For this week’s Two-Stroke Tuesday offered by Decal Works, we check out Rick Johnson’s iconic 1984 YZ250. This is the bike that he received the championship on that 12 months, and it set the tone for issues to come back as a result of it was a production-based bike. By 1984, Yamaha knew that some kind of manufacturing rule was coming and selected a preemptive strike. At the beginning of the season, they introduced Broc Glover and Ricky Johnson right into a convention room and informed them that, for the 1984 season, they’d be using production-based bikes. Both of them can be allowed out of their contracts (which stipulated that they’d be supplied with works bikes), however the determination was not negotiable. They each determined to remain.
Sadly, the 1994 YZ250 that Rick Johnson rode was not superb in inventory type. It had been redesigned the earlier 12 months however was nonetheless behind the Honda and Suzuki. RJ’s bike improved with a pipe, porting and some particular elements, however even the entrance suspension was based mostly on inventory parts. The fork had a Simons Anti-Cav equipment and little else. The rear shock was, not less than, an Ohlins. Still, he received 4 out of 10 Nationals that 12 months and went on to win the des Nations with Jeff Ward, David Bailey and Johnny O’Mara.
A 12 months later he went testing with Honda. “I tested on a training track near Carlsbad,” he stated in an interview with the LA Times. “When I finished the test, I wondered why Team Honda hadn’t won every race.” RJ signed with Honda for the 1986 season.
Today, the very bike that RJ rode in 1984 is owned by Hugh Parker. It appears to be like similar to it did on the finish of the ‘84 season, proper all the way down to the inventory Z-spokes and the drum rear brake.
The 1984 YZ250 had Yamaha’s second try at a linkage rear suspension. A 12 months later, it could transfer to a configuration that isn’t too completely different from the fashion used at the moment.
Some manufacturing facility {hardware} was used, however even the footpegs had been frighteningly inventory.
The motor had some porting and an extended rod than the inventory YZ.
RJ’s 1984 YZ250 is a chunk of historical past and is well-documented. He has been provided the chance to experience the bike in subsequent years, however declined.
BEHIND THE BUILD
Behind The Build is our weekly give attention to a number of the most unique bikes to roll out of the Dirt Bike store. Here’s a take a look at a really particular Kawasaki KX500 that received the off-road therapy. Look closly: that’s a KTM chassis. Click on the picture to study extra.
TWO-STROKE THEATER
What to study extra about KTM’s all-new for 2023 two-strokes? We received to experience the brand new 300 in addition to all the opposite competitors fashions at Red Bud final week. Click on the picture to observe Mark Tilley experience his brains out!