I had a Rupp MX 80 back on our farm 35 years ago, so when I saw this gem, I HAD to have it ! Feel free to heap roaches upon it and have a good chuckle at my expense, but it will be restored to its original condition and live on as a super cool pitbike.

I have a candidate for Roach of the Month. It's a 1983 YZ490 that I bought and resold to my friend Lee when I found an 87 YZ490. The 83 is pretty solid mechanically, but as you can see someone decided it would look better in blue with a camo seat cover. Also, everything from the forks, wheels, engine, frame, and swingarm were painted gloss black.

God bless the youth of this country. LOL!

Hi, I hope this qualifies as a roach. Note the piece of 3/4" electrial conduit exhaust stinger! After a good washing I discovered it was really a "Green-Streak Wannabe"!

Just got thisw 76 RM 250 A. Dont look like much got it free. Sold an 82 Honda CR 250 rolling chassis, got this RM for redo, Someone thought it was a spraybomb and did it in yellow & the shock's too, hahaha. Slowly getting it together,

Found on Craigslist by Ken Nickerson.

Found on Craigslist by Bucky Mathieu.

Hi Mark, I was visiting the folks back at the farm last week when I walked by the old woodshed and through a window I saw the handlebar sticking up from the TS 100 that was handed down to me by one of my older brothers. I remember riding this bike but I can’t recall what led to it being dumped in the back of the shed. I suspect it broke down and one of us took it apart and couldn’t repair it or lost interest. I know around this same time I also found access to a 125 TM (I could sneak it out when my bros weren’t around) so my interest in the 100 was probably waning. When I get some time I will try to pull it out into the light of day. (The only access is through the side window). Thanks for the site!

Barry Mulls

I'd like to submit my 73' Suzuki TM250 for Roach Bike of the month. I found the bike on Craigslist and after watching the price steadily drop I couldn't take it any longer. It's got "custom" side plates, A KZ900 clutch cable and a custom paintjob on the handlebars and carb. The swingarm rocks from side to side, the rear spokes were so loose the wheel just flopped, the exhaust has a hole the size of your fist in it and the air filter is a t-shirt. It actually cranked, idled and shifted fine.

Here is most likely my very first bike, a 1965ish Montgomery Wards 50cc Moped. The first pic is me age 10 in 1968. Pic two is what I found in a metal salvage pile about 12 miles from my childhood home. Being that I never have seen another one since I was a kid, odds are good this is what happened to my original Moped. Slight rust hole in the gas tank :) Everything is frozen with rust and seat is bare springs on top. As you know, I had to have it.

This is without a doubt THE roach of the YEAR?? The forum members have concluded that it must be a 1979 Cr 125, I just wonder if they are talking 1979 AD or BC??

I can't remember who sent these in, but it seems really sad to me. Reminds me of a dead deer my dad and I came across when I was a kid. Obviously the deer had been shot by a hunter, and ran off and died. I get the same sad feeling here. Seems someone just let these old bikes die.

Mark

This bike was brought by my father new in 1979 and he raced it for a year until he had a crash and was forced to sell. I found this again in a local barn.

As I Husqvarna enthusiast, I cringed when I saw this one. Note the blackened downtube that shows it ran like this. What would inspire someone to do this, alcohol or inbreeding?

Steve Borejko

I've got a roach for ya! Uncertain of the year, cb360 "chopper" out of Birmingham, Al. I would love to slam them right now but I'll be nice...We bought it from a kid who actually bought it from a "chopper builder" as is, and was riding it this way. The kid had know idea how very sketchy it is really is:

• A small guage linked dog chain is your break pivot arm, lots of play in it too
• Rear tire is dry rotted, and the kid dident even notice when he bought it
• Rear tire rim is spaced out with about 7 washers, oon ne side only, the other is hollow galvanized-looking tube.
• Axle is a long stud bolt (looks like an extra footpeg on one side)
• Smarty grinded the paint off and then cleared the tank with burrs sticking out of the paint
• Chopped and "welded" exhaust like a pro it seems, as they have leaks
• Frames a Kawasaki
• Motor mounts are made from angle iron, about to break at any moment, and spaced out by nuts acting as washers
• Chain tensioner is a skateboard wheel
• Self tapping screws used to hold on just about every exterior piece of the bike: fender, battery box, headlight, gastank, seat....
• Swingarm was from a sportsbike and extended about 6 inches with scrapmetal and shitty welds too.
• Pepboys special headlight (fog lamp)
• Front end is missing breaks, fork seals, and everything else that makes it safe and only God knows what else!

I really hope that this guys goes out of business soon, because the only thing that saved this kids life was us buying it off of him. This poor kid saved up using graduation money to buy this "one-off" piece of crap for $1500. And for some "shop" to sell stuff like this, is going to get somebody killed.

