1985 Freddie Spencer Superbike at Daytona 200

Freddie Spencer winning the 1985 Daytona 200. After the race, Spencer talks about the race and his place in history.

[@lenzdot]

In 1991 I purchased the combined spares from Rueben McMurter, Freddie Spencer and some endurance parts related to the VF750R. There was also a VF850R that was ridden by Wayne Gardner. These were leftover parts that had been picked over. Some interesting things I noted: The HRC parts were very hard to get. The gear ratios for the transmission were much different from the street bike. Jet forged Titanium rods, Pistons with only one compression ring-(very light weight forged and looking like works of ART.) HRC had a rear wheel with a Magnesium Hub and carbon-fiber spokes that looked just like the com-star wheel. All the transmission gears and shafts and the crank had been micro-polished. This was an old NASCAR trick, it was called Super Finish. When the engine was assembled it would turn over very easily by hand. Titanium valves were used along with special valve springs, titanium retainers, and lash caps to protect the valve tip. ( note the valve failures of the FZ750 were due to using 2 piece valves that were friction welded together) The Showa forks were very special. The chrome plating on the fork tubes was thicker than what you see on a street bike and it was highly polished. The dry clutch was a work of art. The inner and outer hubs were made of billet steel with lots of holes in it. Many of the parts had already been developed on the RS1000 and the FWS. All the side covers valve covers and oil sump were magnesium. The cylinder heads were really special. No way to get that kind of porting on the stock head. Copper Beryllium valve seats and larger valves. The biggest difference being the crankshaft was like the RC30 and the cams were gear driven. R&D on this bike paved the way for the RC30.

[@NotNowCato1254]

Hey, thanks Lenz Dot. That's an interesting insight into the the world of HRC parts, made from unobtainium. The full works VF750 pretty much only shared the 'clothing' and silhouette of the showroom bike then, I'd imagine! Gear driven cams? Wow. The 1984 VF1000R had GD cams, a couple of years before the VFR750 came along, I do recall that.

[@mikerieck306]

Find it interesting that you say no way to get that type of porting in a stock head. Were the ports straightened out (original head entrances cut off and moved)? All the other stuff is pretty standard factory stuff. Got to ask...was the shift drum Swiss cheesed kind of like the clutch basket?

[@mikerieck306]

@FITNESSOVER45 Muzzy was using Jet rods for years.

[@ianrawlings2546]

Unbelievable. So many legends together. Not just riders but bikes as well. Spencer was special.

[@spiderdavis3296]

This was the last trip to Florida for me.Freddie was from another planet that day.Thanks for posting.

[@Johnnywhamo]

I was 21 in 85, owned an 79 RD 400 Daytona Special and these guys were my hero's. Especially King Kenny. My buddies and I would hit the country road and uses sections as our own personal race track..dumb yes....fun...HELL yes

[@blacklight4460]

RDs ruled.

[@atomicorang]

Freddie will always be remembered for excellence years after we are all gone!!

[@MDM0915]

Met Freddie in 1975-76 when we were both about 13-14 years old. It was in the parking lot of MidSouth Honda in Shreveport. My aunt introduced us. I also rode with her several times to pick up daily bank deposits from Freddie’s dad at his grocery store. Freddie and his dad had his bike trailered and were headed somewhere for the weekend to race. I remember Freddie was walking around the trailer and inspecting his bike in detail. It was clear that he was much more focused than the kids I rode with. His dad gave my aunt a can of Schlitz from his cooler.

[@tgoods504]

Great piece of racing history. Spencer and Cooley are class acts.

[@thurney4343]

These are the bikes I remember....standard upright position...working the bike around the track. Great to see this footage, it brings back great memories!

[@uglycasanova4240]

Sad that in 85 couldn't find much coverage on TV.. now can watch any year. In 85 I had the RZ350 Loved it.

[@shaneworden5095]

Its amazing my childhood hero's. Man and machine. No fairings no traction control. Just amazing guys pushing the limit letting it all hang out. This my friends is just great racing with gifted riders. Wow!!!

[@97jettatrek]

I just picked up a beautiful barn fresh 84 vf700f intercepter and I absolutely love it. Seeing them on the track like this is so cool.

[@dccajc1]

I remember when that bike came out I was at the dealer and I was on the back of one and that bike scared the shit out of me

[@michaelwall2304]

one of the best bikes Honda ever made...I have a 82 Cb900F set up as an R replica.

