Landracing Forum

Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => SCTA Rule Questions => Topic started by: dr j on July 28, 2010, 08:07:11 PM

Title: Why pre-1956 for Vintage M/C?
Post by: dr j on July 28, 2010, 08:07:11 PM

What's the history behind 1955 and 1956 being the "Line in the Salt" so to speak between Vintage and Modern Motorcycle classes?  I have tried to search the archives but found nothing.  Is it because 1956 was when the NSU factory assault on the streamliner records was made?  Anybody out there have any facts on the subject?  If not then any other theories?  Just became curious as I was strolling through the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum in New Milton, Hampshire, UK looking at lots of old bikes last week.

Title: Re: Why pre-1956 for Vintage M/C?
Post by: 1212FBGS on July 28, 2010, 08:20:31 PM

the line in the sand has 1 name.... Sportster!
kent

Title: Re: Why pre-1956 for Vintage M/C?
Post by: dr j on July 28, 2010, 09:37:58 PM

Thanks Kent.  I never considered that because I thought the 1st Sportster was 1957, which means the poor person who bought a 1956 K model was stuck with the moderns.  So then if the Harley guys decided that the Ks should not have to beat the Sportsters the obvious next question is when did the Sportster guys decide they should not have to compete with the Overhead Cams and they enacted the Pushrod class?

Title: Re: Why pre-1956 for Vintage M/C?
Post by: panic on August 02, 2010, 09:44:49 AM

1st Sportster: September 1956

Title: Re: Why pre-1956 for Vintage M/C?
Post by: dr j on August 02, 2010, 01:00:28 PM

Thanks Kent and Panic for the Sep 1956 date for the 1st Sportster.  That makes perfect sense now and still works for thinking about what is vintage overall.  I appreciate the history. 

Title: Re: Why pre-1956 for Vintage M/C?
Post by: panic on August 03, 2010, 01:22:55 PM

I suspect that, back in the day, the concern was not only to protect the older KR from the XL, but to protect the XL from the JAP and Vincent.

Title: Re: Why pre-1956 for Vintage M/C?
Post by: mike mendoza on August 03, 2010, 01:45:16 PM

i know to many classes  signs of the time?  sprinter have cast iron blocks /aluminum  why not sporsters. food      i'll just keep kicking it, upping% ,&gear it and having fun :cheers:

Title: Re: Why pre-1956 for Vintage M/C?
Post by: willieworld on August 03, 2010, 02:43:54 PM

dr j             1990                                         willie buchta

Title: Re: Why pre-1956 for Vintage M/C?
Post by: mike mendoza on August 04, 2010, 01:01:03 AM

'82-'83

Title: Re: Why pre-1956 for Vintage M/C?
Post by: Stainless1 on August 04, 2010, 09:16:02 AM

Anybody remember Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki.... in the mid 70s - 80s they were the kings..... led to the effort to not have HD eliminated from the books....
The engine breaks used to be at the HD breaks, now they are at the import breaks. 

Title: Re: Why pre-1956 for Vintage M/C?
Post by: mike mendoza on August 04, 2010, 08:04:09 PM

yea remember Kenny Roberts a the Albany Ca winning on his 3cyl,     then took a victory lap  behind him on My sportster running a webber  to the winners circle then out of there before helmet laws i was'nt racing   da.     La Guna Seca :cheers: