[Leo.G (Leo)]

Which 2 stroke 250s did you race Alex?
I liked the Yamaha TZ series, the 250, the 500 and particularly the 750 but couldn't afford them.

My father rode a Yamaha RD200 back in the 70s when I was a young kid and it went like stink. My father was 6'4 and 23 stone yet that little 200 carried him everywhere, always screaming.
I used to motocross on a two stroke RM suzuki in my teens and a few club road races on my road bike but it was way too expensive on my wage ($36.00 per week net for 40 hours work at 17) to make it anything more than a part time hobby at best.

I was offered full sponsorship by a major oil company in my 20s to race (road) in a European series but turned it down due to health (migraines, I don't ride when I can't even see or think).
I do and don't regret turning down the offer. I always said if I killed myself because of a sudden onset migraine no big deal but if I injured someone else I'd have to live with that. I was told I could get injections to race but that just didn't seem right.


Speaking of two strokes, my mower is a 1965 Victa Mayfair (Walton's brand) with a hand wind starter mechanism, wind the handle exactly 4 times, prime the carburettor and pull the little release lever. It sat under my house for 3 years not used (I have an old Toro wheelhorse ride on I use and a good brush cutter), I pulled it out recently, put fresh fuel in it, it started first go. I've never even changed or cleaned the spark plug in the thing. It never misses a beat and looks in near new condition. It's my favourite mower and so reliable plus it goes through grass better than any 4 stroke unit and is a considerable amount lighter.