Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

t ! t I t I { events. We want that. And I think when that happens, we'll see a lot more of these bikes being built," Gary Hazel's Thumper Racing is located in l'4arshall, Texas, just a few miles from Rainey's home in Jefferson. Hazel 8ot more involved when the bike came back from New York. 'Attention ro detail," said Hazel in explaininS his involvement in the proiect. "We got the pipe mount right, repaired the clutch. and improved the bmkes. We re working with Ohlins on the shock. lt's a pro- totlpe, so we're Nveaking that. dhlins built the original shock on the work bike, but the specs and notes from that are long gone. The reservoir mount has been a problem. I think we flnally have that corrected, "This has been a spare-time project for me. I keep the bike in my shop, but work on it after normal hours. Diamond promised thar I could race it in his fall race. I iumped at the idea. That, and it is preEy cool to be working on a Brad Lackey bike. I'm too young to remember Brad's racing, but I def- rnitely know about him. lts cool working with Brad on the suspension. He sold me on Simons fork. Brad says they gave him a bi8 advartage raong. They are strffer, so turninS across or out of ruts is much easier- "We're working our way from the front tire to the back. and I think it has come to8ether nicely. Diamond seems to know everybody. The clutch basket was a mess - the clutch was pieced together with random parts. I told Diarnond that we needed a new one and three week later he had one. I don't know how he does it? "Motion Pro stepped forward with a spe- cial brake line. The stock line wouldn't work with the Simons fo*s. Everybody jumps right in when we need help. I'm not sure if it is Diamond s doing or because it s for Brad also a regular on the AHRMA Vintage Motocross National Championship circuit. "l've been doinS this for about six years now." said Clark. "We heard about the bike when Brad contacted me with pictures of the original works bike iust before it went into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. We copied the graphics and put them on the project bike, but it has been raced several times. The graphics have gotten pretty beat up. I see that Don has removed some of them. l'll be working on the flame desi8n for Brad's helmet and renew the bike graphics." l-ackey sard that he had copEs of his orig- inalgear scattered all over the world. "l do a few vintage races in several other places," l-ackey explained. "l left a full set of gear, including a helmet with the flame desiSn, in New Zealand, l'll be there for another race, and I didn't want to haul it around. l've also done some vintage events in Europe. There is a big event planned for Namur, Belgium. I hope to meet up with a bunch of guys from the old days at that one. And, I alwals come here. l"laybe Jeff can have a flame helmet for me to wear next year. ' The equipment thar Lackey wore in that final race is on display at the Motorcycle Hall - CYCLE NEWS . APRII-26,2006 35 * (L€fr ro righr) Alex Moroz, Brod Lorkey, Diomond Don Roine, Steve Morpes ond JefI Clqrk rlsnd behind their prized possession. Lockoy won by neorly o minute in the four.lop 50 Plur Er.p.rt molo. Ir F;I H q , I q L --l \ , ? I c, \ T F I Lackey? Pans are not readily available, but we try to keep the motor fresh. We have access to pistons and rings, but, if we ever break something, it could be a disaster Best to keep it clean and fresh. After this race we will tear the bike down completely and 8o throuEh everything. The suspensron will be sent to Ohlins for some tweak- ing and Erad has given us some sugges- tions. We'll incorporate those and have it ready to race this fall." Between races, Marpes shared the 6hlins take on everTthing. Marpes said that Ohlins was pleased to get involved, because it has turned into a good market- ing tool. Harpes follows the AHRI'4A Vintage and Post-Vintage Motocross National Championship Series, racinS and providing Ohlins shocks and tech support for other vintage racers. ''lt certainly doesn\ hurt to have Brad Lackey using your product," Marpes said. ''l've been working with Erad to put the fin- ishing touches on our shock and on the Simons fork before today's iace. We have it pretty close to the ori8inal, according to Brad." Marpes was gettinS ready for another race. "Ohlins has allowed me to commit to about eight races. I was surprised at how fast these Suys are. l'm less than 40 and had expected a cakewalk. There's no cakewalk. These guys are serious. They look for every ad\antage, erpecially in the suspension. I flever expected to have so much fun. I love racing the vintage bikes. and, itwas a bi8 suc- cess for 6hlins- lt's almost like being a facto- ry rider. lget to play and make plenty of sales as I do." Jeff Clark s Bad Brush Designs is current- ly making copies of the graphics from pic- tures supplied by l.ackey and others. Clark is of Fame Museum, along with the original motorcycle- Lackey gave the handling a thumbs up after the llrst moto of the Over 50 Expert Class. But, feeling light headed and nau- seous, he passed on riding the second moto. lnsread. l,ackey hung out with fans and other racers. He and .lim Pomeroy were greeting fans. signing autoglaphs and relling T-shins. Rainey, meanwhile, was everywhere. Afterfinishing seventh in the Over 60 Expert class, he directed arransemenB for the clos- ing ceremonyand the "wind down" crawflsh cookout. He found time to add a few words about his pet project. He pointed to Lackey's autograph arop the special triple clamp rhar was supplied by Billet lnnovations. "That makes it a signature model,'' he said with a smile. Rainey says the bike will remain in the .lefferson area. He built it for Lackey to ride in his annual event and it remains the one vintage event that "Bad Brad" has yet to miss. lf the flrst moto of today's Over 50 Expen class is any indication, lackey on the Brad Bike will remain the champ on this Bayou for years to come, Gl{ I ).. -a I I 1' I ilt ,he Eillet )

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