MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT
#WHIPITWEDNESDAY
Rider: Justin Bogle
Bike: 2022 Suzuki RM-Z450
Photographer: Trevor Nelson
Event: 2022 Denver Supercross
TWO-STROKE SPOTLIGHT: RAY BARROW’S 2003 HONDA CR250 PROJECT
“In February of this 2019 my hero past. The person in my life who introduced me to dirt bikes when I was 6 years old. And from that day, he always grinned when he saw my bikes. Im in my late 50s now and a few years ago, no matter how hard it was for him to walk out to the trailer, he always wanted to make that walk to look and see what I was riding. When I brought all three home the first time, I told him, ‘This XR75 was the first one you worked hard to get me, This RM125 was the last one you worked hard to get me, and this CR250 was the one I always wanted but, you always said, work hard you’ll get one one day,’ he walked over to the CR250, patted it on the seat, didn’t say a word, smiled and went back into the house.
“I always wanted a 2003 Honda CR250 even knowing they had so many issues with the power band being horrible. There’s a certain character to the older bikes in my eyes, so when my friend found this 2003 CR250 with only 22 hours, I jumped on it. Renthal Fat bars were the first purchase then the call to ARC levers for a custom set of offset levers to make the clutch pull to the complete Hinson clutch kit bearable for my old fingers. My cousin Clark Jones at Noleen J6 helped me get the suspension to my weight and speed to balance the bike out. DirtTricks are very good to me and sent over a complete sprocket set for the bike, adding one tooth to the rear for a little help down low. The original carb and reed cage were tossed out and a VForce Reed and PW Airstriker Carb put in their place, then a VHM head with an FMF shorty silencer which helped the low end on the bike more married to a Pro Circuit pipe. It’s not perfect down low, but I don’t yell cuss words near as loud now when it blubers. My very good friends at Dubya USA hooked me up with an amazing wheelset of Kite/DID for the bike, which are wrapped in Michelin Starcross 5 tires. Ride Engineering sent over some 22mm offset triples to help her turn better and calm down more in the straights and Galfers 270mm front kit and rear disk help in the fear stops. Lightspeed rear chain guide and TM Designworks kit keeps everything moving along out back. A Throttle Jockey pleated HRC cover keeps my old rear end planted in the saddle, and Pro Pegs titanium foot pegs with Hammer Head controls down low, keep my feet where they belong since I have a tendency to ride like a newborn baby giraffe learning to walk.
“MXGurl graphics, and a host of other company’s helped out and I can’t thank them enough. The bike was built to be durable and as maintenance free as a two-stroke can be since my time doing movie stuntwork can keep me away for long periods. It draws a lot of attention, but was built to race and enjoy, the cool factor was an after effect which is pretty awesome. It’s the bike I never got to build when I was younger. I grew up on two-strokes and my heart just can’t walk away from the smell and sounds they generate, it makes me feel like a 6 year old kid again every time I kick one over and slowly let out the clutch.” –Ray Barrow.
EDITORS NOTE: Please keep those submissions coming. If you would like your bike to be featured in the “Two-Stroke or Four-Stroke Spotlight,” please email me at [email protected]. All I ask is that you give a breakdown of your bike and a detailed description of the build. Please also send a few photos of your steed. By submitting your bike, you agree to release all ownership rights to the images and copy to MXA.
2003 KAWASAKI KX125 2 STROKE PROJECT BUILD
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MXA | MOTO | TRIVIA
Who is this rider? Answer at the bottom of the page.
EVERYTHING YOU MISSED ABOUT DENVER SX IS RIGHT HERE
Click here for everything you missed from the Foxborough Supercross.
THE 2023 KAWASAKI MOTOCROSS MODELS ARE HERE
2022 Kawasaki KX450.
2023 Kawasaki KX250.
2023 Kawasaki KX112.
2023 Kawasaki KX65.
FREE DIRT BIKE! FILL OUT MXA’S SURVEY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THIS SSR BIKE
This is your chance to win this SSR SR140TR . It is loaded with premium components including disc brakes, upside-down forks, an adjustable shock and more. The MSRP of this bike is over $2000. But you can win it for free! All you have to do to be entered in the drawing is fill out the MXA Reader Survey.
Click here to take MXA’s survey.
TALK MOTO WITH ON MXA’S FACEBOOK GROUP CHAT
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LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN | 1998 YAMAHA YZ400F
MXA QUOTE // ELI TOMAC TALKS ABOUT WINNING THE 2022 450 CHAMPIONSHIP
“It was an unbelievable day and an unbelievable year. It was a season that I dreamed of happening, so for it to become a reality at my home race was super special. I’m just so proud of the whole team. All of the pre-season work that we did paid off and we has some great results in the middle of the season – at one point, we had five wins in a row. It’s such a special year. This season was a revival year for me, so thank you, Yamaha, for making that happen.”
MXPERTS | WE HAVE LOTS OF SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR BRAKE ISSUES
Fresh fluid is a magic elixir for bad brakes.
Dear MXA,
The free play in my front brake lever gets farther and farther over several days when my bike sits. I read that if I took the lid off the master cylinder and used a screwdriver to push my pads “in” it would temporarily make my brake lever normal. And it does, but as the bike sits, the problem returns, eventually getting to where the lever touches the grip before engaging my brake. The fluid is not low or discolored. Suggestions?
Our suggestion is to bleed your brakes immediately, and then bleed them at regular intervals (approximately every six months for a casual racer and more often for a week-in/week-out racer). Brake fluid is not only what makes your brakes stop your bike, it makes the lever feel firm when you pull it. Any change in the distance you can pull the brake lever towards the handlebars is a sure sign that you have an issue—and brake fluid is the first place to look for a pressure issue. Fresh brake fluid can do wonders for your bike’s brakes, and neglected brake fluid can cause all sorts of troubles. To work properly, brake fluid must be thin enough to respond instantly, be compatible with your brake system’s components (plastic, metal and rubber), be able to remain consistent in temperatures that vary from 500 degrees to freezing, and have the ability to lubricate the pistons and seals. Unfortunately, brake fluid has one nasty habit. It absorbs water.
Hydraulic brake systems are sealed, so how does water get in? There are three major culprits: (1) Hydroscopic fluids, like brake fluid, can actually pull moisture past the master cylinder’s diaphragm. (2) Moisture can enter when the reservoir cover is off. (3) The brake fluid can be contaminated with water before you put it in your brakes. Although brake fluid is packaged in hermetically sealed cans, it’s still not a good idea to purchase a dusty container of fluid that looks like it has been sitting on the shelf for years. Additionally, you should seal the container immediately after use to keep moisture retention at bay.
The solution? Bleed your brakes, but first flush out all of the old brake fluid and start over.
If you have questions for us make sure to email us at [email protected]
INSTA CARNAGE // DENVER SX
CLASSIC PHOTO
Steve Lamson back racing Supercross for the factory DKNY Husky team on their 250cc two-stroke back in 2001.
Moto Trivia answer: Larry Brooks back in 1986.
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