Last Sunday

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hondaror
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Last Sunday

#1 Post by hondaror » Wed Oct 31, 2018 5:21 am

I went riding last Sunday. Ever see the movie, On Any Sunday?

What was different, were a few things. I went motocrossing with the Vintage Motocross Club of Alberta. A friend lent me his bike. He's been out all year with blood clots in his leg.

I arrived at the track good and early. It was 50 minutes north of home. There were 5 vehicles with trailers waiting to get in. It's a private track. We all stood around gabbing, introducing ourselves, talking about the good old days. The owner arrived and let us into the pit area. We parked our "rigs" and proceeded to gather and talk some more. Imagine that. Apparently the vintage club is rather relaxed. More people straggled in and we all pitched in to set up the sign-in canopy.
I recalled my last race with a guy I had just met and set up beside. It was 30 years and 19 days prior. Was I crazy, coming back to my youth, slinging a leg over a motocrosser and giving it?! Well, I'll tell you, I had no expectations.

My plan of attack, was just to survive the day, and ride out the pain of the next 2 or 3 days. I signed in, paid my $40 bucks, and got dressed in my gear for practice.
Practice was an open event. All classes. I was entered in the 125 Evo class. There was this class and a 125 Vintage. The Vintage class is 1975 machines and older. In other words, no travel. The Evolution class is air cooled with no rear shock linkage. I was set. My buddy has a 1980 YZ125.
Now this was going to be different. I've never been on a Yamaha motocrosser in my life. Never. I owned RMs, a KX, and CRs, but never a YZ.

Ok, it was time to fire up the bikes and get reacquainted with the dirt, and whatever else there was out there.
I finished getting dressed, topped up the fuel, set my tire pressures and fired up the YZ. First kick! Tony had rebuilt the bike, new clutch basket, piston and ring and a few other parts. I put the bike in gear after warming it up a bit and blah...she stalled. WTF. Fired it up again, put it in gear and blah...
It ran on the idle circuit but crapped out under load.
I pulled the jet access plug off the bowl of the carb and oil oozed out of the carb. Not a good way to try and start practice. I pulled the bowl off, cleaned it all out and put it back together. I guess the bike had been sitting all year after the rebuild and the extra oil from assembly had wrecked havoc.
I turned on the gas and fuel started pissing out of the carb. Practice was still pressing on, but I hadn't been out there. I was already detained for 1/2 an hour. I had to pull the carb again. This time, the bowl came off and I let the gas flow through the carb. I kept trying to seat the float needle. After 3 flushes, the needle finally shut down the fuel flow. I was in business. I reassembled and fired up. Warmed it up again, popped it in gear and away it went. I circled around and hopped off to get my helmet, goggles and gloves on.
Finally, I was out there. I was alone. I did a couple of cautious laps to learn the track. I blew through one corner, got back on the track again. I opened her up in an attempt to do a couple of quick laps. Lots of sand, wide open sliding around, huge craters and whoops, that sucked the bike up and a couple of jumps that launched the bike into the blue Alberta sky. Two, what I had hoped to be fast laps, and I was tentative on the jumps and totally bagged out. Lol, oh great!
Well, we had an hour to practice, so I did about 5 more laps to learn the track. I had had enough and pulled off.
Practice ended. We all gathered for the schedule. There were 7 classes, and I was the 5th moto. There would be a break for lunch and then each class would get another moto. It was great to get the opportunity to watch some racing before I actually got out there myself.
After watching 3 races, I headed back to get ready. My gal Anna and her friend stayed with me at trackside watching the rest of the forth race near the start line.
It was time. I fired the bike up and ventured over to the start. Most of us were blipping our throttles, warming up. The race jitters were there, but not nearly as bad as they were 30 years ago. A couple of guys practiced launching their bikes. I was there for fun, no need.
The flag man appeared as if out of nowhere. He started pointing at the riders. I was second from the end on the inside. He pointed the flag at me and I nodded. Then the guy beside me. The flag went up...stopped...and then dropped. The buzz of the 125 2 strokes filled the air, and that familiar rumble as we all slipped our clutches and launched. I had a decent jump, but was a little late shifting into second. Half the pack was in front of me. By the time I hit third gear, I had passed enough guys to watch 2 guys, ahead of me take the first corner. Holy crap, I was third off the start. I guess this means that I have to try and go a little faster than I had planned. Remember, I had said that I have no expectations. Two laps in, I was exhausted...but I found myself in first place. 1st place?! I've never led a race in motocross, perhaps I can try and keep up this "insane for me" pace. I did just that. I kept blasting that throttle as hard and for as long as my rubbery arms would permit. The white flag came out over the big jump, and that meant, last lap. Maybe I could do this???! I kept the throttle dialled on as hard and long as I could, hoping that no one would catch me, half expecting to hear a challenger behind me. It didn't happen. I approached the big jump, hitting it and taking the checkered flag, first! I've never won a race in my life. I had just won my first race at the tender old age of 55, lol. I was shocked, thrilled, and just could not believe it.

Stay tuned for moto 2.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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JonW
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Re: Last Sunday

#2 Post by JonW » Wed Oct 31, 2018 8:15 am

Wahoo! What a great write up Rory! I felt like I was there. superb!
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

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Hooligan
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Re: Last Sunday

#3 Post by Hooligan » Wed Oct 31, 2018 7:05 pm

hondaror wrote:I went riding last Sunday. Ever see the movie, On Any Sunday?

