1977 Yamaha Viper-Framed 250

Photo by Preston Ray (www.PrestonRay.com)

Ronnie Jones’ Hall of Fame flat-track career was noted for its consistency. He finished in the series top 10 in 11 consecutive seasons and scored Grand National points in 21 consecutive seasons. Riding as a privateer, Jones collected 10 AMA Grand National Championship wins and 32 podium finishes between 1980 and 1995 after turning pro in 1979.

His first national win was in the Houston Astrodome short-track in 1980. At the time he was 19 years old, and had just beat one of his heroes: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend Kenny Roberts.

This 1977 Yamaha Viper-Framed 250 was the bike Jones raced to the checkered flag that night—as well as the win at the following national at Santa Fe Speedway in Chicago.

The 250cc two-stroke, fed by a 38mm Mikuni, started out as a Yamaha MX250 motor. It was built and tuned by Bob Dennis and Delton Teuscher precisely for the quick acceleration necessary in AMA Grand National short-track competition.

The rest of the bike was crafted, lightened and shaped to put that power to the ground efficiently. The frame was designed and manufactured by Viper Racing out of Champaign, Ill. The forks were Ceriani and the shock was Boge. Sun/DID rims, rolling Goodyear tires, were laced to the Viper hubs.

Although Jones retired from full-time competition after the 1999 season, he continued to race select events through 2014, demonstrating more of the consistency that helped earn him his place in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. During his most recent campaign, he set a record by scoring AMA Grand National Championship points 35 years after his rookie Expert season.