Vintage Racing

This post is for the motorheads out there. Dave attended the AMA Vintage Flat Track National Motorcycle Races at the old Electric City Riders track in Duanesburg, where he used to race, 40-50 (!) years ago. The weather was perfect and there were about a 175 racers entered, along with their families and friends attending as pit crews. They moved the pits from way out back to up on the hill and the campers, tents, bikes, and crews were lined up the whole way. This gave them a perfect spot to watch the races. 

Pretty much only the general public ended up down watching at the fence along the track, and sadly, attendance for spectators was really low. 

The racing classes were totally different than what Dave used to race in, because these were vintage bikes.

There were all sorts of different bikes, many of which looked like something Dave would have modified. Many of the racers were vintage too! 😉 Both the bikes below were Harley Davidson 750 flatheads from the 1940s.

This is a modern Harley Davidson alloy Sportster. Looks like it is apart for front cylinder repair.

One of Dave's favorites was this mid-60s Aeramacci HD 250cc Sprint. The owner claimed it would rev to 10,000 RPM. 

This is a 1949 Triumph TR5A, non-unit construction. It sounded awesome! Note the lack of rear suspension, except for the seat springs.

Another Harley Flathead 750 dressed in XR750 colors.

That is a magneto mounted between the cylinders.

This Indian Flathead 750 was from 1941. Note the hand clutch on the left of the gas tank.

A total blast from the past (1975)...a Bultaco Astro 250 and a Yamaha XS 750 twin.

Another one of Dave's favorites was this Suzuki GT 250 two stroke twin, shoehorned into a Can Am frame.

Here is probably the one and only street derived Yamaha XV 920 flat tracker, in a stock frame. 

One of five ever produced is this Yankee 500 flat tracker assembled in Schenectady, NY in 1975. This one is sporting an Ossa 250 Phantom top end x 2. 

This is a who's who of people that were involved in the Yankee Ossa operation in Schenectady.

Another defunct Spanish brand from the mid-70s was this Montesa flat tracker. 

A third favorite of Dave's was this mid-60s Honda 250 twin model CL 72. It won its class.

45 year old Bultaco Astros were everywhere. Dave wonders where they procure their spare parts to keep them going.

I told Dave he ought to join in and race next year, because I know he could invent the perfect motorcycle by next September. His answer was a definite "no, I don't want to take the chance of getting hurt." Good answer Dave, good answer. 😉