MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT

TWO-STROKE SPOTLIGHT: DOUG DUBACH’S 1983 YAMAHA YZ100

dubach_1983-yamaha-yz100This weeks “Two-Stroke Spotlight”  belongs to Doug Dubach’s 1983 Yamaha YZ100. Read below to find out why.

_an28386_lrBack in the day, racetracks were filled with 100cc bikes, with everything from Novice to Pro classes. That time has long since passed, but 100cc two-strokes still have a place in racing, thanks to the Marty Tripes 100cc Works Revenge Series. The rules are rather basic: the engine must be 100cc (bored no more than 2mm over); no water cooling; the frame must be from 1983 or earlier. However, the frame can be modified or made from hand. Other than those few mini moto laws it’s fair game for anything under the sun. Doug Dubach, with the help from his friends, crafted a ridiculously cool 1983 Yamaha YZ100.

The engine is stuffed with a Wiseco piston, REM-coated gearbox, Barnett clutch, Moto Tassinari reeds and 34mm Keihin PWK carburetor. A gusseted frame, CRF450 footpeg mounts, IMS pegs and an aluminum Yamaha IT175 swingarm are also on the YZ100 conversion. In my eyes the coolest parts on the bike are the hand molded carbon fiber gas tank, number plates, chain guide and airbox cover. What can I say, I’m a sucker for carbon fiber.

_an28377_lrDubach’s 1983 Yamaha YZ100 was a blast to ride. You had to fight the urge of hitting the brakes for fear of slowing momentum, because the engine isn’t a modern pony pusher. It was no surprise that Doug Dubach could fly around the track on his YZ100, just as long as the hills weren’t too steep. Watching “The Doctor” tear around on 33 year old bike was like traveling back in time.

Editor Note: If you would like your bike to be featured in the “Two-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 for the “Two-Stroke Spotlight,” you agree to release all ownership rights to the images and copy to MXA. 

#WHIPITWEDNESDAY

Dylan Ferrandis SanDiegoSupercross2020-Night-5

Rider: Dylan Ferrandis
Event: Round 6 2020 San Diego Supercross
Bike: Star Racing Yamaha YZ250F
Photographer: Travis Fant

LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN | 1981 SUZUKI RM250

1981 Suzuki Rm250

TWISTED DEVELOPMENT BUILD MXA’s YAMAHA YZ125

THE YOUTH ELECTRIC REVOLUTION | OSET BIKES TO INTRODUCE HUNDREDS OF KIDS TO MOTORCYCLES AND TRIALS

Press Release: Today there are hundreds of schemes designed to try and get kids more active. But how many of them are sustainable and can measure success year on year?  OSET Electric Bikes believes kids need a passion for sport – whatever sport they choose. In a bid to introduce more kids to motorcycles and the sport of trials riding, which is the art of riding over obstacles without putting your feet down, they launched the first OSET Cup ten years ago. It attracted eight kids. Fast forward a decade and 2020 will see over a dozen OSET Cups across the UK attracting upwards of 800 children.
Ian Smith, founder and CEO of OSET Bikes, said:

“The lifeblood of any sport is its youth. Ten years ago, OSET Bikes ran its first ever OSET Cup in Yorkshire. This year we will support events from Scotland to Cornwall, Yorkshire to Cheshire. through the Midlands and down to the South East with well over 100 individual events taking place. The key is to make it fun, so kids want to get outside and ride their bikes.

“Experiencing riding a motorcycle in real life is infinitely better than watching someone else do it on a screen or pressing the X-box buttons to make a character ride a bike through a stream!”
Each OSET Cup is designed to suit all levels of ability. For those completely new to the sport and looking for a fun event to ride to those who have been riding a few years and are looking for the next challenge, each event will have a course to suit every level, age and ability.
Ian added:

“The world is catching up with OSET as it turns to electric power. Our electric motorcycles provide instant, linear power which is ideal for kids as they learn to control their machines. The ability to turn the power, speed and response dials up and down to suit rider ability means riding a motorcycle has never been safer, or as much fun!
“And because trials is the art of control, technique and balance, you can ride your bike in the back garden using a few cones to set out a route, a couple of pallets and perhaps some rocks and you have your own trials course!”
Neighbours won’t be offended as electric bikes are virtually silent.
Ian finished with:

“We have to say a huge thank you to all the amazing organisers and parents who make the OSET cups possible. Their hard work, dedication and the fact they give up their free time is what makes the OSET cups such a success story!”

