So, who used to announce USBA Nationals? Surely the announcer of this race would have to remember!

Check out the Turbo brain!

Anyone know?

I could tell you all that I had a signed affidavit from Manuelito himself, (I don"t) but it wouldn't sound legit coming from the originator.

"Manuelito gets the snap, out with the holeshot... ¿Qué diablos?" - Announcer 1985 USBA 66 Nationals.

Now, I'd believe a skill guy could ride a full track with no front wheel. But, win a race against a bunch of 15X riders? Those boys are fast and aggressive.

NO WAY.

The physics of how a race is ridden make this impossible. You pedal hard into a corner, and brake, or slow. With no front wheel, digger. Game over.

I can't imaging ANYONE riding a corner at full speed on one wheel, accelerating out, slowing into another, and not being setup for a pass.

I'd buy the story of him remarkably finishing, but, I would NEVER believe that someone on one wheel could beat an entire moto on two wheels.

Sorry.

Well, I would think with all the cameras there, both professional from the magazines and amateurs taking pictures of their kids and the few big, clunky, expensive first generation video Camcorders to go along with the slowly disappearing 8mm movie cameras that probably were there I think there would be a few still pictures and some video and film of it.

All that said I do think he was under appreciated as a racer.

Oldtimer1980s

I understand your argument of Manuelito's "gear ratio".

His gear ratio would not change at all. What would change is the front to rear weight distribution. In a car, weight distribution pretty much fixed. On a bike the vast majority of the race weight comes from the rider so, to compensate, all he would have had to do was shift his weight forward or back as required to maintain his balance point.

Someone try to convince me that a person could essentially ride a wheelie, at race speed, for the vast majority of a race, and still finish first amongst a group of 15X peers.

Does no one else find the concept of riding a wheelie full speed over a track, diving into corners with other riders and over jumps to be preposterous? You'd no more make it to the first jump with the rest of the pack with one wheel let alone get over it. At best, he could have had a 1/4 straight lead, but, that would have been eaten up in 2 seconds by the rest of the moto once that wheel was off.

This has nothing to do with (under)appreciation, or gear ratios or photographic proof. It's merely the dynamics of a race that make this impossible.

No chain pump race win..yes. No wheel manuel(ito) win..no.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaBSKVpYZh0...feature=related

Just for fun watch the above video from 1:01- 1:10.

Having the front tire in the air for a entire straight didn't slow down Mike Day.

MXMUG,

That's a rhythm section that one with the proper skill can actually pick up speed on by manualing and pumping through it. Considerably different from the tracks back then.

Sure, one straight. Lots of riders can conquer a small section. Not the whole track. He hits the corner, front wheel down, braking and pedaling out. That's where the story falls apart. The rest of the pack would have caught up then, and pulling out of that corner, they'd have left him behind.

Why doesn't somebody actually track down Larson?

I witnessed Ronnie Anderson win a Pro cruiser moto with his saddle turned 180* around (backwards).


b.

Plus it would throw off the weight distribution....I mean really I challenge anyone to try to ride without a front wheel.. 10 cranks even...at speed... ha ha put that on you tube too just wear a full face helmet and some body armor!

Oh I am sure it is impossible in a race but I used the point of lack of photographic evidence to cut to the chase without going through all of that to say if it happened there would be plenty of pictures. I mean 1985 isn't like 2010 when everyone with a cellphone (except for the cheapest no frills cells) have essentially a camcorder in it, but I would think a few still snaps at least would exist. What's more I think the BMX press would had mentioned it. I think Bob Osborn, John Kerr and Micheal Collins would had said something about it in their magazines. I haven't read anything in the magazine issue about it in the issues that would had had it in them. I mean the USBA's magazine USBA Racer would had reported it in the issue they covered that national in if not sooner.

I think it is like the Brent Romero raced 12x when he was 16 years old or some such myth that has been retold and retold but there isn't a lick of evidence for it.

Oldtimer1980s

WOW, that name brings back memories...he use to ride for Eagle Snacks. We were rivals in the NBL. We had some classic battles back then...MILHAM, VIEL ,and PURSE. Oh yeah my name is Mark Viel

This is a great story, but my guess is, since he looped out on the last jump he lost the wheel not long before that. He probably made it most of the last straight, looped out for fear of digging in, and then ran across the finish line. So the story is "half true". The memory recall/rewrite theory is spot on. I had some great memories of some events in my childhood... I had been remembering them "a certain way" for 25 years. The other day someone sent me a photo of one of these "events" and uh lets just say it was not exactly how I remembered it.

