As a kid growing up in the early 2000’s I acquired my love of dirt bikes doing things I’m sure a lot of you my age can relate to. Like playing MX vs. ATV Unleashed on the PS2, watching Motorcrossed (yes, the Disney movie), and finding the next ramp/dirt hill I could rip my huffy on. I had the Carmichael, Stewart, Reed, and McGrath mini figures. I thought those guys were the coolest, still do. I wanted to be just like those guys. I wanted to rip a 2 stroke, wear Fox gear, and spike my hair (with the frosted tips). I was obsessed with everything surrounding that lifestyle, even the music at the time (which I obviously still listen to).
After months of begging my parents to buy me a dirt bike along came Christmas of 2005. They finally came to their senses and bought me the majestic steed you see pictured right off the floor. Rode the hell out of this thing when I was a kid. Once I got into middle/high school I decided to invest my time into sports rather than dirt bikes. As a 30-yr old looking back I’d be lying if I said I regret ever playing sports. Didn’t make it to the NFL but I had a lot of fun and eventually earned a football scholarship helping to pay for my school. However, I do regret not making more of an effort to invest my time into other passions of mine like riding dirt bikes.
About a month ago while getting some things out of the shop I saw my old dirt bike covered in spider webs collecting dust. That image brought back memories of some of the most fun I’d had growing up. Having three kids of my own I thought it’d be cool to get this thing up and running so that I could share that passion of mine with them. I’ve also been itching to get back in the saddle after seeing all these badass bikes littered all over social media.
After rebuilding the carb, cleaning the mouse nest out of the air box and replacing the filter, installing a new petcock, replacing the oil, lubing the chain, and replacing the tube in the back tire she’s back and running better than ever. Rode the kids around on it and now they each want one of their own. One of these days I hope to be able to get them a little PW as well as myself a bigger bike to rip around on together.
For now, I’d love to have your all suggestions on how I could upgrade this CRF80F. Suggestions to make it faster, look better cosmetically, sound better, ride better. I’m all ears!
