My motorcycle experience began when was I was about 14. Mom and us kids came home after spending a week at Aunt Claire’s cabin in McCall and there was a 350 Jawa parked in the carport. Dad taught me to ride in the back yard and, at 16, arranged for me to buy my first bike. It was a 250 Parilla that, over the next couple of years turned into a Yamaguchi Autopet 50, then a Honda S90, and in 1965, my first Bultaco, a used Model 3 Sherpa S 200.
I owned another Sherpa S and a Bandido in my early 20’s and bought my first new Bultaco, a Model 87 Mk5 Pursang 350, in 1972. I was soon racing at the back of the Open Beginner pack and updated to a Mk7 Pursang 360 by 1975. With the birth of my son, subsequent raising of same by myself after divorce a couple years later, and other priorities and interests (while the bikes got taller and taller), that Mk7 was to be my last Bultaco for nearly 40 years.
Fast-forward to 2015 and the Northwest Challenge Vintage MX at Washougal. We were sitting at the pub having a beer on Friday after work. I knew the race was the next day so, with a couple pints of “seems like a good idea” onboard, a few mouse clicks back at the house, arranged a “free” Sky Miles plane ride to Portland and rental car for 6:00 AM. That Saturday at Washougal, I saw all sorts of bikes I hadn’t seen in years going around a grass track, took a bunch of photos and kept thinking, “This looks like so much fun! I’ve got to get in on this!” So I did.
RFVR team bikes & van
I was back at Washougal the next year…with a bike of my own: a 1973 Mk6 Pursang 125. Not having miraculously gotten any faster, I buzzed around the track (now toward the back of the +60 Novices) for the first time since my 20’s. By Christmas that year, the 125 had been joined by a couple of Bultaco “projects” and a package deal from a collector/restorer/racer in CA that included two fully-sorted Model 120 Mk7 250’s. There was also a yet-to-be-assembled Model 121 Pursang 360 among the treasures. A few more Bultacos, team van and sundry graphics later, Right Foot Vintage Racing was born.
About Marty Gregory
Like most all of you, I’ve always loved riding motorcycles. Personally, I find riding a dirt bike at speed to be very therapeutic. Any concerns, problems, dilemmas or uncertainties have to be forgotten when you’re twisting a throttle across bumpy terrain. Meditation in motion, if you will. And it’s just plain fun!
I’ve been associated with and/or involved in motorcycling one way or another for over 50 years. In the ‘70’s, I wrote and took photos for Cycle News and was also published in Dirt Bike and Cycle World. It’s fair to say I’m a better writer than rider but…
"I never said I was any good at it. I just said I liked it."
