FORGOTTEN MOTOCROSS TECH: GOLD BELT’S DEBRUZER CROSSBAR PAD

Motocross history is filled with examples of creative ideas that were heralded as groundbreaking, but, because of the rapid rate of change in development, sank into the swamp of forgotten technology. Although some ideas are best left abandoned, others were truly innovative (if not ultimately successful). MXA loves to reveal motocross’ tech trivia. Do you remember this idea? The Gold Belt DeBruzer crossbar pad.

The original foam crossbar pads on 7/8-inch handlebars were not up to the job at hand. Look under the chin of any 1980s racer to see the scar caused by slamming into the typical crossbar pad after flat landing a jump. The density of the plumbing-insulation foam was not going to stop your face from taking a blow. Gold Belt’s Al Simons and Dave Ekins understood this and decided to do something about it.

The DeBruzer came in red, white, blue or yellow and retailed for $6.95.

Gold Belt designed an air-labyrinth structural crossbar pad that used nautilus chambers to create progressive cushioning. Nautilus chambers are named after a South Pacific mollusk whose shell is divided into chambers by curved partitions on a continuous central tube. The DeBruzer’s partitioned chambers provided structural resistance to collapsing and progressive air suspension.

The two zip-toes were necessary, but we are pretty sure this DeBruzer has three zip-ties out of an excessive amount of caution

As MXA said back in 1982, “It is the only crossbar pad designed for motocross instead of air-conditioner pipes.” Selling for $6.95 in minicycle and big-bike sizes, the DeBruzer was ultimately not successful because of its looks.