gjbiker

Hi TY, I too run my gassers on a 50:1 mix (as stated in the handbook) without too much coking. Using synthetic helps reduce smoking and coking if you fancy splashing out a few quid more but mineral oil does the same job and is much cheaper. Many folk run a much leaner mix (i.e 80:1) without any problems so I guess it's up to you as to how much of a carbon footprint you want to blow out your exhaust ????? Happy hopping GJ :-)

Excellent idea, nice one Essex Another Blue Peter fan obviously (I once wallpapered a 250 superdream in anaglypta) This could start a craze methinks ?????? GJ

Hi samix, suspension is one of those subjects that could cause many a heated debate, perhaps thats why nobody has replied yet ? When I got my new 280 a couple of months ago the difference in the bounce department between it and my 2002 model was amazing. Why ? Just like ourselves suspension gets tired the more work it does. Perhaps your mates bike hasn't had as much abuse as your own bike? Replacing rear shocks and front fork internals is a pricey affair so your options are limited. A good service of all components front and rear will certainly be a good starting point. Setting up your rebound and damping is dependant on many factors, your weight / riding style etc. If the adjusters don't seem to be making any difference then I would suspect there's something wrong with them. The difference between screwed right in and right out should be VERY noticeable. There are many variables when it comes to suspension, too many for my poor typing skills to deal with here. All I can suggest is keep fiddling until you find what's right for YOU. By all means try copying all the settings on your mates bike but I could almost gaurantee it still wont be the same. This probably hasn't helped you in the slightest, maybe it has ? It's certainly helped me though, I'm now up to more than 4 words a minute on the keyboard ! Happy bouncing. GJ :-)

There shouldn't be any play in your swingarm pivot. Its always hard to diagnose problems without seeing them but it sounds like you need to strip and replace your bushes. If you grab the top of the rear wheel and push and pull in a sideways direction you'll 'feel' just how bad (or good) your bushes are. Even if you cant feel anything, follow Scorpa3's advice and strip and re-grease anyway, then you'll know what to do when they do wear out. GJ :-)

My mates old JTR used to run a NGK BP5ES without any problems. I remember this as he always had a spare taped to handlebars ! Funny how the memory works ? Hope this helps :-) GJ

No offence taken Scorpa3, I love topics like this as we're all very opinionated ! LOL Many peeps will think 50-1 is a bit rich so maybe I can justify my mix with a few personal reasons; I'd rather replace a plug and do a de-coke than replace big end, small end, main bearings, rings etc... I do a lot of top gear road work between my fav practice places... I wont seize my chainsaw when I use the wrong can ! (yeh, its 40-1 but thats another debate) 100ml of oil is easier to judge when doing an emergency mix away from home..... These are MY reasons and not whats written in any book. I dare say I'd use a 100-1 mix to get me home, some lubrication is better than none but in the meantime I'll do what I've always done ! Back to the original question; There's now more than enough data for you to mix your petrol with, as for the manual ? I'm sure someone somewhere has sold their gasser and still has the manual propping up the workbench somewhere? Haven't seen any anywhere, perhaps someone knows of a download somewhere? Enough of my ranting, I'm off to Poland on the bike for a wee spin. Catch y'all for another exciting forum soon....... GJ

I agree that too much is better than not enough, however there's a massive difference between 75:1 and 100:1 (Never mind 50:1)!!!! Surely we can give better advice than that... can't we???? I was only remarking on what I've seen 'advised' elsewhere. As I've stated above I'm following the written documentation of the GG handbook and using 50-1. Whats your advice Scorpa3 ?????????

