alan bechard

In that case I stongly suggest that you drink large amounts of Mountain water to wet your whistle, or at least provide us some entertainment! Either way, we will be there, with a little something or another in the coolers for everyone that cares.

Atom,,, I have something special just for YOU,,,, well, and Andy, and Kinnell, and Ishy, and heck anyone else that wants a cool sip.... Andy does not like Apple Juice, so I had to get him some clear water looking stuff........... I myself prefer apple juice. Kinnell seemed to like the apple juice in the evening's then some how he said it was not quite so appealing the next morning.... Coffee pot will be on, I should have the E-z up up and the kitchen going Thursday. Pancakes, eggs, etc should be on the menu... Oh,,, you may be able to find an MGD or two in the cooler, but not sure if you have had American Beer before? Some of you darn Feriners (you have to understand southern) may not like it.

Yes you did... NO

I don't have any pictures to post,,,, Hmmmmmm Fat guy at cabin 5, Behind a 16' Sherco Trailer. Somehow I am sure some of you guys will find your way over.

Did the last guy in the line ever throw the package your way or did it drop into oblivion? I also realized I probably did not send you the slickest trick that I should have, a marked squirt bottle to do oil changes with. Send me a PM with your mail again.

Too funny, I too miss some of it, I got off active duty after 6 and am a contractor now. They made Wickham the PT route now. I get to look out my office window when it is pouring down rain and lightning out and watch the guys putting in 4 miles and go, Yep,, It was as stupid as I rememeber! Let us know how it goes, any of those bikes will work well. I try and use the maintenance time to show the kids some stuff about mechanics, often does not work though.

I do not know about the UK, but in Germany, Israel, and Egypt, they used standard pipe. I think it is a world standard. What sometimes works for me is to find the various coupler sleeves, and then things like drain pipe (same OD's different Id's) Over the years being the pack rat I am, have just picked up an assortment of those type pieces, but I must admit, it seems I never have exactly the right one, and end up back at the store buying another. Glad you got it back together.

I had to leave for a while so it died down a bit Been around here since 85 first go round, Came back about 91 and been here since. There are a handful of Trials riders around, but we are rather stealthy. When were you here? I would add that a TY 80 is as solid as a rock, unfortunately it is also about as heavy. I would not be afraid at all of a well maintained one, but think you may find it not the best to start your son on. We went from the Beta 50 to a TY 80 while waiting on our Sherco to come in, and my son about quit riding. The added weight, and the clutch that was tough to pull for a 5/6 year old just took a lot of the fun out of it for him. All the bikes are good, and they all have some faults, I always try and steer people to where they can get some local support and assistance. Have no idea what your local area is like, but it is always nice to have others with the same bikes around. Let me know which way you go, if you do decide to go Sherco, I may have some tips and ideas that will help you along the way. And let me add, they will all take some work, fine tuning, Feddling or whatever you want to call it to make them perform their best.

Well Bubba you must be a fine person then... hoooah.. I sit at Second and Wickham building 5134 Hazardous Materials Control Center for Ft. Campbell.

We had the Beta 50 and then the Sherco 50's (several) I think you will find that they all have their plus and minus's but we were very happy with the Sherco 50 and Dean rode it quite well. I think Chris pretty much nailed it on the GG 50. When I was Youth director for the STRA almost every event one of the GG 50's would not be running. They definetely have the trickest bits on them though. We did a fair number of things to our Sherco's to make them suit us a bit more then stock. I found the same problem that Chris had with the Beta, found ourselves stuck on a hill without enough power to overcome the clutch multiple times. Some people on here have said that the Sherco did not have enough power to suit them, but we never found that to be the case for us. Andy posted some pictures of Dean over on the US board on the 50. The obstacles that he was on were used last year as advanced class obstacles in a local event. Link http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8444 Whatever bike you get, I think the important part is to get out there and ride with your child. I know it has given my kids and I many hours of enjoyment together.

