zippy

So true, I rode my first US national in Ohio just this past June, on the first day just before entering section 4 (there were 12 sections and a semi-lengthy loop) a small tree that was just the right height to catch on my shift lever did just that. The tree fit between the shift lever and the engine as I was pulling forward, thus bending the shift lever about 170 degrees and then snapping it off. AH!! but I was smart and brought a spare, but I was stupid and the spare was back in the pits. I was stuck in second gear for the rest of the loop. Second worked great in the sections but was very slow on the trail. I got passed a few times too.

hhhmmmmmm, think I will stay with the stock ally skidplate. At least that is what the missus is telling me.

Don't care about the weight just want sparks everytime I hit a rock. Night time trials??? that would just be the dog's B*****ks as they say across the pond. (gosh I hope I got that phrase right) Wonder what the cost would be?

Is titanium the stuff that sparks real nicely when it hits a rock? That would be too cool to have a skid plate made out of that stuff. sparks everywhere.

Paul I just turned 34 a couple weeks back, think the arteries are about 85. Did not ride TN, I rode my first national in OH rode the Sportsman class. And had a blast. I had a few too many sections that scored like this though..........5-0-5. Wish I was more consistant, but if I was it probably would be 5-5-5. Gotta agree that in the heat the best that can be done is to hydrate. Starting the day before is not a bad idea either.

Formula for disaster = Zippy + one beer. I am toasted after just one. Low tolerance but on the bright side a cheap date! Maybe if my minder would have slipped some beer in with the propel this last weekend in Ohio I would have been looser and actually opened up the throttle and made s few more of the steps.

I have the same routine for every event day. morning of event 2 cups coffee. During trip to event drink Mt. Dew, stop at McDonald's get greasy breakfast sandwich with deep fried hashbowns and a coke. During event drink propel and water like fish. No food until trip home from event. Usually greasy fast food. For practice days. Ride until stupid (usually takes 2 minutes or less) Ride some more, drink a bunch. Ride some more and fall over when body shuts down. Twist ankle, heal up and ride some more. Listen to wife tell you how much of an idiot you can be. Or is this just the way things work for me. Now that I mention it sure don't sound too healthy does it?

Must agree that was a ton of fun. First national for me and had a blast. Thanks to all that worked on the event. Them PRO guys are just awesome. No idea how they found traction where they did. Hey Biff, Nobody can finish at the bottom of the pack like TEAM WGASA.................with a huge smile. How's your head dude?

OK on the surface I like the idea of "no minder". I have said before that if the rider at the WTC level does not know where his own rear tire is than he has no business riding at that level. Good things minders do: Fix bikes------The rider is just that the rider, all other motor sports have the "pilot" and mechanics. carry fluids----The rider gets thirsty, sounds good to me. Keeps the riders' spirits up-------This is what coaches do in other sports. They probably do alot of other good things. But the gardening, blocking view of observer etc. is just poor sportmanship. Especially when the observers are volunteers. OK keep the minder but "Only rider is allowed in the section" As for severity of sections: lower the severity or have designated "catchers" Maybe we should concentrate on the observers and giving them a better incentive than being able to see world level riders and their minders try to "cheat" their way through a section. Just my 2 cents.

Trials folk buy brand new bike for approx. $6000 US and have no problem throwing it into a pile of rocks, down a hill, into a tree, etc..

I don't think I have MavTV, but this sounds like a great thing for US trials, hopefully this will help the sport grow.

AAwww poo! Let's see um go up that stuff. Going down is easy, gravity does all the work for ya! wait what did you say OH you have to stay on the bike. Well that is altogether different then. No more seriously those guys are nuts! I can't get past the fact that some were actually pedaling on the way down to speed up!!!!

A rather generous coating of the insides with Beer! You choose if I mean the grips or the stomach.

Weather is looking like 84 F and sunny no rain. Dry but hot. I will be aquiring my rebuild kit Sunday morning and rebuilding before the trial. No pressure.

Biff Let out your "inner Redneck" and attach them like I do. A layer or two of electrical tape, slosh some gas in the grip and slide it on the bars and throttle. Almost never move again.

When my socks get old I have to loan them to my friends so I can get new ones. Hey Biff you gonna forget your socks on Sunday? I know a guy that has a Beta and had to get 60 stitches in his shin from the foot peg. Them Beta's is blood thirsty.

My 2000 has the same problem, the rear fender has been trimmed and the mounting screw for the fender and bottom of gas tank starts at an angle, I also had to drill a hole just above the stock hole for the top mounting screw, it ended up being a slotted hole but works well enough. I always blamed the poor fit on the fact that the previous owner had a big crash and broke the frame piece that comes off the shock mount and the 2 rear holes for the fender attach. This was welded back in place and I assumed it was just a little off. I run 93 octane pump gas, not sure what previous owner ran. Maybe my next step is BIG HAMMER!!

How's this for cool http://killacycle.com/ Be sure to have the sound on for the videos farther down the page. reason for edit I finally got the link to work or I am computer illiterate You choose.

I found an O-ring that fits in place of the outer seal and cobbled it back together. Should work until I get the proper rebuild kit. Love that twine and duct tape!!

EVERYBODY JOIN IN!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISTER BIFF HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU Hey biff just imagine it's Marilyn Monroe singing Have fun with the new bike

I need to rebuild my AJP front brake master cylinder before sunday morning. It is on a 2000 sherco 2.9. The master is the "new style" with the fluid exit at the bottom rear of the master (toward rider). I can definately get a kit for the "old style". Will the kit for the "old style" fit in the "new style" master? What are the differences? Both have a 9.5 mm bore. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Thanks Ham2. I thought that I had heard that later models were geared higher. That would take some getting used to for me, the 2000 2.9's first gear is like a tractor. I do think that 1st gear is underestimated in what can be done in it, but I have heard a couple people mention that if they wind out first gear and get in a little goofy situation and need a little more out of the bike that first gear don't have anymore to give. That could very well be true or maybe that comes down to technique and riding style. Not sure.

Hey don't we have some guy named Patrick Smage that fits the last part of that statement? I looked at the results from the France world round and the overall standings and saw that Patrick is holding 5th place for the season. That is awesome to have someone from the US in the World Trials Championship, but the really cool part is I can say "I watched that guy ride at a TI event in Ohio once!" As far as preregistering a month in advance, the fees, and safety requirements (man and machine), it all boils down to all those requirements are clearly posted at the NATC site and if you wanna play (ride) you gotta follow da' rules. True, this is my first national attempt also, but the NATC is around to organize national events not hold your hand and make sure your boss let's you go out and play. There was a reference to Lane earlier in the thread, you could always make the same choice he made and work and ride those same 2 days. If you do that then you could boast about how great you are and that there are only 2 people in the US that did this magnificent feat of working and riding the national at the same time. Just my 2 cents worth (but most people would say I owe them 2 cents just for wasting their time.)

I also have entered my first national, (Ohio) not sure how busy work will be but the group I work with are very good about covering for each other if someone in the group has plans. (not everyone has that benefit). But, I am very excited about going. I believe there is a procedure for entry fee refund. If I remember correctly that if you registered befor the "late date" you will get a full refund for the rider, the minder fee I think is non-refundable. If I am wrong I am sure someone more experienced in the nationals would have the correct information.

LOVE THAT STELLA WEBSITE Lots o fun