Rider Updates
Feb 6 2020
It has been an EXCEEDINGLY busy past few days. I left my position at the University of Michigan health system to join my best friend of 10 years in his remodeling business. I also moved into an Apartment this past Friday. Everything is a hot mess at the moment, so this coming race season is at the bottom of the list at the moment. I;m still waiting on the cases for the CR500 to get powdercoated, and for the top end of the YZ125 to come back from porting and plating. Hopefully I'll be squared away once those come back!
Jan 3 2020
Happy holidays everyone! FINALLY got the 1986 CR500 crank back from Crank Works. It's been balanced, tins and pin are welded, and it has a billet short rod. Now I just need my cases and cylinder back from getting powder coated before I can start assembly of the engine. I also got the 1996 CR125 CDI mounted in it and squared away. I'm gonna see how I like it; if it's not how I need it to be I'm going to switch back to a CR500 CDI and an MSV Racing adjustable stator.
The 1994 YZ125 is getting some attention as well! I have the top end out to get some porting done, as well as some new plating. For both bikes I'm going to try out the STIC metering block. I've heard nothing but great things about them, and my CR500 engine guy swears by them.
Also, I'll have the 2020 race schedule up in my Events & Results uploaded here shortly!
Nov 9 2019
The Michigan VMX banquet was today. Was good to see everyone again, and will probably be the last time I see most of them until next year. I scored 1st overall in the 125cc subclass in the Transition and Transition GP classes. I tied for 4th overall in the main Transition class, but drew the short stick and ended up rounding out the top 5. Photos of the awards are uploaded. The company that make the awards ALMOST got my last name right!
Again, I want to thank everyone for their continued support of me racing! It means more than I can put into words! I'll be updating here and there in regards to the bikes and what all is going on with them.
In other news, I'm going to be changing jobs in January. For the past 3 years I've been working on the ORs of U of M as a tech. I've learned everything that the position allows, and I've decided that pursuing a degree in nursing is not something I was to do. A close friend of mine owns a contracting company and he offered to take me on. After much thought and discussion, I've decided that that is the best route for me at the moment. Hopefully it works out well!
Oct 31 2019
Another season has come and gone! Can't believe that this was my 7th season of racing with the Michigan VMX group; feels like no too long ago I was doing my first race!
This season was a good one, managed to stay uninjured and I've gotten a good bit faster as the year went on! Also made several new friends along the way, and build upon the friendships that I already had. For the final standings, I'm tied for 4th overall in the Transition class, and I won the 125cc Transition sub-class. A HUGE thank you to everyone who supported me this year, I couldn't have done it without the help! Next year will be even better!
Bike updates: the CR500 top end and cases have been dropped off to be powder coated by a fellow racer (I also gave him a spare 93' YZ125 cylinder for some trick work). I'm still waiting on the crank for it, but since the season is over I am in no hurry. I now also plan on powder coating the frame and hubs, as well as getting some new rims. The YZ will get the usual rebuild and trick top-end work, as well as all of the missing bolts replaced. I still have a line on a 1997 CR125; I'm going to do everything I can to pick that thing up.
Oct 18 2019
Pictures from the GP at Twisted are uploaded! Here's the race video as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7ggC3oY0zI&t=43s
Oct 13 2019
Our final GP of the season today was held at Twisted MX. The owner of the track worked day and night for the past few days to fix the damage done by rain over last week. His hard work paid off, the track was in prime condition and it made for an AWESOME day of racing. Right up until the final few laps there was a 3 way battle for 5th; myself and the two other races I always end up going against. I managed to stay no more than 2-6 seconds behind the guy in 5th, and I swapped places with the guy in 7th several times. I managed to get around him one last time, and shortly after the guy holding down 5th place waved me on. These GPs are a race of attrition, 22 minutes plus 2 laps is no joke. Add in the fact that most of us vintage guys are weekend riders, and you get a bunch of people looking for a pillow afterwards.
I think my ability to stay consistent with my speed is due to me hitting a practice at Log Road last weekend. I ran three 15 minute practices at race pace before I had to stop for the day. If I had not have done the practice, I feel like today's results would've been different. Race video to come!
