alan bechard

The opportunity to change the current time limit deal is rapidly coming up at the year end meeting. Last year I was the only one I believe that voted against the moveable time limit. I felt rather lonely If it is a concern, make sure you attend the meeting, and maybe two of us will vote against it for 07. I am guessing you are in NC area?

When half a post is serious, and half is sarcasm, and there is no voice inflection, and I don't know you, makes it a little hard to sort out which half is which. Ooops, and I hit post a little to quick, I think I can assure you, that a cloverleaf loop through the area that I am familiar with (TTC) will give you a full measure of trail riding. I think Any loop that Dan lay's in, will challenge the vast majority of us.

I guess you just skipped over the part about the section on the outer part of the leaf. So sure, you could just skip to the next section beside you and miss a section (and at least in our club get an additional 10 points per section missed) but I think most of us would choose to go out and ride that section. I must say though that I was mighty tempted to just take the 10 points for section 6 at our last event

One of the things that we have looked at for different trials is to do a "cloverleaf" type loop, where the loop goes out from a central point, then comes back in for a section, then goes back out etc. You could have say 4 sections right close to the camp, then 4 sections out on the ends of the leaves. While the spectators would not see everything, it would give them time to move from one section to the next beside them (it may be say section 1 too section 3) while the riders are out on the loop and completing #2.

I was thinking recently about world contention, and thinking about similar sports etc. and what it took too get there. I drew the parrallel in my mind of gymnastics and Ice skating. I do not know much at all about those sports, but some thoughts came to mind. The World champions in those sports start training at a very young age. Often times moving to a different location to be closer to a world level coach, and to be around a peer group of similar minded individuals. I believe that many times, these kids are in effect sent to almost a boarding school type atmosphere where the principal focus is on the sport, school work and social life (if any) is stuffed into the blank spaces between practice and training. Again, I am not fully knowledgable, but I believe that the vast majority of the expense is borne by the family and freinds, not by any outside type of sponsorship. There is relatively little financial gain to be had for those folks, I doubt the top gymnast in the world is making what some mid level football or basketball players make. So my thought was that those who were shooting for a world champ, should consider banding together, and establishing this type and level of camp. I think if you had 10 kids, driving each other forward, training full time, with a professional level coach, without outside diversions it would be interesting to see where it went. Throw some freestyle BMX in there with some flatland and some vert and I bet the riding levels would be phenomonal. Well, my kids would not be there, but it is an interesting thought, and something that is happening right at this moment in other sporting disciplines, and is considered the "norm". Somehow, I never see the Trials crowd going that direction though.

Hi 300 Pro, I am guessing that you are in the US, and want a US based supplier. The STRA uses cards printed by a printing company that also does the loop markers etc. They are something like Tyveck or something similar and hold up real well. Brock Sattlemier would be the POC and you could reach him through the STRA website http://setrialsriders.org/6/ubb.x Trials Inc, use very cool printed on site scorecards using specially developed software that also does the tracking, scoring etc. These are printed on a special paper with a plastic layer for weather resistance. I believe this is available through RYP, www.rypusa.com I do not know how many you need or what size your club is but I believe some of the other trials shops had them available as well.

It is funny too me, how folks can take what I CLEARLY wrote, then turn it around. I did not say all European's cheat. (Dabster) What I was making a Point of, and I thought fairly clearly, was, If there is a need to cheat or be unsportsmanlike to win, I would rather not win (nor my kids). Now as to whether it goes on or not,,,,, Give me a break, there was one world level rider on here who told a story about having to ask the observer to help him get the rock off his chest he was carrying when he fell. When I was observing the WR last year launch ramps kept magically appearing,,,, Must have been the Trials Fairies. Is it an accepted part of the game, and will the competitors in the game push the rules to the edge and see how far they can go? Yes, I am probably as guilty as some. But I found it an interesting observation from a fairly uninterested bystander. Was he being diplomatic? I am sure somewhat, but I am also sure he saw something that made him think of this.

