Champion Framed Yamaha 360 Flat tracker repairs

In this video I start repairs of the Champion framed Yamaha 360 flat tracker. My intention is to offer this for sale after the repairs are complete. I have the frame pretty much cleaned up and the wheels are ready to go back on. I have to bore the holes on the upper triple clamp to match the lower ones so as to install a new set of forks. I machine the steering shaft and install a sleeve on it to bring it back to tolerance. Then I dry install all the components that I machined and repaired and install some new fasteners.

[@53HOTROD]

Raced (motocross) one of 1st 360 Yamaha’s in Japan in early 1970. I raced in the 125cc, 250cc & the unlimited classes. Really a great time in my life.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Sounds like me, one race is not enough. I'm here.....lets race all night.

[@DavidSmith-ey7hp]

My buddy ran one of those champion frames back in the 70’s with a 75 Yamaha MX250b motor. Good times.

[@montana2strokeracer]

They sure were great times. Breaking this bike out has sure brought back the memories.

[@peteetwell826]

Awesome project Dale! Would have enjoyed seeing you slidin' sideways and slingin' dirt!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Pete, man I still want to do it, but my old bones says no.

[@johnfry9010]

Dale this is just awesome , my Heroes growing up were the greatest Flat Trackers of all time IMO , Dick Mann , Bart Markel , Fred Nix , Gary Nixon and of course later Kenny Roberts , and many more , an absolute outstanding form of racing . Moto X really took over but I still love flat track just don't love the new water cooled bikes , just not the same . Push start ,rigid frames and no brakes Yee Haw !

[@montana2strokeracer]

I hear ya John, I remember watching some of those guys, and certianly reading about them, all heros at the time. I always liked motocross but my first love was flat track, I remember when they had no brakes at all. Like you said.....that was fun for sure. Compression release does a pretty good job. Nope water cooled is a big Zero to me.

[@isaiah9683]

Dale. You saved my life. I rebuilt a 74 TC125 for my boss and your series helped me keep my job. Keep up the good work!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks for the kind words my friend, but I'm sure it wasn't that grave. Glad to help though.

[@johnyoung3103]

Great video Dale: I have only owned two new motorcycles, The first was a 73 Yamaha 360MX. It was a great bike with automatic compression release and omni balancer. Great in the desert but way too much for me.

[@montana2strokeracer]

They were not for the faint of heart for sure.

[@frankdillon6127]

yeah!!! now were talking, a fabulous past for both of us ,long live flat track racing!

[@frankdillon6127]

lots of guys are making what is called a street tracker, most look like your bike, and there ready to hit the flat track, but have small hidden lights and a registration/license somewhere out of sight. really cool old school look IMHO. love the idea of paying homage to the old tracker days.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Yeah I have seen a lot of those, they are cool looking but just not the same.

[@donbridgewater2988]

That is such a sweet bike, I would love to run that thing around a track.

[@montana2strokeracer]

It was scary as a young man, now its broken bones.

[@jamesbanjomanjohnson]

WOW nice frame, reminds me of myself building another chopper, good job dale...

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks James, its been a lot of fun.

[@petermckee1061]

Heading out for the day Dale. Will watch this evening😀

[@jamesws3]

What a fascinating bike and cool project. Totally learned something new!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hey Jim, you need this.

[@petermckee1061]

Looking good Dale. Gosh, you've a few projects on the go! Must say I'm enjoying them all. Cheers, Peter.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Peter, did you guys down under ever race flat track?

[@petermckee1061]

@@montana2strokeracer Dale, there's flat track racing here but I'm not sure how popular it is. My main interest was always in road racing (although never participated). Just a keen follower. And always a lover of motor bikes😀

[@davidleland8729]

That's a pretty cool project there Dale! One of those hidden gems eh? That makes it number 10. 😊

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hey David, man I don't even know how many are out there, I know I have to start cleaning house.

[@davidleland8729]

​@@montana2strokeracerHoly Smokes! How long have you been collecting them?

[@davidleland8729]

​@@montana2strokeracerThe only dirt track bikes that I can remember was the early 70s Honda 350 and 450 Scramblers that were stripped down for racing. I only watched a couple of races at the Fair grounds back in the day so I don't know anything about the sport.

[@davidleland8729]

​@@montana2strokeracer I was talking to my neighbor down the road that I got the GS1000L from. He picked up a 74 GT550 and a 76 GS750 that needs some work and asked if I might be interested in them after he gets them back on the road. I'm thinking real hard on it if the price is right.

