guzzirider
Well-known member
The first thing I need to do is establish my definition of “fast” and “far”.
Fast is not a number on a display but a feeling.
I have ridden modern large touring bikes at higher speeds that did not give you a sense of adventure.
I also recondition vintage small bore motorcycles and some of them are scary at lower speeds.
My definition of fast is determined by the “pucker factor”.
If you need a definition of that, it can be described as a lower portion of the anatomy migrating upward toward the heart.
And now to my definition of “far”.
I my younger days, 800 to 1400 km in a day was not unheard of.
To my dismay my firm round buttocks (an ex girlfriend once described my face as only a 6 but my ass was a solid 9) is now migrating towards my knees.
Add to this a bladder that seems to be much smaller than it used to be now dictates distance I can travel on a tank of gas is no longer as important.
A long day for me now is 350 kilometres.
This brings me to my next point, and you must understand this MY PERSONAL OPINION and don’t care if you disagree with me.
“Riding old slow motorcycles fast is more fun than driving new fast motorcycles slow.”
To get on with the story, it is about my travels on a 1964 Yamaha YA6 125cc two stroke.
It was acquired in 2010 and shipped from Wasaga Beach area to Edmonton Alberta.
In 2012 while at the Ponoka Rally for vintage bikes I heard about the First Annual Rocky Mountain Motogiro.
I had a 1971 Yamaha L5TA at the rally and left it with the organizer of the motogiro to deliver to Nelson BC for the second weekend of September.
The 1971 Yamaha was 100cc two stroke with a 3 speed dual range transmission.
The scoring was based on being the closest to the actual time to cover the distance at the posted speed limit.
We all proceeded to ride wide open throttle all the time.
Having the second slowest motorcycle resulted in me winning a 2nd place trophy.
Some of the grades where challenging for the L5TA so I decided I needed a much bigger displacement motorcycle for the 2013 event.
Upon returning home I had a look at what bikes I owned as to potential for the 2013 Rocky Mountain Motogiro.
Since the 250cc class was dominated by Italian bikes that where very expensive to buy, build and maintain I decided to stick with the 125cc class.
Besides I like electric start!
The YA6 became the obvious choice and it did have a whole 12.5 horsepower.
I proceeded to do a frame-up rebuild keeping the bike as stock as possible.
The rotary valve was trimmed for more power (1/4 to 1/2 hp).
Unfortunately 3/4 thru the build I was informed of a venue change.
For the second Rocky Mountain Motogiro it would be a 2 day event with an actual road race on day 2.
Saturday was now a qualifying event from Nakusp, Nelson, Kaslo, New Denver and back to Nakusp. (309 km)
On Sunday the Nakusp Hot Springs road would be closed for 5 hours for us to do a Pike’s Peak type run. (10.4 km)
Sunday was the only timed event with 125cc class getting a credit on time against the 250cc class.
The YA6 was great for Saturday but being built as a “touring bike” was not the best for Sunday.
Down hill into a decreasing radius corner, poor suspension, marginal brakes and short wheel base doing 110 kph acording to my GPS
On my way home from Nakusp to Edmonton I had to pick up parts for other bikes in Sweet Grass Montana.
I was transporting my bike in a rented van that was not allowed to cross the border so I unloaded the YA6 in Couttes Alberta.
Road the YA6 to Sweet Grass and back to Couttes
The USA customs guy was amused and asked how often I had to feed the squirrel.
Just to explain motogiro:
www.motogiroitalia.it
2015 Rocky Mountain Motogiro video
Too be continued!
Fast is not a number on a display but a feeling.
I have ridden modern large touring bikes at higher speeds that did not give you a sense of adventure.
I also recondition vintage small bore motorcycles and some of them are scary at lower speeds.
My definition of fast is determined by the “pucker factor”.
If you need a definition of that, it can be described as a lower portion of the anatomy migrating upward toward the heart.
And now to my definition of “far”.
I my younger days, 800 to 1400 km in a day was not unheard of.
To my dismay my firm round buttocks (an ex girlfriend once described my face as only a 6 but my ass was a solid 9) is now migrating towards my knees.
Add to this a bladder that seems to be much smaller than it used to be now dictates distance I can travel on a tank of gas is no longer as important.
A long day for me now is 350 kilometres.
This brings me to my next point, and you must understand this MY PERSONAL OPINION and don’t care if you disagree with me.
“Riding old slow motorcycles fast is more fun than driving new fast motorcycles slow.”
To get on with the story, it is about my travels on a 1964 Yamaha YA6 125cc two stroke.
It was acquired in 2010 and shipped from Wasaga Beach area to Edmonton Alberta.
In 2012 while at the Ponoka Rally for vintage bikes I heard about the First Annual Rocky Mountain Motogiro.
I had a 1971 Yamaha L5TA at the rally and left it with the organizer of the motogiro to deliver to Nelson BC for the second weekend of September.
The 1971 Yamaha was 100cc two stroke with a 3 speed dual range transmission.
The scoring was based on being the closest to the actual time to cover the distance at the posted speed limit.
We all proceeded to ride wide open throttle all the time.
Having the second slowest motorcycle resulted in me winning a 2nd place trophy.
Some of the grades where challenging for the L5TA so I decided I needed a much bigger displacement motorcycle for the 2013 event.
Upon returning home I had a look at what bikes I owned as to potential for the 2013 Rocky Mountain Motogiro.
Since the 250cc class was dominated by Italian bikes that where very expensive to buy, build and maintain I decided to stick with the 125cc class.
Besides I like electric start!
The YA6 became the obvious choice and it did have a whole 12.5 horsepower.
I proceeded to do a frame-up rebuild keeping the bike as stock as possible.
The rotary valve was trimmed for more power (1/4 to 1/2 hp).
Unfortunately 3/4 thru the build I was informed of a venue change.
For the second Rocky Mountain Motogiro it would be a 2 day event with an actual road race on day 2.
Saturday was now a qualifying event from Nakusp, Nelson, Kaslo, New Denver and back to Nakusp. (309 km)
On Sunday the Nakusp Hot Springs road would be closed for 5 hours for us to do a Pike’s Peak type run. (10.4 km)
Sunday was the only timed event with 125cc class getting a credit on time against the 250cc class.
The YA6 was great for Saturday but being built as a “touring bike” was not the best for Sunday.
Down hill into a decreasing radius corner, poor suspension, marginal brakes and short wheel base doing 110 kph acording to my GPS
On my way home from Nakusp to Edmonton I had to pick up parts for other bikes in Sweet Grass Montana.
I was transporting my bike in a rented van that was not allowed to cross the border so I unloaded the YA6 in Couttes Alberta.
Road the YA6 to Sweet Grass and back to Couttes
The USA customs guy was amused and asked how often I had to feed the squirrel.
Just to explain motogiro:
Motogiro d'Italia – Ride The Legend
www.motogiroitalia.it
2015 Rocky Mountain Motogiro video
Too be continued!
