[Ducati] RE: Confessions/2 strokes

[Ronald Betts]

Ted, I could of been there that night but that time was somewhat a blur in 
my life. Dave Aldana, Gary Nixon, and alot of the guys from that time used 
to race there. I never met Gary but Dave was and still is a crazy bastard. 
Dick"Bugsy"Mann was also a regular at that time, I too was at that Race at 
Saddleback and yea I remember the Beezers. Real Bikes, Real Men....Ha! Short 
suspension and big balls.I think you are right about Bengt Aberg winning but 
it could of been Roger Decoster of Thorsten Hallman. Did you get a chance to 
see the Honda Elsinors when they first hit the track at Saddleback? Crazy 
Japanese riders on bikes with no suspension and a real handful of a motor. 
Sure was fun watching those little guys hang on as they got a handful of 
throttle and hung on for dear life. Bultacos were certainly handsome bikes 
for sure. I still have a bright red Bultaco Cemoto sweat shirt in new shape. 
I put it on once in a while and get a little tear in my eye remembering tthe 
good ole days. But, Hell, nothing like the present. I dont offroad anymore 
but man I sure do wish I had kept a few of the ole iron.Ahhhh...Good Times !



Peace...Ron"Desmohead"Betts 95 900 SP
I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it!





>From: "Ted & Vicki Brisbine" <brisbine at charter.net>
>Reply-To: Ducati Owners Group <ducati at ducati.net>
>To: <ducati at ducati.net>
>Subject: [Ducati] RE: Confessions/2 strokes
>Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006 23:45:37 -0700
>
>Ron Betts wrote:
>"Great stuff Ted. Really brings back those memories.  I havent heard of the
>Bultaco Lobito 100 in years. A friend of mine had one and it was a real
>bitch. I watched him try to start the little bear one day and it went
>something like this. Open the fuel cock and push the tickler on the carb
>untill it spilled gas on the engine case. Standing on the left side of the
>bike , That's where the kick starter was,bars in hand,he jumps on the
>starterlever and the thing lets out a very large backfire and shoves his
>knee into the underside of the handlebar. OK, it's running, right? He 
>swings
>his injured leg over the bike, sits down, pulls in the clutch, kicks it 
>into
>first gear, revs her up and hammers the clutch. Theing takes off in
>reverse,yes two strokes are stupid and will run in either direction
>depending on ignition timing,and promptly smashes his boys on the gas 
>tank.I
>pushed the bike home for him that day as I sure as hell wasnt going to ride
>the wicked little spanish torture machine. Funny thing was a year later I
>had a Pursang for the district 38 Hare and Hounds in the deserts around
>Adelanto CA and an Astro for saturday nights at Ascot Park. Sure wish I had
>kept them. Write on Dude !"
>
>
>My cousin had a Bridgestone 90 factory racing dirt bike back in the 60's 
>which he entered it in our local hill climb one year.  He brought the bike 
>into the starting position backed up against a log.  After restarting the 
>motor and getting the go signal he popped the clutch and the bike took off 
>in reverse climbing over the log.  It got a good laugh from the crowd.
>
>I was riding through a small town last month and saw a Bultaco Astro parked 
>by the street.  We stopped to look and found the guy had two of them in 
>imaculate condition.  What a stunningly beautiful motorcycle!
>
>A few years ago I spotted a Bultaco Matador exactly like the one I bought 
>new in 68 perched on top of a tree stump.  I stopped to investigate and the 
>guy ended up giving it to me.  It's a nonrunner and a bit rough but I like 
>having it around.
>
>I love my KTM 450 EXC but the old dirt bikes with all the polished aluminum 
>had a certain class the plastic bikes don't have.
>
>I made a trip to California in 1970 and attended a race at Ascot Park right 
>after Thanksgiving.  I wonder if you were there that night Ron?  I've also 
>wondered who else might have been there who's name would have meant nothing 
>to me at the time.  Maybe Kenny Roberts?  I was looking for people like 
>Eddie Mulder.
>
>I hitch hiked to LA from Washington State on that trip and made it in 2 1/2 
>days.  On our way home we stopped at a cool bike shop in Berkley that sold 
>Bultaco and also had a great stereo system with huge Altec Lansing "Voice 
>of the Theater" speakers.  The owner told us about an international 
>motocross race at Saddleback Park the following week.  We turned around and 
>hitched back to LA for the race.  BSA had their factory 4-strokes still 
>racing which the announcer said were worth $20,000 - a lot of dough back 
>then!  I got to see all the old greats like Torsten Hallman and Roger 
>DeCoster.  The race was won by a Maico and I believe the rider was Bengt 
>Auberg (sp?).  I'd like to find out if someone has the results from that 
>race in their file.  Anyone know a way to find out?
>
>Ted
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