That is actually what the kits do, is give you all the nice different grades of sanpaper down to "paper bag" and some nice finishing polish. The technique works, but for me, I would rather spend my effort trying to find other fenders. Patience is not one of my virtues by any means. Will the kits work, yes, I think the one I had was called Plastic Renu and came with several progressively finer sandpapers. Worth the money? Maybe, but I probably had everything at the house. The basic technique is to just go through progressively finer sandpapers until at some point you are buffing it with a very slightly abrasive grit. To get a nice result will take a good bit of time and patience but can certainly be achieved. Good luck.

I tried them, I would just buy new fenders next time. My time has to be worth a little something.

Flash is a little to low to run in a diesel,,,,, Heard it works just fine in a gas engine though, Chevy is even coming out with a whole line of cars to support it It will clean my injectors I am sure. Heck, I think my Apple Juice cleaned Kinnel's clock last time we were together But I was told to bring more,,, and let them run around town in my truck... Of course Ish sat there looking at us going daft buggers..... Man I am looking forward to seeing everyone.

A properly sized peice of very squarely cut plastic pipe often makes a nice driving tool.

Nope, I am not sure about the upside down part, but can agree it is nothing but a bear at best. I put the spring on without it being hooked over the tensioner first (sitting beside the tensioner, flat on the swingarm, then when I get the bolt into place, take a hook or pair of vice grips and pull the tensioner spring onto the tensioner arm. I was trying to find a better way myself last Saturday.

No blender,,,, Does that cactus juice settle? Oh, and I agree that it provides input for the proposals, part of why I lik to keep these discusion's going, even if I do not agree, I will almost certainly learn something. I guess more accurately what I mean to say, is as a probably too general statement, the folks making the decisions in NATC do not regularly read these boards. You bring the blender, I may have found a spring for a bit of mountain water.

I have not done the Beta one, so I could be well off, but my bet is that it is full of steel wool, or more likely, stainless steel wool. To do the Sherco one's (which to more accurately compare would be to say the front of the Sherco one, we have to cut the muffler in half, then put it back together after cleaning and restuffing. There were some great pictures someone had of an SWM I think that they had made a very nice door for to access this in the future. If you could joggle in a step, then make a nice small door, sealed with high temp RTV, you could go in there and repack as desired. I will say that I would not do the cuastic thing or the burnout thing that much as at some point, you are removing that "steel wool" that is the packing along with the oil and gunk (at least to some degree) You really do not know what you have when you are done as far as remaining wool. I guess you could make a guess by the tone, but I would wonder if it was mine, if I was getting the right results. When I do them, my approach is actually based upon the equipment that I have sitting in the shop, It would certainly not be commercially feasible to do, I would tell you to buy a new one. Oh, and from the picture, the core is steel so you should be fine, but I tried to do a Scorpa one once, and the tube thing was made of aluminum. What a mess, you could not differentiate between shell and core, and I had a heck of a time getting that one back together.

I am not sure if Craig's post is funnier, Or that Lane missed it entirely.... Brian, make up another one of those trophy things for Lane please.

