In 1974 I spent the summer road racing at Woody Creek just outside of Aspen Colorado. There was a fellow riding a drum braked Suzuki 500 called Rusty who was so smooth and smoked everyone on a stock looking 500cc Suzuki.
The Crooks Suzuki is a proper race bike, but in full 1970 Production Racing trim so completely road legal, and handles very well. Only the 8" drum brakes let it down. Doug Beacock, at DB Motos, has meticulously blue printed the stock engine and it flies. I feel very privileged to ride the bike and it makes its rider look almost competent.
I was a Colorado club racer in the 70s early 80s. I remember Rusty Sharp racing at Aspen but he was on TT500 Yamahas and raced TZ250s in Nationals . Another guy named Marley had a Suzuki GT550 that he raced and called it Marleys Ghost. Those were fun times in the MRA
@@tomtaylor6163 I'll defer to your recollection, but whoever rode it was smooth....very smooth. On the other hand I was down right dangerous on my Kawasaki S2A. I was always running off the track. The infield wasn't safe when I was riding.😃😃
It's lovely to hear from you Jerry. Riding the T500 lifts my spirits so much that it should be an NHS prescription. By the end of the afternoon I was aching all over but I felt alive - and what a privilege that was.
Lovely video and thanks for posting. I did a race school at Three Sisters (hosted by Mike Edwards and Mark Forsyth) back in 1992. Fond memories. Stunning bike BTW! 👍🏻
Thank you Roger. It is always a great privilege to ride the Crooks Suzuki - and it does go rather well for such an old bike - even with an ancient riding it 🙂
Oh, this brings back some blurry memories of having fun with a T500 in the 80s sometime. Surprised me at the time, very punchy engine and confidence inspiring handling.
Hi Frank.first time I've seen you on UA-cam.i loved both the books.when I was 13 or 14 I wished it was me riding the ts250 you converted to enduro trim in the Motorcycle Mechanics.Stay safe.
Thanks your kind comments. We won a lot of trophies on that TS250 - another Crooks Suzuki product! Eddie Crooks was a fantastic sponsor for me and I never had a cross word with him.
Thanks Cecil. I have ridden all over the world and Three Sisters still rates very highly - not for the track which is not world class but the atmosphere. The staff are efficient but also endlessly smiling and kind. They actually WANT you to be there. It's just like racing used to be in the olden days 😀✌
Takes me back! Even tho my 72 was a stock machine, the engine sound is pretty much as I remember, especially the blah sound after a gear change as it seems to bog down till the revs get up again.
Thanks for the video it took me back to 1970s whenI raced crooks suzuki t250j in production class
In 1974 I spent the summer road racing at Woody Creek just outside of Aspen Colorado. There was a fellow riding a drum braked Suzuki 500 called Rusty who was so smooth and smoked everyone on a stock looking 500cc Suzuki.
The Crooks Suzuki is a proper race bike, but in full 1970 Production Racing trim so completely road legal, and handles very well.
Only the 8" drum brakes let it down.
Doug Beacock, at DB Motos, has meticulously blue printed the stock engine and it flies.
I feel very privileged to ride the bike and it makes its rider look almost competent.
I was a Colorado club racer in the 70s early 80s. I remember Rusty Sharp racing at Aspen but he was on TT500 Yamahas and raced TZ250s in Nationals . Another guy named Marley had a Suzuki GT550 that he raced and called it Marleys Ghost. Those were fun times in the MRA
@@tomtaylor6163 I'll defer to your recollection, but whoever rode it was smooth....very smooth. On the other hand I was down right dangerous on my Kawasaki S2A. I was always running off the track. The infield wasn't safe when I was riding.😃😃
Nice to see you and the bike having a good time! 'Life in the old dog' comes to mind!!🏁
It's lovely to hear from you Jerry.
Riding the T500 lifts my spirits so much that it should be an NHS prescription.
By the end of the afternoon I was aching all over but I felt alive - and what a privilege that was.
Lovely video and thanks for posting. I did a race school at Three Sisters (hosted by Mike Edwards and Mark Forsyth) back in 1992. Fond memories. Stunning bike BTW! 👍🏻
Thank you for your kind comments. The Crooks Suzuki is the real star and it's so good that it makes me look as if I can ride!
Had me smiling the whole way.
Thank you Roger. It is always a great privilege to ride the Crooks Suzuki - and it does go rather well for such an old bike - even with an ancient riding it 🙂
Oh, this brings back some blurry memories of having fun with a T500 in the 80s sometime. Surprised me at the time, very punchy engine and confidence inspiring handling.
I am so glad that you enjoyed the film. Here is another one of the Crooks Suzuki in France: ua-cam.com/video/SGesi_WtaHo/v-deo.html
Hi Frank.first time I've seen you on UA-cam.i loved both the books.when I was 13 or 14 I wished it was me riding the ts250 you converted to enduro trim in the Motorcycle Mechanics.Stay safe.
Thanks your kind comments. We won a lot of trophies on that TS250 - another Crooks Suzuki product!
Eddie Crooks was a fantastic sponsor for me and I never had a cross word with him.
Where would we be without sponsorship in motorcycle racing?I had a bit of discount from my local shop,I was only a Clubman,but it all helped.
Seems like a great day out no last corner heroes and everyone else is safe and well,, from northern Ireland ☘️☘️👍
Thanks Cecil. I have ridden all over the world and Three Sisters still rates very highly - not for the track which is not world class but the atmosphere.
The staff are efficient but also endlessly smiling and kind. They actually WANT you to be there.
It's just like racing used to be in the olden days 😀✌
Takes me back! Even tho my 72 was a stock machine, the engine sound is pretty much as I remember, especially the blah sound after a gear change as it seems to bog down till the revs get up again.
Takes me back to when I raced a Yamaha DS7. Raced against these bikes a few times: maybe even this one!
I had a crooks suzuki gt 250 that circuit is fairly close to me uses to attend longridge race track near Preston and Flookburgh Cumbria