[@NotNowCato1254]

@@michaelwall2304 I had a 1980 CB750F in 1989- basically a sleeved-down 900 (which I couldn't afford at the time). Loved it, but not as much as the '86 VF750F I'd had prior (black and red with those gold wheels). Sold that to free up some money and, if I'm honest, because I was always worried the top end would grenade itself - they did have a bad rep. Lovely bike to look at and ride. I think Honda build quality was at its peak in the late 80s.

[@TonyRadford]

Nostalgic seeing all those VFRs...I rode mine off the lot in '83. I was 16 and in heaven on that thing!

[@Dug6666666]

VFR came later, just VF back then, had one also from new. Never had a bike since that got more attention. Loved those motors with its tandem twin firing order.

[@NotNowCato1254]

@@Dug6666666 And those beautiful gold anodised Comstar wheels 👌

[@4thdimensiontravels855]

Worked for norm mcdonald, Sams Dad at K&N yamaha. Sam was in sales there. Great bunch of guys to work for. Pat, Phil, Sam, Norm, and Nancy. RIP Phil.

[@1PITIFULDUDE]

Coverage is first class. Thanks for posting this race.

[@audiemccall7611]

I bought a 81 cb900f new and Freddie was my guy. Used to carve up the western NC mountain roads on that thing .Wish I had it and my youth back ,I’d make that V&H pipe ring these mountains again

[@michaelwall2304]

I live in Franklin,nc have an '82 cb900f built as an R replica...(for sale)

[@audiemccall7611]

@@michaelwall2304 what ya asking?

[@pickuo580]

Love this video! I have a VF750F barnfind and rebuild it in 1 year in a AMA Superbike (street)racer. Great bike and great times then!

[@LGHTSPD675]

Freddy was an amazing racer no doubt, he won in all disciplines, including Europe. In this race he was substantially faster in the infield sections, but that back straight/bank speed was beyond just rider talent, he blew past competitors like they were standing still - the fastest rider on an a faster bike. I'm not old enough to know, but if Wes and Freddy swapped bikes and pit crews for this race could it have been an epic photo finish? Very fun to watch.

[@moriwaki1105]

One of the Greatest Naturals EVER......1985 was HIS year alright....and a Great guy to speak to.....a Gentleman.

[@michaelwall2304]

He is fun to watch race, always so smooth. Wish there were video of his early races.

[@derekstegall9811]

Had a 94 vfr750 sold it for newer 2008 vfr800 and have regretted it ever since. Probably end up selling the 2008 and buying a 86 vfr750 or the vf1000 interceptor I just like the older more authentic bikes way better

[@pabloperez4063]

@@derekstegall9811 what,s wrong woth the VFR 800 2008 ? .It must be a wonderful bikr....

[@70Superbird]

At 34:24, the fuel man is Mike Velasco. I met him when he moved to Bremerton Wa. and set up a shop to build race bikes. A super nice guy with a wealth of knowledge on building bikes. He helped me with my CB900F.

[@markmark5269]

One of the great riders of all time, but lets not kid ourselves here, he had massive horsepower advantage over the rest of the field.

[@watermusic711]

Ya no kidding

[@pabloperez4063]

Yes, but he would win with ANY bike, his level was higher

[@CaptDesmo]

My All-Time Hero(s)... I've spoken to spencer on few occations and was just in AWWW....

[@sharpsdoublerifle1439]

Really what is it...I don't see any of the current racers ever reaching these level of skill and stardom. Maybe it's because they went from zero technology to hyper-tech....riding frighteningly powerful and fast bikes with poor tires and suspension.. More like daredevils on those things. I loved watching this stuff as a teenager, I could relate, and was awed by them...the courage to take it the hairy edge, tank slapping down the front straight at SIR... You would say "JHC" how do they do that....

[@shaneworden5095]

Thank you so much for this video. I absolutely loved it!!! I have a 1999 zrx1100 Eddie Lawson edition. And this is just great.

[@davebirch2305]

Greatest show on earth ! Obviously never been to the IOM TT

[@pabloperez4063]

I saw Freddie win in 500 Gp Spain, jarama circuit, 1985. My first trip in a bike ever , to see a GP, being 18 years old.

[@mlke2900]

What a race for sure. This 1 win made him 1 of the best come back super bike wins from behind of all time. Leading honda to introduce the vf700f, vf750f and the monster vf1000f to every honda motorcycle dealer in the country. You could not find a vf700f or vf750f for sale on the show floor at many honda dealers. Due to the fact of this race.

