alan_nc

Group, I rode 7 National AHRMA Trials already this year and they ran my AMA card through a reader at each event. My bet is they still run my AMA card next year - any takers? They have check my AHRMA card and insurance card at each event also. There were maybe 90 of us at Dickson and it took 15 minutes or so to sign up. Shoot, I figure it's a good time to meet everyone and talk for awhile. But whoever said it is right, long lines are never a problem at Trials events - wish they were a little longer. Alan

Woody, Thanks so much for taking the time to respond so fully. I have a 15 tooth front sprocket and 51 tooth rear, which the book I have says should be should be 11/46. I will try and find a smaller front sprocket. The comment on backing off the timing is probably spot on. I have seen the domino throttle and will try to find one of those. Brakes are fine to me so probably won't do anything there. Will look into a longer arm for the clutch cable. Bike usually starts 1st kick when hot and runs well. Alan

Dave, Thanks for the reply. Compression on my 92 is so high that I can stand on the kick start lever. Did someone make a high compression head or piston for this engine? I'll check sprocket teeth - my problem at the moment is that I can't get the bike to go slow enough. Alan

Group, Planning on riding a Model 92 Sherpa T in AHRMA Modern Classic this coming year and have several questions. 1. Carb mods(jetting suggestions) 2. Flywheel mod 3. Clutch/Cable mod 4. Brakes 5. Timing 6. General suggestions Bike already has the electronic ignition. Someone put a lighter 250 flywheel on the bike - do I want to go back?(what flywheels will fit). Do you use stuffer plates? Has a dual plug head with a compression release in one hole - do I want to change this? Anyone going with a second head gasket to lower compression? Do I stay with the AMAL or put a MIK on? Any suggestion on gearing or sprocket size? Do they make a longer lever for the clutch (isn't exactly a 2 finger pull). Do they make a 'slow' acting throttle - just touch the throttle and the front wheel if off the ground. Any modifications that are standard for the brakes - they do seem to work fine. Any and all suggestions appreciated. Thanks in advance. Alan_nc

Biff, There are some pictures of your dad at Dickson posted on the Britbike.com web site. Look under 'Forums' then go down to 'Competition Section'. Gordon Gray who rode with your dad and I put the pictures up with some comments. The ITSA site also has the listing of the winners catagory)/comments in their forum and pictures of the trophies. A fellow that rode with us took a bunch of pictures, both days - as soon as I get a copy I will either post them or send you a copy. So; Is it time to start a thread about Barber Alan

Biff, Well if you haven't talked to him by now - he won a real nice ITSA trophy. Have no idea what happened with the AHRMA points. He was either 3rd or 4th both days - depending on who was going for AHRMA points. I was either 4th or 5th each day, right behind him. We rode together both days. Was European style: 50 sections rated A to E difficulty, you rode 3 rounds of 10 sections each day. He and I rode the D and E sections. Saturday was fairly easy, Sunday got tougher.... maybe because we was wupppped. We both ended up on our butts a couple of times. Alan

Standard Norton or Triumph carb extension fits. I'm using one on my 59 D7 Bantam in competition now. It's a direct bolt-up. I have pictures if you would like. Moves the carb back about 2", seems to have solved my heating problems. I also have a "thermite" (or whatever that stuff is) spacer/gasket on both sides of the extension. Alan

Hi, I'm currently riding a 59 D7 in AHRMA competition in the U.S.. I have made several frame modifications. The rear frame sections (holds seat) has had the rails flipped - have pictures if you want. Also swapped out the front end for a Yamaha unit - was pretty much a straight bolt on, same bearings, just needed a spacer. I have doubled the rear peg mounts and am using them for my mounts - using Honda pegs. Using Honda rear shocks. Biggest help was an electronic ignition - also a very simple installation. Use a gas tank off a 65 since they are narrower. Also have ground off the tripple tree stops for tighter turns. Using a Triumph Cub swing arm, wheel, brake - it's the only way to fit a modern standard trials tire. If I can answer any questions let me know. Alan

Guys, Sorry to barge in: with an off topic, maybe stupid question. Since Montesa is now owned by Honda, shouldn't we be able to buy them at our local Honda Shop? Alan

OOOOOH - Gatlinburg, been there many times. City is the pits but the area around it is just beautiful. Now if you really want to go to a classy joint you need to hit Pigeon Forge. Alan

Biff, I swear that wasn't posted when I looked yesterday - thanks for posting the link. I was supposed to go - but had one of those 'family' things I couldn't avoid. You are going to get beat up more by the TimeShare Salesman than you would if you rode a complete Trial. Hang tough - keep your feet up ,the bull*&^%$ is going to get deep. Alan

So Group, Anyone go to Greenville, TN this past weekend for the ITSA Trials? Didn't see a report on their website. Results and pictures?

