Weird old dirty bikes

[byke]

I dig oddball prototype dirty bikes and weird engine/suspension tech. Here are some interesting ones, but please share any unusual bikes or tech you've seen out there!

Suzuki XF5 - mechanical 2wd
http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Suzuki_XF5

Yamaha 2-Trac WR426 and TT600 - hydraulic 2wd
https://www.yamaha-motor.eu/designc...ticle&id=441270&segment=&archive=false&page=1

KTM 525EXC - hydraulic 2wd
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ktm/ktm_2wd.htm

Suzuki XF425 Ugly Duck
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/suzu/suzuki_xf425_ugly_duck.htm

Works CR250 (and others) w/link front suspension
https://motocrossactionmag.com/the-fork-design-that-time-forgot-the-history-of-leading-link-forks/

And not quite in the spirit of older bikes, but waaaaay too trick to ignore @ 165lbs!!
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/...me-carbon-fmx-prototype-bike-video-69234.html

Suuper cool oddball I found on SBR, you gotta check out the nice pics in the thread.
https://www.southbayriders.com/forums/threads/132261/

I guess this air powered bike never took off??
https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/o2-pursuit-air-powered-dirt-bike/

 

[OaklandF4i]

I dig oddball prototype dirty bikes and weird engine/suspension tech. Here are some interesting ones, but please share any unusual bikes or tech you've seen out there!


Works CR250 (and others) w/link front suspension
https://motocrossactionmag.com/the-fork-design-that-time-forgot-the-history-of-leading-link-forks/

That was actually the RC125 factory works GP bike. Making it even odder was it was a twin cylinder motor that was quickly outlawed. I remember reading about it as a kid.

How about the Maico 760? Makes a CR500 seem like a kids bike. :laughing I remember reading about it as a kid when some one actually raced one in the Blackwater 100.

Also old enough to remember reading about .... cough.... air shocks and forks...... or forks on the rear and look close.... rear disc brake. :thumbup 75 HD

 

[OaklandF4i]

and for odd design, a bike I actually owned. 1981 YZ125. Horrible bike. My uncle actually turned it into a three wheeler when I bought a 83 CR125 to replace it. Can honestly say it was a better three wheeler than a dirt bike. :laughing 80's and 100's had a wider power band and it handled like shiet. My CR125 was one of the best bikes I ever owned.

 

[Eric B]

and for odd design, a bike I actually owned. 1981 YZ125. Horrible bike. My uncle actually turned it into a three wheeler when I bought a 83 CR125 to replace it. Can honestly say it was a better three wheeler than a dirt bike. :laughing 80's and 100's had a wider power band and it handled like shiet. My CR125 was one of the best bikes I ever owned.

Radiator in that headlight shroud, I believe. Early days of water cooling.

 

[OaklandF4i]

Radiator in that headlight shroud, I believe. Early days of water cooling.

Yep.... cuz thats exactly where more weight should be. :laughing

More early 80's Yamaha design that didnt make the cut. Remember YIES, commonly known as the boost bottle.

 

[OaklandF4i]

Not motorcycle design, but MX design. Remember plastic MX boots? The Scott boots that Hannah wore..

I actually had a pair of the softer rubber like plastic boots from M Robert

Wearing these with my blue JT Racing pants and I thought I was the shit!

 

[DirtyD]

Great thread. Remember KX's with the number plates built into the rear fender? Or ATK's with the rear disc brake mounted to the counter-shaft? Or YZ's with the farmer john rear tires? Or XR's with a 23 inch front tire?

 

[anytwowilldo]

Yep.... cuz thats exactly where more weight should be. :laughing

More early 80's Yamaha design that didnt make the cut. Remember YIES, commonly known as the boost bottle.

For Sure! My 1984 IT-490 had a boost bottle. That was some Tech., back in the day!

 

[Eric B]

Boost bottles were the rage for a bit. I think the aftermarket even got in on it.
:laughing

fun thread

 

[Butch]

I still have the title to my ATK 406 Rotax two stroke. What a great bike. It was almost.... Electric! I'll find some pics...

 

[TooBadBrad]

How about a Hercules? I actually raced one of these for a season. It had a 7 speed gear box for a reason, the powerband was very narrow! Lots of peak power, indestructible, great steering. They were behind the suspension revolution and a little overweight. Mine was 250, same bike, different top end.

https://bringatrailer.com/2011/08/19/seldom-seen-1976-hercules-175-gs/

 

[Butch]

my ATK, chrome moy nickle plarted frane, Rotas 406 Two Stroke motor. Anti torque knieser, countershoft mounted rear disc brake. Other cool stuff. Now, how do I rotate the pic?

 

[Butch]

try this one...
no rear shock linkage, and a LHS kick start.

 

[Eric B]

:thumbup

 

[kxmike]

Crap...I lived through all that stuff!:wtf Lets go further back....How bout the Hodaka Combat Wombat:thumbup (actually a pretty good bike)

 

[Slow Goat]

My older brothers raced Bridgestone a 100, a 125 and a two cylinder 175 in the late ‘60s - Scrambles races in the Midwest.... stamped steel bodies and forks, about 4” of travel. They were crap but fast for their time.

I had a Wombat when I outgrew the Honda minibike.