ianj

Hi, Having worn the press bib at trials many a time I have to say I always used flash. Even on the brightest of days. Positioning is crucial to avoid causing problems for the riders and for the most part trials photographers are aware of this, only the most arrogant will cause problems. In general I think you won't get very many complaints from the riders. Generally, if the flash is in line of sight for the rider then it will be a problem, otherwise not. At TT Races and so on I can only assume it's much more of a safety issue that flash is frowned upon. At worst, at a trial you might get a complaint from a rider.....at a TT you might get a death. Big difference and quite rightly so. PS. Flash is usually used even on bright days to 'fill-in' shadows. Ian.

Hi, I don't really want to comment on the "rumour".......but just to say I think it's really great to see participation in the forums from the UK importers.....the more the merrier. Have a great 2005 and beyond. Ian.

Cheers all.....good info. One more question, any ideas where to purchase in the UK? Ian.

Hi all, A pal wants to use my Keihin carb on his 290 Sherco (2002). Any ideas on jet/needle sizes? The carb was originally jetted for a 1999 Mont. Ian.

Excuse to go to pub lodged & accepted by the bird. Deemed acceptable. Seat at the bar duly booked. Have a nice one yourself, Ian.

.....I ordered the trials-tv Duluth DVD a week or so ago.....can't wait to see it........Dang Ishy, stop it would you, I had clean forgot about it until you mentioned....... Ian.

http://www.fanticmotor.it/intro/intro2.htm

Hi all, Being a soundman I can share this:- It takes twice the wattage (power amps) to increase by 3dB. A change of 10dB is perceived as 'twice as loud'. Each doubling of the distance between the sound source and the measuring device (or you!) will result in a 6dB drop. All those dB levels you mention were probably at the statutory 1 metre distance and I doubt JonH was at 1 metre distance. Ian.

Hi, The new Nokia's have a sound meter (SPL meter) built in.....as well as an electronic compass. The drummer in our band has one.......WHY!...I'll never know...but it was fun playing with it trying to break it with 10k worth of Nexo PA blasting right at it.....:-) Also has a Calorie counter, thermometer, flashlight, radio......oh!, and it also works as a phone believe it or not! PS. In saying that, I don't believe JonH's story anyway. Photos please? Ian.

Hi, My opinion:- Trials is a simple sport.....with simple, lightweight bikes. So unless 4T's offer a "significant" advantage of 2T's in the sections over the coming years.......or 2T's are wholly 'banned'.........then they'll be around for a long while yet. Me? I'd rather have the simplicity of a 2T than have a whole load more mechanics and electronics to worry about................at the moment anyway! Ian.

Hi, UPDATE:- My pal was tempted to keep the bike and decided to give it another week to think about it......try starting it every day and just see how it responded. Well, it's DEFINITELY going back now......he was out in the shed the other night and tried to start it up......the kick start broke off. I hereby put forward my pal's 2005 GasGas 300 Pro for "Lemon of the year".........applause pls..........thankyou. Ian.

Andy, I met him at Goldendale........you SURE you wanna meet him? I saw the bugger getting chased out of every section I saw him at.......and I'm sure he purposely positioned himself directly opposite all press photographers just to get "in the shot". Ringo, if you think hard enough, do you actually remember seeing any bikes that day? And what about getting told off by Codina in the Press room for making too much hilarity & noise! Your pal from Scotland, Ian.

Hi, I work in the oil industry and put electronics and computers in all sorts of outdoor situations, from 50deg deserts to the -40deg icy conditions elsewhere all around the globe. It has always worried me that such electronics on the Honda 4T will cause problems. Ok, Amos finished the Scott but you can bet his bike was specially prepared/sealed for the conditions. If it wasn't, and it was "standard" then by god!......well done & good on them! However, put the same bike in the hands of Joe Public for 6 months and I'm not sure what will happen. Costly problems? For me the Sherco looks a better bet at the moment. Ian.

Hi all, Aye!......I'll be at Hawkstone.....and Italy the week before. Yabadabadoooooo! Ian.

