THE WEEKLY FEED: MIKE BELL BITD, VIDEO CRAZINESS, YAMAHA’S WR500-WHAT HAPPENED?

BLAST FROM THE PAST: Mike Bell

Mike “Too Tall” Bell emerged out of the So Cal night racing scene in the mid 70s racing at Irwindale, Ascot and Lyons. He sharpened his teeth racing at Saddleback and got a DG ride in 1977 that led to a Support class win at the Carlsbad GP and a fourth place at the L.A. SX. In 1978 Bell was making the transformation as one of the bright lights in the motocross arena. He won a 500 class National and followed that with a huge win at the L.A. Coliseum’s Superbowl of Motocross holding off Bob Hannah. In 1979 he won two Trans-AMA events (the Unadilla round is the main photo) and nearly took the 500 class title from Danny LaPorte by winning the final three races. Thank you Mark Kiel for the stellar pic.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Formula 1 star Max Verstappen takes his teammate Alex Albon on a tour of Holland—with a little help from KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings. It’s a fun promotional video for the sights and sounds of Holland and for the Aston Martin Formula 1 team.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ueljqpeiJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

VIDEO MADNESS

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ugOQTqgnW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

ARE DAKAR BIKES REALLY BIG FATTIES OR…

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_uK97wjgkC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_xQ_2OhRVX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_x0vDgDD0r/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_x3gYNgLKu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_uHrm7D3NO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

GEAR BAG

HUSQVARNA MOTORCYCLES’ FMF EXHAUST SYSTEMS

HIGH-PERFORMANCE SILENCERS AND EXPANSION CHAMBERS FOR TE AND TC MACHINESHusqvarna Motorcycles is pleased to announce the availability of FMF exhaust systems – a line-up of high-performance silencers and expansion chambers for 2-stroke enduro and motocross models. Husqvarna Motorcycles’ FMF exhaust systems are now available at all authorised Husqvarna Motorcycles Dealers.

The brand new 2020 Yamaha YZ450F is newly designed so Pro Circuit has developed its latest Camshaft to provide superior performance upgrades over stock, boosting Horsepower and Torque. This is done by optimizing the lobe profile for increased lift and duration. This is a must-have for any serious rider and retails for $900.

https://www.procircuit.com/camshafts-yz450f-20.html

$19.99

https://fasstco.com/

WOLF: BACK IN THE DAY

I always had a soft spot for the YZ490. Ergo wise the machine always fit me well so in 1991 when Yamaha showed up with the ’92 WR500 I felt it may be a good fit. The engine had a few updates in carburetor, less compression (to reduce pinging), new exhaust system and some motor mount changes to help alleviate the vibration that plagued the machine. It had an all-new chassis mirroring the ’91 YZ250, was fit with a removable subframe, a more relaxed head angle and identical rear linkage ratios as the YZ250. Both suspension ends were stiffer, it was a shade longer at the wheelbase and had a large 3.4 gallon tank. To be honest, I never really wanted to chew the lock off the garage door to get to this machine and go rage. It was still a vibrator, made belchy power, was girthy and with the new tank the ergonomics were not kind to my size and knees that were starting to go brittle. It felt low and I had trouble getting up onto the tank in the tight stuff. Also, I had a KTM 300 and it fit me like a wet suit.