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>

The progress of man - Let's get heavy!

<img alt="The progress of man - Let&#039;s get heavy!" class="img-responsive" src="/images/6/0/e/7/2/60e726e33c983e3dd71fa7003ded5433368972b7-01-bikes.jpg" />

<p>I remember fondly my 1982 YZ250. It was really heavy compared to the competition. Riding that bike is what made me move to the 125cc class in 1983. I went from riding a bike that weighed 240 pounds to one that weighed 190 - or so the manufacturers say in their specifications. Every year, there i...</p>

2001 RM 250 Project

<img alt="2001 RM 250 Project" class="img-responsive" src="/images/f/b/8/9/6/fb89623a2956409b99a98069bc3d27117b2bfa8e-01-rm-250.jpg" />

<p>I found this 2001 Suzuki RM250 on Kijiji. The guy was asking $1300 and the ad said it needed a clutch and a pipe. The title said "Need Gone!" I offered $600 based on the age of the bike and the fact that just to get it running it would need a clutch, a pipe and a seat assuming everything else was...</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>

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>

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>...

Riding the Whoops at Limerick

<img alt="Riding the Whoops at Limerick" class="img-responsive" src="/images/8/a/6/a/1/8a6a1ceeabe519cb9c9d468f94b370c45ce02af1-limerick-whoops-best-cap.jpg" />

<h2>A selfie VintageMoto style...</h2> <h3>I have not posted in a while. I have been busy working at the marina, working for my own website customers, playing music and riding dirt bikes.</h3> <p>I have some epic stories that I want to write. Next on the list is a chronicle of my great adventure to BC with Bernie...</p>

Finally my first real ride

<img alt="Finally my first real ride" class="img-responsive" src="/images/1/8/8/c/2/188c2834d77b79a3831482d426094420700b7ad2-01-the-gear-is-hung.jpg" />

<p>Yesterday I wrote a story about <a href="http://vintagemoto.ca/notes/some-adjustment-are-in-order">finally getting the engine running properly</a> and the suspension working a bit better. I was also pining about not having a place close by to go for a ride. When I woke this morning and did some further editing on that story, it drove me over the edge. Maybe I shoul...</p>

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>

Number 81 Rides Again

<img alt="Number 81 Rides Again" class="img-responsive" src="/images/9/f/1/2/2/9f1227c9d163c65b0987d83eeb47b51117ce4538-01-left-side-81.jpg" />

<h2>Today the graphics went on and I am number eighty one again.</h2> <p>I don't know what it is, but I just get so excited about this old bike. I didn't get this excited when I bought my last new one - maybe I did, I just forget.</p> <p>Today I got the graphics and installed them. I decided that since this is a...</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>

I am now a Vintage Motocross racer

<img alt="I am now a Vintage Motocross racer" class="img-responsive" src="/images/a/6/6/e/9/a66e93a4563759b91ddfc1a184c9f5da44add923-1-rm250-leaning-on-a-tree.jpg" />

<h2>I am now a Vintage Motocross Racer!</h2> <p>Actually, I have yet to enter a vintage class race, but I will next year as I plan to attend at least one race. So how did this come to be you ask, it happened gradually.</p> <p>I have been a motocross racer on and off since I bought my first true motocross bike in...</p>