A blast from the past/and other stuff

[Arby]

Recently I decided I wanted to spend more time with my grandsons, and I needed something fun for all of us to do as an activity we all liked. So, what else, but motorcycles.

Number one grandson has outgrown hisdirt bike clothes & equipment, so PopPop decided a new (used) bike was in order.
I found a lightly used 2001 Yamaha YZ 125 here locally. What a fun bike to ride. It's box stock, but still plenty fast and smooth. I really like it.

New tires, air cleaner, hand grips, a clutch lever, and it's ready to go.

http://shutter15.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/17/009/57/33/06/84/IwLDTbWdOeqVcp-w+VBlO-JDM9Q-dFeH0300.jpg


The grandson has recently shot up to 6ft 1 in, and none of his gear fits any longer, so it's a trip to the local CycleGear store for new stuff. (He's not 14 yet.)

http://shutter15.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/18/008/6F/F5/DE/34/gxDj30Ywr2hi0AqgNMaes41hfQn6Uogg0300.jpg

Now that We've got grandson # 1 all geared up and grandson #2 will be on crutches for another month or so and won't be riding for a while, I gotta get PopPop geared up too.

Once more, I dust off the old, but trusty 1980 Montesa VF 414 motocrosser sitting out in the shed. It's never been "restored", just repaired as need and brought back to life a few times.

It's been sitting for a couple of years now, so I wasn't sure what all it would need to put it back in service. As it turned out, it didn't need much.

12psi in the front tire, 10psi for the rear,8psi for the front forks, clean the low speed jet in the 36 Bing carb, lube the chain, and she lights right off. Ready to do battle one more time. The cases have never been split on this bike, the cylinder hasn't been off in over 25 years. The seat, including the padding & cover, the fenders, the pipe & silencer are all OEM.

The Works Performance shocks are over 25 years old as well. I did break down and have them factory rebuilt 6or7 years ago.:)

Here she is, ready to go.

http://shutter13.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/17/006/3F/FD/27/48/kHGVNMJ--qMmqQ4JyoSenAmMEji83nvg0300.jpg

http://shutter10.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/23/009/3A/F0/68/F1/wpflHTJktSFNke9u7pxvlHs3NYGpw37X0300.jpg

http://shutter12.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/17/007/6F/A0/17/B8/LzKArNwngXXkKq6khdBdnaySuTtaYR2t0300.jpg

A few shots of grandson # 1 getting used to the YZ, his dad showed up too, and ole' PopPop bringing up the rear.

http://shutter13.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/18/008/7C/B3/B9/7E/jEefzaVFO9F6QUptJ73KEmb62tlm9JuA0300.jpg

http://shutter11.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/18/006/7F/EB/98/20/jRlIuujjGOyrcMj6RDyYKEh+5sZ-6wWu0300.jpg

http://shutter11.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/17/001/79/BD/D4/56/m92arW0UWL+LlRtPiKM9MdZ9C6g6OPNJ0300.jpg

Here's a picture of a picture from around 1982. The # 9 on the bike means I had earned the #9 plate for District 7 Senior class the year before. But as I recall, there were only 10 of us racin', and one guy dnf'ed. :003:

http://shutter14.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/18/006/7F/3F/26/2A/5HrDKjwYDnwA2pz8fsfTXOo1Myvlmd2h0300.jpg

I'm not complaining or anything, but it costs a lot of money to sponser a dirt bike team, if anyone wants to sponser PopPop for some new boots, or maybe some duct tape, it would be appreciated.:rofl:

http://shutter14.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/16/004/4B/CE/FA/16/KiK0HtB+RNzQNxhadWc6rlP-ojdlbFGK0300.jpg

I've got an enclosed trailer, currently on loan to the ladies at our church for storing stuff for a yard sale they,ve got coming up. My goal is to get grandson # 2 outfitted with new gear and eqiupment(when his doctor gives the OK), and have the trailer for PopPop's riding team. Keep all three bikes, and the gear, in one spot, ready to go. I want them to want to visit MomMom & PopPop weekly, and have fun doing it. (Of course, it's fun for me, too.)

I'm on a physical fitness kick right now, and believe me, riding motocross with your grandsons is a workout.

http://shutter03.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/14/002/6A/BF/D2/0E/2MSNeyAzZklbB5C7n8jvUp3l57x-KGhp0300.jpg

RB

[jamming]

RB..your the best PopPop! Great post! Glad to see ya starting them young.


Nice Montessa too! :023:

[Rchop]

What good times ahead for you and your grandsons RB! Keep the pics coming, it's good to see you bring out the old Montesa.

[Deans BMW]

RB, simply fantastic.

[Pacific]

What a fabulous grandfather!

[Brakecheck]

What a great way to spend time with your grandkids, plus your showing them they'll never be too old to play! My grandaughter just turned two and I'm already thinking PW 50 in a couple years.

[mnnden]

RB, Just Great!!! I'm not sure who is haveing more fun!! (Grandkids are great)
enjoy, Den

[1MPH]

Too cool PopPop!!!!!!!

[jb44]

Arby, great pics, and a great way to spend time with the youngsters.

Love the Montessa. I'll spring for the sponsorship of the duct tape. ;-)

jb

[DarthRider]

Way to go PopPop, great thread !
I love the old Montessa war-horse...somehow I kind of think old PopPop would have been out it front if he'd wanted to be.
Also congratulations for bringing a new generation into motorcycling !
Hey, I'm in for a half-roll of duct tape...

[Arby]

Thanks for the nice comments guys. I'm glad you enjoyed the thread. I sure enjoyed putting it together.

I'll post again when grandson #2 gets geared up and riding.

RB

[Dirty Doug]

Arby,
You bring a tear to these tired old eyes. To throw a leg over another MXer would be great. I hold those times as some of the best in my life.

Dirty Doug
a.k.a K-Rider

[Arby]

Doug

Next winter when we all do the Run to the Keys, we'll set aside one day for m/xing at the Baker Kids secret m/x track, and a day for touring the local back country on mtn bikes.
Then we'll ride to the Keys to recover from it all.:jkam::)

RB

[DarthRider]

Arby,
You bring a tear to these tired old eyes. To throw a leg over another MXer would be great. I hold those times as some of the best in my life.

Dirty Doug
a.k.a K-Rider

You got that right Doug !
But for me, it's Hare Scramblers...