Dirt Bike History 101

[motorrad2]

Originally Posted by nachtflug

and just for the Kawasaki record..

the KX's came out in 1973 with a 125-250 and 450. 1973 was the only year of the 450, as the following year it was a 400.

So a 450 KX is rare in its own right. It also did not have the shiny metal green tank with the white stripe, instead a dull green plastic tank with black lettering only.

like this one a Mid Ohio.



and the pipe was unique to that bike in that it came up and then leveled off at the back.

The 450 had a metal tank, and was last produced in 1974. The KX400 was produced in '75/'76. The plastic tank in the picture is an aftermarket item.

[roadholder]

Originally Posted by grimmboy

Rotax motor? orange body work?

Another Rotax motor...from when the current Orange guys wore white!

Attachment 187109

[nachtflug]

Originally Posted by motorrad2

The 450 had a metal tank, and was last produced in 1974. The KX400 was produced in '75/'76. The plastic tank in the picture is an aftermarket item.

I may have been wrong on the year and I may be wrong on the tank but I don't think I am.

it was a long time ago after all.

the point is the 450's were and are pretty few and far between compared to the 250's and 125 KX's of the same year(s), but I'm probably wrong on that too.

[nachtflug]

Originally Posted by nachtflug

I may have been wrong on the year and I may be wrong on the tank but I don't think I am.

it was a long time ago after all.

the point is the 450's were and are pretty few and far between compared to the 250's and 125 KX's of the same year(s), but I'm probably wrong on that too.

and btw 11R looks and was pretty proud of his and thats all that really matters.

[bk brkr baker]

Originally Posted by roadholder

Another Rotax motor...from when the current Orange guys wore white!

Attachment 187109

Roadholder, I have the GS version of this bike . Lights and a centerstand and a little less suspension travel.
I bought it Vintage Days swapmeet a couple of years back. I saw it made a bee line for it ,asked how much. $850 says he, does it have spark says me, yes says he, displaying shrewd bargaining skills I offer $750. Sold says he.
Then I asked if they'd had it running. He said no but it popped a few times.Being a Rotax guy I primed the carb, gave it a real kick and it fired up.
The frame is the oil resivour and some nit wit had filled it completely full. When it started the stopper at the fill hole shot 10 feet in the air.I had struck oil.It was allover me and my buddy and anything else in a ten foot circle.
After draining the oil and refilling with the proper amount, I was able to have a nice ride around. It's future will be as an AHRMA cross country racer when ever I can get to it.

[KDXKLXKLR]

How about Video... http://stevenrpaynedesign.com/vmx1973.wmv

Originally Posted by crtahoe

Does anyone have any old photos taken at the following MX courses;

Indian Dunes International Course (Valencia, CA)
Indian Dunes Shadow Glen Course (Valencia, CA)
Baymare (Moorpark, CA)
Valley Cycle Park (also callend Muntz) (Simi valley,CA)

I used to race these places as a kid and have no photo etc. I would loveto see what anyone has.

Thanks

[dhaynes]

Originally Posted by nachtflug

I may have been wrong on the year and I may be wrong on the tank but I don't think I am.

it was a long time ago after all.

the point is the 450's were and are pretty few and far between compared to the 250's and 125 KX's of the same year(s), but I'm probably wrong on that too.

Original 450 had a plastic tank. The one in the photo maybe aftermarket (?) because the original didn't have a bolt in the middle as far as I remember.

One of my "mentors" (i.e. crazy-insano guys who were older than me that I rode with) Bob Grodzinski got one of the very first ones. That thing had insane-o torque, one of the first races on it he took it to Bel Mesa West Virginia where they used to run hill climbs up right next to the MX track downhill. He used a third gear start and only a little clutch and blew right straight up to the top of the hill, to the amusement of all the drunken hillbillies

The KX250 had a metal tank with the "fancy" graphics (I think black and white stripe) but the very first 450 had plastic, dull green tank with just the black lettering.

Maybe they different by region or which shipment?

[dhaynes]

Originally Posted by KDXKLXKLR

How about Video... http://stevenrpaynedesign.com/vmx1973.wmv

Un f'n real.

I swear I could smell Castrol. No shit.

Thank you *MUCH* for posting that... damn!

That was Tripes wasn't it?

[KDXKLXKLR]

No. It's just my High School riding buddys. I also have some Valley Cycle Park Videos from about 1975. I'll try to upload them also...

[KDXKLXKLR]

Some Valley Cycle Park. Was that a Sweet Downhill off a Right Sweeper
http://stevenrpaynedesign.com/VMX1975.wmv

[nachtflug]

Originally Posted by dhaynes

Original 450 had a plastic tank.The KX250 had a metal tank with the "fancy" graphics (I think black and white stripe) but the very first 450 had plastic, dull green tank with just the black lettering.

Maybe they different by region or which shipment?

I know that. you know that...

[relayda]

I'll be throwing this up on eBay sometime soon. Needs a little care but it actually has only around 50 hours riding time since new. 1975 Ossa 250 Phantom, lots of stock fiberglass, chromoly, magnesium and aluminum makes this a 195 pound wheelie monster.

[ChopSuey]

[nachtflug]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Ncxw1xfck

[Sal Paradise]

The Mx3s are finally done and ready for the winter season. A lot of work but in the end I'm proud of them, heres some photos. I ride 7 my old man rides 101.