[@jkim6200]

In the States, pretty much allof the Superbike class bikes sold yo the public was the VF700F Interceptor and not the 750, thanks to the lobbying by (AMF) Harley Davidson.

[@rogerw3818]

1985 was Freddie Spencer's year.

[@ChrisR57]

Thanks for the memories, I was there in '81,'83 & '84.

[@davewolman9491]

Just noticed at 4:51 to 4:58 I was doing my job as Kevin's Mechanic at the starting line! WOW Memories!!!

[@Rollin_L]

Dang, there you are, Dave. I was doing photography for Motorcyclist back in those days, on spec. Have a pic of mine in the coverage of this event, a contemplative Kevin, right there on the starting line. And I had a chat with you at Yoshimura on a visit, way back when. Funny, I was wondering about some of the mechanics from back in those days, and your name was among them. Glad to see you popping up here.

[@blipco5]

Here's to you both. 👍👍🍻🇺🇸

[@tuc-dh4df]

Ron Haslam, in forth! well done Ron.

[@aspjake123]

#289 was my number as a TZ250 Club racer in California 1986. Kevin has great taste!!! LOL I wish I had a tenth of his talent. Damn I also street raced (like a young fool) a 1985 FZ750. I miss that FZ, bought brand new during that horrible 700cc tariff. Costed me an arm a leg but could hang with my buddy Scott on that 900cc Ninja!!!! Love Yamaha! Sorry for rambling on but I am in my 60's and miss my youth. God bless .

[@MrSpiff9]

I sure miss seeing everyone at the track! And as always a big thanks to Fast Freddie, Jeff Haney and Nick Einatch for all the training and friendship!

[@JukkaX]

Wooow.. brand new FZ 750's !!!

[@stephenmwyatt2]

The FZ750 was the reason I just bought a leftover 2014 Yamaha FZ-1, the modern 998cc version of the bike

[@mercoid]

Freddie an incredibly class act. Wes Cooley too.

[@johndeere1951a]

Fast Freddie's finest year. 250cc 🏆 and 500cc 🏆 1985 Grand Prix World Championships 🏁🇺🇲 God speed Wes Cookey and Dale Singleton 🏁🏁💔

[@fastkazzmat7127]

Great Freddie Spencer!!!!

[@coolbreeze2176]

Greatest of all time, goat

[@rodneysammons5544]

Was at his house in Las Vegas in 2011 or so with a friend checking his pool pump and he came out for a bit, when we left the garage door was open and saw a Motorsports Hall of Fame poster on the wall. And there was a secondary hardened door of metal in there that was was pulled down.

[@tfraupach]

I was at this race....man, we've come a long way in motorcycle racing.

[@pabloperez4063]

Imagine what 37 years means !!! One 3rd of history of bikes

[@bobv8219]

Thanks a bunch for the upload u r the BOMB these are fantastic brother. Subbed foo shoo

[@joshuamervis]

What's shocking is that after this season - he didn't win a championship ever again. Magical 1985 and it was over. Hard to believe.

[@imagineaworld]

Woah this took me way back. Like, before i was born, way back.

[@IntrepidVids]

1985 is the year that the AMA changed the Daytona 200 to Superbike rules. The 2-strokes were relegated to the 100-mile F1 race.

[@pilotnelson4507]

Consider it an honor to have participated in one of the last classes for FSRS...

[@bladerunnergonzalez]

FANTASTIC MEMORIES!!!! 😍😍😍

[@chrismoody1342]

The month of Daytona is the start of all forms of racing in 🇺🇸 for the year.

[@teamsp21]

Great !! have some clips of 250 GP race also to see the triple ?

[@erectro3593]

80'is Golden age of motorcycle race.

[@kevinoglesby8001]

I bought a CB1100F after Fast Freddie Spencer and his two teammates swept the Daytona 200 I believe it was 1985. I was on turn one and couldn't believe the speed when they went by.

[@Fmontes]

Sadly, I recorded this exact broadcast as a kid on our Sony Betamax.

[@notenuffccs]

What kind of bikes where these? I know they are Yamaha and Honda, but what where the models at the time?

[@Fmontes]

+NotEnuffCC's At the time, the groundbreaking and highly desireable bike was the Honda VF45 Interceptor (750cc). It featured a 16" front wheel which was to be the norm for this period - quick handling at a cost of some stability if I recall.