Anyone new to trials you can simply turn up on the day and the organisers of each event will help you sign on. You will need to join the ACU (cost £12) and your local club for the year (around £15 – £20) and then you pay for each event you ride, again which will cost around £15 per event. Every rider must wear a crash helmet, long sleeves, gloves and boots to be allowed to ride.

All details of events across the UK can be found at OSETs website, www.osetbikes.com, and more events are being added to all the time.

Will you try something new this year? Try trials – it’s seriously good fun!

DID YOU SEE JUSTIN BARCIA TAKE OUT MARTIN DAVALOS AT PRESS DAY IN SAN DIEGO?

THEY SAID IT | 2020 SAN DIEGO SUPERCROSS

Alex Martin 2020 San Diego Supercross-6205Alex Martin: “San Diego was very up and down. I had some positive moments in practice, but I also had some pretty big crashes. The main event was going decently as we were near the top=five, but towards the end a lapper cross-jumped me, taking me out. I was able to salvage a top-ten. I’m looking to take advantage of this six-week break then capitalize on the last four rounds.”

KEN ROCZEN 2020 San Diego SUpercrossKen Roczen: “The night started off really well. I crushed it in the heat race and had an awesome start. Ultimately in the main, I got an okay-but-not-great jump and just got sandwiched in the first turn and again in the second turn, losing four more positions. It made for a tough race. I also got stuck behind [Justin] Barcia and just wasn’t riding well. Then [Eli] Tomac got me and from there on out, I was just going backwards. I lost touch with the front guys and wasn’t that good. Unfortunately, as much as we don’t like it, we all have those races and we did some damage control. It’s obviously not where we want to be but we’re heading to the East Coast still with the points lead, so that’s a positive. It’s still a long season ahead.”

Justin Brayton 2020 San Diego Supercross-38Justin Brayton: “Today was pretty good. It was about standard for this season so far, but I do think my starts were better. They were good in the heat race and in qualifying; I just kind of messed up the main-event start and was a little wide. I was next to the box, which is normally good, but I think this time it was too wide. I feel like I executed the start good but just got pushed out. Overall I rode pretty well. Once again, I had to pass some good guys and it’s really hard to come through the pack, so I only made it up to seventh. I just need to put myself in a better position in the beginning and I know I can run up front and get a better result.”

Cooper Webb 2020 San Diego SupercrossCooper Webb: “I got into the lead early and then Adam [Cianciarulo] made a good aggressive move on the inside and I just kind of let him go. The track, I knew it was going to be hard to pass and I knew it was going to be a long Main Event so I was just kind of riding in there. I tried to make a pass a few laps earlier but we played cat and mouse which allowed Blake [Baggett] to catch up and I didn’t want to do that. It feels good late in the race to get that pass and the win tonight.”

Eli Tomac Justin Barcia 2020 San Diego SupercrossJustin Barcia: “We struggled a little bit in practice, but overcame that. I finally felt like I rode like myself in the Heat race, but in the Main Event, I didn’t get the greatest of starts. I charged really hard the first few laps and diced it up in there. We ended up fifth, which was a really solid ride coming back from 15th. I felt like I rode well, the bike felt good so I’m definitely proud of the ride. The goal this week is to keep working on the riding stuff and shoot for getting another win here soon. We will keep moving forward. I’m definitely looking forward to Tampa.”

Aaron Plessinger 2020 San Diego Supercross-6451Aaron Plessinger: “San Diego was a big step in the right direction. I was kind of struggling in practice, but then we got the bike working really good in the final session. We went out for the Heat race and rode pretty well, ended up fifth. Then I got a great start in the Main Event. I was riding right with Cooper Webb and made a little mistake and went down right before the whoops. That cost me, but it’s good to get up there and run with those boys. Now I know I can do it. I’m looking forward to this week, we’re going to get back to Tallahassee and go do some more work to get ready for Tampa. I’m excited for it and looking for more up front rides like that.”

