The Dirt Bike Score of a Liftime!

COPPERHEAD85 · 03-08-2011, 09:18 PM

If the movie Lethal Weapon starred a dirt bike this would be it!

My week started pretty crappy with a close friend passing away which pretty much got me down,this walked into my store today and kinda put a smile on my face.
For some crazy reason for the last year I have become addicted to old Bikes of any sort.First the 2 Yamaha Big Wheels and the the 72 360 and a couple of 3 wheelers and last 2 82 Honda XL 250's,but this is the best!!!
An old dirt bike rider/farmer customer of mine wanted to know if I was interested in buying a bike he had and told me about this.....

He says its a 407 but I cant find any info on a 407 so I think its a 495.

A 1981 KTM 495!
One of the fastest production 2 Strokes ever made!
53 HP @ 7000 rpm on a 300 pound bike.
He really dosent want to sell it but I have to have IT!!!
I hope to go check it out and get a price this weekend.

This Motorcycle thing is starting to get like a crack addiction to a junkie for me.

PORTnPOLISH · 03-08-2011, 09:27 PM

Neat bike...big 2 strokes + me = trouble..lol. I had a cr500 and that thing is plain nasty. I also had a cr250 for 5 years and I am riding a yz125 now. I only weigh 155 lbs so it hauls me pretty nicley.

gwaii · 03-08-2011, 09:55 PM

geez,man....don't kill yourself on that thing!

wait till i can make it down there so i can kill myself with it!

that thing would be a hoot!

COPPERHEAD85 · 03-09-2011, 07:22 AM

And its hard to find a good Hoot these days!!!

The price tag will probably crush me though.

Explorin94 · 03-09-2011, 09:28 AM

Nice find to just come strolling into the shop. I just picked up an 86 250R 3 wheeler fairly cheap. Had to put a new front tire on, drain the tank and clean the carb. Fastest thing I have rode in a while.

**straycat** · 03-09-2011, 10:32 AM

Ahhhh, the Great White as it was cal back in 1981!!

The 1981 model is known to be the fastest of them all. It was clocked in the open desert at 120 mph in one of the Cycle mags back in 1981. This bike didn't have a reed valve intake either. maybe why it was so fast!! It had a very long intake manifold and a small exhaust volume contributing to the overall power output at high rpm. The engine was made capable to overrev without loosing too much power. Beside the fact that this bike was the lightest 495 ever made weighing in at 229 lbs. Thus, was the reason why this bike could reach this enormous top speed. However, it was not the strongest 495. One year later for 1982, KTM added some ponies, but at lower rpm. The head had the twin spark plug. The idea was to get a more complete combustion despite the huge volume. The compression was 14:1. So, it is a very rare bike!!! They were known for high maintenance cost since they break capable of breaking down a lot.... and now, try to find parts for them.

I would get it get to take it out once in awhile but not beat on it too much. I would want it to last!! Great bike, Bro!!

I still love the 70's bikes!! Easy to maintain and ride the heck out of them. The newer bikes have more suspension of course and much easier on the old spine!!!! lol

Here are some of mine....

zukirider21 · 03-09-2011, 10:49 AM

that thing is TITS bro.

and 14:1? omfg

kevinsranger · 03-09-2011, 10:52 AM

my friend had an 82 two stroke ktm, forget which engine, but he cant even get a kickstarter for it anymore, tried welding it, tried having a machine shop machine one, and he just can't get a good solution to work and last, so he push starts it and rides it gingerly

COPPERHEAD85 · 03-10-2011, 07:26 AM

I hope I can go check it out this weekend.
Great collection Cat,love the old Zuk's!

mhughes165 · 03-10-2011, 09:00 AM

i dont know much about bikes other then recently i pulled outta some dudes yard a 83 XT600, musta been sitting there for a LONG time with only 125 miles on the odometer, im in the process of getting it going now, what are one of these things worth anyways lol

**straycat** · 03-10-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COPPERHEAD85

I hope I can go check it out this weekend.
Great collection Cat,love the old Zuk's!

Thanks, Bro!!! Love them older rides!! Keep us posted, Bro!!!! Pull out the plug and look inside with a mag light and look for piston damage. If the bike turns over really hard with the plug out just be cautious, could be just time for piston rebuild. The crank is the worst on those bikes because a lot of people beat on them so hard and down shifted the heck out of them to get them to stop. Just use your best judgment and today if you can look up a parts supplier for the bike. Vintage Cycle mags at places like Boarders, Barnes& Noble should have some neat stuff advertised for vintage bike parts.

**straycat** · 03-10-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhughes165

i dont know much about bikes other then recently i pulled outta some dudes yard a 83 XT600, musta been sitting there for a LONG time with only 125 miles on the odometer, im in the process of getting it going now, what are one of these things worth anyways lol

Maybe $1,200- 1,400. Not too desirable anymore. There is web site for them. Just google 'XT riders clubs'. It still is a neat bike.