[@sharpsdoublerifle1439]

No they were stable due to the chopper like 29.5 degree head angle. I had a 86 750 for many years, I upgraded the wheels to the cbr600F2 and Ohlins rear shock and Raceteck emulators and springs. It really handle nice on the new rubber.....but was a total pig. No power and heavy. I also had at the same time a RZ350 that I raced and hot rodded. That bike flew.... Fast, light, handled great......still have it to this day.

[@jimvanalstyne1713]

Sharpsdoublerifle I

[@philhashey9651]

The beginning of the end, never the same without the 2 stroke GP bikes

[@TheFokker03]

this is what superbikes were all about,not the rubbish put out now!

[@sergiocabrera458]

Masterclass!!

[@arendyzelman7421]

Dale Singleton died on 2 Sep 1985, roughly 5 months after appearing here on this video, in an air crash leaving a stock car race, on a flight to Chattanooga, Tenn.

[@TheVwboyaf1]

Wasn't paying close attention and thought they were still on their warm up lap 3 laps into the actual race, lol.

[@joeblow5037]

that vfr-750 was the bomb

[@NeroontheGoon]

Ugliest damn sounding motorcycle Honda ever produced, fast, yup, good looking, yup, but dear god, what a droning piece of crap! No motor soul!

[@jag3217]

Another Louisiana great racerKenny plus Jamie James

[@JukkaX]

That Honda loox like an adventure bike with it's high handlebar.

[@pabloperez4063]

I can't understand how they could ride these handlebars in a racetrack

[@JukkaX]

@@pabloperez4063 yea, and fast too..

[@simonturner1256]

31:35 just look at that power difference.

[@blipco5]

simon turner - Then again at 36:50

[@joshuamervis]

What race didn't Freddy win in 1985? Holy cow! 250cc, 500cc, Daytona, what's left? Suzuka 8 hrs? (don't tell me he won that as well...) Has there ever been a season like 1985 for any other rider?

[@IntrepidVids]

Not exactly but there have been several riders who won two world championships in the same year. Click the link and scroll down to see the list. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Grand_Prix_motorcycle_racing_World_Champions_by_year

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Back in the 60’s it was very common to race in all classes possible. Hailwood would race the 250, 350 and 500 cc the same day.

[@samcoon6699]

Back when motorcycles had character and soul. You could tell who was who and what was what. Everything looks the same today.

[@wakatin55]

シュワンツがE4に乗ってる！ 貴重映像だ！

[@user-kv1cm9pb5g]

一日に違う特性のバイクを2台3台乗ってもトップを走る天才！

[@Marshall498]

Oh Dave, lookin rather young here!

[@andrewperry605]

Fast Freddie. Made it look easy

[@KTPurdy]

I remember when the Honda v-twin hit the market, it took it by storm

[@r1too]

The Honda Interceptor.

[@calvincooley1074]

Noticed thr two guys checking out the then new Kaw 600 Ninja, likely a Kieth Code bike

[@Darryl-xv4jb]

Oh that GS1000 Suzuki r Wes Cooley I used to like going that Suzuki shop just to lookI wanted one of those things bad

[@xDreadheadx]

🤌🏾🤌🏾🤌🏾 need the supers back at Dayton

[@marianoschaller9066]

I don't understand... F Spencer won many many races and the world title of 250 cc and 500 cc more than once, and in one year, he'v got bouth on the same seasson..... How on earth the interviewer tells that the Daytona is Spencer's bigest achievment????

[@Graham658]

That's American's for you bigging up a National production bike based Superbike endurance race as the biggest thing in the world! You are correct Freddie's biggest achievement was winning the 500 and 250 World Championships in the same year and no one has done it since. This race was in 1985 so Freddie only had one 500 World Championship (which is a bigger accomplishment) several 500 race wins and was on his way to his double World Championship. I would say that Suzuka, Le Man and the Isle of Man TT are more prestigious World events than this local race.

[@kevinshea2097]

What difference in how much faster Freddie's bike was compared to the other Honda interceptors he would just motor past like they were standing still

[@petethueson2043]

i got a zrx1100 thanks old school bikes for us that wanted a eddie lawson rep

[@GerbenDub]

Is this sort of racing going on in the us ?

[@SaschaSupertramp]

I got a VF750F some days ago. Now I ask me what to to with it...

[@raynic1173]

Ya see kids, you don't have to spend 20K to have a great time!