Hi all, According to FIM website it's Hawkstone next year.........31st July.

Yes, an official dealer.

Hi all, UPDATE:- My mate has decided he doesn't want the bike anymore.......along with the "easy one minute/hard the next" serious starting problems he also says he can't get to grips with the ride compared to his old Sherco. He's stopped riding it and is due to swap/sell it soon. Personally, I like the bike to ride better than the 290 Sherco.....same power, but I liked the ride better. A taste thing I guess. I think it's a sad day for GasGas......I think they have quality control and/or design problems with the 2005 bikes if this whole episode is any measure. I'm obviously not the first to hear/read/experience the starting problem issues and when I do get around to buying a new bike again I will be seriously put off buying GasGas because of all this. A pity! Ian.

My bike.....recently sold.

Hi all, Steve Colley is correct. Marc Colomer to right of Codina is correct. But who is the middle pic (it's not Tarres), and who's that to the left of Codina? Ian.

Hi all, Ok, for those that have seen these three photos before please DON'T spoil it for the others.......otherwise, any guess's? Ian.

Flabbergasted:- Dealer kicks bike over......bike starts straight away. Runs around garden no problem. Ran it for 10 minutes, never missed a beat. Stopped it, started it...you name it....never missed a beat. Gonna try it every night this week, failing that we hit the hill again this weekend.......if it stops again miles from nowhere we're gonna bury it there and then and take up snooker or something. Ian.

Hi, I contacted Jon Stoodly (GG USA website)....and his first guess based on my symptoms is an electrical fault, loose wire or broken insulation under the tank somewhere, or the kill switch. He reckons faults in the electrical system are extremely rare. I did fiddle with the kill switch so I don't think it's that. I did briefly look at the wires/connections under the tank but didn't see anything. I think the dealer will be getting involved now......I'll have to check with my mate tonight, he was gonna call them. PS. Didn't want to swap carbs on the hill......but we wanted to try anything/everything rather than push the bike a couple mile through dense forest.....which we ended up doing! Ian. UPDATE: The dealer is in the shed with the bike right now.....update to follow.

Update:- Bike seemed to run perfect around driveway, and although it's a bugger to start (we did report to dealer) we hit the hill today..........What a disaster! Rode the bike from van up to riding area (5 minutes through forest area), and two minutes after riding a section on flat level ground the bike just plain stopped. It just cut out. Kick, after kick, after kick, it would not start. It might fire for a second or two but would not "run". Took plug out and it seemed dry. Checked for spark and it seems strong enough, although must say that light kicks don't always result in a spark. Tried again and same thing. Took plug out again and again it seemed dry.....fueling problems maybe? Checked all the usual for blockages and also tried tapping the float bowl incase it was stuck. No joy. Tried another carb on the bike right there and then on the hill......it would start and actually rev up once for about 5 seconds then just die as if the ignition had completely packed in or carb suddenly went completely dry. Plug was wet. Note: on removal of old carb it was noticed that it was full of fuel.....so petrol is getting to the bowl. Tried another plug, and with the original carb......no difference, same problems. What a load of B*****ks......this is a brand spanking new 2005 GasGas. It's done less than 15 minutes total running time. The owner is getting very p****d off, especially after having to push it all the way back to the van.......he's gonna call the dealer tomorrow. My thinking the stator/cdi is knackered. Note: Just as a reminder, the bike has always been very hard to start from since it was first delivered. Will only start with a really hard kick and after kicking it between 10 and 20 times. Tried allsorts after letting it dry out like ckoke, no choke, throttle, no throttle..........there is something wrong with this bike. Ian.

Hi all, Cheers all......great info! One other thing, he says when he hits a step or a steep bank the bike will kind of die for a second before it recovers. Again, I haven't seen this in action, but he says all his other bikes never did this. Ideas? Ian.

Mates new GG 2005 300 problems starting.......any ideas? End up kicking it over and over till it starts. Haven't been to see it myself, just wondered if this is normal, and any standard remedy. Ian.