Mark, I am not quite sure how to answer your question. Are there too many classes? Yes, in my opinion but I am not a promoter on the NATC scene, nor do I get to hear directly what is said at the NATC meeting nor do I know the $s that support the series. I implicitly trust that my NATC reps, Dan Brown, Ron Milam (past) and Jim Watson, as well as the riders reps, and manufacturers reps that make up the NATC have the best interest of Trials at heart. I certainly do not agree with all their decisions (open meeting's being one sore sticking point for me) but fully realize that they are making these decisions with more information and input then I have at my disposal. FWIW I firmly believe in the "slippery slope" theory. You have to start from that basis to understand where I see things from. So this year, we add a 125 class, so now, we have "displacement" classes, as well as ability classes and age classes. Next year will we have a 200 class? Can we put in an 80 class so the riders on a smaller bike can be competitive? Why don't we have seperate 250 and 290 classes as they are different.\ How about a 4 stroke class as they make traction differently and hold an advantage / disadvantage depending on what side the fence you are on. While NSAGM will say I am being ridiculous, there are some here who will see (and as a matter of fact have heard the arguments for the things I have mentioned) Again, in some points, I really do not have a dog in this hunt at present. Seems to me that the folks that have vested interest in this are not on here talking about it (with the exception of Ron and maybe someone else I do not realize) Adding the 125 class will not truly effect me for several years to come at best, so, for all I care add it away. Still have not quite got clear what line they will ride, I think it was said somewhere, or maybe there will be a 125 class for all 4 lines. I would put forth that if the proponents of this 125 class want it to fly, they need to have it in a clear, conscise format that it easy to understand and quick and accurate to communicate. What Line it will ride, (or maybe what Lines) Who they would expect to attend / participate would be relevant too me (although I am not sure what the NATC would worry about) What the benefits are to the NATC should be carefully worded out. Saying it is "obvious" and it will make us "World Champs" will not fly. I would also suggest that Trials folks in general do not change courses at the drop of a hat, to suggest a total revamp of the system such as minimizing (halving) of the age classes with the argument that you want to reduce classes, while in the same discussion saying you want to add these additional 1-4 classes will be met with a bit of So, for all this debate on here, and gnashing of teeth, WHO here has spoken with their NATC rep about making this a reality? Oh, and on edit, I think I should get to compete in the National 125 class on a 290 as the lb to CC ratio is about the same as many of these guys on a 125

God Brian I started rolling when I read that. I PCS'd to Germany and brought along my "Sofa", what some may call a Yamaha TY 350 in my 1000 lb allowance of hold baggage. Get to Germany and my hold baggage shows up in a big wooden box. The German movers read it, and I live on the 4th floor attic and say they must put the "sofa" in place before opening the box....... So after arguing unsuccsesfully to get them to open on the ground I sit back and say this should be interesting to watch.... So these guys carry up this box that weighed about 900 lbs up to my room and then took off the sides, I peeled the cardboard from around my "sofa" and they went About three kicks and down the steps I drove.... Did not think about draining gas and such at that point.... That was the start of a lot of fun times riding trials in Germany with the translator dictionary and speaking redneck pigden German....

Mark The problem as I see it with a 125 class is that we already have enough classes. If we start off into classing by displacement as well as ability and age we should just start handing out trophies when folks come in the gate to save a bit of time.. The problem with keeping a kid below 250 (or whatever) is that trials is already a very low turnout type sport, with comparitively few bikes to select from. Let's not exclude ANYONE that wants to compete. I guess I see it like this, we should do everything we can to gain maximum participation, but that being said, we do not need to create more classes to increase this participation, this just get's to be trophy handing out at some point. As it stands now, a child / parent that see's riding a 125 as the right track to go to a European championship has the ability to do just that. We do not need to create a special class for him. Lane, actually, my kid did not raise his hand, and several others did not as well.... I happened to be standing there when you said who wants to be world champion and what I rememember was the kids were more interested in going swimming. How do WE keep Andrew Oldar on a 125? WE don't. Mark know's far more about trials then I and certainly more about what is best and appropriate for his son. FAR be it from me to try and regulate him (or really anyone for that matter) into something that they do not feel is best. And gee, I did not even have to go looking to hard to find a reference to you wanting to increase pressure on the kids..... You posted it for me in this post... Mich Lin Posted Today, 06:16 PM dman makes a good point, Pressure makes champions. I totally agree with this young man on that point. As an old timer who has had a lot of success, let me point out the obvious. Life is choices! Where is that guy that said I keep turning converstaion's away from the valid point that Lane is trying to make? HEY LANE, I GOT IT, YOU WANT TO SEE A 125 YOUTH NATIONAL CLASS. Quit beating it up on this board and go present it yourself to the NATC and convince them it is a good idea. Of course it would probably be helpful if you attended one of their events every now and then. Write Brian and ask if you can attend the meeting, at one point Former National champions were invited I believe. Quit flailing about here, put some of that big time movie money behind what you talk about, come up with an excellent presentation and get the NATC behind you. So you gonna show at the WR or what?