[@dccajc1]

Race ccs and wera with a totaled superbike!!@!

[@raynic1173]

@@dccajc1 same here, my first track bike was a "salvaged" gxsr 750. Nothing structurally wrong. Just plastics, they were scaped up but still intact. Cleaned it up, performed maintenance and let her rip.

[@tonykartracer8032]

Dat wheelie though......

[@johnnyrvf]

No. The Daytona 200 is NOT the biggest motorcycle race in the world. It might be the biggesr M/C race in the U.S. but in no way is it that big outside of America

[@mySelf-yx4hw]

Dale Singleton, scrubs up fairly well, wonder why he wasn't out there racing

[@stephenmwyatt2]

I'm DAAAAAVE DESPAIN, and I talk like a commentator in a cartoon

[@andyhigs6150]

If u can change tyre in 4 mins why would u gamble running same tyre for 200 miles.

[@ericmowrey6872]

Wow, it's weird to think that Dale SIngleton was killed in a small plane crash just a short time after this appearance,

[@bigharrykochenbauls4567]

I've never seen Dave Despain with hair, even bald here, I swear he must've been born bald...

[@daddio7249]

I missed that one, I went 82,83, and 84 but was in the middle of a divorce then. I did take my new wife in 86. I met her after the divorce.

[@nigelmoore6519]

Why was wes cooley no9 his no is 34

[@kurtmartin2580]

I have 3-1985 Fz 750's :) I'm a small guy,only weigh 118lb's I fly on these old girl's Wish I could have raced these guy's and give them a run for there money lol

[@topro9946]

..1986: Eddie Lawson y Yamaha FZ 750..

[@saraw6446]

Nice, I had one, the 20valve engine, good mid range power, handled well too

[@jimccc9467]

Opened a big ole can of whoop ass.

[@NotNowCato1254]

Yeah, real handsome machine too, the FZ. Especially in the first model's red and silver 👌

[@MFP2241]

"Virtuoso performance".... Where are today's Freddie Spencers?

[@Dug6666666]

Marquez, Stoner, Dohan and that's just Honda riders. Bikes are closer these days and no shortage of matured depth of talent in the fields. I'm a huge Spencer fan, he was my hero for sure back when I first started riding, he had a massive natural talent and could ride beyond his bikes. Stoner would be his more modern equivalent in the way he rides. I still have the Freddie Spencer 500 and 250cc world champion poster that Honda sent out to bike shops.

[@MFP2241]

@@Dug6666666 My personal favourite is Eddie Lawson, actually a Honda rider himself for a season (which he won) but his name's strongly related to Kawasaki in my mind...

[@janwillemsteenhuisen1550]

Me my know everything, spencer trui his handelbar came in automatik styl and it came up 2 cm to slow down on the verrekte power.With that 1 jet(hoofd,kop) came lose and made spenser a vet,dikke, beloser. Ps where was deel the singeltoon in ammerzoden for al the information on the duse, that dude. 🤡😷😎😊🤗🇷🇺

[@janwillemsteenhuisen1550]

Meest vreemde moment misverstand over bel-ray en castrol olie en sproeiers. 🤡😎😊🤗

[@janwillemsteenhuisen1550]

Meest hilarische moment toen hebben opgericht kopborst van boeter in ammerzoden.🤡🤗😊😎🇷🇺

[@raleeuw]

16.40 wrong side biker🥴

[@Polux721]

Funny how the twenty some years old guys look like they are fifty something.

[@neilr4867]

Who else thinks they should ditch fairings?

[@1965cyclone39]

Kevin Schwantz was 21 years old NOT 19 years old. LOL. Kevin you liar!

[@stephenmwyatt2]

OMG 160 is not even like 180. at all

[@josepg.2479]

Greatest motorcycle spectacle on earth?'????????, jajajajajajajajaja, NI DE COÑA TIO NI DE COÑA

[@skatetown100]

yeaaahhh 3 seconds in and we have a confederate flag ride by .. yeaaah history

[@user-rb3fh3xo2j]

DAITONA beach circuit Surper bike race 90％ Made in japan merker HONDA VF 750f - YAMAHA Kawasaki SUZUKI All high speck macine

[@vasilescu6653]

🔥🔥 🏁🏁🏁do you have a recommendation for more races like this?🏎️🏎️🏎️ 0:45 💚💓🧡 👇 👇 👇 👇💗

[@moozepatt7525]

1989 australian gp

[@user-fb1ff4xs8e]

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