Thanks guys, a flywheel weight it shall be. Playboy- I dropped you an e-mail regarding your box !!!!! Cheers, GJ

I've not long bought a spanky new, out the crate, 06 280 and it came with a owners handbook ! First time I've ever had one with a trials bike. GG recommend a 50-1 mix using synthetic for the 06, which came as a relief because that's what I'd been using in my old 280 (02 model) which is almost identical in spec. I've seen some sites recommending anything form 50-1 up to 100-1 ! Personally I'd prefer too much to not enough. No doubt everyone has their own opinion but the GG handbook says 50-1 so thats what I'll stick with. I've always used mineral oil in all my other bikes and never had any issues but I reckon my new baby deserves the luxury of synthetic. Again, each to their own I suppose ? Hope this helps ? Gj

Could anyone out there give me some feedback on the difference in engine response between standard, head spaced or flywheel weighted ? I kinda like my 280 as she is but being very novice like I was considering taming her down a bit until I improve my basic skills. Slow action throttle is in the post ! Any advice greatly appreciated, cheers. GJ

I would recommend whatever you get is cheap or free ! If you're growing as quick as my son (15) has in the last couple of years then whatever you get wont fit next month ! Prices are much the same for run of the mill stuff and personally speaking they're all much the same. It's like any other clothes, if YOU like it you'll wear it. Have fun shopping, hope you've been saving !

That is cheap man, there is no other aftermarket supplier because there's no market for it ! Thank your lucky stars it isnt a ktm top end rebuild ..... now that would be expensive !

No offence taken Bikespace ! LOL I'm not a big lad but I have put on a few pounds recently, maybe that'll help ?

I just had to pay

There are air adjustable units out there, try a low setting first (5psi) and see what affect it has. Like gtgasgas says, the unit probably needs rebuilt at that age but trying a bit air first (78% of air is nitrogen anyway) should let you know if it's leaking or not. If you find the correct setting and the seals are good then you could consider filling with pure nitrogen but unless the shocker is working like mad normal air is ok. Just so you know, compressed air (oxygen) and oil have an explosive effect (diesel engine!) thats why pure nitrogen is used. Personally I'd buy a new shocker. Hope this helps ? GJ

Thanks guys, every little piece of info is a great help. I reckon the problem is more fuel than ignition but I'll check the pick up gap anyway. I suppose I'd need to conjure up a clear tube from the bottom of the float bowl to get an acurate float reading ? Any tips ? Head spacer is ordered as is slow action throttle. Cheers GJ

Hey y'all, I always thought my old 280 pro was a bitch to start because of its age and condition but I've just received a spanky new 06 model (saved a small fortune) and it seems to be just the same ! I know its a bit tight even after the running in period but surely it should start first kick when hot? Both bikes start no problem when cold but as soon as they've warmed up they struggle to get going again unless you give them a bit of choke. I've owned numerous bikes throughout my life and they all have their own preference as to how they like to fire up ( no throttle, some throttle etc) but the 280 eludes all my attempts in finding its 'sweet spot'. Anybody else out there have the same problem or is it just my technique ? Thanks in advance for any advice. Cheers.

I just bought a blue 280 and prefer it to my old red one but it's most definitely a personal choice. After a good day out they all end up the same colour anyway, muddy brown !

Thanks for the quick response guys. I did join Bon Accord many years ago but only managed one trial as I knacked my shoulder in practice for the next one ! It's only in the last year I've started to get my confidence back again to try again. My biggest problem seems to be I'm always offshore when the trials are on ! Sods law I suppose. Went to spectate last month at the 2 day pre 65/twinshock at Alvie and I suppose walking between sections has spurred me to actually take part again. Its so much easier on the bike !

Investing in a compressor is the best thing I ever did. There's so many uses other than blowing up tyres that you'll wonder how you ever got by without one. Local classified ads see them from

Greetings from the frozen North. Have looked at this site many times and never took the time to register, daft really as there's a lot of very interesting forums to take part in. Currently falling off a 280 pro and would like to hear from everyone but if I can find someone local to annoy that would be better ! I'm stuck in the middle of Bon Accord and Inverness clubs and have yet to decide which direction to head. Any suggestions ? I have about an acre of field with a few 'obstacles' and (easy) sections in it but it's obviously better to broaden ones horizons if anyone local'ish' has some land to practice on. Visitors to my 'ranch' are always welcome if they fancy a day somewhere different. My son (15) also rides (much better than me) a 125 Sherco and I'd love to see him get into the real thing. My job (offshore) being the biggest drawback when it comes to being home at the right time for getting him to the trials. Anyhooz, I'm here now and I'm a wealth of useless information so feel free to ask as many questions as ya like !