Does this bike qualify . . . ?

[OhioTed]

Can anyone who is familiar with AHRMA regs tell me if this bike is elligible to be ridden in the ISDT RR?  



It's an '82 Yamaha IT250J.  The bike's air-cooled engine and drum brakes seem to fit the criteria, but I'm not sure if the Monoshock system does.  I'll be 51 years old at the time of this year's RR.  Does that make any difference in equipment usage?  

I've got to figure out what I'm going to ride soon, as it's between several bikes and they all need work.  However, I can only afford to prep one of them.

[Larry Perkins]

Totally eligible.  I will probably be on an 83 IT175 in that event and they are almost twins.  This IT250 is in Post Vintage Open Class which is for 1978 and newer 250 and bigger motorcycles.  It will work great but you might want to put a tank and seat on it.

Larry P

[slvrbrdfxr]

Ted,
The 82 Yamaha IT is a nice machine and yes it's legal for the ISDT RR as well as any other AHRMA CC event including Mid Ohio this summer. You would have a choice of either the +50 class or the post vintage open class. I haven't seen too many of the 82 IT250's so I'd say it's somewhat of a rare find. I have an 82 IT175 which I let one of my TTR buddies ride at last year's ISDT RR and he had a great ride on day one. On day two however the bike suffered a broken reed valve petal about 12 miles into the loop and caused him to DNF. Found out after the incident that Yamaha was used metal reeds in the IT's up until about 1984 so I'd suggest taking a look to see what you have in your bike before riding it too hard. If they are metal then replace them with some Boyeson Power Reeds. I got very lucky because the reed petal in my bike broke into two large pieces which got trapped under the crankshaft and were not completly injested. We were able to fish the two pieces out of the crankcase using a small magnet thus saving a complete engine teardown. Hope this info helps and look forward to seeing you at the RR this year.
Dave McCullough

[OhioTed]

Thank you so much, guys.  I really appreciate that confirmation, and cannot think of two better sources of information than you fellows.  Now, I've got to put the thing together.  I just picked it up, and it "supposedly" has a fresh motor.  But, we'll see about that.

My choices have come down to either this or a '75 Mint 400.  The Mint has a solid motor, brand new MZB ignition, and really only needs the suspension gone through, and some cosmetics.  However, to be honest - I am afraid to ride the thing.  I can barely start it.  The IT would definitely be "friendlier".  

Oh, and there is that little 125 Moto Beta I am working on restoring.  It is a really neat little bike, but I just don't know how fast I could go on it - as if I can go fast, regardless!  Haha.

Say, you got me on that missing seat and tank, Larry.  Guess I'll have to work on locating one of each!    They'll likely come in handy.

[OhioTed]

Hey, one more thing, guys - what is the upper limit of that "Post Vintage, 1978 and newer" class?  Surely AHRMA does not permit liquid-cooling and disc brakes, correct?

[Larry Perkins]

There are some watercooled bikes allowed.  Basically it is legal as long as there is no disc or powervalve.  The exception on the powervalve is the first Yamaha YPVS bikes.  That powervalve is legal because it was not very good.  Like several Yamaha innovations it was the right idea just done the wrong way.  

Love the Mint 400 but a lot of bike in the woods.  I think the original Dirt Bike Magazine test began with,  "The new Penton Mint 400 makes words like speed, fear, and death take new meaning."  When I was young I raced one in the Texas Grand Prix Championships in West Texas and I actually remember many times wishing it would go faster.  Youth, you gotta love it.  Good luck and see you at the Reunion.

Larry P