Great story though, and of course plenty of respect still for Manuelito!

I remember the "Legend" I remember hearing this story as a kid...

QUOTE (kcmobmx @ Feb 24 2010, 08:34 PM)

I remember the "Legend" I remember hearing this story as a kid...

When did you first hear the story?

Mx Mug

a couple of guys on this board may know the truth....broken505? HurricaneHenry? Meattray?

"YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH"

I like mxmug's style.

This story is called "The Legend Of BMX".

The "Legend Of I Wish I Was Younger & More Skilled" is found
in your dreams.

This story is true.

Ask around.

P.S. Tracks back then were more flat, bikes were
shorter and Larson was the man.

LLTL

I will tell it again for the "cheap seats" J.K.

Manuelito's front wheel came off on the first jump.

The track official picked up his wheel after it rolled into the infield.

It had a Hutch magnesium hub (I always wanted them).

Larson powered the entire track on his back wheel.

It was disgusting.

You can't make this stuff up.

I wish I was that good.

So do you.

I was there.

That's all.

I love all you guys.

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but documentation of that race is almost non-existent.

Locally - pictures, videos, audio, fossils - you won't find them.

The author of the story in the "USBA Racer" was not at the race.

Mike, Bob, Windy and John were too busy in Cali. chillin'.

P.S. - Everyone from Tohachi, NM can kick it one wheel style.

Obviously, you can make this up. No way it's true. You saying you were there is not really a big difference maker on your point. I don't think a 15 year old with a 20 in rear and 16 in front could beat a moto of his peers, let alone missing the wheel.

Clock yourself on the street on your 20" bike. Now, find the best rider you know, and clock him riding a wheelie. I'd bet a 10MPH difference at least, with you being the faster. Now time yourself around a corner. Same flow to this working.

How did he hold off challenges in the corners?

Tell me how he did all this stuff. How was it no one could pass him, being he'd have a huge speed impediment? I don't want to hear you were there, I want to hear how it was he was able to do it if you saw it.

"I don't want to beat a dead horse..."

Uh, yes you do = obviously. This thread is getting tool-ish.

He was a bad-arse, but he didn't do that.

I know cause we went to different high schools together and he never said a word about it.

I know cause we went to different high schools together and he never said a word about it.

Now this is a hard statement to follow.

we both went to different high schools together........

I dont know Mr Manualito, But because we are about the same age I believe I also could say;

"We both went to different high schools together" Because both of us went to different high schools (in two different states) at the same time in the 1980's. Of course it could also be said we both went to different high schools apart, and for that matter it could also simply be said, we both went to different high schools. The statement that I can not make is; I know because we both went to different high schools either together or apart.

Next If he never said anything about it, This could be an indication that Mr Manualito was a very humble individual.

Ummm... Yeah. Thanks for clearing that up for us.

I told you how he did it. You aren't listening dude.

There were no challengers. He blasted the entire track on his
back tire, at full speed.

Call me peter o tool the lying fool.

I won't bump this again until I have
more proof.

Boone, No problem, really.

How was it no one could pass him, being he'd have a huge speed impediment?

After you have the lead in a race you dont have to work nearly as hard to maintain the lead.

Elf, I just heard back from Nico. He doesn't remember seeing it happen either. Here's what he wrote:

"Yeh, I've heard about this story from a few of the old timers like myself
and honestly don't remember that far back, but if it did happen then it
would have been so memorable that we all would be able to recall it.

I doubt that it could happen because the balance and skill necessary to ride
an entire track with no front wheel would be superhuman."

However, he has heard about it. Any way to get "Wheat" on here to tell his side of the story? As I mentioned via PM's, I was there, but didn't witness it and don't remember hearing anything about it that day.

QUOTE (Tanker Kranker @ Mar 1 2010, 12:10 PM)

Elf, I just heard back from Nico. He doesn't remember seeing it happen either. Here's what he wrote:

"Yeh, I've heard about this story from a few of the old timers like myself
and honestly don't remember that far back, but if it did happen then it
would have been so memorable that we all would be able to recall it.

I doubt that it could happen because the balance and skill necessary to ride
an entire track with no front wheel would be superhuman."

However, he has heard about it. Any way to get "Wheat" on here to tell his side of the story? As I mentioned via PM's, I was there, but didn't witness it and don't remember hearing anything about it that day.