AHRMA vs ITSA Please correct me if I'm wrong; My understanding/feeling is that AHRMA is a little easier and older bike friendly than ITSA. If you are riding a bike that is allowed by AHRMA then you will qualify for ITSA with no problem - so why not ride both? ITSA membership is $20.00/year and AHMA/$35 so it's not exactly a deal breaker. And yes, as I have said to AHRMA brass "we in Trials feel like red headed step children", and seem to be treated that way. Me - I just want to ride - don't care what the banner says. Alan

Well I'm not sure if this is the last word: 13.2.4 No major components may be later than 1974 (specifically, engine, frame, gearbox, forks and hubs). Only Modern Classic may use components later than 1974 (but limited to pre-1980). Hydraulically assisted brakes and clutches are prohibited. Your 1986 doesn't seem to fit. Alan

Dave, Not sure how that falls either. Actually it's my understanding that all AHRMA events fall under AMA. That's why you have to be an AMA member to ride an AHRMA event. Like you said - not sure it means anything. Scott; The crowds were great. Cheered at the right time, OHHHHHed at the right time and in my case push started me when I died on the loop road (violation?). Sections 1,2,&3 had people lining the rim for all of the event. I had people stop me in the camping area after the event and ask if we were going to do more. I would say Mid-Ohio was a big plus for AHRMA and specifically for Trials. Alan

Dave, Really don't think it's a matter of "giving up on AHRMA Trials". I think it's more a matter of wanting to make them better, or the best we can. This series of posts is the longest discussion of AHRMA Trials I have seen in over a year - that's a good thing. The more we talk about it, and the more people we can get interested, the better it will be. ...and on another note: Pulled the engine off the Bantam yesterday. Stripped it down, cleaned and adjusted everything, changed fluids - man, ya gotta love the simplicity of a 2 cycle. She fired right up and should be ready for the next outing.

Take note of the Premier Lightweight Expert - He was on one of his dad's Greeves' (and he looked good). Had a chance to ride and talk with Biff quite a bit - really enjoyed it. Hope he made it into some of the TV coverage. Alan

Scott, Sorry, no slight intended on the list of people. The list is just what was on the 'boards' the girls had created. Sure wish we had a forum where everyone involved in AHRMA Trials would post. I understand that we are going to use a different format at Dickson. It's not a big thing, and I'm sure will work fine, but shouldn't the members have some say in how things are run. A place to talk about things like sectiion #3: For a Novice that was a real challenge (one I never solved). I don't mean this as a negative - there should be sections that are demanding. I ment to go back Sat and try to work on it but time got away from me. And.... totally in another direction. Did someone buy the 73 Montesa Cota that the guy wanted $600 for? There were several in the $1200 to $1500 range that were in worse shape. For good or bad, I didn't have that much money with me or I would have had some "splaining" to do to Lucy when I got home. Anyway: Scott, thanks for all you did, enjoyed meeting you (I'm the guy with the red beard on the Bantam). See you at the next one. Alan

