lotus54

So Vipr, how do they compare?

The Isis chains are pretty bad. I'd ditch the whole chain and get a decent one. As mentioned above, the gearbox breather should be extended up near the headstock. Run full synth oil and change it a lot. Mark

For the OSSA, I would get a 2014 instead of a 2013. Many big improvements. I've been very happy with my OSSA Explorer (same basic bike as the TR). Mark

Any tips for removing the old ones? I changed out a couple of the rocker arm bushes, the 2nd side is easy- 1st a bit of a hassle. I couldn't grab it with a bearing puller and get it to slide out. Mark

Did you get exactly what you need? I have my swingarm off and could take any view you want (including video)

Thanks! I just got a call from Lewisport, they have souced one for me and I should have it shortly. I guess things are still settling out after the merger with GasGas. They really worked hard to get the part quickly. Mark

I'll look through my pics I took when got the bike to make sure. Here is one of a new 1974 Phantom- looks like a low gloss rear hub. I sure thought the later bikes were flat or satin.

I recall the Phantoms of that year had flat black hubs. I had a MAR NOS hub floating around for yeas- it was either flat or satin black. I think I sold it a few years ago-but it was long enough ago I don't actually remember!

Ok, I broke one of the 'Dogbones' in my rear linkage. It is the new type with a bolt. After a lot of thinking, it probably was my fault. I think when I lubed it last time there was still silicone grease in the threads. So the locktite couldn't hold- the bolt backed out and must have jammed against the swingarm, breaking the shaft. The too much for one side still left when I hopped over something. Anyway, the dealer ordered the part, but OSSA sent the wrong one! There appears to be a mixup with the part numbers in the manual. So...does anyone know where one may be? They are going to try and get one, but I'm looking also. Please let me know. Mark

I sent a message to Lewissport about the cables, but have not gotten a response for price or avaliability. If they give the software with it, then that is great! Mark

I don't think so, and I have not been able to get a price here either.

As much as I'd like to see this bike in production, I think it is a long way away, unless lots of money suddenly shoed up. My understanding is only one was built- if it ran it almost certainly was just the trials engine. It was sitting I the lobby of the factory. Now that they joined with GasGas, I have not heard any more.

I would pay that. Where? How about the software?

My method for 2014 Explorer 280 Cold: Get a place where I can stand left foot high. Neutral Key on Push kill button a couple of seconds Take up slack in kicker NO Throttle! Give a good hard kick ( use weight) It will usually start two- three kicks. Hot: No throttle Good strong kick. Almost always first kick, Fuel/oil Chevron premium (ethonal around here) Motorex full synth 100:1 Dirty plug and a lot harder to start. I run one hotter step plug for this weather (havnt had It in summer yet) Mark

I don't know much about DI (I like the idea, but waiting to see how they work for motorcycle). But regular FI for a 2-stroke works excellent. Current draw for the fuel pump can be pretty low (not that high pressure for non-DI), easy to generate the power. Reliability so far has been excellent, with I think the weak point being connectors. If they are not really good, sealed connectors (full of silicone grease) then problem is likely to show up there I think. currents for sensors are very low, so it doesn't take much resistance to mess if all up. I ride in the mud/rain/wet all the time (rains here from time to time) and the bike runs flawlessly. Never a hiccup. Since they kept the weight super low (163 lbs) there isn't a regular battery. THat means sort of a trick to start. They use a very small batt to chart up a condenser, that powers the injection. Plus it wants a healthy kick. A bit more weight for a proper battery would solve that I think- but it is not an issue for me. I have not measured the current draw for the fuel pump, but I'll bet it is less than the headlamp. I certainly understand all the comments and many I agree with. But the bike is not more expensive than comparable bikes, weighs no more, very reliable and runs perfectly all the time. Idles perfectly from cold, never need to adjust anything and runs really clean. Now...what happens if a component flakes out on a ride? I'm screwed. But I heard all these things when CDI was being introduced (interestingly, the Spanish were among the first to make it work). Now who still uses points? Is FI ready for dirt? I'd say a qualified yes. BUT not every company has it quite down yet, so I'd be careful whet I'd buy. (That from a guy that bought a bike sight unseen, ordering the first 2024 in the country). I like new ideas and I'm willing to try them. I bought a Smart Carb for my KTM (took a bit of fettling, but worked great when all done), I'm buying. A Clake 2 dual system for my OSSA (we will see if it works) So...take anything I say win a grain of salt. But if it doesn't work, I'll certainly say so. Now, I'm almost certainly setting myself up for a breakdown way up in the mountains with my big talk! Mark

Great info on the new easy start! My 2014 starts easily, unless I give it a half hearted kick.

Did the gear lever have return 'spring' before installing the gearbox? Since you are supposed to have it I gear before removing, I assume it should be in gear before reinstalling? Sounds like something slipped out a bit on a shaft to me- but I've never had one of those gearboxes out. So just guessing. Mark

Sorry, sparking plug. I found the stock one ran a bit cold here when doing lots of idling/low speed. I recall the software/cable a lot less than that, but I'll have to find the quote I got. I do know it was way more than I want to spend on a bike still under warranty! Either getting or writing the software would be rather a challenge I think- but such things have been done before. I have a Lotus Elan that I use an application that an enthusiast wrote for the software- but really just reads what is sent. And I'll bet the info was easier to get. Heck, I still can't even get a wiring schematic! But certainly keep us posted on how you do. Mark

I think certainly get the new map and get the TPS set. Doing anything before that seems a bit pointless. Certainly no running issues on my 2014, but it does like a little hotter plug for around here in the cold and wet. I priced the factory software/cables- they are quite expensive. I would buy them if resonably priced- even though I have had no use to adjust anything yet (about 60 hours) Where are you located?

Yes, a plain bearing. I really doubt you can find them anywhere else, and not likely the pins. maybe the seals. If you do, post it up.

Oh. I don't think there is room... Unless the pins are smaller And/or swingarm bored out. Not sure either is a good idea.

The OSSA swingarm/linkage doesn't have 'regular' bearings. They are bushings. Are you sure they are bad? I doubt you can get them anywhere but a dealer. The prices I saw were not out of sight, but not cheap. http://trialstribulations.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_66&products_id=2254

Here is the part number for the KTM plug kit KTM Wash cap set 81212016000 $17 US list

So it looks like to replace that, you need to pull the engine? I don't even see that filter listed in the parts manual.

Is that a fuel filter there? I don't see one in the parts diagram and I wondered if they use one or not.