spenser

I have heard from someone I trust that one of the few things that will remain unchanged is the handlebars. Beta is amazing at keeping secrets (remember the 4t rollout). Spencer

I found that it's easiest to remove the clutch assembly and do the job on a work bench. Play close attention to the finger height once assembled as this will greatly affect both the feel and effectiveness of the clutch. We also used an oversized master cylinder from the enduro bike that made the clutch action lighter as well. Finger height and clutch pack thickness dimensions can be found at various sites but try trialspartsusa.com for lots of good info. Spencer

I tried about 5 different needle and jet combinations before getting ours settled; I'm curious as to what you ended up with for the carb settings? Spencer

On balance, the tread was not "hi-jacked", the pros and cons of modifying the exhaust system on the bike were given in a fair way. The issue of noise is very real in motorsports and may not have occurred to darrensn when started this topic, but he appears to have given thought to all of the replies posted, and done what the majority of us club riders would have done. Spencer

I would bet that they are the same fork used on the Gasgas Pro models. Go to TrialsPartsUSA where you can find the fork breakdown and oil levels (not quantity). The rebound leg has a cartridge in it that will not drain unless disassembled and is a mess to refill and reassemble. Hope that this is useful Spencer

You may want to try the Gasgas 125 Pro Racing with the 225cc kit; it is amazing. Spencer

If you are reasonably handy the seal job isn't that bad. As to the fork oil weight issue, I would be more tempted to fit heavier springs to compensate (I don't know the stone/kilo/pounds conversions) as this should help to maintain the montesa "sofa" like ride. Spencer

You get what you pay for. There is no getting around the golden rule. I would prefer to buy a product that is made in a country that has environmental regulations, provides safe working conditions and pays a living wage. Spencer

The difference between sounding awesome and being obnoxious is a fine line to tread. Spencer

My apologies to the Canadian Importer, he has contacted me and said that he does in fact have a plug (I shouldn't rely on the word of others when making such public statements) Spencer

I didn't realize at the time you were a "local". I was told that the S3 kit was developed with input from Wiggy and his Dad. Now S3 seems to make high quality equipment and by looking at the new cylinder they are probably the ones making the OEM cylinders for GasGas. We have had the conversion on for a few months now with no problems (except to pry it out of the hands of others that try it) and my girlfriend doesn't hold back on the throttle during the Britannia Beach 2500 foot climbs (it is her bike) so no reasons to second guess the longevity in my mind. Keep the rubber side down Spencer

We found that the 225 Racing was lighter than the 250, doesn't have quite the same torque curve but revs to the moon. Jetting makes all the difference; it can be into a monster if you like that sort of response in an engine. We had many riders in our local club try ours and all liked it better than the 250, only one rider on a Raga 250 couldn't decide. As per my previous post we added some goodies that lightened it even more that the stock 2007 125 Racing that we used as a base bike. It can't be overstated how light it is. Spencer

The impellor is threaded onto the shaft, it will unthread if spun the correct way and strip the threads out if forced the other way. If the threads are stripped out, it is a good idea to change the shaft and seal as a set (the shaft gets grooved). Spencer

I have wondered, does the 200 feel lighter than the 250/270? Spencer

We managed to con the only 225 kit out of Adrian at Lewisport USA and fitted it to a 2007 125 Racing. Installation was a snap, jetting took a bit of fiddling but we are Very happy with the results. The engine has lots of torque, revs like mad and is probably around 140 pounds. We have let a few riders at our local club try the bike and it is universally loved. The jetting can be a bit tricky as we tried to get away from the hard mid range hit and smooth out the power transition to mimic the 2007 250 as closely as possible, it required a needle change and fairly specific pilot and main sizing. (We also added ti footpegs and header pipe to achieve the low weight) The only other work to the engine was a flywheel weight, this helped as well and I may be working out a way to add a bit more weight to smooth out the power. Hope this helps Spencer

I wish it was that easy, here in Canada our importer doesn't have the plugs, nor does the distributor or regular auto/motorcyle supply houses. It looks like we may have to import the plugs from the USA or a European supplier; any suggestions? (cross-references etc.) Spencer

I have a friend over here in Squamish, B.C. Canada that Has experienced the same problem when he removed the restricter plate from the throttle body. The bike that he has is a 2008 and more than likely a Euro-spec bike. The local distributor has not been able to offer any advice except to say that "The electronic fuel injection takes care of everything so it shouldn't do that". Any advice would be helpfull to all. Spencer

Just to give everyone a heads up. The Canadian Pacific Trails Association (CPTA) will be having their next trial in Squamish B.C. at one of the riding areas of the Howe Sound Trials Riders Association. The ride will be on Aug 24th, 2008 with the sign-in at 9:00 am on the pegs at 10:00 am. Their will be two loops through the Crumpit Woods riding area, one for junior and intermediate the other for the advanced and experts, both featuring dirt, the occasional log and copious amounts of the famous Squamish granite. This is a points event so the normal trophys are on offer, but we also have a very generous group of supporters so we have a draw at the awards ceremony to give away the swag. Directions will be easy as we put up signs on the highway that can't be missed as you are coming into town. For additional info, post here and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Spencer Fitschen Clerk of the course

They list in US dollars from Lewisports was $925.00, we also added a flywheel weight that cost about $95.00.

My two cents. Being a 210 lb advanced rider and having owned 321s, 280s and 300s I have settled on the 280. Perfect torque and can rev cleaner than a 300. We have been building 250 Ragas in Canada for a couple of years and they are wonderful too. Just to add one more option to the list is our newest project; a 125 racing with a 225cc cylinder from S3 (super light with plenty of power). Trying to find the magic formula changes every year as the manufacturers make subtle changes to the porting etc. that make each year unique as well. Good luck. Spencer

I beleive that the Ohlins came on the Ragas and the 2006 models. The adjustment on the shock is for rebound and the spring can be adjusted for pre-load. I read somewhere that the compression is internally adjusted proportionally to the rebound setting but can't verify that. The feel of the Ohlins v Sachs is personal; both are very good I don't think that you can say that one is better than the other. Changing the oil in the front forks: the compression side (left) is not too bad, just go by the manual; the rebound (right) is a very messy affair as you have to fill the cartridge before you install it back into the fork. The only way to fill the forks is by the measurement method. I hope that this helps a bit. Spencer

Go by the sight glass, I believe that the measured amount is closer to 450ml than the 550ml stated in the manual. Spencer

I would agree with Jenkinsm on the power delivery. To me the 300 (I've owned a couple) has too much torque and does't rev as cleanly as the 280. I have gone back to the 280 for my new bike (a 2008) and am very happy. The bike rides diferently in many ways that my 05, 06 or 07 but is a real treat. Spencer

What year is your txt280? The clutch plate fibre material in the earlier Pro models had a tendancy to swell when hot making shifting sometimes impossible. Also make sure that you haven't run low on hydraulic oil. Spencer

I think that you are gutsy to buy a Raga for a first bike but what a friend of mine in Vancouver did was put a 250cc can on a new Raga which created on of the nicest rides around. It is certainly worth thinking about. Spencer