Oct 5 2019
Holy mudfest, batman! We got our yearly mud race done at Polka Dots; a few of us were wondering if it was ever going to happen! Last year it was at Battle Creek and it claimed the life of the YZ125. (Big end crank bearing exploded). This time around I managed to crash twice before the first lap was even over; the second time I almost couldn't get it out of the 6 inches of slop. I ended up getting 9th overall for the day., but left with a still running bike. I know that at least 4 other people grenaded their top/bottom ends, but it was to be expected due to the conditions. I'm currently leading the 125 Transition class overall, and am 4th in the Transition overall. I'm 20 points behind the guy in 3rd. I'm thinking that if he misses the next race and I beat him in the last one I may be able to round out the top 3. We'll see how she goes!
Sep 25 2019
Quick update! Next race is this Saturday, it's the second to last GP of the season back at Polka Dots up in Midland, Michigan. Forecast is calling for rain Friday night and Saturday morning. I'm hoping it either holds off or is a light drizzle. That track SUCKS when it's a mudfest.
My truck is in the shop (1997 Ram 2500, 12 Valve diesel) due to a bad transmission. Two years ago I spent about 8 grand on a Suncoast build that I hoped would last forever, but instead only got 15k miles from it. Luckily they're going to warranty the trans itself, but labor and shipping are still gonna cost me a few grand. Because of that, the 500 probably wont be ready until next year. As much as that sucks, it'll give me more time to blow even more money on its resto-mod!
Aug 26 2019
Yesterday was awesome! The weather couldn't have been better and Log Road is a well laid out track. I had a tip over in practice due to the rear end washing out on me, but that's what I get for running a sand tire on a fairly firm track. I was the only 125 in my class of 4 people, but I was able to stay within 4 seconds of the leaders in Moto 1, and finished 3rd. Moto 2 was a similar story until lap two, in which I found neutral in a turn and fell over. The bike fell on me and rotated my right leg nearly 180 degrees clockwise. Thankfully I wear knee braces, otherwise I'd probably be scheduled for a quad ligament repair surgery for my right knee. My hip is a little tweaked though, I'm surprised I didn't dislocate it in the crash. Walking around today has been interesting, and turning briskly is something I'm not really able to do at the moment.
I had an absolute blast, though! Put down my fastest lap times ever and the little 125 was giving it all it had. Now I just need to improve on my cornering a bit more and I'll be a force to be reckoned with! Speaking of a force to be reckoned with, still waiting on the crank for the CR500. Unfortunately my truck is in the shop due to a severe transmission blow-out. Luckily that is still under warranty, but the warranty doesn't cover labor and shipping costs. The 500 will have to wait a bit longer.
Video of Moto 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PMyrCpoymg
Aug 5 2019
Went out to Dutch Sport Park yesterday on the YZ125 for another day of MiVMX racing! The track was 15% sand and 85% hardpack clay. Considering the 125 is setup for the deep Michigan sand of the other tracks we race on, I had a fun time trying to stay upright. Both motos I had a battle with the 672 Honda, a 2001 CR250. I was able to carry more speed through the turns and effectively stay on his rear fender both races, but the engine difference gave him the advantage. Ended up going 6-6 for 6th overall for the day.
GoPro of moto 1: https://youtu.be/7H4SP_aUnmI
I didn't have anybody with me to take pictures, unfortunately. I did, however, upload pics of the new gear kit from O'Neal (thanks again!!). I'm gonna try and make another practice later this week, but we will see how that pans out. Next vintage race is at Log Road on the 25th!
Jul 17 2019
(Part 2 since this website is being glitchy)
Got home, got everything unloaded, and flew up to Best Buy to get myself a new phone. $750 later I have a new Galaxy S10 with idiot insurance. To make it even more inconvenient, I dropped a grand on school last week, so my bank account is SUPER displeased with me.
On a positive note: new gear from O'Neal came in the other day and it looks AWESOME! Picked up the red/ white/ blue warhawk set. It's hands down my most favorite set of gear that I've ever had! Pictures of the gear will be up later this weekend, and some race pictures are up now. I also grabbed an Ohlins shock for the 86 CR500 (which I'm still waiting on a crank for). The shock should hopefully be here this weekend.
Final thing: A good friend of mine offered me his mid 90s CR125. I helped him completely rebuild it over the winter, so I know the motor is strong. I think I'm going to sell the YZ in the fall and pick up the little CR. In completely stock form it still has a stronger engine than my moderately modded YZ, and is well known to be the go-to mid 90s 125. Would hate to sell the YZ after all of the work I've put into it, but the upgrade is definitely worth it!
