MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT
#WHIPITWEDNESDAY
Rider: Ken Roczen
Race: East Rutherford
Photog: Brian Converse
WE WILL NEVER FORGET THE 70-HORSEPOWER KTM TWO-STROKE WE TESTED
It’s apparent that people’s love for two-strokes is only exceeded by their fascination for exotic two-strokes. Thank Jeff Moffet for fulfilling a dream and sharing it with the world. The Oregon Motorcycle Adventures KTM co-owner envisioned a motocross bike where he would meld modern-day technology with unbridled power. Moffet succeeded, evidenced by the attention the bike received in the Glen Helen pits back in 2015 when we were riding it. Little did we know that shoving a 550cc two-stroke engine inside a 250SXF Factory Edition chassis would be such a hit. In fact, MXA received multiple calls from interested readers who inquired about purchasing the bike after the story graced the pages of MXA. It wasn’t for sale.
How did Jeff Moffet produce the insanely cool KTM? Here’s the short story. Moffet sold the 2015-1/2 KTM 250SXF Factory Edition engine to a guy who wanted it for a dirt race shifter Kart. Jeff had a rolling chassis, only without an engine to make it go. That’s when he found a 1994 550MXC engine—a displacement KTM made for several years to target sidecar and offroad racers. With the pieces in place, Moffet enlisted the services of Tiginet Fabrication to shoehorn the massive engine into the frame. Tiginet fabricated the new frame down tubes. From there Moffet and crew reversed the rear wheel, as the drive train is on the right side of the KTM 550MXC engine. They machined the swingarm for the left-side caliper and used the stock caliper off the 1994 KTM 550MXC. The rear brake was moved to the outside of the frame and comes off a KTM LC4 640 supermoto bike. Moffet took the airbox and filter off the 550MXC and fit it on the 250SXF Factory Edition. That’s not all Jeff had to do. He machined a wedge off the intake flange to move the carburetor in order to clear the rear shock. The team cut the reservoir off the rear shock and mounted it under the seat. They drilled and tapped and installed a braided line. Pacific Pipe Repair cleaned and restored the stock 550MXC pipe, while Moffet relied on an FMF Shorty silencer that was fitted by JENFAB Fabrication. Finally, Moffet used a 2016 KTM 150SX gas tank.
If you haven’t been keeping track, Jeff Moffet’s amalgamation uses parts off four different bikes. Another key piece of noteworthy information is this–the 1994 KTM 550MXC engine produces around 66 horsepower in stock trim. Impressive enough, but Moffet couldn’t leave well enough alone. He had the engine modified for even more power. We’re guessing the bike produced 70 ponies. A useful tidbit is how the bike had a left-side kick starter. We stood on the left side of the KTM and kicked with our right legs. It reminded us of the old days when a variety of motorcycle brands used left-side kick-starters.
How did the bike run? Was it the coolest thing since sliced bread? We only got three laps on it until it broke down. Although those three laps, we will remember forever.
NON-MOTO RADNESS // $150,000 ARGO SASQUATCH UTV
For all the info on this monster of a UTV check out the link by clicking here about the Argo Sasquatch.
MXA TESTS THE 2023 HONDA FACTORY EDITION CRF450
MXA | MOTO | TRIVIA
Who is this KTM SX rider and what year was it? Answer at the bottom of the page.
MUD FEST EAST RUTHERFORD GALLERY Photos by Brian Converse
If you missed any of the East Rutherford coverage we have you covered.
LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN | BBR YZ80 CHASSIS WITH XR100 ENGINE
BBR YZ80 with an XR100 engine.
This BBR Motosports build was built in 1994-’95. It is based on a YZ80. It used an XR100 engine. BBR custom built the frame, tank, air box, hubs, clamps, pegs, etc. And all on a manual mill and lathe. It was featured in the April 1996 Dirt Bike issue and the August 1996 issue of MXA along with BBR’s 250 and 400. Still, 25 years later, the OEMs can’t build a good play bike for the backyard as well as BBR. BBR is still building trick one-off bikes.
KEN ROCZEN GETS HIS OWN CANYON EDITION TORQUE ON E ELECTRIC MOUNTAIN BIKE
We didn’t get all the details on this Roczen Edition Canyon bike. however, our sister magazine Mountain Bike Action has a full article and video that you can check out.
2023 INSIDE THE PRO BIKES
MXA QUOTE OF THE WEEK // JETT LAWRENCE THE CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING RACE
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“The heat race didn’t go as planned. One guy went left, I went left, and I just had nowhere to go. I was happy to at least qualify though. In the main event, the ruts after the gate were wrecked, and there were only a few good ones left. I found a decent one but just spun getting on the dirt, and there went my start! I knew I only needed 10th or better, so I could take my time and not push it. Once I got into third and saw where the other guys were, there wasn’t much traction left in the dirt, and I didn’t want to push it. We didn’t quite equal Hunter when he won his championship, but we’re still happy to walk away with the number 1 plate.”
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MXA ’71 Hodaka Men’s premium heavyweight tee.
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CLASSIC PHOTO
The famous Ryan Hughes photo from Steel City in 1995 after he broke a chain.
Moto Trivia answer: The answer is Ryan Terlecki in the year 2000.
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