Dylan Ferrandis 2020 San Diego SupercrossDylan Ferrandis: “I’m really happy. I felt good all day and got the fastest lap. It was another nice race with a big fight for the win. I’m glad I took it and am going into the break with the red plate and more points. Last year, I didn’t have this advantage leaving San Diego, so that’s really good. I’m in a good situation.”

Justin Cooper 2020 San Diego SupercrossJustin Cooper: “It was a good day overall, but I was a little bit off the pace. I felt like I got it together for the Heat race. I was riding well, but I bent my shifter about halfway through. It was kind of scary for me because I was going in and out of gears, and I didn’t want to mess up and get hurt. I lost Dylan there and had to take second. In the Main, I was right behind him, but lost the pace a little bit, and they got away. We were close, but we will keep working. I’m really looking to get out front in one of these Main Events and see what I can do.”

Austin Forkner 2020 San Diego Supercross-52Austin Forkner: “Second is obviously not where I want to be. I’ve been leading laps and know the speed is there, but have missed it the past two weeks by just the tiniest little bit. I know I led more laps this week. It still doesn’t take away from wishing things had gone differently. We have a chance to regroup for a few weeks and see if there are any places that we can improve to make the outcome different. Because you can always improve.”

Cameron McAdoo 2020 San Diego Supercross-6192Cameron McAdoo: “It’s a bummer that I wasn’t able to see if I would have been able to get inside the top 10 tonight, but things happen. If anyone is looking forward to the break it’s me. I’m ready to get back to 100 percent so I can prove that I am able to run up front with my teammate and those guys. I’ve had a lot of positives that will keep me motivated in the off-weeks.”

MOTO | TRIVIA

Tom Benolkin 1981Name the rider and year. Answer at the bottom of the page.

WHAT THE MXA WRECKING CREW IS UP TO

TM 660cc sidecarMXA‘s Josh Mosiman and Daryl Ecklund had the chance to ride this TM sidecar at Glen Helen. 

TM 660cc sidecarTo pull the weight of two people, a 660cc TM four-stroke powerplant is used.

TM 660cc sidecarPeter Beunk (left) and Gert Van Werver (right) are studs on a sidecar and are currently 11th in the 2020 World Sidecar Motocross Championship. 

TM 660cc sidecarThis is Daryl and Josh…Just kidding. This is Gert Van Werver and Peter Beunk. The Dutch duo race FIM World Sidecar Motocross Championship in Europe. They taught Daryl and Josh how to work as a team to ride the bike. 

TM 660cc sidecarThis is as good as Josh and Daryl got. As you can see the wheel is starting to come off the ground as Josh was scared to get as low as Peter in the corners. Daryl and Josh made a lot of mistakes and got on two wheels many times, although they said it was a really fun experience. 

Mitchell Falk BWR CRF250The Monday after San Diego Supercross, Josh and Daryl got to ride Mitchell Falk’s BWR Honda CRF250 at State Fair MX. 

Mitchell Falk BWR CRF250Josh got time on the Supercross track riding the bike. We are going to write a full test of Mitchell’s bike. 

POLISPORT GRAPHIC GUARDS PROTECTOR

Polisport releases a new performance part, the Graphic Guards Protector. These translucent plastic protectors will mount on the side panels to avoid graphics from peeling away easily. There won’t be direct contact between the boot and the graphics and this will increase the lifespan of your Graphics.
The parts are made in highly resistant plastic, that will endure wear and abrasion. It’s also easy to install with only 1-point mount.

The Graphics Guards Protector will be available for selected models of Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, KTM and Husqvarna.

CLASSIC PHOTO

Bevo Forte Jeff StantonBevo Forti and Jeff Staton back in the day. This was on the day before the Paris Supercross as they negotiate with a street vendor at the Trocadero. The Trocadero is a popular tourist destination to take pictures. It is across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower.


Moto Trivia answer: Tom Benolkin back in 1981.

Tom Benolkin Tom Benolkin 1981

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