Jul 17 2019
Bit of a long update, bear with me.
This past weekend at Big Air was a rough one. Five years ago I broke my back in three places at that track, so I was a bit weary on going back. Got there the night before and did the usual camping-before-a-race shenanigans. Made the mistake of not taking the time to go through the bike when there was nothing going on.
Day of the race; got myself geared up and the bike ready to go for practice, turned the fuel on for the bike, and had fuel come pouring out of the overflow. Tried some percussive maintenance on the carb with a hammer to no success. Ripped the bike and carb apart, discovered a piece of crud in the float valve seat, cleaned it out, and got everything back together just in time to miss my opportunity to go out for a practice. During this fiasco, my phone fell off of my chair and landed on my spare bike stand, which shattered the screen and made the phone useless.
Moto 1 ended up being my practice, so I took things a bit slow. Still had a good battle going on with another rider in my class for the first few laps. Made my way around him and another VMXer and took 7th out of 9. During the race I also noticed some shifting issues.
Moto 2: I swear someone took the transmission out of my bike between motos, the only gear I could find reliably was neutral. Fell in turn 3 right after the start because of this. Got myself squared away, made up two positions, and then found neutral again on a VERY steep uphill just before the finish. Slid down the hill backwards about halfway, fell over, got myself together, and got back to racing. Same exact thing happened to me on the following lap (lap 2). I all but gave up at this point; I couldn't trust the YZ125 to do what I needed it to, and everyone in my class had too far of a lead for me to recover with the bike acting the way it was. Ended up taking 8th overall out of 9 for the day.
Jul 1 2019
We went back to the normal 4 lap race format up at Michigan Mafia MXC, and it was a blast! Since last year many changes were made to the track. So many in fact that the only things that stayed the same were the starting gate and finish line. It's a tough track to ride; deep, dusty loam in some areas, silt-like sand in others, and hard pack making up the remaining third of the tracks composition. First moto I almost crashed hard by over jumping a tabletop and landing into the face of the following step-up step-down, but I was able to stay on the bike and keep myself locked in 5th place.
By moto 2 the track had gotten considerably drier and more dusty. Lack of sight caused me to be a bit less confident in some areas, but for the most part I kept my speed up. We also dropped with the Vet Sport class for our second moto. When the gate dropped, the little 125 just couldn't keep up with the larger bore two and four strokes. Because of this I was the last one to the first turn. I spent the first two laps of the race working through the vet sport riders and other transition riders. By lap three I was on the rear fender of the 4th place transition rider. But, shortly after that, I ran out of energy, and held on to another 5th place finish for 5th overall for the day.
Definitely an awesome day of racing, with my best overall finish in the Transition class yet! It was also my first day riding with a new set of shorty F4 levers from ASV, and they worked awesome! I'm currently leading in points in the 125cc transition sub-class, and am sixth overall. However, I'm only a few points behind the rider rounding out the overall top 5. I'm pretty sure if I'm able to do my part and not get hurt, I can take the top 5 spot!
Video of Moto 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeNmLhmCkMY&t=232s
Jun 10 2019
Some pictures from the 3rd GP at Portland Trail Riders are posted! Had a great day of racing. Would've finished top 10 if I hadn't gotten tired. Next one is at MXC on the 23rd! It's a normal 4 lap and two moto format. Will be a welcomed break from the 22 minute plus one lap endurance tester! Video of the Portland GP here: https://youtu.be/QaqhbnEit3A
Got my cylinder for the CR500 back last week, now I'm just waiting on my crank to get back from CrankWorks and it'll be good to go! I'm hoping it'll be ready in time for MXC, but it isn't likely.
May 27 2019
The second GP of the season at Polka Dots Motorcycle Club was an absolute blast! Got there the night before and hung out in our camper. It drizzled a little in the early morning, which helped the track conditions be perfect! I had a tip over in lap 3 which killed my energy, but I brought it back in the last few laps. Finished 10th out of about 15. It still blows my mind just how much of a rider ability difference there is between the Innovation and Transition classes. If I had been in Innovation and rode the speed that I did, I would have been in the top 5. Also, thank you to ASV for the new levers for the ol' YZ125!
