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Whatever happened to this bike?
That was a time when shoot outs were really important. The bikes were evolving so quickly a bike could be a turd one year and a rocket the next, and vice versa. Today all the bikes are good, and the shootouts aren’t nearly as important to your purchase. Those were truly the best times to be involved in the sport.
That's it, thanks.
If memory serves me correctly (and that's a big if), they copied the frame from the 1980 CR125 and then fabbed their own from larger, thinner-walled tubing to make it lighter and stiffer, but it ended up being too rigid.
That was a fabrication masterpiece, even during a time when there was much more of a tendency to "roll your own", that thing was a hand-made marvel.
Thanks for the background info. I've only seen photos of it with Heisser's name in the captions, so your post is actually more than I've ever known about that bike.
The Shop
A quantity of five 1980 Mugen ME125's were imported into the US by Al Baker per Terry Good.
For sure more then 5 we’re imported, not saying what Terry says isn’t true but I don’t think he’s right on this one!
As for the third one in Newmann’s stable it is slowly in the process of being rebuilt to be ridden as he wanted it! Has a long way to go but it won’t be a racer but will be a runner.
Anyone know any specs on the 1980 Mugen banzi kits that were produced? Numbers made, what all was included, how well did it work.
I cringe when I hear the name Terry Good.
Glad I’m not alone!
Reference: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10218407353310014&set=a.10212179580…
Wonderful, made my day.
That and the fake 167lb. Cr125. And my personal knowledge of him attaining a Yamaha works bike.
The frame was designed by a guy who was on one of the road race teams at the time. Chris’ dad went to him with an idea, and he designed the frame and swing arm. It was fast, and had a lot of cool ideas, but it wasn’t a good bike at all.
You’re not alone
Who remembers Jim Castillo's 83(or 84 maybe) CR250 that had the radiator on the right side in the airbox area? Only saw one picture of it in a magazine back then.
Not public. What’s the gist? He’s always seemed decent when I’ve seen him commenting on things, but I don’t really pay that much attention.
Could it be that several were imported by someone other than Al Baker, ‘unofficially’? I think I remember that Baker was supposed to be the official importer, but back then anyone could have possibly purchased some in Japan (or maybe even Canada) and brought them in technically pre-owned, but never ridden.
I miss Newmann. We lost a good man when he passed
Pit Row
Why do you ask Alpman? Are you building a vintage race bike?
Of the 15 built there are only 45 left.
Post a reply to: '80 Mugen 125 question