The Burnt River vintage moto invasion

<img alt="The Burnt River vintage moto invasion" class="img-responsive" src="/images/3/0/a/c/8/30ac8ed35cb040320a6722a4247cd647e2ec5ba7-01the-team.jpg" />

<h4>The back-story</h4> <p>In September of 2017, I attended a vintage motocross race at <a href="http://www.mx101life.com/">SandDelLee in Ottawa</a>. The event was organized by John Lebrecht, a Canadian motocross legend from the early 60s, and Johnny Grant of <a href="http://www.mx101life.com/">MX101</a>. The event was well attended. We had about 25 bikes on display and 10 or 12 r...</p>

First race for a 33-year-old Suzuki

<img alt="First race for a 33-year-old Suzuki" class="img-responsive" src="/images/4/c/a/5/a/4ca5ad7b16c56a9fa70ed3653e4e4cb48f6e6b8e-01leaving-the-house.jpg" />

<p>Just like I would have done back in '84, I woke early, jumped in the car and set out to the races. And just like back in the day, I had two bikes in tow. Many motocross racers in the 80s had two bikes; a 125 and a 250. If you wanted to run more than two motos in a day, your only option was to buy...</p>

First ride of 2017 on my new RM-Z 250

<img alt="First ride of 2017 on my new RM-Z 250" class="img-responsive" src="/images/0/f/3/3/c/0f33cae3d1986885f783d7bc86d03c1b4904b08e-01first-ride.jpg" />

<p>Last fall I went for one last ride for the the 2016 season. I went to Limerick forest and had a very unfortunate incident when I decided not to tie my bike down to the trailer properly. I did manage to salvage that day and get out for a good ride but it was that ride that <a href="http://vintagemoto.ca/notes/have-you-ever-done-anything-this-dumb">got me to thinking about </a>...</p>

A Motocross Wedding/Flight of the RM

<img alt="A Motocross Wedding/Flight of the RM" class="img-responsive" src="/images/d/3/c/1/a/d3c1a9668d3955689c83ba1317204e946d51fcd5-01wedding.jpg" />

<p>So why would I try to make an 84 RM fly? My Uncle Mike was right on the money, I watched my Dad do it and refused to be outdone, especially during the week of my wedding.</p> <blockquote> <p>This story is part counter-story to <a href="http://localhost/vintagemoto.ca/notes/jumping-big-at-charleston">So how far can you safely jump a 1984 Suzuki?</a></p> </blockquote> <p>Contrary to popular belief, riding Mot...</p>

Too Many Projects, Not Enough Room & What Makes a Bike “Vintage”?

<img alt="Too Many Projects, Not Enough Room &amp; What Makes a Bike “Vintage”?" class="img-responsive" src="/images/4/d/d/a/0/4dda066d6974f7eb31263330443eb86905d52fb6-01-macs-shed.jpg" />

<h3>As can be seen in the above photo, I have too many projects on the go, and not enough room to do them.</h3> <p>My first project didn't actually have anything to do with motocross. I finally grew tired of putting studs in my rear tire and attaching my homemade front ski, just to ride it once or twice, real...</p>

So how far can you safely jump a 1984 Suzuki?

<img alt="So how far can you safely jump a 1984 Suzuki?" class="img-responsive" src="/images/4/9/4/b/3/494b31bc9efbf2ff1beb23407e94258e5488c263-01-me-big-jump.jpg" />

<h2>I know for sure you can fly 110 feet without any problem at all.</h2> <p>Last summer my nephew and his bride had their wedding in our hometown. Since buying the old '84, I had really been looked forward to taking it to the track where I cut my teeth as a young motocross-crazed kid. </p> <div class="grav-youtube-wrapper "> <div class="grav-youtube"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WwIikp0NFsY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </div>...

Have you ever done anything this dumb?

<img alt="Have you ever done anything this dumb?" class="img-responsive" src="/images/4/3/2/c/7/432c710ee9c7ecc90d2e9322a7087800be55fede-00-seat-side-plate.jpg" />

<h4>Back in 1982 I bought a brand new Yamaha YZ-250. It was the first year that Yamaha used International colours for Canadian bikes. Mine was white with a red seat and gold rims and it looked amazing. The reason I bring this up is because this was the first time I had a bike fall off a trailer. Yes</h4>...

