You are not logged in.

1975 Kawasaki "David Clinton's Factory Issued bike" RSS Feed

#1 2008-01-16 1:01pm

reilley1
Member
From: G
Registered: 2006-07-08
Posts: 42
Bikes: 22
Feedback :   

1975 Kawasaki "David Clinton's Factory Issued bike"

http://bmxmuseum.com/image/kawasak1_large.jpg http://bmxmuseum.com/image/kawasaki7_large.jpg http://bmxmuseum.com/image/kawasaki3_large.jpg http://bmxmuseum.com/image/kawasaki2_large.jpg

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"


http://bmxmuseum.com/img/view-bike-in-museum.gif


BMX bikes were meant to be ridden, even if that riding is only in your mind as you admire your latest build

Offline

 

#2 2008-01-16 1:09pm

jjvh66
Museum Addict
From: Big "D", Lone Star, USA
Registered: 2006-08-05
Posts: 1520
Bikes: 12
Feedback :   11 

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)


If a man speaks & his wife's not with him... is he still wrong?
JJ's Wheels

Offline

 

#3 2008-01-16 1:18pm

bmxbri
Pro Member
From: Pataskala,Ohio
Registered: 2007-01-24
Posts: 554
Bikes: 35
Feedback :   11 

Re: 1975 Kawasaki "David Clinton's Factory Issued bike"

That is rad!


when your not first, your last --- shake and bake

Offline

 

#4 2008-01-16 1:40pm

hollywood763
Intermediate
From: Portland Oregon
Registered: 2007-12-05
Posts: 255
Bikes: 6
Feedback :   
Website

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!


http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/prof … ef=profile

Offline

 

#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

Offline

 

#6 2008-01-17 12:55pm

Gooser
Centurion Member
From: Melbourne Australia
Registered: 2007-12-01
Posts: 248
Bikes: 12
Feedback :   

Re: 1975 Kawasaki "David Clinton's Factory Issued bike"

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!

Offline

 

#7 2008-01-17 11:12pm

reilley1
Member
From: G
Registered: 2006-07-08
Posts: 42
Bikes: 22
Feedback :   

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

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w303/reilley1/kawasaki/BMXDC1.jpg

Here's a totally self-serving pic of me and Dave at the Joe Kid premiere

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w303/reilley1/kawasaki/DAVE-MELarge.jpg

In case anyone is wondering, Dave ran motomags on downhill tracks.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w303/reilley1/DC/daveescape.jpg


BMX bikes were meant to be ridden, even if that riding is only in your mind as you admire your latest build

Offline

 

#8 2009-01-29 9:23am

tbone006
Member
From: Seattle WA
Registered: 2008-10-14
Posts: 57
Bikes: 7
Feedback :   
Website

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 ~

Offline

 

#9 2009-03-05 7:04pm

trktwo
Pro MemberNature boy
From: parts unknown
Registered: 2008-05-24
Posts: 2098
Bikes: 11
Feedback :   161 

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

Offline

 

Board footer

Powered by PunBB
© Copyright 2002–2005 Rickard Andersson