alan bechard

Now that is funny.... Hey Andy, could you add a little guy rolling around on the floor laughing his rear off to the Clickable smilies? Seems with Beave around I just need it more and more.

I would suggest leaving the little "spacer" piece out that keeps you from squishing out the rim band. I have used slime as lubricant, but mine is currently installed using the lubricant to install Tire ballz, without the little spacer piece and has held for several months. Just be careful that you do not crank down on the nut when you install the valve stem. For what it is worth, as others have said, it just get's easier the more you do it. I know I struggled and tried a million different things to get the dang things to go in place when starting to fool with them. I spent a day in the Sherco world round pits and watched all the top guys do them and it is just a matter of technique and practice.

http://www.etcycles.com/ Contact Les direct and he will have the latest that they are doing on the little GG's. He is running a couple of them I believe. I seem to remember grinding the bottom of the slide, and changing to a different needle or something, but I have slept once since doing those so my memory is more than hazy. I would also very likely suspect that they have developed more and better info then when I was playing with them.

It would be worth calling Rooster Killian and talking to him a bit about it and writing it all down. Doug and I did the carbs, we had a couple that we were swapping around back and forth with different slides etc. I know that one of the setups we had worked best on Christina's and the other one worked better on Ben's but I cannot remember which one got the basicly "stock" unit and which got the cut / modified unit. I will try and remember to ask Rooster next time I see him what all he remembers about it.

But will you let it all be text talk so us old guys cannot understand it?

OK Lane, here is a thought for you. You want a US world champion right? I assume you want an overall champion right? Not just a 125 world Champ but top dog, numero uno, the big Kahuna right. You say that switching between bikes is tough and it takes different skills and techniques right? OK, so following this logic, lets require that all youngsters riding National level sections must ride on full displacement machines so that they are doing the logical step to progress towards the World Championship title that you (oh yeah, I mean WE) desire..... For those of you reading along.... THIS IS A JOKE, I can see it now, the beave, submitting to the NATC, that Alan Bechard wants to make all youth riders be required to ride large displacement machines. Of course, Ringo, the official, unofficial, Hawaiian shirt wearing, dingle ball trouser toting ATA president will have to carry the official word forward as Lane will be too busy hanging with Arnie, reminiscing over where they were in 74....... AGAIN, FOR those of you reading along, THIS WHOLE POST IS A JOKE, maybe a bit tounge in cheek, but a choke,,, oh, I mean JOKE

Charlie, yours is very much played with, and I do not remember at this point which carb / slide ended up on yours. We did a fair amount of slide cutting / jet swapping etc. between the 80's. If I remember right Charlie yours ended up with a pretty stock carb set up but I believe it had a shortened barrel and several other mods. I would suggest contacting Les Mizell regarding setting up those 80's. He has done a number of them and had the carb slide cutting info on his site at one point. Not sure if they are still doing those mod's or not, it has been several years since I was playing with them. If he is somewhat recovered from the Hurricanes it is www.etcycles.com I believe.

So now you want to further subdivide a class that just got divided this year? I am assuming that there will be an age limit on the 125 class and they will be riding sportsman lines in your proposal? Come on folks, how far do you want to slice this pie down too????? Whats next, we have a 125 left hand kickstart and 125 right hand kick start but we allow 175 Scorpa's in on the line because they are 4 strokes? And this builds competiton and drives us towards a world Championship? So Lane, as you like to remind us of Bernie all the time, was this the line of progression that he took to greatness? I am off to grab Bernie's book and look for those 125 shots. Ohhh,, and on edit, I forgot, we have somewhat of a progression to the playoffs now, it is a requirement that you ride at least Advanced class in your local club prior to riding the Nationals. It is just that some folks in thier own interest tend to overlook this rule when signing up for nationals.