There are numerous threads and discussions, even a couple of treds, about US world contenders, it seems to be a fairly constant thought / goal and most here seem to feel it is an admirable goal. I was reading through I believe last months Trials Comp though, and came across something that struck me as very interesting, and I believe an astute and accurate insight. The article was written by Mario Candelone who I am certain has seen more world level riders then I will ever see, this is the gentleman that produces those incredible coffee table books on trials, and I would imagine he is the primary overseas contributor to Trials Comp. I do not believe he has a vested interest in any particular rider or country or brand, so I believe that makes his commentary uniquely unbiased and believable. I apologize that I do not have the direct quote, but the essense was that even though the US guys finished somewhere about 9th, their end result did not truly reflect their riding ability and thier effort, but more their unwillingness to do things like alter the sections and argue with the observors. Basicly, our guys were what we would call good sportsmen, and that cost them. The thought that comes to my mind, and we each look at things from a different perspective (mine happens to be often as a father thinking what I would like to see for or from my children) would I be willing to have my kids be known as bad sports and winners, or good sports and mid pack riders. And the more I think about it, the more I believe for us, it is much more important to be good sports, positive people out having fun, then too be the "champ" and that if I have to trade my sportsmanship to be the "champ" I would rather not be it. Maybe that means I just dont have what it takes to turn my kids into riding champs, and too be honest, if I thought they had to be unsportsmanlike, argue with observers, and do things I consider cheating (such as moving rocks) I think I would just sell the bikes and quit. Fortunately, I think there is an awful lot of room in the trials community for folks that want to go out, have a good time with their freinds, play the game by the rules, and go home with a smile on their face at the end of a good weekend. And Tony, if you are reading this, I still chuckle about when that ribbon somehow got beside my calf while I was spotting and you were observing and you said, Nice move DAAAAAAD.....

While I agree wholeheartedly that you and I both have a choice, and we should have the right to do whatever we want, the problem comes up when MY money, has to pay for YOUR bad choice. I believe you to be in the UK correct? WHO do you think pays to keep that vegetable alive because HE made the choice not to wear a helmet? If we could kick those folks to the curb and let them lay there when they pile it up helmetless, I would be all for it, instead, our society refuses to do that (whether or not that is a good thing is the subject of much debate) and our society (you / me whoever) gets to pay the bill for his choice. Or in the more personal US side of the house, if someone chooses to ride without a helmet on my riding area, and I loose my riding area because of that, was it really fair for him to make that choice that effected me? Oh, yeah, and I must confess, I got a good scolding for driving the CT 70 to the Pavillion helmetless two weeks ago. (and I was just flat wrong for doing it)

Brian Behling's (NATC Prez's) response. "Alan, there were no changes made to any existing classes, e.g., JR or HS. A 125cc class riding the Expert National Line For youth from 12-17 yrs of age was added that's it, that's all. Info about penalties if someone tries to cheat and increase cc's is forthcoming. Regards, Brian"

I am not willing to post what I heard, becuase I heard different things, and not sure which are correct. I recieved two very different stories from two guys I respect greatly. I do not want to post incorrect statements as someone will later come up and say... "YOU SAID" yayayayayay I would hope that the NATC gets thier information put out soon. (I wrote all concerned parties as soon as I had access as well) The facts need to come from the NATC themselves, but I believe some I know may be effected by this, which is why I put the post to contact the NATC and get the straight scoop directly from them.

Here is the NATC page, http://www.natctrials.org/ I imagine that Brian Behling would be who I would write too if you have no club rep. I believe all the manufacturers have a seat at the table as well.

John, is Homer riding Nationals next year (07)? I was thinking of him when the discussion came up and that he would be a likely candidate depending on how the rules worked out. I have recieved mixed information about what was decided at the meeting, from several folks that were there, I have written them and asked for clarification which is why I am not putting it out here. My kids will not be in the National hunt this year so it is academic for me, but I believe it will effect some of the youngsters depending upon what was decided and agreed upon at the NATC meeting. Again, the way to get an answer, if anyone cares, is to contact your NATC rep, or if nothing else Brian off the NATC website.

