '84, but Ryan said I looked better/more comfortable on the '79. The '79 is my drag race King. Today it did a wheelie all the way to the first corner!!! They got a picture of it. Decisions, decisions for tomorrow!!!
Teddy
Teddy's answer is somewhat surprising as it is interesting and it brings up an important point:
Is it more important to be faster or look better/more comfortable? Teddy was faster on the '84 model yet looked more comfortable on the '79 MC80. Hmmm...Teddy if you lost the race by "a couple of seconds" would you still feel more comfortable on the MC80? Especially if he lost to a non Penton/KTM bike![B)] Of course then there is the all-important "fun factor". It sounds like you would easily give up a couple of MXC 250 seconds any day to get to pull a wheelie all way to the first corner. To bad Ryan didn't get a picture of your face after each ride, so you could compare the smile quotient.:D
I think I will just shut up and go ride on this beautiful Arkansas day.
Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good
Pete,
I rode an '84 KTM 250 E/XC, equipped with the previously-mentioned double-leading shoe drum brakes. Tremendous bike. Great power, handling, and reliability. VERY flexible power, for a 250. About those brakes - I don't know if this was inherent in the design, or just the result of my inadequate maintenance, but on my bike they worked pretty good - going forward. However, they would not keep the bike from rolling backwards! Very inconvenient when stopped on an uphill.
Its inherent in the design, double leading shoe brakes only work well in one direction.
Brian
'72 Six Day (on loan from Ernie P.)