Be Very Afraid...

[MickLC]

Yes... I believe the words used were ...."Landed on my arse".... according to you tube Noice work Mick!

Yep, my arse hit the ground before I even knew what was happening and it's still sore

[Blurr]

Yes... I believe the words used were ...."Landed on my arse".... according to you tube Noice work Mick!

Yep, my arse hit the ground before I even knew what was happening and it's still sore

you practicing your wheelies for next year CDT Mick?

[Gosling1]

The awesome power of a 500cc stinkwheels will do that everytime.......

Here are a couple of pictures of the Wizard, for those who may not have seen it before......









Its a weapon in the dirt alright........here are a basic list of mods to this bike....originally this was a 1984 YZ490L.

+1mm o/s piston kit - capacity of 498.7cc.
Every bearing and seal replaced in a full-tilt bottom end rebuild. New rod. New everything !!
43mm WP forks, originally fitted to KTM300 - rebushed and new seals etc......thanks Dr Bruce !
Wave braking front disc, stock KTM twin-piston caliper, homemade caliper bracket.
FMF Fatty pipe, muffler. Pipe protector
K&N dual-stage air filter
Boyesen dual-stage c/f reeds
jetted by Dr Bruce - goes alright by all accounts
used to have a braced KDX sub-frame !!
re-built and re-gassed stock 490 rear shock
all needle bearings removed from rear shock linkages - replaced by press-fit phosphor bronze bushes, about 6 extra grease nipples fitted.
Afam rear sprocket
DID X-W Gold chain (cost a f/n fortune FFS !! )
Brake snake from Geoff Ballard
Full wiring harness and lighting coil from IT175 fitted.
Handlebar risers
Genuine 1986 WR500 front headlight......try and get one of those from Findapart !!

.........and the airbox cover (l/h side) with *genuine* 500 sticker - apparently came from one of Steven Gall's factory YZ500's from the mid-80s'. At least thats what Banksy told me (old owner from ACT Wreckers) - Banger is no bullshit artist, so its probably true. He had lots of good bits in that shop.....

thats the Wizard. It's one fast bike for its age. A bit of a handful in the tight stuff.....but can still go anywhere really, and gets there as quick as any modern off-roader.....

[Whickle]

Its a fucking death machine! You really need some berries to ride this thing hard!

Its no wonder Mick landed on his ass. I could barely ride it through the twisty dirt tracks! The fucker develops power instantly and keeps going!

Was a fun to ride! Cheers Gos!

[Dizzi]

Man that looks so much fun, me thinks me will be looking into this as other family memeber are!!!!

[MickLC]

...you practicing your wheelies for next year CDT Mick?

I think I need to practice on something a bit safer for wheelies like the Crim

I really was having a good time riding it around, it's happiest when you're on the throttle and will happily lift the front and spin the rear. It caught me out by digging in and just lifting the front, but damn that power is addictive I'm just glad the damage wasn't too bad as it was in a nice open area, but given the day Gos had had so far, I felt even more awful when I saw his face when I came back

Like I said mate, let me know if you need anything to get it fixed up

[Gosling1]

no worries Mick - its all good mate. The sub-frame is all mild steel, so easy enough to repair.....and it bent just behind the braced section, so that tip about the bracing has already paid off..........

Geez some stuff had worked itself loose on this day though FMD, all 3 front engine mount bolts are loose ( and these are loctited AND nylock nuts - tightened up before *every* ride) - the exhaust system bolt up the top is gaaaaawwn, and I think the float bowl screws have also loosened up a bit !!! - still, all pretty easy things to rectify. Its a bit high-maintenance this bike, but absolutely worth it for the rush when its ridden to its potential.......its just really really REALLY scary-fast in a straight line........which BTW is pretty hard to hold.

Whicks - no worries mate, anytime we go down to Larbert, you are welcome to go for a fang. I still laugh when I think about Bogan riding this - wind the clock back to 1984, and he was Mr MotoCross !!!

[MickLC]

Geez some stuff had worked itself loose on this day though...

I reckon it loosened a few of my fillings too

[photomike666]

I have a nice set of scars from it's cousin, and 81 CR450.