Race video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdJbqLeZ-4A&t=3s
I used the Microsoft video editor for this one, and I've decided I hate the program. Even 720P looks like complete garbage, I can get better audio rendering with a trash compactor, and it didn't render out at 60 FPS. Looks like I'm going to have to go back to Adobe Premiere Pro.
The 1986 CR500 project is slowly moving along. I ordered in about a grand worth of parts for it earlier last week. Mainly stuff for the engine rebuild, but I also grabbed a Magura Hymec clutch, new radiators, and a MSV Racing waterpump impeller. Still waiting on my top end and crank to come back from getting work done before I can really do anything with it.
May 3 2019
Rode my first Grand Prix in Transition at Battle Creek MC on the 27th. The 22 minute plus one lap moto is a helluva tester of endurance! I spent the first lap battling throttle issues. Pulled off once to try and get it fixed, to no avail. Pulled off again by the finish line to borrow some tools from a fellow racer. Got that problem squared away and got back to racing! By lap 4 my arms were dead, by the last lap (12 or so?) I ready to fall over and pass out. All in all I had a great time racing, and I realized I definitely need to spend more time at practice days and on the rowing machine. Also, thank you to Spy Optic for supplying me with a fresh set of googles! Had zero issues with them fogging up, and the increased field of view of the Foundation line is noticeable.
Pictures will be uploaded shortly!
Quick update on the 1986 CR500. Still waiting on my crank and top end to come back from getting worked on. I got the 2001 CR125 front end mounted up and ready to go. I suspect that the soonest it will be done is the end of May.
Apr 8 2019
Footage of moto 2 finally uploaded! The transition class is a FAST class, most guys are mid-high B riders, whereas I'm a mid-high C rider on my best day. I plan on getting in as much track time as possible this year in order to stay competitive.
Gate drop is about a minute in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CCjOx-suHE&t=75s
Apr 8 2019
First race of the year went pretty well yesterday! The owners of the track brought in 5 metric tons of sand to resurface the already super sandy track. The sandy turns claimed so many riders that yellow flags almost became a drinking game. I had two tip overs myself but am unscathed. The YZ125 did exceptionally well, even in the super deep sand. The 38mm PWK AirStryker I put on it last year really lets it sing, and the suspension done up by a fellow vintage racer (CMP suspension) allows the bike to handle superbly! Video of the races are to come.
Also, I want to thank Factory Backing and Factory Seat for helping me out with a few more things for the CR500!
Here's a few laps I put down with the YZ125 at a fellow VMXers track on Saturday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zX-JJhuAzk
Mar 13 2019
Got the YZ125 all back together for the most part. Updated to a 2001 CR125 throttle assembly for a shorter throttle pull. Also fixed my lean jetting issue and the black brake fluid in the rear brake. Still need to get some fiddly bits to get it squared away in regards to sponsor equipment.
The CR500 is in a billion pieces. I got the 2001 CR125 triple tree mounted and adapted for the frame. The suspension is out getting set up for me, and is also getting powder coated. The cylinder and head is with my engine builder getting some trick port work done, and the crankshaft is out at Crankworks getting rebuilt with their 139mm rod. Aside from those things, I have nearly everything else I need to get it running. First race is on April 7th at Bulldogs. I plan on for sure racing the 125, but I don't think that the 500 will be ready for the race.
Feb 8 2019
Finally uploaded some pictures from last season; life has a way of getting in the way.
Got some plans in the works for the 1986 CR500. I'm updating to an 01 CR125 complete front end. The current OEM right fork looks like a banana, so hopefully the 125 setup is a bit more robust. I'm going to go with a 38mm PWK Air Stryker carb, either an 00-03 CR125 CDI or Vortex CDI (whichever is cheaper), some extensive port work, and a few other miscellaneous things. The YZ125 needs minimal work to get it back into shape for the upcoming season.
Also, I'll be flagging at Detroit Supercross again this year! Not sure where I'll be positioned this time around, but no matter where I am it will surely be a blast!
Oct 15 2018
Well, its been another one of those seasons. I haven't been at the track since Twisted MX, and the VMX season came to a close last Saturday. Between two full-time semesters of school and other various financial burdens, I've not been able to afford racing. It sucks terribly at the moment, but once I get this nursing/PA degree it will be well worth it!
I took the 125 and the 500 out around the yard yesterday; the 125 has a minor jetting issue. needs steering head bearings, and has absolutely zero rear brakes. I should be able to get that squared away in an afternoon. The CR500, in a true CR500 fashion, fired up first kick and rode beautifully.