Make certain that it is your fork seals leaking and not the small blue plastic caps in the tops of the forks and they are bleeding oil down the tubes and appears that the seals are leaking. Get an old piece of 35 mm film and use it as a scraper / wiper and wipe out any trash, pop up your dust boots first, rinse out with copious amounts of your favorite weasel stuff, then slide the negative around to clean the seal area. Take the forks off and do an oil change through the top caps and make sure it is rinsed well. Triple check those little blue caps and o-rings.

Hi Ringo...

Get a piece of glass and some fine sandpaper and lap the two halves to insure they are not warped. Lay the sandpaper on the glass, then smoothly sand the caliper half over it checking your contact points util the entire face is touching and smooth. If I was working that problem I would suggest a couple of things First, does the fluid continue to leak? When you rebuild one, there is always a little residual in there, and I know several time's I have looked down there and thought it was leaking when I was actually looking at residual fluid. I will assume that it is sitting there dripping or such and that you have cleaned it with brake cleaner or such and it continues to leak and the fluid level is dropping. Second, they make o-rings in both different diameters, and cross sectional diameters. I would suggest getting with a good O-ring supplier in your area and finding one with a slightly larger cross section diameter. Third, I would insure that I had changed the copper / aluminum washers on the banjo fittings. Sometimes it is tough to trace down those leaks and they are actually coming from somewhere other then where you expect. These can be the worst to troubleshoot because they give all the indications of being one problem, and you replace it, and the problem still exists. Get it real, real, real clean and dry, then a light coat of baby powder can sometimes help track a difficult to find leak. (Obviously some of this may not apply to your situation, but I am sitting a continent away)

As I had not seen this answer yet, I wrote to Brian Behling who can be contacted off http://www.natctrials.org/ and asked him. The policies that were in place last time I tried to go are still in place. One representative from each club, diplomats, Importers, top riders are etc. If you want to propose something to the NATC, you need to do it by working through one of your representatives, or become the representative for your club.

Very clean, Ruby flux, quality solder, little solder pot made from a 1/2" copper pipe cap, make sure that you have any adjusters, ends etc installed prior to soldering on the end. Sharp dykes, put the ferrule through and then fray the ends just a bit to help hold it mechanicly. Measure twice, cut once,,,,, I cut it off three times and it is still too short comes to mind at times. Make certain that you have all the cable ends, ferrules, caps etc seated properly when doing your measuring. Inline adjusters are very very nice if you are trying to hit first shot without a pattern. Everything firmly grabbed on the bench with magnets, vice, clamps or something,,,, Nothing quite as exciting as knocking the torch over off the table in a shop as small as mine.

Alan, could you please think of the "nationals" as you would the playoffs for any other sport, would you not admit the number one seed gets an easy game, VS 12 seed? Yeah, a time or two at some point (give you there are flukes) best 2 teams usually play off for champ, right? Again, why would everyone think the Club Level riders have to adopt this Nationals policy, local clubs produce usually Expert riders or better, that want or desire to be the cream of the crop competition ALA---> NATIONAL competition. This is not the Novice Riders, never has been AFAIK. Even the Utecups were for Semi expert or above was it not? (been a while for me going to one, and that was as spectator many years ago) yeah a Amature level rider could enter at his own peril... And much like you have submitted if your kid is likely to compete at nationals in the 125cc class, you'd prolly be having him ride 125cc bikes, NO? Yeah I can see your pooint, maybe there needs to be a NOVICE "nationals for the rest of us"? Where us novice amature and intermediat/advanced riders ride agains the rest of the country's nov-ama-int riders? Sorry, but somehow, at this time that is NOT what is being discussed, least I dont think so, when we're talking about the Nationals? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sting What I was trying to do, was to put it into a perspective that other folks could relate too. Obviously, with you I missed totally. I am not saying have an amatuer nationals. I am saying put yourself in the place of the people that would be affected and see if you would like riding that format of a trials. As to your reference to pro sports, there is a progression there to get to the playoffs, last time I checked we do not have to progress through our local ranks to show up and ride a national, let's see, in any class we want, even the pro class. Seems to me that the proponent of this idea was the one that proved that point even though it is somewhat spelled out in the NATC rules.

