1975 Kawasaki 
#1 2008-01-16 1:01pm
- reilley1
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1975 Kawasaki
1975 Kawasaki
"David Clinton's Factory Issued bike"
Team Issue Kawasaki owned by Bob "Oz" osborn and Rick "Reilley1" Gaytan
I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was 13 years old waiting for the late great Tom DeRosier of Tom's Bike Shop in El Centro to open the door cause I knew the new issue of Bicycle Motocross news had arrived.
I saw the cover and I freaked; there was Dave Clinton doing something so incredibly amazing that I took the issue, read about all the stuff, looked at a picture of someone named Bob Osborn racing a father's day bikes and left the shop almost forgetting to pay for the paper because I couldn't get my mind off that amazing cover.
I remember that I walked about half a block were my dad worked at Womack Mitchell's Chevrolet and showed him the picture. His reply was "He crashed."
We even made a bet about it and I wrote Bob Osborn at BMX news. I received a reply a few weeks later (I like to believe Oz had replied but not totally sure about it) The letter stated. "Nah. he does that thing all the time. I won my (one and only bet) from my dad.
I met David at the races over the years. I respected all the well known riders, but Dave was almost a hero. I again met him at Joe Kid and we had some great conversation.
Two years ago, I get a chance to "buy" the bike. I told Dave that the bike would get a pretty penny on e-bay but as much as I would like to have it, I couldn't afford to give what the bike was worth.
At the same time, Bob Osborn and were talking about Dave and how we felt he was the first "true" BMX hero. I mentioned the bike and what I had told David. Without hesitation Oz says "Get the bike, I'll pay half" I tried to tell Bob that I didn't think it was right and he wouldn't get anything tangible out of it. He pretty much answered "Shut the F up, get the bike and put my name on it when you show it off"
BMX bikes were meant to be ridden, even if that riding is only in your mind as you admire your latest build
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#2 2008-01-16 1:09pm
- jjvh66
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
Rick, you must be "BIG TIME" if the Great OZ told you to "Shut the F up". Glad to see that bike got into the hands of someone that truly cares about the history of BMX. Thanx for posting it so we can all enjoy.
Jamie
Last edited by jjvh66 (2008-01-16 1:21pm)
Panties aren't the best thing.......BUT they're next to tha best thang.
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#3 2008-01-16 1:18pm
- bmxbri
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
That is rad!
when your not first, your last --- shake and bake
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#4 2008-01-16 4:56pm
- jakester720
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
Reilly, great story, great bike. Glad it is in the hands of someone like you and Oz. The history is amazing. To be able to HAVE the bike you saw as a kid and left you awestruck. Congrats
"...when life give you lemons, crap into your hand, make a shitknife and go kill a dog." "BMX FOR LIFE" -AUTUMN PASQUALE. . RIP
"REJOICE, AS WE SHALL DEFEAT RACISM IN OUR LIFETIME" - Henry Rollins 1997
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#5 2008-01-17 12:55pm
- Gooser
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
To have that bike with the history to go with it, WOW.
Money can't buy that story...amazing.
He who dies with the most toys WINS!
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#6 2008-01-17 11:12pm
- reilley1
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
Thanks for the comments guys. Here's the issue in question. My friend Cash Matthews sent me one out of the blue not long ago
Here's a totally self-serving pic of me and Dave at the Joe Kid premiere
In case anyone is wondering, Dave ran motomags on downhill tracks. 
BMX bikes were meant to be ridden, even if that riding is only in your mind as you admire your latest build
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#7 2009-01-29 9:23am
- tbone006
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
hahahaha ... CONGRATS !!!! Dude .. this is TRULY a tale of "Dreams Do Come True" !!! I love the old skool history and how they were ROCKIN IT back in the day on less sophisticated equipment. AWESOME STORY !!!!! Keep us posted on what you do with the bike ..shows/events.
Thanks for sharing bro!!
~t-bone~
~ Old Skool Pimpin ~
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#8 2009-03-05 7:04pm
- trktwo
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
jjvh66 wrote:
Rick, you must be "BIG TIME" if the Great OZ told you to "Shut the F up". Glad to see that bike got into the hands of someone that truly cares about the history of BMX. Thanx for posting it so we can all enjoy.
Jamie
thanks man. great story, awesome bike
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#9 2010-09-29 11:39pm
- zombie_jesus
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
Look at the expression on the kids faces in the final image
Supercool bike and history. thank you for sharing.
What can be asserted without evidence, can also be dismissed without evidence...
WTB PROFILE RETRO IN CHROME
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#10 2010-10-04 10:23am
- ReddyZ06
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
I greatly admire your efforts to collect the BMX history that you have. Your collection is true museum quality and ultra important. You deserve much respect for your work.
Mike
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#11 2011-01-09 8:10pm
- lollosfriend
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
It mite make a few penny's on evilbay, but it is priceless in a Museum. Both Dave and his Kawi deserve much more recognition.
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#12 2011-09-20 4:16pm
- hackettman
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
Sweet bike you have to post it here
http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.p … 53&p=1
Do Or Do Not There Is No Try
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#13 2011-11-16 7:44pm
- brevolt
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
By far the coolest bike in the museum!!!!!!!!!!!!
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#14 2011-12-08 8:26am
- ol'e skool
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
my fav bike by far
'NOW' 1'4' year old with !ATTITUDE!
[img]http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m534/JakeWilkie/r.jpg[/img]
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#15 2012-01-28 4:01pm
- bredhedden1
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
I hate bike personally but I love car.
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#16 2012-01-28 7:35pm
- matt thomas
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
bredhedden1 wrote:
I hate bike personally but I love car.
your first post is hating an awesome example of a really early bmx specific bike? im sure we'll all be glad you joined up here....
in search of Revenge Industries da'kine grips. specifically white, brown, orange, purple. i'll even consider black and both greens. pm me if you have some for sale.
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#17 2012-01-29 1:39am
- ol'e skool
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
matt thomas wrote:
bredhedden1 wrote:
I hate bike personally but I love car.
your first post is hating an awesome example of a really early bmx specific bike? im sure we'll all be glad you joined up here....
+ 1
'NOW' 1'4' year old with !ATTITUDE!
[img]http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m534/JakeWilkie/r.jpg[/img]
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#18 2012-07-03 9:00pm
- filobedo
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
Somebody stole the wheels off of my brand new Kawasaki BX-100. So, I swapped all the parts onto my trusty old Yamaha Moto-Bike. WoW! I had the Coolest Bike on the Block!
At least I thought so.. lol ![]()
"CRUSADER FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED"
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#19 2012-09-16 3:39am
- GTM1
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki
Sweet I just came up on the same frame you got.
[img]http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt118/GTBMXRACING/_vdc.gif[/img]
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