joekarter

If the other ideas don't do it, make sure all the carb vent tubes are clear and not pinched.

Didn't mean to imply that I've not been allowed to ride with Ahrma, I'm sure I would be. Like I said, I've ridden my Rev3 with another group and had a blast. My question really, is that I've been considering getting a second bike just to ride vintage stuff with and to have in case a friend would like to try out trials. I raced MX pretty much throughout the 70's and 80's and rode about a year of trials on an OSSA in '79 and '80, so I'm pretty familiar with older bike and spanish stuff in particular. My thoughts though, are that I'd really rather have a TY350 than the older stuff just because they're more plentiful (read cheaper) and I wouldn't feel the need to be as careful with it. A number of years ago I restored a vintage Elsinore and, while it turned out very cool looking, I was so afraid of breaking it that I really didn't enjoy it. Anyhow, it just seems with that in both trials and MX, the '80s bikes are getting old enough to start being included in the vintage scene. To me anyway, the point is to encourage folks to continue riding and having fun with bikes (even if they can't afford the newest stuff, or the $5000 restoration.

I've not ridden with them, only another vintage group on my modern bike in the "just for fun class" Do I detect an opinion or two that they may be slightly less than open minded?

Has there been any discussion about including aircooled monoshocks in the program?

No sweat, glad to help, you're gonna love the reeds anyway. In mine they made the bike much more forgiving of mistakes (and lord knows in my case that's a great idea). Once you have the manifold on and before you attach the carb take your thinnest feeler gauge and see if you can slide it between the manifold and the reed block. On mine I could get a .002 (not sure how many stones that is ) between the two and it was just enough to cause all sorts of wierdness. Have fun Joe

Sounds like an air leak. I have three suggestions for things to try. Squirt some soapy water around where the ignition wires enter while the bike is turning over. If you have a main seal leak on that side you'll see bubbles as the crankcase presurizes. If that doesn't do it try the same trick around the reed block area. On mine I have to run a gasket with on both sides of the reed cage (there is normally not one on the manifold side) and use sealant or I have air leaks. Check for chipped, frayed, or reeds that don't close. Hope this helps Joe

I think it's exceptionally cool that we have a team making the effort! Way to go folks and thanks for representing us. Joe

The pieces that you are talking about are inserts that go into each side of a spherical bearing that is pressed into each end of the shock. They are a very slight press fit but are really a pain to get out without a blind bearing puller. Here in the States you can buy a lower cost set of the pullers from Rocky Mountain ATV and the cost is about what replacing the spacers is if you try some um.....creative ways to get them out. (and yes I know this from experiance). As to your original question, I think it's mainly a function of the leverage ratios and the geometry of the bike. I've noticed that folks that have quite a bit of experinace and have the technique down pat can hop a Rev3 about as well as any other bike. But, newbees (and old farts like me), seem to have a much easier time of it on other brands. http://www.rockymountainatv.com/productDet...dFamilyId=20342

I'm in the middle of doing a top end job on my 200 rev3 and noticed that my magnetic pickup tool is attracted to the inside of the cylinder. I did a search and found that some of the 200s had a steel liner, so I'm betting that's what's on mine as well. My questions are: Am I correct or does whatever they are coating the cylinders with have ferrous properties? (it's not really obvious just looking if it's a liner or not) I also read that there is an overbore piston available, does anyone know what size it is? Thanks a bunch Joe

I know from discussions I've had in the past that the manufactures and industry folks look at forums a lot more than most of us are aware of. Discussions like this just might sway a corporate decision maker to fund a trials bike project that might have died somewhere along the line for a perceived lack of interest. I know for me, this discussion has given me some ideas for the next time I help set up a trials, and for ways that I might be able to help promote the sport. Along those lines, I've noticed that the spectators, and potentially new riders, are much more enthused when at least a fair amount of the sections are near the staging area. Not always possible, but definetly something to consider, especially with the beginner/novice sections where turning is more important than big ups.