No, we do not agree on the pressure thing as you are dancing around your past statements, not sure if it is a tap or a soft shoe, but given some time I will dig them up and we will look at what was said. As to youngsters striving for excellence.... Man, I look around and see tons of that in the US right at this moment. I think there is an amazing crop of riders coming up that will be challenging the world level ranks as they come of age. I can sit here and think of at least half a dozen that are in that contention and coming on strong, looking for the backing and support that an effort such as that will take. And that is being done under the current system. How many UK youngsters are at the European Championship level? Would you agree that the UK is the trials capital of the world, or maybe Spain? Not sure how to measure. Let's compare ourselves to someone like Germany or France, where do we stand there? Are we improving? I would say 5 years and you will see some American names there in WTC. Of course then Lane you can say that you let out your three secrets so you made it happen.

You have also stated, and I will go find it if you like, that you feel that there needs to be increased pressure on the kids at the YN to help them prepare for the pressures of WR competition. That is something we DIS agree on. I guess as to dropping the ball on supporting the kids maybe I am not doing all I should, but can I ask, what have you done in the past 6 months to support the CA youth team?

Way's to contribute, Take some WR posters and bring them to the bike shops in your area, ask if they can be put up, most bike shops have somewhere for stuff like that, add your info on the bottom on a label or something that say's, contact me if you would like more information about trials. Contact your local trials rider's / club. I believe you said there was no active club in your immediate area, so sounds to me like you, your children, and the other riders that are just starting are the "club" Borrowing a line from Martin, be the Spark Plug to get something going in your local area. Put together a fun ride, offer to host a round (yes, this takes some money, depending on how your club operates) of the local series. Offer to help another local Trialmaster host an event and learn all you can so that when it is your turn in the barrel, you can draw on that experience. Offer to be the Youth Director for your local area. If you have 2 kids riding, That probably gives you a controlling interest in the youth program, Trials people will donate and help any way they can to get more youth riding, it was said here one time that if you left a $20 bill on the sign up table of the local trials you would come back and there would be more money there because folks would think you are trying to raise money, whereas leave that same $20 at the local MX track sign in table. Offer to take the guys that ride the HS or Enduro etc. stuff that you have ridden with in the past and spend some time out in the woods and let them ride your trials bike and see if it interests them. See if you can find some support, and line up to do a demo (organise, not ride) for something good. I still have people talk to me about parades and parties and toy runs that we did 5 years ago. One of the best things that did not work out the way we planned was to do a demo for the Bikers Who Care (local Harley Group) at their Camp Rainbow for severely and terminally ill children. A tip of the hat to Dan Brown and Ray Peters who came up and rode, as well as coordinating with Speed Channel I believe it was and getting them in to film it all. While we Trials riders did not make that episode, The kids of that camp and the BWC and the great work they are doing for those kids did. Go to a local HS / Enduro club and speak about trials and put on a presentation. Elicit their support if you decide to hold an event, trust me, I have never heard a Trialmaster say he has too many people willing to help..... In return, help them man one of their check points or such, or mark their loop on your funny looking bike with no seat. Go to your childs,,, uh, school, brownie troop, boy scout club, YMCA or whatever and speak about trials, show them a movie like Rock Hard or one of Geoffs movies, or this open loop CD promoting the WR. When it is time to do your kids science fair project, tie it into the bikes somehow, my daughters project two years ago was which gas produces the most HP in a motorcycle. She got to run the Dyno and pictures of Trials Bikes were seen by a gazillion folks that went through the school. I do not remember what the Ibsen's did but they did one that involved the bikes as well. Buy some tapes / CD's of trials and lend them out, with the understanding that all too often they are going to just disappear. It will add interest and exposure to the sport. Design a business card that shows the local contacts in your area as well as the other major contacts for trials information such as the importers or such. That is actually a task I should be doing and it keeps slideing down the priority list. Make that a reality. Help us get a simple tri-fold 8.5 X 11 brochure together that we can hand out with USMTA info and something that can be handed out across the US to prospective riders to give them an "in hand" resource to use to find out more info about trials. I am sure there are more, but that should be a start.

