Messages

1021

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: I can feel a lawsuit comin' on

« on: March 29, 2010, 09:01:17 PM »

Husqvarna is one of the oldest companies in existance, it is almost 400 years old they didn't just start in 1900, they did start motorcycles in 1903 tho. and they make pretty much everything, but ya they dumped the motorcycle division in the 80s. 

By law in Sweden you must own at least one Husqvarna product.

1022

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Racing and Engine Displacement

« on: March 29, 2010, 08:43:24 PM »

Who is Walter Kaaden?

1023

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: How To Post Photos

« on: March 28, 2010, 05:54:34 PM »

http://imageshack.us/  also allows you to just upload random photos without an account if you want to do something quick. 

1024

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: What??? Racerhead #13

« on: March 27, 2010, 11:28:44 PM »

Ya, still can't find a definite reference for 1994 aside from that one, of course the 1996 rule is all hearsay.  Given what the mag says I think it's strong for a 1994 intercept and the speculatio around 1996 was due to Yamaha taking advantage of it only in 1997, which was actually due to another special rule, unless both rules came at the same time.  Although, it states smaller manufacturers were taking advantage of it, so had to have some time to do that before hand.  We can see if KTM or Huesaburg were competeing in 250 class with larger 4 strokes in 94-96 era.

1025

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: What??? Racerhead #13

« on: March 27, 2010, 11:09:30 PM »

actually, let me read this a bit more, you can find the issue it's page 28.   Anyhow, what I piece together a summary:

1994 -> Rule change, 4 jokes = 550cc
Jap companies do not compete though because they do not want to gamble.  Rule book states yo umust produce at least 400 bikes production a year of that bike or whatever to compete.
1997 - AMA says hey, let's let you guys around that rule, have a 1 year exception.  Yamaha says, OK, thanks AMA, I'll produce a 400cc crap bike and beat smaller displacement bikes. 

Wow that worked.  And so it shall be done.

1026

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: What??? Racerhead #13

« on: March 27, 2010, 11:05:03 PM »

Please note that the article states there was little interest until 1997 from the bigger japn companies, almost implying the rule change may not have been forced by the big 4.

1027

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: What??? Racerhead #13

« on: March 27, 2010, 10:58:43 PM »

1997 June American Motorcyclist states that the rule was actually perhaps in 1994 and it was for 550cc (which is why Yamaha was 150cc below the actual limit with the 400).  It also loosely implies the arbitrary 550 was because well, you fire every other revolution   But I speculate there.  There were also weight requirements, etc. for the 400 but those are irrelevant here anyway.

So, the context of interest from that magazine:

"By 1994 there was renuewed interested in developing four strokes, so the AMA raised that displacement limit.  Since then, engines that hit once every other revolution have been allowed to grow to 550cc in the 250 class.  That rule has attracted four-stroke entries from smaller manufacturers-Husaberg and KTM."

1028

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: What??? Racerhead #13

« on: March 27, 2010, 10:27:39 PM »

1029

Vintage Two Strokes / Re: My old dirty mags!

« on: March 27, 2010, 11:20:09 AM »

I have some magazine tests here:

http://www.maicowerk.com/Articles/

If you want to scan any in I will put them up.

1030

Vintage Two Strokes / Re: Possible new project

« on: March 27, 2010, 03:29:23 AM »

Yup, KTM is impossible to get parts for once it leaves the showroom floor. 

I must say though, my KTM 495 is pretty much the best trail bike I have ever ridden, over taking Maico but Maico is still up there as a great trail bike, the KTM is like a Maico with a little bit of steroids.  Now, the 495 I have is the 1984 model with the 5 speed engine, both make the difference, the lower compression and bottom end power of the 1984 modeled with the 5 speed gear box with a 1st gear so low makes single track even easier than on a Maico.  Just don't break anything because you'll never ride it again.

There are places that manufacture Maico parts and a lot of Maico bearings are standard as well.  Plus, Maico being a small factory left few changes each year meaning that certain parts are the same for many years and not only that, but even the 250 and 490 for example share many of the same parts including the frame.  Actually, before 1983 they actually shared the same cases, the 250 had inserts into the crank case to make the crank volume smaller.

There are certain parts though with a Maico that pretty much are like giving away a bike.  the clutch basket is one that is harder to find.  Any 1982 special frame parts also, that's the bastard year, they don't like to make for example the special brake rods for that bike or bling brake pedals. 

also, kostler in germany is making some of the parts from 78+ new as well.  Thats where I got my clutch basket for the 82.

1031

Vintage Two Strokes / Re: Would an 89 be vintage?:) with pics

« on: March 19, 2010, 02:34:27 AM »

1989 is a brand new bike