Very cool. I rode for a bit with a club in Tucson in the late 70's, and the two day events were always the most fun and best attended. Tough on Mondays though

Please don't misunderstand, these are exactly the reasons I love being involved in this sport. I have scars and metal hardware o-plenty from my motocross years and your couldn't be more dead on with the comments on karting (and I go back to the dinosaur days in that sport ). The problem though is more one of perception and access, not for those of us who have been around the sport currently or in the past, but for total newbees. Taking motocross as an example, while those of us in the sport both know that buying a used MX bike (especially one of the four strokes) is the entry point to LOTs of spending, beginners see only the up-front costs. In our local area, there are currently two 2003 trials bikes on Craigslist for an average cost of $2,800. At the same time there are a gaggle of MX bikes in the same section for significantly less money. Do I think they're a better buy...nope, but I think for trials to grow we somehow need to be able get the word out to folks "looking for something to do" about how great the sport is, how less often they'll be visiting the emergency room (my wife has threatened divorce the next time ) and how much longer the investment they make is going to remain competitive. One of the things that I think would help to no end would be more exposure in the mainstream motorcycle magazines. While we in the sport dig up information about new bikes, riding gear, and information about events via forums like this or from friends who actually were there, MX, Enduro, Cross Country, and Dual Sport have an outlet right there on the grocery shelves every month. How cool would it be to open up the next copy of Dirt Bike and read about the kid from your trials club who just finished second at the nationals? I think Scorpa going under is a shame on so many levels (especially for the workers and owners involved) but it really looks from the outside to be a case of lost opportunity. While I know a number of folks disagree I for one thought the bikes were great looking, seemed to work as well as any other bike, and had a least the perception of being bullet proof due to the Yamaha engine. I've wondered from the first time I saw one though why there was no partnering with Yamaha on ads or flooring of the bikes (or maybe just colored brochures) in selected Yamaha shops. I know for me at least, it would have been a big incentive for buying a Scorpa if I knew I could walk into my local shop and order the thingy I just broke. Just some thoughts.....but to answer the original question of growing or dying, my take is currently stable, but not nearly at the level it could be.

I'm not sure about folks competing at the nationals, but I think the sport has two issues that are really holding it back in America. The first is cost. While the bikes today are really unbelievable and well worth the asking price when you look at the technology, they simply cost too much to attract a wider base on the entry level side. And, because of the small size of the trials community, there is a scarcity of used bikes that keeps that option high priced as well. I'm really hoping the success of the economy models that GG and Sherco sold earlier this summer, opens some eyes to the marketability of a less expensive model. The second issue relates to the importer/dealer/parts and accessories supply issues. I've talked with a number of folks who attempted to come to the sport from other hobbies, and were amazed at what most of us go through to find a bike and then buy the parts and accessories to keep it running. Very different from say motocross or karting. All that said, the trials community is a great bunch and the folks involved on the business side are undoubtably doing the best they can with what I'm sure is a very difficult situation.

I voted for Obama yesterday, watched last night, and was thrilled with the outcome. I thought his speech afterward was right on target, and that McCains consession speech was as classy as it gets. Will it be one big bed of roses....bet not. But I will say that I haven't seen this much enthusiasm for an election in a long, long time.

It sounds like you and I have the same kinda foot. I have a pair of Novagars and while not the best made boot, they do fit very well

This company makes a really nice spark arrestor for your bike and is one of the truely nice guys involved with trials. http://www.bkceng.com/cycle_products/cycle_index.htm

They all seem to do this to varying degrees. "If" you can find one for your model chain, one solution is to install a half-link in the chain or another whole link if the snail adjuster is rotated so the axle is in the way forward location. Another solution (and especially if you're planning on lots of trail riding) would be to install a one-tooth smaller rear sprocket. This'll get the wheel back more in the adjustment range. As for the rubber flap, I make my own out of 1/8" rubber sheet (I think that's about 18 stone in England ) and just use the old one as a template.

It's cool. Not that it's gonna happen, but it sure would be nice if the trials bike companies would get together and standardize some of the consumable parts like the fenders so the aftermarket would see enough volume to make cheaper alternatives. And I wish we'd send people to Mars so we could get first hand pictures of the little green men that are hiding just on the other side of the camera.