I do have some plans for the CR this coming winter, assuming finances allow. Magura Hydro Clutch, 38mm PWK A/S, MRE porting, CWI short rod (currently running the 87+ CR500 long rod), updated 89+ CR500 clutch, CR125 ignition, MSV water pump impeller + reeds, and some sort of modern front forks.
I'm terribly sorry that I haven't been able to race hardly at all this season, and I am extremely thankful for all of the companies that continue to support me despite that fact.
Jul 12 2018
Photos are updated! Also, here is the link for race two of Transition at Twisted MX: https://youtu.be/0rjLGOPHNhM
Jul 4 2018
The races out at MXC were a bit of a mess. The track was over watered and tilled EXTREMELY deep. Take those conditions and add the fact the heat index was well over 105 degrees, and you have a rough day of racing. I just finished rebuilding the YZ125 the night before (complete top and bottom rebuild) and had high hopes for it during the day. I took it out for practice and ended up having significant spark and carburetor issues. I threw it back on the stand and took the CR500 out for the first race of transition. By this time the temperature had risen to well above 100 degrees, and I was wearing just about every piece of protective gear there is. By the end of the first race the heat had gotten to me and I had to call it quits for the day. I ended up taking 7th in transition and did not race a single moto of innovation.
Twisted MX had similar conditions, but I was better prepared for it. I had fixed the YZ125; I bought a used stator, 38mm PWK Airstryker, and Boyseen RAD Valve. Due to the anticipated high heat, I only rode transition on the YZ125. The new parts had fixed all of the previous issues I had been having and allowed for a good (warm) day of fun. First moto went off well, I somehow was 3rd to the first turn, managing to beat numerous 250s and a YZF426. I had some good battles with another YZ125 and ended up taking 4th. I rode even faster in the second moto, but had started to get tired by lap 3. This caused numerous stupid mistakes in a few turns, which caused me to take 5th place, for 5th overall.
I'm currently uploading video of moto 2 at Twisted, and will upload pictures from both MXC and Twisted when that is done.
May 20 2018
What a weekend this was! Yesterday was a soup sandwich at Battle Creek. It rained all day and most of the night on Friday, which caused the track to essentially turn into a lake. Everything was a sopping, wet mess. The YZ125 did not even remotely appreciate that, but the CR500 was able to torque its way through the slop. All things considered, everything went fairly well! Today was a complete 180. The track conditions were absolutely PERFECT. Unfortunately, though, I killed the YZ125 in practice this morning. It was running rough at Bulldogs, and really did not want to start. The mud from yesterday was the virtually the final blow.
I ended up riding the CR500 in both classes today, which ended up only being one race each due to an impending thunderstorm. It won the drag race to the first turn, but I wasn't able to muscle it around enough to be able to get the holeshot in either class. I rode awesome in Inno, probably the best moto I've ever had. Was able to hold my lines well and launch into low orbit on most of the jumps. I'm not sure how I placed though, but I will update when I find out.
My race in Transition is a bit of a different story... The race was essentially back-to-back with Inno, and I was still gassed out from not only my race in Inno, but also attempting to get the YZ125 running. Did great on the holeshot, was third out of the turn. I held down 4th place for about a lap and a half until I decided it was unsafe for me to continue on at that pace. By that time I could barely hang on, couldn't hold a line to save my life, was squirrely on all of the jump faces, and remembered that I have to work tomorrow. I simply rode my own race, and heckled the others in a different class whenever they passed me.
It was an absolutely awesome race weekend, even considering the mess from yesterday and blown up bike today. I also realized that I've finally destroyed the knees on my O'Neal riding pants. After two ye
May 3 2018
Finally got the YZ125 in working order. Still not decked out in full sponsor gear though, I just spent a good bit of money on school so it'll be a minute before that aspect of the bike is complete. I took it out to a fellow racers home track to get it dialed in, and it's an absolute blast! It definitely requires a different riding style compared to the CR500. I don't think it is as fast as the CR125 I rode last year, but time on an actual track will tell. As of right now, the races at Bulldogs are still a go. The forecast is currently calling for rain, but hopefully it holds off until we're done!
Video of me on the YZ125 at my friends track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKVsD-SjVCc&t=1s