Its quite common for me anyway not to see the races at nationals that I have attended. I go to the race to race, then come home and watch the races on go211.

I was there and what you claim is a TOTAL LIE.

He jumped the first tabletop and BOTH wheels came off.

Manuelito, being Manuelito, powered his way around the track on his front sprocket, with roost flying everywhere. The crowd gasped, in total disbelief, as Manuelito paused to rescue a damsel bound to the adjacent railroad tracks. He continued without losing the lead, only to relinquish it when he stopped to sign autographs. After 50 or so of those, 4 chili dogs, and kissing as many babies, he resumed, making up 2 full straightaways while curing Polio and negotiating an arms treaty with the Soviet Union. Down to just one tooth left on his Pete's Precision, he nipped the 2nd place rider at the line. Victory.

And assumed his rightful place in history.

So God help me.

I have brought to the stand an eye witness account concerning another rider. It will answer the above question about how he held them off in the corners.

Another thing I would try, If you need to change lines while cornering, is simply do a power wheelie.

I used to do wheelies through turns with my bars turned in the direction of the turn more than I ever just rode through it.

I learned this from watching Eric Rupe in Nashville in 1988. Every turn he hit, he would power wheelie all the way around.[u][/u]
By leaning your weight and throwing down pedals, you can pivot/rotate on your back wheel and with your front wheel in the air, you automatically factor out any kind of front end wash.

I don't see much of this happening anymore as riders, seemingly now, pump the turns.

As a historical side note to this thread. The aba action thread list L Manuelito as aba national #23.

Mx Mug

The Day The Earth Stood Still

1985 USBA Route 66 Nationals

If you raced BMX in 1985, you might remember Larson Manuelito. He won the #1 amatuer title in the USBA for that year, riding for Bicycle Harbor out of AZ. Manuelito was from the Four Corners region of New Mexico, and he was one of the best BMX racers ever. That year, in '85, the 66 nationals were held in Albuquerque, NM. It was the weekend of the Fourth of July, and it was hot, - over 100*.

The gate dropped on a rack of 15X's, and Manuelito had the Holeshot. Coming up on the first jump, which was a Drop-off type jump, Manuelito pulled up the front end, to pedal down the backside, then his front wheel just kept on rolling without him! Amazingly, he did not crash. Incredibly, he kept on pedaling around the first 90 degree turn, in the lead still, headed for a set of knarly offset moonwalkers. Unbelievably, with skill I have not seen displayed before, or since, he completed the entire track, including jumping the moonwalkers, and a HUGE step-up that was there. He negotiated 3 turns and several smaller jumps too, all while leading a national race.

Manuelito looped-out on the last roller near the finish line, but ran easily the few feet for the win. Clearly this story is hard to believe, over the years I have found it hard to believe myself. I know only one other racer from Albuquerque who can corroborate this tale, there are others out there! Famous Racers in attendance that day include:
Jaydee Finney, John Purse, Toby Henderson, Many others.
I would say the term "manual", meaning to ride on the back tire, is short for MANUELITO! Yeah!!
Anyone out there remember this?

A video has been unearthed highlighting the possibility.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPWg2UN2nSU

Additional evidence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8vX5NHdR0I...eature=youtu.be

Again someone should read thru all the replies and up all the people that were there and didnt see it and dont remember anyone talking about it.
The race wasnt huge myabe 50 motos or something but for sure not 200 or 300 motos so when racing you couldnt stray far etc.

I am one of the ones on the "was there, didnt see it and dont remember anyone talking about it that weekend (or the next USBA National in Utah)."

It's possible.

I remember at last year's Depends/Geritol Grandnationals, TONE (Walter,) Race-Inc, Eurohero, Cash Matthews, Afterhours, Cheez, Dennis Dain, Greg Hill, Johnny Johnson and me were at the gate. Johnny mistimed the light and as he snapped out of the gate, his rear wheel came off the ground at such speed that it flew off the back.

Johnny rode the whole track on his front wheel even as Cash, Dennis and Hillage attempted to pass him. JJ, being the martial-arts expert that he is, just round-house kicked the competition out of the way.

I think at this time Walter, Race Inc, and Eurohours were busy sticking branches into each others wheels. Cheez was somewhere thinking of misspelled replies.

Being the eternal last place, I got to see the whole thing. It was amazing! Johnny even did a front flip at the last jump

I still have my 11th place ribbon to prove it really happened.