Photo above: Warren Lambess (Yamaha YZ) goes outside of Peter Boyle (Suzuki RM) in a race in March 1974. Boyle apparently was the winner.
CLASSIC MOTOCROSS
Like many kiwi riders my first taste of competition was in motocross, or as we called it up to the early 70s, scrambles. My entry to scrambles was through the trail bike class newly instituted around that time to cater for the massive upswing in trail bike sales across NZ. For more info on trail bike racing see the classic trail riding and trail bike sections.
In the early 60s it was the British four strokes that held sway in scrambles, BSA and matchless 350 or 500 singles and Triumph twins were most popular. Later in the decade the lighter and better handling two strokes became more competitive as the secrets of two stroke tuning were discovered. A rash of manufacturers appeared mostly using propriety Villiers engines. Gradually the likes of Greeves, DOT, Cotton and James two strokes began chipping away at the four stroke dominance. The entry of specialist frame builders like Cheney and Rickman extended the life of the British four strokes. At the same time two strokes from Continental Europe began to appear in NZ. The likes of CZ, Husqvarna, Maico, Bultaco and Montessa proved superior to the British two strokes who ultimately were dealt a hammer blow by the collapse of Manganese Bronze, the owners of Villiers.
Though it may be hard to believe in this day of free trade, due to the severe NZ import restrictions of the day specialist bikes were expensive and often simply unavailable. Many machines raced in NZ in this period entered the country were machines riders brought back when they returned to NZ after an extensive OE. Parts, even entire stripped engines arrived as hand luggage with returning holiday makers.
The art of building specials, hybrid frame and chassis combinations, was often the only way for a rider to get on a competitive mount. Likewise scrambles clothing and boots were in short supply. Most riders would settle for long lace-up work boots, engineering gloves and rugby shirts. Leather riding pants were mandatory for racing and these hot and heavy items were locally made.
By the late sixties import restrictions were being relaxed and a virtual flood of Japanese trail models like the Yamaha DT1 and RT1 began entering the country. Not only were these bikes very well made they were also keenly priced and showing racing potential, especially when stripped of road gear and fitted with a genuine factory race kit. In the early 1970s the momentum swung in a big way towards the Japanese with the introduction of dedicated competition models like the Honda CR125/250, Yamaha RT MX and Suzuki TM series.
In a few short years the British, Spanish and other European marques were largely eclipsed and in most cases disappeared. While a few European models like CZ , Husqvarna and Maico remained competitive into the late seventies and even beyond they came under ever-increasing onslaught from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki. It was not until the 1990s that European MX bikes would again make a serious showing.
My library of classic MX photos is limited so I invite any enthusiasts who would like to share some of their photos and memories of racing and machinery in the years prior to 1985 to contact me on jnick@nztrailrider.co.nz
In the early 60s it was the British four strokes that held sway in scrambles, BSA and matchless 350 or 500 singles and Triumph twins were most popular. Later in the decade the lighter and better handling two strokes became more competitive as the secrets of two stroke tuning were discovered. A rash of manufacturers appeared mostly using propriety Villiers engines. Gradually the likes of Greeves, DOT, Cotton and James two strokes began chipping away at the four stroke dominance. The entry of specialist frame builders like Cheney and Rickman extended the life of the British four strokes. At the same time two strokes from Continental Europe began to appear in NZ. The likes of CZ, Husqvarna, Maico, Bultaco and Montessa proved superior to the British two strokes who ultimately were dealt a hammer blow by the collapse of Manganese Bronze, the owners of Villiers.
Though it may be hard to believe in this day of free trade, due to the severe NZ import restrictions of the day specialist bikes were expensive and often simply unavailable. Many machines raced in NZ in this period entered the country were machines riders brought back when they returned to NZ after an extensive OE. Parts, even entire stripped engines arrived as hand luggage with returning holiday makers.
The art of building specials, hybrid frame and chassis combinations, was often the only way for a rider to get on a competitive mount. Likewise scrambles clothing and boots were in short supply. Most riders would settle for long lace-up work boots, engineering gloves and rugby shirts. Leather riding pants were mandatory for racing and these hot and heavy items were locally made.
By the late sixties import restrictions were being relaxed and a virtual flood of Japanese trail models like the Yamaha DT1 and RT1 began entering the country. Not only were these bikes very well made they were also keenly priced and showing racing potential, especially when stripped of road gear and fitted with a genuine factory race kit. In the early 1970s the momentum swung in a big way towards the Japanese with the introduction of dedicated competition models like the Honda CR125/250, Yamaha RT MX and Suzuki TM series.
In a few short years the British, Spanish and other European marques were largely eclipsed and in most cases disappeared. While a few European models like CZ , Husqvarna and Maico remained competitive into the late seventies and even beyond they came under ever-increasing onslaught from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki. It was not until the 1990s that European MX bikes would again make a serious showing.
My library of classic MX photos is limited so I invite any enthusiasts who would like to share some of their photos and memories of racing and machinery in the years prior to 1985 to contact me on jnick@nztrailrider.co.nz