Well, I'll try; Names are in order of finish. Names are off a hand written list, hope they are spelled correctly. Beginner Jay Morris David Foley Michael Beard Joe Martin Richard Mott Neil Stone Bryan Asher Bob Dowd James Roberts Tyler Beard Girder Intermediate Warren Kleis Girder Expert Beno Rodi Premier Lightweight Expert Bob Gineder David Knapp Edward Logan Mike Parsley George Kirby Premier Heavy Intermediate Steve Williams Premier Lightweight Novice John Knapp Alan Burgess Premier Lightweight Intermediate Keith Alexander Jeff Smith John Lightfoot Classic Novice Glenn Berry Terry Evans Classic Intermediate Lewis Mayer Dennis Simoes James Foster Jr. Robert Lord Buz Brinig Classic Expert James Smith Modern Classic Intermediate Bob Carpenter William Catogni Royce Klein Gary Hartz Michael Harrington John Rice Jay Cohen Kyle Herron Doug Klein Brian Massengill Lawrence Kok Brent Windland Steve Little Bruce Masek Modern Classic Expert Fred Ellis Tyler Malin Modern Classic Novice Gary Pulver David Perrett Jason Paxton Billy Longley Gary Lingbeck August Haupt Mark Gawel Curt Elliot Rob Thatcher Michael Melniczuk Don Lewis Murray Gray Robert Vannerson Dave Kutsel Nickolas Swider Jeffery Battle Robert Paxton Peter Swider Jeff Angstman Andrew Haupt Norman Hogeveen Charles Jouver III Michael Gontesky Checkers (for points) Malcolm Mason Greg Mason Gene Brown ****With normal disclaimers***** Alan

Dean, Totally agree. The course was set up great. Weather made it a real challenge, but I think we all had a good time. If there was ever any doubt I proved once and for all that I'm not a mud rider. My next AHRMA outing will be Dickson. I sure wish we could get the ear of someone at AHRMA. We seem to be the red headed step children. We're still waiting on results to be posted from 2 months ago. I sent the Mid-Ohio results in on Sunday so I have no idea why they haven't been posted. If anyone sees a time/date/station when the film of the event will be shown please post it. See everyone in a couple of months. Alan

Hummmmm...... Guess those of us that show up may have to do it ourselves - either that or 80 pre-registered folks are going to be pretty mad. I really do wish AHRMA would get it's act together. I have had a great time riding this year but it has been a bit dis-organized. Would be nice if we had just one person in charge of Trials. See everyone in about a week. Alan

Group, Like you Scott, I plan on being at Mid-Ohio sometime before noon on Thursday. Plan to camp at the edge of the woods by the Trials area. Side note: I wasn't complaining about the sections at Marion. I was just noting that I needed to work harder and get some more practice in if I'm going to ride sections like that. Section One at Marion had stakes around two trees (one a left hander, one a right). I look at it, walked it, and said yea..... I can do that . Well I was wrong. 5'd it one time because I stalled, 3'd it the other times as I just couldn't make it through the tight turn. Several guys did clear it and I really think I could now that I have set up the same thing at home and practiced it 20 or 30 times. It really is surprising what you can do once you have tried it a couple of times. Alan

Group, Can we start talking about Mid-Ohio yet? I took a rock through a side case at Marion but have fixed that and am back riding. 95 degrees plus here in NC so I'm getting some heat conditioning while I'm at it. I came back from Marion and changed all the sections in the woods around my house. Made them tighter and put more challenges into each one. Sections there had 8 to 10 different things you had to do where Ocala and Devils Ridge had maybe 3 to 5. Marion had been laid out by Bob Ginder (I think) - anyone have any idea who is laying out Mid-Ohio. You might want to note that there is a discount for registering on-line prior to showing up (for the Mid-Ohio complex). I think you also have to pre-register with AHRMA for the Trials. Alan

Jeff Smith. I think he and Bob (Gindar - maybe spelled wrong) traded bikes for Sat/Sun. AHRMA events always take forever to post results so won't know how everyone did for at least a couple of weeks. I don't know who is setting up the sections at Mid-Ohio, they haven't contacted Bob yet. I think Bob is still planning on doing a two day AHRMA and ITSA event in Dickerson later this summer (it's listed for the last weekend in Sept). I haven't joined ITSA yet but will shortly as I plan to do Greenville. Alan

Don't think Bruce was hurt bad, may have mostly been the heat. Bob and Jeff rode Sunday but I didn't get to ask them what had happened. We got started late again on Sunday and the weather looked real bad. I didn't stay for the awards and still hit heavy rain within 5 miles of Marion. I live in NC, long haul, but was a great weekend. Sat was probably the best riding I have ever done (which really isn't saying much), Sun I couldn't figure out which was the clutch and which was the brake. Have already sent my money in for Mid-Ohio. Now if I can just get some practice in between now and then. Alan