So Lane, have you guys implemented this in ATA or whoever you ride with and how is it working out there? For you guys following along at home. Put this a bit into perspective and put yourself in the picture. Imagine if you will that you are an Advanced rider. You drove 4 hours to the event. You now unload your bike and you are going to ride a 15 section two loop trials, 5 of the sections are novice lines, 5 are Intermediates and 5 are advanced level sections. Then if you did well, we are going to have you ride another 5 sections after this is over that are expert level sections (to push your level up) to determine the class winner...... Does that sound like fun too you? Turn it around now, the guy that you have been coaxing into coming out riding is going to join you on the trip.. He rides those same 15 sections that you rode except he is at his level on the first 5, over his head and potentially hurt on the next 5 and looks at you as though you just sprouted horns and a third eye when you get to the final 5 sections. I am sure this was an enjoyable day for him... Now, Lets figure you live next to me here in TN, and I have convinced you to drive 18 hours straight through with me to NY / TX you pick the locale,,,,, How do you think that will work? Lane it did not fly because it did not pass the common sense test. I was told that it was presented, discussed briefly and moved on from as there were very apparent problems to those in attendance. Implement it at the ATA, prove it a success and repropose it yourself to the NATC next round.

Duct Tape,, There is an excellent video tape out by the NATC that Brian Behling I believe put together showing the scoring rules. It covers the situations you describe pretty well, showing them with guys on the bikes. Someone in your local club hopefully has this and will lend it too you. Rabie laid it out pretty well also but I thought I would add a bit to maybe help clarify it. Backing up, skidplating, stopped, while it seems very straight forward when watching the video and talking about it, when actually on the bike and bouncing about etc the line can get pretty gray. I was speaking to an observer from the World round Saturday night and that was one of the things he said as well, he had watched the DVD and saw where some riders got a "break" because the observer was in a blind spot at the moment or such and it is definetely hard to always see everything. One of the recurring themes of the NATC scoring video and something I stress to folks observing for me, is that you must give the rider the benefit of the doubt. They have the video stuff in football etc. but the short version is that we just have to go with what we see at the moment as observers. The 10 point rule for missing a section. The idea here is that you should not be able to just skip out on parts or loops of a trials. At the level of fun it is not that big of a deal, however as the seriousness of the competition increases, it comes more into play. Let's say you have a 5 mile loop, there are 7 sections fairly close too the camp, section 4 and 6 are within 100 yards of each other, but to get to section 5 is one mile out and one mile back of really rugged trail. Now, section 5 is drop down killer hard, has this wall in there that you could never make it over in practice and the odds of getting through it with the ribbons up are slim and none and slim left on vacation. Would you be tempted to "miss that section"? Sometimes people want to blow by a section that has a line at it and just skip it, that would also be missing a section. And yes, often times if it is too difficult, folks will wheel in and kill it and recieve a 5. I believe that the current rules say that you must make an attempt but that can be interperted very differently. As to the "do you quit once you have made a 5" that answer varies on the situation, the scoring stops, but often times I will ride out the rest of the section, particularly on the first lap to get the "feel" of the rest of the obstacles, or the experience of riding it out if you will. Of course if there is something dangerous past there that I was not comfortable with, I would pull out the side and call it a day. You will see a little of both going on at an event, but a little more finishing it out early in the day, and a little less towards the end of the day. Keep the questions comeing, if we are not providing clear enough answers, let us try and explain it again.

My short point is,,,,, Even if we made that class. I doubt people would ride it. And it opens a whole nother can of worms.

