The best Eddy Lejeune Interview ever Page 8
Did the mono shock bikes go back to Japan?
I don’t know, some people say they find in England but im not sure. One French man complete the making of a new bike of mine for himself.
What was very good about the twin shock RTL 360?
It was very powerful, boom boom boom boom. It was possible to drive in third. It had good clutch. When you clutch and put power it go very fast. It was possible to go all time with the clutch, like now.
What was not so good about this bike?
In the beginning the clutch and suspension was good but after when the others develop in coming the pro link is no good and also the bike is heavy. The other riders have good clutch. The 2 or 3 things that we had good were the other things the other bikes became good at. They also became more light and powerful.
Do you remember riding the Kick Start programme in UK?
Yes I ride this 2 or 3 times . I think I won it at one time.
Do you have any memories of this?
Yes I remember we go down fast
In 1985 you had the pro link bike with the different engine. How many of these bikes did you ever have in one year?
One I think
In 1986 you change to a bigger 270 engine . Why was this?
The clutch of the 250 engine is no good and I say I need a new clutch and more powerful. They make 2 of the same bike with good clutch and both 270. The bike was good light but not perfect. Not enough good.
I drive then with 270. The same bike as Saunders. We drive normal Honda in 1986. In 1986 we drive for Rothman. I think we get 2nd and 3rd. Michaud was better
I don’t know, some people say they find in England but im not sure. One French man complete the making of a new bike of mine for himself.
What was very good about the twin shock RTL 360?
It was very powerful, boom boom boom boom. It was possible to drive in third. It had good clutch. When you clutch and put power it go very fast. It was possible to go all time with the clutch, like now.
What was not so good about this bike?
In the beginning the clutch and suspension was good but after when the others develop in coming the pro link is no good and also the bike is heavy. The other riders have good clutch. The 2 or 3 things that we had good were the other things the other bikes became good at. They also became more light and powerful.
Do you remember riding the Kick Start programme in UK?
Yes I ride this 2 or 3 times . I think I won it at one time.
Do you have any memories of this?
Yes I remember we go down fast
In 1985 you had the pro link bike with the different engine. How many of these bikes did you ever have in one year?
One I think
In 1986 you change to a bigger 270 engine . Why was this?
The clutch of the 250 engine is no good and I say I need a new clutch and more powerful. They make 2 of the same bike with good clutch and both 270. The bike was good light but not perfect. Not enough good.
I drive then with 270. The same bike as Saunders. We drive normal Honda in 1986. In 1986 we drive for Rothman. I think we get 2nd and 3rd. Michaud was better
What special tricks did Honda use to win the competition?.
It’s the same now, they make a special bike, special suspension, special engine. They just want to win and don’t worry to sell. It is the same now with the bike of Bou, its special. Very light, very special suspension. Sure its light, powerful , but so different from standard. I think it is very very powerful
In 1986, you were doing brilliantly in the World Championship, but at the very last round in Finland you came 13th. What happened? Im sorry about that ha ha
Eddy’s wife thinks the stress. Then Eddy says I have complete no grip. I start early and I have no grip and I don’t remember why and I make a shit shit shit ride. I have 2 times this problem. One time in Austria in 1981 when I drive with Dunlop and this time with Michelin. I remember. It was a shit trial. My brother Eric was better than me on the first day, the first race. You think this was as bad as 13th place
Yes ….. sorry.
It’s the same now, they make a special bike, special suspension, special engine. They just want to win and don’t worry to sell. It is the same now with the bike of Bou, its special. Very light, very special suspension. Sure its light, powerful , but so different from standard. I think it is very very powerful
In 1986, you were doing brilliantly in the World Championship, but at the very last round in Finland you came 13th. What happened? Im sorry about that ha ha
Eddy’s wife thinks the stress. Then Eddy says I have complete no grip. I start early and I have no grip and I don’t remember why and I make a shit shit shit ride. I have 2 times this problem. One time in Austria in 1981 when I drive with Dunlop and this time with Michelin. I remember. It was a shit trial. My brother Eric was better than me on the first day, the first race. You think this was as bad as 13th place
Yes ….. sorry.
The next year Honda pull out of Trials but you continue riding on a supported Honda. Was there bike very different to the previous year?
Yes, it was completely different. More new that the 360, more powerful than the other 250. It was a heavy bike but a good engine and I like. I make one more year with this. I then decide to go to Merlin as the people pay more. Fantic no want me, Montesa is bought by Honda and so I don’t drive with them. Montesa at this time was no good. Yamaha not pay. I had no choice but to go to Merlin. I stop or I drive to Merlin
Yes, it was completely different. More new that the 360, more powerful than the other 250. It was a heavy bike but a good engine and I like. I make one more year with this. I then decide to go to Merlin as the people pay more. Fantic no want me, Montesa is bought by Honda and so I don’t drive with them. Montesa at this time was no good. Yamaha not pay. I had no choice but to go to Merlin. I stop or I drive to Merlin