jeff geisen

Please respond here if you can help us staffing our sections this April 16th and 17th. We need the support of the trials community to pull off these two great events at the country's premire trials venue... the fabulous Trials Training Center. Thank you for your consideration of this plea, and even if you wish to work one day, and spectate the other, I will see if I can get your gate fee waived for both days, or possibly free camping. Please let me know your availability as soon as possible.

We will have a Fantic 125 & 250 four stroke in 2005, according to e-mail correspondence I have had with Georgio Tomatis, of the "new Fantic". He instructed me to "spread the word, Fantic is back!"

Kevin; The S.T.R.A. pictures are alright for you to use (you typed SETRA, so I'm thinking thats ours) for your project. I would be intersted to see the finished product. Some of our members have been talking about making a video of "everyman's trials riding", as opposed to the Balancing Act type of riding. Our idea is to have the On Any Sunday type video to show landowners that are considering the use of their property for competition. Also, to promote our club trial last month here, my son took a Sherco 290, and a Sherco 50 to the local Suzuki dealer for a static display a couple weeks before the meet one Saturday. Turns out the trials machines generated so much interest, the owner insisted we leave 'em there through the next week. This was the week before Christmas, and he said his shop always has the best sales, and most people through the doors than any other time of year. We had a television set up next to the bikes, and trials tapes going continuously. We had a poster ther too, with details on the location of the meet, and contact information. We got dozens of calls fron civilians about the trials competition, and it boosted our attendance immeasurably. I only wish we would have had a video to show those people at that shop of club level riders as well, and also some youth trial footage. I wonder if the extreme riding they saw on the screen might have had them thinking we all ride that way , and that they could "never do that". Who really knows. At least alot of people got their first close look at modern trials bikes. David, the shop owner, said the most popular question was, of course, "where's the SEAT!"

That's understandable . He gives those bars quite a workout. We replaced our bars last week, he chose Renthal Kuroyama bend, while I'm running robust Dominoes. Good thing, 'cause I planted mine a couple of times Saturday, and no bending!

Hey, Doc... my son is no small child. I did not mention his age or size in the original post. Expert rider, 24 years of age, 6'4'', 240lbs. The terrain we ride is available to see in photos on the S.T.R.A. homepage, http://setrialsriders.org click Cartersville-banquet photos.

In my opinion, no one beats R.Y.P. in the online information department. We use the check list off the site that Bill Ibsen provided. An easy to follow drill to use on your maintenance schedule. These things might be easily overlooked without this list. Thank you Ryan and Bill.

Thanks, Gaff... although my son and I both ran Renthalls before "the break" happened, we have gone different ways with replacement bars. He is buying more Lamkin bend Renthalls. I, on the other hand will spend my hard earned bucks on a pair (why do we call them bars, or pairs of bars, there is just ONE bar bent to shape) of robust Dominos. The Doms were on my 99 Sherco as standard equipment, and are still in service, after hitting the ground more times than I can number. After a close exam with my new magnifying glass, no stress crackin' to be seen. I can be comfortable and secure without having the most expesive bar(s) on my ride. Besides, that Renhall bar pad should fit the new bar(s) nicely!

Wayne, I respect your opinion, but I did not know that the tapered bars were able to work on the late Paioli fork crown. I'm likely to move to expert this season, and will be planting the bars often, and need the strongest bars I can get. The Hebos are the same cost as Renthalls, plus the expense of the clamps. I could buy the Hebo set-up, or two pair of Tommassellis, and have change.

Hey, Doc... I'm thankful to God that we did'nt need the services of any of your contemporarys. He is shook up, but in a good way. I will tell you that we have ordered new handlebars, and will not ride till the new ones are PROPERLY installed. I've invested a few bucks in a magnifying glass, and we will use it often to detect stress marks on handlebars in the future. I had taken a 5 on a previous section that day, and bent my Renthalls on the right side down, and a bit forward. Planned on slipping the throttle and lever off, and sliding a bar over and pulling them back to where they should be. After Ian's experience, those suckers are getting cut in two and recycled, so NOBODY can ever use 'em again.

Hey Brian... that blood at the T.T.C. WAS red... but I've had a transfusion since then. Type S positive!

My son's handlebars broke Sunday while riding very difficult sections. We were hammering expert lines at the site of our club trial last month. We were halfway through our "second loop", and I had ridden through the trap first. After passing through the end gate, I glanced back to watch Ian come through. but he waved me back to the start gates. When I got around to where he was, he was holding the whole right side of his Renthals, connected to the motorcycle by only the throttle cable and brake line! Luckily, he was doing some small front wheel hops while waiting for me to ride through. If the bars had broken anywhere else, especially in the sections, the results would have most likely been horrific. The bars broke right at the clamp. and of course the crossbrace broke off as well, just don't know which was first. Anyway, either heard or was told that a rule of thumb was to change handlebars every year. These Renthals gave no indication that they were going to fail-no cracking, creaking or any other clue! Scary , you know what I mean?

Kevin; There are some older photos you might be able to use on our club's site... http://setrialsriders.org

We use Suzuki Bike Wash... best product yet, available at any Suzuki Dealer.

TFT... Having a tough enough time recruiting help on my own continent! If I could, I would Too Fast. If you can figure out a way to stow away, and you get yourself to the southeast U.S. coast, contact me and I will see what I can do!

Thank you Mark. If you can let me know, as your schedule allows, which day you will be riding, I'll know which day to pencil you in on. Bless your bones, brother!