[@montana2strokeracer]

A lifetime my friend!

[@peteregger7928]

My life long friend raced flat track in Central California and at one time had a "Blue Plate". I grew up in Paso Robles, California in the early 70's and back then flat track was big. Local Yamaha dealership owned by Joe Brown "Browns Cycles" sponsored his son Joey Brown that raced 1/2 and 1 mile. He came close to beating Kenny Roberts a time or two! Joey Brown has since passed away but his son now owns the dealership. They had a falling out with Yamaha for some reason and now only sell BETA's.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Great story Peter, it's sad how a lot of history just slides to the wayside.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

That's a mean looking bike Dale, I bet it was fun (terrifying) to race. I like the adjustable steering stem system, ingenious. Best wishes, Dean.

[@montana2strokeracer]

It was fun in the day. But you are right it would be terrifying at my age. Yes cool tech for the time.

[@douglasmeeker360]

That's a real cool bike Dale! I'll bet you had a blast back in the day sawing the bars back and forth! Can't wait to see what pipe goes on it.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hey Doug, it was a fun bike, but was always a bit scary too. Young guys handle that stuff better than old guys LOL.

[@douglasmeeker360]

@@montana2strokeracer I can certainly understand how intimidating it must have been. Just watching those races can put you on the edge of your seat.

[@jeffersonwebb5850]

Cool bike , with great history !thanks for the video .

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Jeff, it is fun breaking it out....lots of memories.

[@markaddy53]

thats a nice bike dale carnt wait to see it finished great work as always next video please

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Mark, nice to see you here.

[@jamessharp9790]

Fantastic project Dale

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks James, got to get rid of some.

[@bigmurr725]

Thanks Dale , when i saw that Champion i thought oh boy a frame for the 380 . But this was good to see . The nickle frame looks great Dale . I have never rode a Champion . I think at that time I had my DMR Ossa . Great choice for a vid Dale ! Thanks for all your hard work .

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Murray, I know it would be great to have for the GT380. But its worth more like this than hacking it up. I will get to the 380 someday. I always wanted an Ossa. They were great bikes.

[@cainbeeping8480]

Good job brother.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Cain, glad you found out what was the problem with the Honda.

[@davidnelson6893]

Yes that frame is cool Peace out

[@Kev-N42000]

I would have been that guy to turn down the forks lol, I like ur work , I watched the whole video, I have a RZ350 stock bore ,I have 64.25 mitaka pistons I bought, would you be able to bore my cylinders for my new pistons? I have a brand new crank I bought, just don’t trust anyone locally to do the cylinders, I know tolerance make a huge difference,and you seem to be the man who knows this

[@montana2strokeracer]

No, I doubt that I can't believe they did that. Kevin, I quit taking on outside work for the summer. Summers too short and have a lot of other things to do around the house etc. If you're not in a hurry, contact me in the late fall, I will see what my schedule looks like.

[@mrutherford8590]

Dale if your motor is a RT1 without reeds I have a good piston put away you can have. I’ll have to get it out to see if it is stock or over size. Let me know if you need it and check on it

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thank you, sir, no this one is a 72 powerplant. Reeds it does have.

[@mrutherford8590]

@@montana2strokeracer you need the piston with the big holes in the intake side

[@montana2strokeracer]

Yes thats the one.

[@budlistar5312]

Maybe these forks are a tad thicker where the axel goes thru than the originals are.

[@montana2strokeracer]

They sure are Bud, but also the triple clamps are a bit wider also. Think by modifying the rear axle I can get it done.

[@EnzoMoresi-mj8bc]

Man those triple trees are BEEFY compared to the set on those new forks! Some serious strength rigidty added.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Yes they are! Thanks for stopping by.

[@frankdillon6127]

the front tire looks like a Duro HF, that's what i have on my Honda XL-250 TT-special.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Yeah, it does a little, the front on this bike is a Pirelli, it looks a lot like the Carlise do. The rear is a Goodyear both 400x19

[@frankdillon6127]

@@montana2strokeracer the Duro hf108 has the same tread pattern of the Carlise cleated tires i used on my real flat tacker back in the early 70`s

[@frankdillon6127]

bet if you get this bike running it will open up a few eyes, power and sound i mean.

[@montana2strokeracer]

If I can even still start it. They are bad for sure.

[@cainbeeping8480]

Here.

[@DaleWesley-d7i]

😉😉😉😉🏈

[@jamessharp9790]

We are too old to push start 🤣

[@montana2strokeracer]

No doubt my friend