Thanks guys. I was just about to rip into mine to figure out this exact thing. One of mine is pretending to be the Exxon Valdiz

Not sure if they have them in stock but you might want to try these folks: http://www.mxsouth.com/acerbis/acerbis-fen...ront-fender.htm Otherwise they're on the Acerbis site at: http://www.acerbis.com/p149_universal/16400.html Joe

Here in the US the parts situation is a bit "challenging" (especially if you're used to motocross ). You'll find that unlike most things these days, there is no (or not that I've found) brand specific click and buy sites for trials bikes here in the States. For Beta stuff I've had good luck with the importer (Beta USA) and our local shop here in Arizona, (Hard Rock Trials). For more generic items The Tryals Shop, Lewisport, and Ryan Young have both been very helpful. For what it's worth, Acerbis makes an aftermarket one that's probably a bit cheaper and if it's like the rest of their plastics, a bit more durable.

Had the same problem using Maxima. Went away with a switch to Motul 2T gearbox oil. Good stuff!

I have an 06 200 that made the same type of noise. Mine ended up being a bad main bearing on the ignition side of the bike, not to the point of failure but when I pulled it out it looked over-heated and had a noticible thunk when you spun it. From the posts I've seen I don't think this is a one-off problem and I'm betting Beta got hold of a batch of marginal bearings about the time my bike was built. As for a cost of repair (just in case that's what it is) you'd be looking at about $100-150 US in parts. As for time, between taking everything apart (I think they sit the engine of a Beta on a bench and build the bike around it ) fixing the problem, and putting it all back together I had about 16-20 hours total in the job. As an aside I got a good look at everything in mine and every other part looks virtually brand new, not bad given there's probobly about 50 hours on the bike. Have fun and enjoy the ride if you get it. Joe

With all credit to my daughter, 'cause she thinks like me. Joe Little Carol came into the kitchen where her mother was making dinner. Her birthday was coming up and she thought this was a good time to tell her mother what she wanted. "Mom, I want a new Honda for my birthday, my bike sucks. "Now, Little Carol was a bit of a troublemaker. She had gotten into trouble at school and at home. Carol's mother asked her if she thought she deserved to get a something as expensive as a new motorcycle for her birthday. Little Carol, of course, thought she did. Carol's mother, being a Christian woman, wanted her to reflect on her behavior over the last year, and write a letter to God and tell him why she deserved a bike for her birthday. Little Carol stomped up the steps to her room and sat down to write God a letter. LETTER 1: Dear God: I have been a very good girl this year and I would like a bike for my birthday. Preferably a Honda. Your friend, Carol Carol knew this wasn't true. She had not been a very good girl this year, so she tore up the letter and started over. LETTER 2: Dear God: This is your friend Carol. I have been a pretty good girl this year, and I would like a new Honda for my birthday. Thank you, Carol Carol knew this wasn't true either. She tore up the letter and started again. LETTER 3: Dear God: I know I haven't been a good girl this year. I am very sorry. I will be a good girl if you just send me a new Honda for my birthday. Thank you, Carol Carol knew, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get her a bike. By now, she was very upset. She went downstairs and told her mother she wanted to go to church. Carol's mother thought her plan had worked because Carol looked very sad. "Just be home in time for dinner," her mother said. Carol walked down the street to the church and up to the altar. She looked around to see if anyone was there. She picked up a statue of the Virgin Mary, slipped it under her jacket and ran out of the church, down the street, into her house, and up to her room. She shut the door and sat down and wrote her letter to God. LETTER 4: I GOT YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE. Signed, YOU KNOW WHO

Hey there. Name's Joe and I live in Northern Arizona in the USA. Rode about a season of trials on an Ossa about 25 years ago, and promised myself I'd someday give it another whirl. Just managed to find a really nice 04 Montesa, and once I get some of the wrinkles out, I'll be on my way. Appreciate the great site.....it's already helped me not make a mistake on several bikes I was looking at. Joe