What was different, were a few things. .
You aren't Steve McQueen? :smt005
'82 RD350LC in '81 colours, OEM pipes, UNI filters
'85 FZ750

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nokturnal
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Re: Last Sunday

#4 Post by nokturnal » Thu Nov 01, 2018 8:14 am

we're gonna need some pics.
:smt017

75RD350rider
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Re: Last Sunday

#5 Post by 75RD350rider » Thu Nov 01, 2018 10:34 am

Very cool Rory!
I love the smell of Blue Marble in the morning!
Tim Steele in Front Royal, VA

hondaror
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Re: Last Sunday

#6 Post by hondaror » Sat Nov 03, 2018 2:51 am

Thanks Guys.
Have not been able to post pics. Too big. Photobucket does not work.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

hondaror
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Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Last Sunday

#7 Post by hondaror » Sat Nov 03, 2018 3:34 am

Well, I had finished the first Moto and was now officially rubber man. I told Anna, that I'd go out in Moto 2 and just let everyone go and try to pick a couple of guys off, if I could.
Anyone who's raced, knows, letting the pack go without you, ah, that just doesn't happen. You get so caught up in the excitement of the start...I was second into the first corner. Two good starts for the day.
The first lap was a dog fight. Four of us fighting tooth and nail for the lead. I was quickly relegated to fourth. I was thinking this was still decent considering my lack of conditioning. This was my thought as I passed a guy into third. Then another for second, back into third. Adrenaline is a great drug! I dug deep and fought back into second. By the second lap I was able to squeeze by the leader. We had a great moment on the straight with a jump at a kink to the right. We went off the right hand jump side by side touching bars in mid air. I had the outside line for the next corner which was faster for the left hand sweeper. I put my head down and charged. The last lap flag came out and I kept at it. I was running out of steam fast. There was no one near enough to challenge me. I slowed my pace down so I could finish the race without dumping it from fatigue. The final corner, a bit sketchy. Picked a safe middle ground line and hammered it for the finish line jump. 1st past the checkers again. I had done what I had considered the impossible. I had not even considered two Moto wins possible. It goes to show that an open mind and youthful passion goes a long way. That was last Sunday.
The guys in this club are fantastic. Super friendly, competitive and an all round great bunch. We all just want to go out and have fun. That we did. A big thank you goes out to my friend/sponsor for the day, Tony. I had so much fun, that I purchased a basket case 1980 YZ125 three days later. My first Yamaha motocrosser. I'll be busy restoring that this winter.
It turns out that one of the guys I was battling with is an Edmonton radio station morning man. I had pics taken with him after the race.

I need to find a way to post pics. I do have a couple I can post.
Cheers guys, and keep the rubber side down.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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nokturnal
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Re: Last Sunday

#8 Post by nokturnal » Sat Nov 03, 2018 7:29 am

Flickr
:smt017

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Redline Junkie
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Re: Last Sunday

#9 Post by Redline Junkie » Sat Nov 03, 2018 9:19 am

Hey Rory, I think I have some OEM Pistons and rings for a 1980 if you need some.

Rob
1985 RZ350F being restored now!
1987 RZ350 Stock
1985 RZ350F basket case
1985 RZ500 Stock

hondaror
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Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Last Sunday

#10 Post by hondaror » Sat Nov 03, 2018 1:21 pm

Hi Rob, do some digging for me. No one needs any of this bike stuff, do we?! Lol. I'm interested.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

LC Cnd
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Re: Last Sunday

#11 Post by LC Cnd » Sat Nov 03, 2018 1:35 pm

The rubber man can! Nice sports story & well written. Be interesting to see what happens next year Rory - be a good documentary. I sence passion here (ying-ying).

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Redline Junkie
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Re: Last Sunday

#12 Post by Redline Junkie » Sat Nov 03, 2018 4:06 pm

I did a little Digging and found some pistons for sure, will look for rings. Let me know what size you need Rory
1985 RZ350F being restored now!
1987 RZ350 Stock
1985 RZ350F basket case
1985 RZ500 Stock

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Questo vecchio rz
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Re: Last Sunday

#13 Post by Questo vecchio rz » Sat Nov 03, 2018 10:58 pm

Congrats on the adventure! Must have been so much fun.
Banshee (Baja) race bike,+ 2 A Arms,L.E.Ds, Toomey, +4 stroker IMS tank, run flats.
96 GSXR SRAD, Future Yoshimura rep.
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JonW
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Re: Last Sunday

#14 Post by JonW » Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:30 am

Nice work Rory! So how much did you ache on Monday?
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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Evans Ward
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Re: Last Sunday

#15 Post by Evans Ward » Sun Nov 04, 2018 9:33 am

Enjoyed the write up Rory- felt like I was there. Have fun and stay safe.
84 RZ350-Toomeys,SCR milled head, stk 26 carbs,300 M, 35 P, stock regrooved needles AS 2.5 turns out,stk air box,Banshee reeds Zeel non-progr CDI,TSRL Program YPVS,alum rad,R6 shock,GV emulators w/RT springs,fork brace,Shindy steering damper.

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