Comments:
I had a Hodaka in the late 60s!
My dad was really into dirt bikes then, and we all went out to the desert. Remember his DOT (Devoid of Trouble), an early US boutique dirt bike brand (and weighed a ton) bike with a Villiers motor. Of course, all the bikes weighed a ton back then. Did enjoy my Honda 55 on the Mexican dunes. Just let the air out to get better traction.
There's a few around in Australia...
...but I've never heard one running 
I just love the wacky names they plastered on them - Wombat, Combat Wombat, Road Toad, Super Rat, Dirt Squirt.
Old Scrambles bikes are crazy. If the Villiers engined strokers were heavy, I can't imagine what taking a Triumph twin on an enduro would be like....
In the 'old' days, people cobbled together what they had...
...available. Not like today when the technology has been so perfected that you get massive power from a bike that weighs nothing- and many companies producing great (and reliable) bikes. The Japanese changed the industry.
Sadly....
...the weight is back (to a degree) with the shift to 4-strokes for motocross bikes. Not to mention that they require intensive and expensive top end rebuilds, rebuilds that take 30 minutes on a CR250 stroker...but they are nice and smooth to ride.
All my early bikes were 2 strokes...
...getting the oil/gas mixture right always a thrill. Had my '66 (I think) Yamaha 250 rear wheel seize up momentarily going down a long freeway incline (Sepulveda Pass) at about 60mph. Needless to say, I added more oil immediately. Was happy to have it smoke a bit...
33:1
Race fuel to Motul 800 on my 2 strokes and I still have a pile of smeared pistons. But that's due more to my (poor) jetting and uncoordinated right wrist than anything else
now you mention weight, a...
now you mention weight, a little Honda monkey bike would be a
laugh.............for the first few miles anyway
laugh.............for the first few miles anyway
Those little Hondas are quite collectible these days...
...and the one we had was quite fun to ride as a kid. I think my brothers lit it on fire and pushed it over a cliff after it finally died.
You guys should tell me when you're planning a trip!
Here are some cars and a van we could use ...
Soon as we get them over to Mongolia (my neighbors would be pleased)
By the way the green car is called a Mehari which is French for some kind of camel, which the Mongolians have plenty of!
And my friend Janice speaks Mongolian, just finished this book on 6000 Mongolian proverbs, and has an apartment in Ulan Bataa
I've done a bit of exploring with 2CVs, from Northcape to Greece, British Columbia to Baja
I prefer the warm stuff myself
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2012-02-08 08:33:42
Soon as we get them over to Mongolia (my neighbors would be pleased)
By the way the green car is called a Mehari which is French for some kind of camel, which the Mongolians have plenty of!
And my friend Janice speaks Mongolian, just finished this book on 6000 Mongolian proverbs, and has an apartment in Ulan Bataa
I've done a bit of exploring with 2CVs, from Northcape to Greece, British Columbia to Baja
I prefer the warm stuff myself
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2012-02-08 08:33:42
Sunscreen is important, you're right!
But it can also rain
Have to be prepared for everything!
because you never know where a 2CV will lead you
you might even meet a mad scientist and Killer Tomatoes or have Miss Universe "drive" your car
Cazalea
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2012-02-08 08:48:24
Yes, that's not an outfit I would suggest wearing...
... for parts scavenging. This message has been edited by mrsnak on 2012-02-08 11:38:10