This roach is in fact a true treasure. It's a hand-brazed Yetman racing frame built by Yetman Motorcycles of Beverly, Mass. Best known for their road-racing motorcycles, Yetman made a very small number of these Honda S90 racing frames in the late 60's. I discovered this one on ebay, 3000 miles away. The seller refused to ship the bike, but with a well-placed bribe I convinced him to strip it down to the bare frame and UPS it to me. I had to let him keep everything else, including that spiffy Whizzer bicycle gas tank. The Yetman is one of the jewels of my collection.

Hey thougth you might want to look at this bike. haha Been sitting for years and many parts were stolen off of it. Its a 1982? maico 250. Pretty rough. I think its a roach winner for sure

I had acquired a IT490, and my buddy said his dad had one just like it sitting in his garage he wanted to sell. I said ill give ya 50 bucks. Well he said it was a "436", the funny part was, that he thought the code stamped on the airbox lid said 436, but it was 43G. Turned out to be a 1985 Yamaha IT200. He also said when he had it running years ago the throttle would stick open, the grips he put on were a bit too long and were hanging up on the handlebars. I put a new spark plug in and ever since it has ran perfect. It was spray bombed and had a custom rear fender.

Acquired today 1-24-09. A 1974 Yamaha DT360 I think. The owner wasn't sure either. No title or keys. Engine wouldn't kick over, but after moving it out of his mini-barn and to my garage, the motor now turns over. Progress on Day 1! Wiring hacked and then bonded together with wirenuts and electrical tape. Nice!

Here is a 1962 Greeves that was located in a barn. Notice the Yamaha rear wheel, and the custom gold paint and seat cover. A year later, a little elbow grease, and lots of E-bay hours later, it looks like a new 1962 Greeves, and runs well too. It will be vintage racing this spring.

Montesa 123 Cota trials w/ the optional YZ lookalike kit. Guy said it's a hi fender & she screams when I talked to him on phone. Thought I'd found a MXer. Went to look & thought you gotta be kidding me but, had gone too far to come home w/ an empty truck. While we were there someone called & he's like nope I got BEER so I'm not leaving...... Maybe time to create another "masterpiece"?

This 1980 Maico had part of a t-shirt for an air filter (wonder why the crank failed?) and a car license plate as part of the seat base.

HI Mark, heres a candidate for your roach of the month. This is a 78 RM 250. I found it in the dump, paid $30 for it. Spend a couple hours cleaning the carb and some other maintenance and got it running. All it needs is a little TLC! HAHA!

I dragged this bike out of my pack-rat neighbor's backyard. I honed the cyclinder and put a 1st size piston in is all the engine needed.

I just drove 12 hours yesterday to buy this 73 elsinore site-unseen. The seller was totally open and honest, describing the fuel tank as having "some welding" on the right side. That's some welding alright. Whoever took the dent out of the tank completely cut the side out, then welded this panel in. If this makes the roach list make sure to include a request for help from anybody who thinks they can fix the tank.... Still, overall the bike is fine shape, and was a good deal.

Look closely at the paint job of this disintegrating old VW bus/truck. This Works-Yamaha painted shop truck is parked out in the hills of Monterey county, California. It's not more than 5 miles from the world famous Laguna Seca raceway - a stop on Trans-AMA series back in the day. We can be sure this truck was there then, but it sure isn't going anywhere now.

This is probably really, really mean. But I saw this Husky picture today on Craigslist. If you have any motivation to create a "bad taste" award, this would be a fine starter. It's for sale in Watsonville, CA. NO, it is not mine and I do not know who's it is. If I do find who it is I am not letting them anywhere near my bikes with a rattle can either.

This is a bike a friend and I picked up from Ebay....6 hour roundtrip, what were we thinking??

Engine froze up-Frame cut up-really rough shape. I got it from a friend who used to race it. I am keeping it around with thoughts of getting it going again.

Bought this beauty off Ebay for $99.99. It is a 1977 RM250B. Came complete with flat (drag) bars and a kick starter/kick stand.

First off, this isn't my bike. It was posted on Craigslist and the ad reads: "Selling a crazy fast Suzuki 185". Yikes! It looks pretty scary to me! Might only be worth a couple roaches though!

I call this the " Ultimate Trail Tractor ". I started out with a1978 Suzuki DR370 and fit a DKW Boondocker front end on it. It actually rides pretty good.

Words fail me! Runs and rides. Kud bee yurs

I literally found that one inside an overgrown hedge in a ladies yard, her son had thrown it there back in the sixties!

You are bidding on this very rare bike which was built in 1970 by a engineer and was built for his son so this is a one off and the only bike like this in the UK....the engine is a Honda 100 cc 4 stroke and as a auto gear box with a hi and lo selection.....the bike is compleate but is a none runner and the gears will not engage when the padal is pressed so there is a very fault with the selector....this will make a very nice winter project or a good Christmas present...the bike is sold as seen and is just as the pictures and with no garrentee.....this is a very rare item and is sold as seen.