By your own proposal though, Cody would still not be riding a 125 because he is riding above a support line. Will Ibsen is riding above the support line. Patrick is riding above the support line. So what you are suggesting, is that these guys, move down to sections of less difficulty to compete against each other. I think you would find some opposition to this as well. And when the competitor goes back to his home turf in something other than a national, are they going to have to come up with a 125 class in their local event, or will he then need to ride a full size bike to be competitive.... thereby defeating exactly what you are trying to solve. And as to the previous things you say, Yes, it is below the bar. Do not try and play it off as being an American. "We also lack a national pride and fighting sprit for some reason", You need to move out of California and come hang out with me for a while. Do not run your mouth like you speak for everyone becuase you certainly do not. You put forth plans with big holes in them that are half baked and not fully thought out then everyone that disagrees with them you say they don't like kids or love Jesus and their feet smell.

So, as I play along I find myself more confused...... What class would it be? Pro, Expert, ES, Support, High school that would have the 125 line? As I do not believe Cody and Patrick (the 2 that you mentioned) are competing in the same class at present. (Craig, correct me if I am wrong) Are you suggesting that there be a 125 class in each class? I guess, in ten words or less, could you tell me what class this 125 thing is supposed to be for and an example of some riders who would compete in it?

What stops them from training and competing on the 125 now if you feel that is an advantage? Honestly, realisticly, How many American kids are going to go compete the European 125 championship? 2 I would think, 3 or 4 Plausibly, I would be amazed if 5 competed it in any particular year. I would think, as I believe Ishy has said elsewhere, that if I felt my son or daughter would benefit from riding only a 125, that is what I would keep them on. I think it best to leave the class "Open" to get as many possible competitors in the class as possible. I believe that the challenge, camraderie, whatever it is that comes with having more participation outweighs any possible benefits to the 2 or 3 potential riders that would compete in Europe. The folks that will compete at that level, will rise to the challenge and make the right decisions for their advancement without manipulation of the classes.

Well, Bagger was down here close to the Ocoee this summer, I imagine he got trained up....

Well, I will try this, with trepidation. In a clear concise manner, what are the "Pro's" of the 125 class?

www.rypusa.com Ryan has a very trick set of little bushing and bearing tools made just for the sherco's. One of them is a precision drift that reaches in and sits on the land of the spacer tube, drives the first side bearing out in a flash. Makes this task very easy. https://secure.rypusa.com/prodpage.cfm?cat_...d=96&startrow=1 Heating and cooling are also a big help as well, but I usually just reach in and pop them out and tap the replacements back in at room temperature unless they are extremely tight.

Well, maybe my information is dated then. 2 or 3 years ago, I requested, through my club president (Ron Milam) that I be allowed to attend the meeting, that I would pay my own way of course, and that I would of course not have a vote nor a "say" at the meeting. It was an effort on my part to better understand the players, the relationships, and in short to help me develop my understanding of national level trials in the US. My request was forwarded on promptly to Brian Behling who responded that only club reps, diplomats, Importers (and there are a couple of others but you get the point) are able to attend. There is only one rep allowed from any club, although someone could say go as an importer and someone from the same club could go as the "club rep". I was told in no uncertain terms from Mr. Behling that I was not welcome to attend the meeting, and would be refused entrance if I was not there as the official club representative. The 2 clubs that I belong to (STRA and TI) have excellent representatives that attend the meetings. There is no way that I would want to represent either club in either capacity because I do not have the background, knowledge or experience that these representatives have. However, it does not make sense to me, to not encourage others to attend so that they may better understand the system and the workings of the NATC should the need arise to have a different representative. I believe that it is still the NATC stance that outsiders are not allowed to attend the meeting, much less present or participate in the meeting. If this has changed, or you are speaking as the official representative of the NATC, that would be interesting news and a change from the former stance. I was told, and have worked as directed, to put forth any proposals, ideas, discussions through my club representatives who have brought them forward at the NATC meetings as our representative. Thanks for taking the time and updating us on this change of status within the NATC.

Well Ron, I will step up and tell you as I guess you feel I am Unless you have replaced Brian, or the rules have changed in the last year or two, you cannot simply "attend" and "present" at the NATC meeting. So, clarify this for me, are you saying that the NATC now has open meetings that anyone that wishes to attend may? Thanks for clarifying this. In the meantime I will work to support and promote the USMTA and it's efforts to make trials grow.