I worked all summer of ‘73 to special order the first 1974 KX 125 to come to Kawasaki of Las Vegas shop owned by Chuck Trickle. Yes “that Trickle” of NASCAR fame. Chucks brother Dick Trickle and later his son Chris Trickle had racing careers in NASCAR Stock Car’s with Chuck later having his own stint in the sport. Anyway , I lived and Breathed dirt bikes and did my research and found all the industry’s periodicals praised the development of the new ground up bike from Kawasaki’s serious commitment to bring a state of the art uncompromising full on race ready bike to complete with the huge success of Honda’s Elsinore bikes. I remember laying down my whole 14 year old kids summer job earnings in cash in earnest ! I wanted the first one they got in!! Our family bought several new bikes from Chucks shop before and he could not have been more accommodating!! Like as if he sensed my excitement and told me the first one team green sends to town will be earmarked for me. And true to his word the very first bike in the whole state had to be shown at the manufacturers new model show that was planed for Vegas and he arraigned for me to take delivery of that bike as soon as the show wrapped up! So I was able to get my hands on it even before the other dealers received their new models. I’m 62 now and have bought many bikes and quads over the years, but none had come close to the thrill of Acquiring that bike!! I’ll never forget those days and how a shop owner of Chuck’ status went to bat for 14 year kid!! This industry had a lot of heart and you just don’t see that anymore Thanks Chuck Trickle I will never forget what you did for me!!!
DALE HYDE Thanks !! Yes I remember like yesterday the anticipation for that new kx coming out , I was very proud of that bike!! Those were the days man!!
Thanks Z man! Your post brought back a lot of memories ... as I, like you was 14 in 1974, bought a 125 kx that year. and grew up just 2 hours from vegas. That bike helped me smoke my friends TM, Elsinore, and all others! Great bike in the day!
I bought a brand new KX125 back in 1975. I loved that bike
I did to 76 kx125 with black fenders I was freshman in high school anchorage ak. I rode heck out of it
I worked all summer of ‘73 to special order the first 1974 KX 125 to come to Kawasaki of Las Vegas shop owned by Chuck Trickle. Yes “that Trickle” of NASCAR fame. Chucks brother Dick Trickle and later his son Chris Trickle had racing careers in NASCAR Stock Car’s with Chuck later having his own stint in the sport. Anyway , I lived and Breathed dirt bikes and did my research and found all the industry’s periodicals praised the development of the new ground up bike from Kawasaki’s serious commitment to bring a state of the art uncompromising full on race ready bike to complete with the huge success of Honda’s Elsinore bikes. I remember laying down my whole 14 year old kids summer job earnings in cash in earnest ! I wanted the first one they got in!! Our family bought several new bikes from Chucks shop before and he could not have been more accommodating!! Like as if he sensed my excitement and told me the first one team green sends to town will be earmarked for me. And true to his word the very first bike in the whole state had to be shown at the manufacturers new model show that was planed for Vegas and he arraigned for me to take delivery of that bike as soon as the show wrapped up! So I was able to get my hands on it even before the other dealers received their new models. I’m 62 now and have bought many bikes and quads over the years, but none had come close to the thrill of Acquiring that bike!! I’ll never forget those days and how a shop owner of Chuck’ status went to bat for 14 year kid!! This industry had a lot of heart and you just don’t see that anymore Thanks Chuck Trickle I will never forget what you did for me!!!
THAT'S A GREAT STORY GREG, MY LOCAL DEALER ONLY EVER RECEIVED 1 THEY WERE VERY HARD TO FIND
DALE HYDE Thanks !! Yes I remember like yesterday the anticipation for that new kx coming out , I was very proud of that bike!! Those were the days man!!
Thanks Z man! Your post brought back a lot of memories ... as I, like you was 14 in 1974, bought a 125 kx that year. and grew up just 2 hours from vegas. That bike helped me smoke my friends TM, Elsinore, and all others! Great bike in the day!
I owned 76 kx125. Ahhhh that sound I’m 15 again
Well done Dale. I have a kx125/250/400 and I know how hard it is to do a build like this and it’s a beautiful bike. Respect. Cheers Paul
nice