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1975 Kawasaki "David Clinton's Factory Issued bike" 
#1 2008-01-16 1:01pm
1975 Kawasaki "David Clinton's Factory Issued bike"
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
Re: 1975 Kawasaki "David Clinton's Factory Issued bike"
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)
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#4 2008-01-16 1:40pm
- hollywood763
- Intermediate

- From: Portland Oregon
- Registered: 2007-12-05
- Posts: 255
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Re: 1975 Kawasaki "David Clinton's Factory Issued bike"
great story Rick!!
I do NOT have attention deficit disor.....HEY! lets go ride our bikes!
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#5 2008-01-16 4:56pm
- jakester720
- Hutcher In The Rye

- From: Sillycon Valley, Norcal
- Registered: 2007-06-28
- Posts: 1261
- Bikes: 2
- Feedback : 21
Re: 1975 Kawasaki "David Clinton's Factory Issued bike"
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
Liquor In Front, Poker In Rear
Rejoice, as we shall defeat racism in our time...H Rollins 1998
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#7 2008-01-17 11:12pm
Re: 1975 Kawasaki "David Clinton's Factory Issued bike"
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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#8 2009-01-29 9:23am
Re: 1975 Kawasaki "David Clinton's Factory Issued bike"
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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#9 2009-03-05 7:04pm
Re: 1975 Kawasaki "David Clinton's Factory Issued bike"
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
"An armed man will kill an unarmed man with monotonous regularity" said Clint Smith.
i used to be trk2ajk
i need drive technologies 43t sprocket, fly or revenge brakes
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