Company messages
Moto TM signs Tommaso Lolli as factory rider alongside Gastone Serafini
Uni-Trak: Kawasaki's first single-shock rear suspension system with lever linkage.
Motocross
Models in this year
125ccm Cross WM
Harry Everts came, saw, and conquered. His signing was seen as a changing of the guard in the Belgian press. Three-time world champion and last year's runner-up Rahier left Suzuki to prove that he could become world champion on another bike, and his young compatriot became world champion straight away. After his title in 1975 and some rather difficult years, this was also a great return to the big stage for Harry.
The Suzuki factory RA 125 was equipped with water cooling for the first time.
Gaston Rahier moved from Suzuki to Yamaha, not least for financial reasons, where he replaced Gérard Rond, who in turn was given a Suzuki contract for the 500cc class.
500ccm Cross Trans AMA
Last year of the series under the name Trans AMA. Starting next year, it will be held as Trans-USA. The World Championship calendar is getting longer and longer, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for World Championship starters to compete in the entire series.
250ccm Cross Belgian Inter
Through Belgian SWM importer Joel Robert, Jean Claude Laquaye from Bultaco joins SWM and immediately wins the title in the highly competitive Belgian 250cc championship.
125ccm Cross Campionato italiano
Jan Witteven's commitment is bearing fruit for Gilera: Dario Nani wins the Italian championship at the first attempt. Nani contested most of the season with the air-cooled C1. The photo shows one of the first pictures of the Gilera C1 LC with water cooling. Incidentally, standing to the left of Witteven is Carlo Pernat, who was responsible for press relations.
World champions of the year
- 125ccm Cross WM — Everts Harry — Suzuki
- 250ccm Cross WM — Carlqvist Hakan — Husqvarna
- 500ccm Cross WM — Noyce Graham — Honda
- 500ccm Cross Trans AMA — Howerton Kent — Suzuki
- 250ccm Cross Trophée des Nations — Moissejew Gennadi — KTM
- 250ccm Cross Trophée des Nations — Kavinov Vladimir — KTM
- 250ccm Cross Trophée des Nations — Korneev Valeri — KTM
- 250ccm Cross Trophée des Nations — Khudiakov Yuri — KTM
- 500ccm Cross Motocross des nations (MXDN) — Everts Harry — Suzuki
- 500ccm Cross Motocross des nations (MXDN) — de Coster Roger — Suzuki
- 500ccm Cross Motocross des nations (MXDN) — Malherbe André — Honda
- 500ccm Cross Motocross des nations (MXDN) — van den Broek Ivan — Maico
Europe and US champions
National champions
125ccm Cross France Inter / Elite — Vimond Jacky — Yamaha
125ccm Cross DM — Rottler Paul — KTM
125ccm Cross KNMV Kampioenschap — Zijlstra Dinand — Kawasaki
125ccm Cross Svenska Mästerkapet — Nyström Christer — Simonini- 125ccm Cross 125 Belgian National (-1987) / Inter — Timmermans Christian — Kawasaki
125ccm Cross SM — Autio Matti — Suzuki- 250ccm Cross Belgian Inter — Laquaye Jean-Claude — SWM
- 250ccm Cross Svenska Mästerskapet — Carlqvist Hakan — Husqvarna
- 250ccm Cross KNMV Kampioenschap — van der Veen Kees — Maico
- 250ccm Cross DM — Dieffenbach Rolf — Kawasaki
- 500ccm Cross Belgian Inter — van den Broek Ivan — Maico
500ccm Cross British Open — Noyce Graham — Honda- 500ccm Cross Svenska Mästerskapet — Andersson Hakan — Husqvarna
- 500ccm Cross KNMV Kampioenschap — Rond Gérard — Suzuki
- 125ccm Cross Campionato italiano — Nani Dario — Gilera
- 250ccm Cross Campionato italiano — Gritti Alessandro — KTM
- 500ccm Cross DM — Schmitz Herbert — Maico
- 500ccm Cross Campionato italiano — Andreini Guglielmo — SWM
Enduro
Models in this year
Europe and US champions
50ccm Enduro EM — Gagni Pietro — Fantic- 100ccm Enduro EM — Hau Eddy — Zündapp
- 125ccm Enduro EM — Brissoni Gualtiero — SWM
- 175ccm Enduro EM — Marinoni Andrea — SWM
- 250ccm Enduro EM — Gualdi Franco — SWM
- 500ccm Enduro EM — Andreini Guglielmo — SWM
- 80ccm Enduro EM (75ccm -1980) — Olszewski Stanislaw — Simson
National champions
Other
Events
The three major Spanish brands (Bultaco, Ossa, and Montesa) are facing an existential crisis due to massive strikes, outdated production methods, and the entry of Japanese manufacturers into the market. The Spanish government, with the involvement of the Ministry of Industry, orders technological and economic cooperation.