Wow! What a find! I rode a 1969 American Eagle 250 as a teenager and wish I had never sold it. Well I found one and man is it a mess.The nickel plated frame is rusty, pipe is broken in half, the forks won't compress. What did I get myself into?

This is my cousin 79 cr250 that I was thinking about buying. It needs more work than I have time. No spark (Some coil is zip-tried to the frame), Kickstarter is a steel rod welded to the kickstarter mount! It needs everything. Just thought you like to see it to give it a Roach Rating!!

Got 'er off the bay for $100 in Sep 2007. Listing said it was an 80cc, but cast into the right side of the cylinder - where it should be - quite clearly was "123cc". Of course, the prototype exhaust system was what did it for me Listing also said "it turns over". Kinda knew I was in for a project when we arrived to pick up and the owner had kindly, "...left it in the yard so you can load 'er right up...", and we found dried grass clippings on the rims. Got 'er back to the shop, figured I see if it had any spark. Pulled the plug ok, but the brown was more rust like then hydrocarbon residue from proper jetting. Went to push on the kickstarter and - you guessed - she didn't move :( Pull the head - only had five of the six hold down nuts installed, piston wiggled. Applied some WD40 and let 'er sit for 30 minutes. Removed the prototype exhaust system and the six hold down nuts and good news, the cylinder and cereal box base gasket slid right off. Yep, both bottom and top ends are - how you say - tight? It was then I knew why the owner was not home at the agreed time and - by cell phone - had me give the $100 to the neighbor But, she's mine now and on the road to recovery.

Mark, Here's a candidate for the roach that can't be killed. The everlasting 74 250 Elsinore. Many auction purchases later and help from many folks from your terrific web site this bike came out a real winner. New tank, side panels, fenders and an NOS pipe capped this 2 year project. Oh ya, those are the same rims and spokes on the restoration that came off the roach.

I have a submission for the Roach page. It's a 1975 (I think) Puch Mc125. I got it for $140 on Craig's List. Motor is locked up, pipe and seat are rotted out, but most of it is there. Maybe two roaches. I'm going to make a racer out of it. I would really like to put a '74 CanAm 125 motor in there.

Here's a Bultaco Alpina 250 I bought from some hippie in Washington. He said he spent like six hours w/ the spray paint to make it "perfect". Also, you gotta love the plush fake leather seat cover. ( matches tank so well.......... ) Hope you find it entertaining. Actually bike is fairly complete mechanically. Great site! JOHN

Here is a friend of mine's, Mike Moore's, latest acquisition. Now I have a soft spot for old YZ's but this one was not allowed out of his truck. I donated some old plastics to him to help but...motor is stuck and also every cable is froze up. Poor bike sat outside for numerous years. I think this one will get the roach meter going. Thanks for the great site.

I bought this 1979 Suzuki RM400N for $500 and took it down to the frame and replaced everything that was needed and restored everything else. Worst was when I took the forks apart the left side had a 12"long 3/8" drive craftsman extension inside, left over from the previous owners attempt at a seal job...I immediately thought about the roach of the month.

I had a great time restoring this and saved it from the scrap yard.

John Baker
Houston, Texas

  Homer Award - This barely squeaks by as a roach, but since the former owner left a Craftsman Extension in the fork, it deserves my new "Homer Award" for the guy being such a bonehead.

Nice resto job!

Mark

Here is my shiny new 1981 Husky CR250 submitted for your Roach of the Month! This picture is of its good side!

Hi again Mark!
Here is another of my recent resto jobs that I thought you could add to your Roach page.
Picked this 77 RM250 up from a guy that honestly believed it was trash material. After a fair amount of time and some money *gulp*, here's the result.

I love the Roach page and I love looking at other restorers hard work.

Thanks and cheers from Australia !

Thanks,

Thanks,

Howard Lobel
Kingswood, TX

Rick Morse

Regards,

Perry Sconzert
Liverpool, NY

Here's 2 pictures of my '72 XL250. The first one was after I collected it from beside my father's shed. The second one is my restoration progress so far. As you can see it has taken a lot of work to this point, but hey some of us have nothing better to do right?

This XL was sitting in the rain uncovered for 16 years after it threw a chain through the side casing. Motor was locked solid and the wheels barely turned. Definitely a labour of love.

Just thought some of you would be interested.....

Attached is 1979 Honda CR250 "Roach Bike". Part of large volume deal, bike obviously missing some parts. Bike has incorrect KTM or other Euro rear wheel with Sun rim. Please notice the special handmade shock extenders bolted on to bottom eye of the street/trail bike shocks. Many riders have complained about the stock Showa shocks and replaced them immediately with Fox Air shocks. Can you imagine riding with THESE shocks in the whoops, or jumping ?

Regards,
Perry Sconzert
Liverpool, NY

Saw this on EBAY. Made me laugh so I placed it here for your enjoyment

The motor is 250cc and will run with work. I played around with this bike for a while and had it running but was never able to ride it. It needs work.

Robert Stimax