DIRTPRODUCTS
Got something new, something reintroduced, or the latest thing for classic off-road riders in the feet-up, MX or enduro world? Tell us and we’ll put it here. Contact Leon in advertising on 01507 529465 or Tim Britton on 07739 615605 or Cdbeditor@mortons.co.uk
1. Wanna tell you a story
We pinched Max Bygraves' catchline – note to anyone under 60, Max was a popular entertainer from the Fifties to the Eighties – as it seemed appropriate to Rob Andrews' book about the life and times of a GP Mxer. Rob's book has gone well since it was launched last year at the Classic Dirt Bike Show at Telford and has been reprinted in time for Christmas, so stocking filler time it is.
The important stuff:
What is it? A book about an MX rider
What’s the cost? Priced at £40 plus shipping
Where d’you get it? Get it at www.theinsidelinebook.com
2. Fancy a date?
With a massive archive of his own MX images to go at and featuring top riders at top events – be they British, European or world championship oriented – you just know Nick Haskell's calendars are going to be as top class as the riders in them. As owner of both Malcolm Carling and Cecil Bailey's archives Nick's classic images are extensive too. The only problem we can see is how on earth did Nick manage to whittle down his selection? No matter, he did and the two calendars are widely diverse. The first is direct from Nick and devoted to Eighties MX and is in full colour as befits this glamorous era. The second is through Kevin Downer and celebrates the MX life of legend Derek Rickman, who sadly passed away in 2021.
The important stuff:
What are they? The best in MX action from Nick Haskell
What’s the cost? Each one is £15 plus £1.75 postage
Where d’you get them? Nick Haskell direct: nickhaskell@sky.com (Eighties MX calendar) and Kevin Downer: Mrd7374@btinternet.com (Derek Rickman calendar)
3. On the pull
Magura control levers have been around for a long time; their use as standard fitment for many European motorcycles is well known. The sort of motorcycles featured in CDB are likely to have worn such controls as standard or perhaps as an aftermarket accessory. A common theme in old dirt bikes is lever damage – an ‘off' in an event and yes it's the lever which is damaged so is it any wonder they look a bit second-hand? Thankfully Magura levers are easily available for classics such as the editor's Can-am and many more besides – even better, the components making up a lever can be bought as separate bits. The one shown here is a brake lever, there's also a clutch lever.
The important stuff:
What is it? It's a Magura dog-leg clutch lever of the type used on lots of Seventies and Eighties dirt bikes
What’s the cost? Depends which bit you need
Where d’you get it? Venhill UK: www.venhill.co.uk or tel 01306 885111
4. Stop right now!
Brakes are pretty important on a dirt bike and they do wear out plus the original linings of older machines may not be exactly suitable in the modern world. In the old days there used to be asbestos in brake and clutch lining material; it was outlawed in 1999 but with a proviso pre-73 vehicles could continue using linings with it in until 2004. Twenty or so years on there is lots of choice in safe lining material and the editor's Can-am has just had its shoes relined at Custom Brakes and Hydraulics. The shoes were sent off, with a letter containing what bike it was, what discipline it would be used in and because the linings were well down the hub diameter was also included. A few days later back came the shoes with new linings bonded on.
The important stuff:
What is it? Brake relining service
What’s the cost? Depends on the size of the brake linings needed
Where d’you get them? Custom Brakes and Hydraulics: 0114 276 7971 www.custombrakes.co.uk
5. Get connected
If your rod lets go then you know about it because there will be a pile of scrap where your engine used to be and a big repair bill is faced. Problem is on dirt bikes the engine internals have a hard life and with some of our machines being more than 40 years old a bit of TLC is needed. Vintco produces a wide range of race quality connecting rod kits in heavy-duty forged steel. State-of-the-art materials and manufacturing techniques ensure perfect fit and maximum performance. Kits includes rod, crank pin, big end bearing, wrist – gudgeon pin if you're UK based – pin bearing and two thrust washers. Kits available for most Bultaco, CZ, Hodaka, Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Maico, OSSA, Suzuki and Yamaha dirt bikes produced between 1970 and 1981.
The important stuff:
What is it? A con-rod kit
What’s the cost? Prices start at £159.95 – check availability at www.vintco.uk
Where d’you get it? www.vintco.co.uk: 01258 577900
6. Work clean
When it comes to maintenance time in the workshop, all goes a lot better when the parts being worked on are clean. Now a parts washer is a useful thing to have in the workshop; don't panic if there's not room for a huge thing as the bench-top one in the editor's workshop has served him well for years. The best thing is being able to hose the dirt off with a stream of fluid pumped through a nozzle… the catch-word here being ‘fluid', the pump won't circulate ‘sludge' which is what the original stuff had become. Seeking out something environmentally safer than the ‘wash down with petrol' which the old magazines used to recommend turned up De-solve-it from Jennychem. The old sludge was disposed of properly and this new stuff poured into the washer. A few weeks on it seems to have solved the de-greasing issues in the workshop.
The important stuff:
What is it? Parts washer fluid
What’s the cost? Depends on the quantity – our 25-litre can cost £69.50 with free delivery, it's also available in five-litre and 210-litre containers.
Where d’you get it? Jennychem: 01634 245666 www.jennychem.com