Yes, that is why I support the efforts of the USMTA, I think things there are off to a little of a slow start, as many folks efforts are currently on the upcoming WR, but I think USMTA will help to fill in some of the blanks on standardisation that the NATC is not willing to address. But, as with all things in the Trials community, it will be a slow and gradual change, it will not be a "here is my great idea to solve the woes of the Trials world" and everyone just jumps on board. Things I disagree on,,, Your statements to the effect that we need to increase the pressure on the kids to toughen them up for world level competition come to mind. The thought that we need to add another class, and if you will method of differentiating classes in the NATC series. If this makes sense, I see three basic ways of differentiating classes in Trials. Age, or some form based upon age of participants Ability, What most local clubs use for the majority of their classes Machine, this can be done by displacement such as with current MX rules, or is sometimes done by age or era of machine such as AHRMA, ITS, etc. We already have Age and Ability classes in NATC competition, do we really want to throw in the Machine parts as well. Off the what I disagree with you on, and just random thoughts, Trials is a pretty darn small sport, the pieces of the pie as a whole, especially in the US are pretty small. Do we really need to divide it up a whole lot more? I know as I was ordering trophies for my events and I was going three places in each class, and doing the classes for my joint events, that at some point I sat down and said this is ludicrous, I am ordering a larger number of trophies then I reasonably expect to have participants for. A comment that was made somewhere else on this board hit home for me, a youngster (I think) in the UK was talking about how his new bike moved him to the top 5 instead of mid pack, or about 15th or so place. How many local events in the US have 30 riders in a class that you have attended? I for one have been to events where out of 6 classes a 30 rider field was a good turnout. We also get a very warped view of things reading this board. Some start to think that Europe is like the UK is in terms of Trials. I can speak definitevely for Germany, and I believe many of the other European countries are the same, that Trials has no where near the popularity that it has in the UK, and even in the UK, it is not as popular as some would like to make it out too be. This is evidenced by the discussion's regarding Mr. Lampkin and name recognition in his own country. To hear the tale told on the US side of this board Trials would be a household word if we have folks competing at the top levels of the sport, yet I do not believe that to be the case in the UK, and good gravy, how many top folks have they had and for how long? I think trials is a great sport that emphasises skill and control, it promotes family togetherness and gives me some great interactions with my kids and folks that I know and respect. It is a great community that I enjoy being a part of and think it teaches my kids great lessons in life, it constantly amazes me how folks will take the time with my kids when they are struggling or stuck and help them out, talk with them, coach them, and get them going. I saw this time and again last Sunday. That is why we ride. I would love Trials to be a bigger sport, and am doing what I can in a positive manner to promote it and try and increase participation in it. I will not slag off on others, (well except maybe you Lane ) others bikes or others kids in an attempt to show my position. I would like to see Trials grow, but so much of this trash that get's thrown on these boards does nothing to those ends. I respect those folks that go out day after day, week after week and make these things happen, even if I do not particularly agree with the way they are doing it or what they are doing. I know that I have the choice of stepping up to the plate and making it happen myself. That is how those folks got where they are and doing what they are doing, and maybe, after I reach that point, I will see things with view similar to theirs. Hope to see you at the WR Lane, I will be there, probably stuck way out somewere in the back 40, holding my hand up calling rider and spending the days with my son and amazing at the riders abilities. Then in the evening, between catching up with friends that I have not seen in quite a while, and meeting folks off this board and other interesting charachters that are attracted to trials, I will probably be changing toilet paper in the bathrooms and some of the other great tasks that come with lending a hand on putting an event on of this magnitude. Hope to see everyone there!