03-08-2011, 09:18 PM	#1
COPPERHEAD85 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: west tennessee Year: 85 Make: ford Model: ranger Engine: 302 Class: 4x4 Used For: Yard Decoration Posts: 3,518 Rep Power: 24 iTrader: (6)	The Dirt Bike Score of a Liftime! If the movie Lethal Weapon starred a dirt bike this would be it! My week started pretty crappy with a close friend passing away which pretty much got me down,this walked into my store today and kinda put a smile on my face. For some crazy reason for the last year I have become addicted to old Bikes of any sort.First the 2 Yamaha Big Wheels and the the 72 360 and a couple of 3 wheelers and last 2 82 Honda XL 250's,but this is the best!!! An old dirt bike rider/farmer customer of mine wanted to know if I was interested in buying a bike he had and told me about this..... He says its a 407 but I cant find any info on a 407 so I think its a 495. A 1981 KTM 495! One of the fastest production 2 Strokes ever made! 53 HP @ 7000 rpm on a 300 pound bike. He really dosent want to sell it but I have to have IT!!! I hope to go check it out and get a price this weekend. This Motorcycle thing is starting to get like a crack addiction to a junkie for me. __________________ Stabbings aren't funny Beatings aren't funny Clowns aren't funny But Beating and Stabbing a Clown...Thats Funny!
	Tweet

03-08-2011, 09:27 PM	#2
PORTnPOLISH Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Tonica, IL Year: 1994 Make: Mazda Model: B4000 Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: work & play Posts: 147 Rep Power: 5 iTrader: (0)	Neat bike...big 2 strokes + me = trouble..lol. I had a cr500 and that thing is plain nasty. I also had a cr250 for 5 years and I am riding a yz125 now. I only weigh 155 lbs so it hauls me pretty nicley. __________________ Hand built not pocket book bought for life.
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03-08-2011, 09:55 PM	#3
gwaii 2010 OTOTY Winner Join Date: May 2010 Location: haida gwaii Year: 1991 Make: ford Model: ranger Engine: 460 Class: 4x4 Used For: stupid stuff Posts: 4,156 Rep Power: 22 iTrader: (0)	geez,man....don't kill yourself on that thing! wait till i can make it down there so i can kill myself with it! that thing would be a hoot! __________________ just the facts,ma,am-joe friday
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03-09-2011, 07:22 AM	#4
COPPERHEAD85 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: west tennessee Year: 85 Make: ford Model: ranger Engine: 302 Class: 4x4 Used For: Yard Decoration Posts: 3,518 Rep Power: 24 iTrader: (6)	And its hard to find a good Hoot these days!!! The price tag will probably crush me though. __________________ Stabbings aren't funny Beatings aren't funny Clowns aren't funny But Beating and Stabbing a Clown...Thats Funny!
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03-09-2011, 09:28 AM	#5
Explorin94 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Farmington Il. Year: 1988 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: Trail Slut Posts: 2,136 Rep Power: 19 iTrader: (1)	Nice find to just come strolling into the shop. I just picked up an 86 250R 3 wheeler fairly cheap. Had to put a new front tire on, drain the tank and clean the carb. Fastest thing I have rode in a while. __________________ HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS
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03-09-2011, 10:32 AM	#6
straycat Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Year: 99, 02 and 06 Make: Ford /Jeeps/Etc Model: 99 Ranger 4.0L 2wd 33x12.5 KO tires. Grand Cherokee 4x4 4.0L Wrangler X 5.7 Hemi 87 Samurai 4x4 Used For: DD and trail rides Posts: 4,955 Rep Power: 28 iTrader: (1)	Ahhhh, the Great White as it was cal back in 1981!! The 1981 model is known to be the fastest of them all. It was clocked in the open desert at 120 mph in one of the Cycle mags back in 1981. This bike didn't have a reed valve intake either. maybe why it was so fast!! It had a very long intake manifold and a small exhaust volume contributing to the overall power output at high rpm. The engine was made capable to overrev without loosing too much power. Beside the fact that this bike was the lightest 495 ever made weighing in at 229 lbs. Thus, was the reason why this bike could reach this enormous top speed. However, it was not the strongest 495. One year later for 1982, KTM added some ponies, but at lower rpm. The head had the twin spark plug. The idea was to get a more complete combustion despite the huge volume. The compression was 14:1. So, it is a very rare bike!!! They were known for high maintenance cost since they break capable of breaking down a lot.... and now, try to find parts for them. I would get it get to take it out once in awhile but not beat on it too much. I would want it to last!! Great bike, Bro!! I still love the 70's bikes!! Easy to maintain and ride the heck out of them. The newer bikes have more suspension of course and much easier on the old spine!!!! lol Here are some of mine.... __________________ Straycat 99 Ranger XLT 4 door Supercab lifted 2wd 33x12.5x15 KO's on 15x8 AR polished rims Spare 33 KO mounted flat in bed/custom bed extender
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03-10-2011, 07:26 AM	#9
COPPERHEAD85 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: west tennessee Year: 85 Make: ford Model: ranger Engine: 302 Class: 4x4 Used For: Yard Decoration Posts: 3,518 Rep Power: 24 iTrader: (6)	I hope I can go check it out this weekend. Great collection Cat,love the old Zuk's! __________________ Stabbings aren't funny Beatings aren't funny Clowns aren't funny But Beating and Stabbing a Clown...Thats Funny!
	Tweet

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