Some adjustment are in order

<img alt="Some adjustment are in order" class="img-responsive" src="/images/4/0/b/5/1/40b51e73e539881baed3c65a3db47dd1d2b2745f-01-jet.jpg" />

<p>Since last we spoke about the 1984 Suzuki RM250, I was <a href="http://vintagemoto.ca/notes/so-many-reasons-not-to-ride">lamenting all the reasons not to go and ride the old beast</a>. Since then a lot of time has passed by and a lot of things have happened. I went to B.C. and rode dirt-bikes with family and friends. I started a new job at place I used to work at...</p>

So many reasons not to ride

<img alt="So many reasons not to ride" class="img-responsive" src="/images/e/0/5/c/9/e05c94317311a6501c2e8b52cc79896af233d8c9-01-trailer-with-bike.jpg" />

<h2>I just spent a winter restoring a bike and the results are fantastic. Why not ride it?</h2> <p>On Tuesday I put new rubber on the wheels. This was the last stage and my plan was to come home, put the mounted wheels in the basement and then when I get back from my trip I will drag the bike outside and pu...</p>

The first ride of the 1984 RM250 VintageMoto.ca Bike

<img alt="The first ride of the 1984 RM250 VintageMoto.ca Bike" class="img-responsive" src="/images/5/b/4/6/7/5b4676fc37aa2b226fc10a43da75ff92b3786d16-img20160412160921.jpg" />

<h2>Well, here is something a little different... perhaps a little nerdy.</h2> <p>I bought a Mac a while ago and started using iMovie. I am getting the hang of using it. I put this video together to document the occasion. The song I used is by Charles de Lint from his Old Blue Truck record. Thanks for the...</p>

A new pair of shoes - Metzler knobby shoes

<img alt="A new pair of shoes - Metzler knobby shoes" class="img-responsive" src="/images/3/1/7/6/8/3176899f90c77efc14b572ece28f2d058c42b5d2-01-new-shoes.jpg" />

<h3>An exciting day today in the restoration of the 1984 RM-250 that I have been talking about non-stop . I acquired a set of Metzler MX5 tires and went and visted my friend Mark Hurst to install them.</h3> <p>When I think about Mark Hurst, I realize that he has been a very bad influence on me. He has cost m...</p>

Time for the top-end

<img alt="Time for the top-end" class="img-responsive" src="/images/3/7/6/3/f/3763f903aae90ed15df2fc29393f4d252bcf0e10-01-top-end-time.jpg" />

<h2>It is time for the top-end</h2> <p>Finally the piston ring has arrived, it was the last piece that I needed in order to assemble the bike. As you can see in the picture above, the bike is pretty close to completion.</p> <p>I ordered most of the parts from Wheelsport in Ottawa. They are one of the Suzuki deal...</p>

1984 Dirt Bike Magazine 250 Shootout

<img alt="1984 Dirt Bike Magazine 250 Shootout" class="img-responsive" src="/images/6/0/b/9/2/60b921f5db673efa192146843024619264b7771d-csteel970.jpg" />

<h2>Here is something pretty awesome... I found this article on the web but I did purchase and read this issue in 1984.</h2> <h3>I read every word several times over. Honda was the big deal for me back in those days- they could do no wrong. The Suzuki was picked as the winner for this shootout. I remember </h3>...

Kent Howerton's 1980 250 championship RH80

<img alt="Kent Howerton&#039;s 1980 250 championship RH80" class="img-responsive" src="/images/1/0/2/5/5/1025553272eb282f7da4897c4eaf9084a07509f7-1980-suzuki-rh-80-works-bike.jpg" />

<h3>This is a very good story from mxworksbike.com</h3> <p>mxworksbike.com is an awesome website that I discovered today. They are the home of the largest collection of works bikes and bikes of historical importance. I particularly liked this story as Kent Howerton is telling the story of his championship 19...</p>