Thought I would put this lovely photo of what looks like in the field repairs during a race of some sort!..looks like a Range Rover support vehicle and the bikes engine on the floor!

...and this is what it looked like before they started the Dakar in 1985...



Serge Bacou is the rider in Jo's photo (on the right in the above photo).

__________________

The 'Great Serge' was even known to work on his bikes in his Y-fronts!

__________________

Another cool photo,cheers plieades for sharing the riders name,I think those were the best Dakar days,when was the real Dakar rally!..

That would be me now!..they were real Dakar bikes back then!..

What I want to know is why the idea of a bash plate that doubles as a centre stand never took off?

__________________

Good point!..maybe worth researching??..

An XT won the very first Paris to Dakar! That bike looks like it was built on a YZ465 frame. Yamaha has such serious off road credentials

__________________

2010 XT660Z Blue, Exan can, UFO high front fender, SW Motech baseplate, heated grips, 12v point, Kevs Fuel & O2 mod, DNA Stage 2 Filter and cover, Givi tall screen, Mefo mfe 99s, Kevs throttle mod, TT high seat and 'compass'

I would sure like to get my hands on one what ever they are!!..

Its a 1VJ 'marathon' before the term was used.