I just spoke with one of my NATC reps and was told there is more to the 125 changes then was originally posted here. I tried to check it out on the NATC website but it is not yet updated. If you have a youngster that you intend on riding the NATC national series in 07 you need to contact your NATC rep and insure that you understand the appropriate class for your child to ride. I will try and get more details, but there are some pieces of this puzzle that I do not have a grip on yet. Best to check on it with your rep that attended the meeting and get the full story.

Well, surely someone on here is close enough to check out your bike, is there not a local club, riding area, local bike shop (of any sort) with experienced mechanic's? At some point, to figure out exactly what is happening, just need someone with a bit of ride time under their belt to spend 5 minutes on the bike to accurately diagnose what it is and is not doing. With the motor off, and rocking the bike fore and aft, can you shift up through all the gears feeling them engage?

Do you have someone close that could look the bike over for you? I am assuming you are a novice on all fronts when it comes to bikes, is that correct?

The piece welded onto the top is a piece of 1/8" X 3/4" (I think) strapping. Should be something like 3mm X 12mm strap, bent 90, welded neatly both sides, drilled and tapped for the adjuster. It just hangs about 1 1/2 threads, but you lock it in place with the nut (gently) I do not believe that any have failed. You have to open up the pinch bolt hole a bit too. I chose to use heavy duty motorcycle universal cables for front brakes on both the controls, it gives a more positive feel with less stretch. I lube them with Tri Flow. The brakes are effective but just like most drum brakes meticulous set up, cleanliness and attention to detail are very important. Watch, check, insulate, and check again, where you run the cable over top of the engine.

You might put on your profile where you are located and that would help steer you to some assistance. I did the Sherco 50's which is really the same principal, I just added the foot portion. Anyway, not much too it, you could search on the Sherco pages here and find pictures of how I did it. I chose to use Thomaselli levers that were available and had superior leverage. You just need to pick what you are most comfortable, what is easily available too you. You will need to modify slightly the rear drum, the pictures of how I did the sherco's are there, and they use the same assembly. You may end up needing to add an additional return spring in the system. A good set of BMX or Mtn Bike levers would work fine. Or you could get another front brake lever and cable assembly and flip it, that would reduce the needed number of spares. Carefull on your cable routing that you do not route too close to hot components and end up melting housing's into the cable. Not much too it, but sitting down and doing it. I for one felt much better as my child got into the hairier stuff, that he could get to the brakes, after all if we were getting knocked around, and going down hill, and you threw your bike into neuteral, I bet you would want some more brakes as well. Good luck, have fun riding together. OK, trying to use this search feature is like pulling hens teeth. Let me try and attach a picture.

Oh, I thought that was where the flap of skin would be coming from. Hope you heal well Barry in all seriousness, bad deal, but nothing to do but get through it at this point.

Dale, not to sound like a butt or anything, but have you thought about just plugging a 10t front on there and going riding,,, should only cost you a bob, or a squid or whatever you guys use for money... But seriously, front sproket is the cheapest part of that equation, go pick one up, pop it on, drop a link if needed (doubt it) and see how you like it..... You may find it is just fine. And yes, not only does Mark make the finest cactus juice around, he can also divide (but I bet he used a new fangled calculator and not an abbicus)

So give us a hint and rough us up a bit then.....

Seems like what I do now. Figure if you like me or not, you at least know who I am.....

It will be interesting too see how many actually compete in this class.

Pay my bills..... Am I supposed to do that? My Day job. http://www.campbell.army.mil/envdiv/PPOC.htm I like the little PPOC movie, thought that was kind of cool. My evening job (keeping the equipment running for the real BOSS) Actually it is my hobby that let's me have my toys After all, I work for the German Mafia..... http://www.awomanstouch.net/ Oh, and I did an apprenticeship working for my uncle

If you want to pack the head bearings with a zerk, some people will add in PVC or similar fillers into the headstock area so that you do not need to fill the entire cavity with grease. When you get your new wheel bearings, many folks, myself included, reccomend pulling off the lip seals and repacking with a high quality grease (what I do) or with a mixture of grease and antisieze, which some do. You can get a high quality "waterproof" grease in a plastic toothpaste type tube from a boat repair shop. It is really handy to just be able to squirt out what you need. The particular brand I have is Evinrude I believe.