1982 Yamaha World Motocross Grand Prix

[@jerrylockridge3734]

I've had the honor and privilege to meet and ride with Danny. If you can stay in the same area code with him, you've had a good day. I worked with his dad (Joe) and have been a guest in their house. On a sad note Joe LaPorte passed away July 18, 2020.

[@johnnyv673]

God I miss those days

[@charlesharper6421]

Wasn’t this supposed to be ‘73 yam mxgp

[@usarmywarcollegesaidisrael2910]

I never knew Laporte won a world championship before Brad Lackey did.

[@joeabbate6138]

He didn't, Lackey won on August 8th, Laporte on the 29th.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

@@joeabbate6138 What is interesting is Danny won on his first attempt, Lackey on his last.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

@@joeabbate6138 Amazing they were so close. Brad Lackey certainly deserved to be first.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

I was at the podium in the audience in July 1979 when Carla clinched his first world championship. I got sprayed with champagne and even got to drink from the bottle. Not bad for a 16 year old kid.

[@motonorcal9938]

I was so amazed when LaPorte went over there and won the thing on his first attempt. The guy was next-level.

[@kevinstearns4198]

wish they still haD air-cooled i can make my 87 kx 250 out of one. pain in the ass welding grinding cutting. but in the end worth the time. no more blown head gaskets overheating.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Kevin man: I had 5 different water pumpers, and never had those problems. I also have a good amount of experience doing the kind of work you talk about. Never say it is worth it, until you do it, that is a lot of work, and welding likes to warp cylinders (and your's is plated). It would probably be easier to find a older air cooled cylinder and make it work. But easier yet to buy a used air cooled bike. I bet you can get it in amazing condition for about 2 or 3 grand, (when they cost 1 grand in 79). I am not sure it it's "worth it" anymore. I'm gonna buy a 1 or 2 year old Husky two stroke with a carburetor while I can still get a great deal under $10,000!!!!!!! Boy, I miss the 70's. I bought new bikes as a child making $1.00/hr. Yea, the trails we built are all grown in now.

[@kevinstearns4198]

one thing they did the same lap times as water did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@EarthSurferUSA]

They did race against each other and that is true for some lap times. But air cooled wold lose power as the race went on where water cooled controlled the heat better. Water cooling also let them get more aggressive with porting and pipe, (which created more heat). Water cooling was another great advancement, like many, (disk brakes, 12" of suspension travel, linkage rear suspension, power valves, Motocross frame geometry and even upside down forks),---before the 1986 production rule that tripled the cost of a bike in 5 years. After that, and the 4-stroke forced on then industry, we can look back and see we bought a lot more air cooled bikes per year than we do any of them today.