charlie chitlins

I'm not all OEM anymore. Aftermarket knee. Anybody continue to ride with a new knee? I know some sports are just a no-go.

I've taught many kids how to ride. The biggest mistake is to get a bike they can "grow into." The more they feel in control of the bike...the more they can throw it around...the better they'll feel. Ever notice how kids love to ride bicycles that are way too small for them? This gives them that feeling of total control over it. In general, only step up when the bike is almost comically too small...or when it's really clear that the kid really wants something bigger.

I have a pair of Thor Blitz "ATV" boots. Super stiff, very grippy treaded sole. Too much step at the heel, but a razor knife solves that. IIRC, they were MUCH cheaper than trials boots. They also seem quite small for the size on the tag. My feet are wide with a high instep. These should be a size too big for me, but are very tight. Anybody who buys should try first. I'll try them one of these days (they are my son's, who no longer rides and are almost new). I'm a crappy rider and may prefer the extra protection.

Probably only if you're the original owner. Maybe, though, they'll be helpful with telling the OP how to update/reinforce his.

Yup...my son had one. Difficult bike for beginners. My other son had a 125 Sherco that, surprisingly, wasn't much different. Have to keep it in low gear to keep revs up. I think 4-strokes would be best for kids because of the power delivery, but I guess the makers try to keep the prices accessible and 4T wouldn't help that. But I bet the chassis from that GG 70 with a little Honda XR 80 or 100 would be a great bike. In general, a compression test would tell you if you need top end freshening, not power delivery.

Don't MX boots have a smooth sole? That wouldn't work for me.

In the US, Caswell plating has home kits. Electroless nickel is pretty easy and looks good. He's also very helpful. You won't want to do a frame, but if you farm it out you can save a lot of money polishing and buffing yourself.

C'mon...bark Buster's are perfectly fine...they protect your fingers when you make mistakes while riding in a dress and are a great place to carry your purse ?

Nobody else out there old enough to remember these bikes? Anybody know what oil will help a grabby on/off clutch?

Thanks, Jim! Get me at charlie@camphillkimberton.org I wish I could hang with 3D, but I'm down in PA now...even further away! Fun buncha folks!

Well...there are shafts on both sides of the crank with bits attached to them. Grab one and give it a shake. Main bearing slop can be felt. There may be a bit of side to side, but fore/aft/up/down should be nonexistent. The same is true with the connecting rod, if you get the jug off.

I rode in tall, lace-up work boots for years and used to shave down the step at the heel.

My son had a pair of "dual-sport" boots made by Thor. They were in between trials and MX in terms of flexibility and had hiking boot-type soles, but a bit more open...bit of a stepped heel. Nice boots and probably half the price of trials boots.

Yup. Get it off the ground, grab the fork at the axle and try move it for and aft. For adjustment, find the magic preload spot between slop and drag. If that spot doesn't exist, the bearings are shot, which is pretty unlikely in a steering neck.

Pics would help. I've used many helicoils and timeserts, but there has to be enough metal around the hole and, of course, clear access for a drill. Stuff like JB weld and loctite thread repair are only good for temporary fixes and war times. The thing about timeserts, etc. is, you have a pilot hole. You don't have this if it's welded up unless your welder is very good and can center a carbon rod in the hole.

Store your fuel in a metal can and it lasts much longer.

Trials taught me that I must have some sort of learning disability. I can NOT follow the cards and stay in the section at splits. It's infuriating. I also sometimes think, "ooohh...look at that lovely rock," and ride out of my line. I used to 5 almost every section like this. No chance of me turning pro and only having one line to follow. My answer was, I just did it anyway. Took my 5, smiled and thanked the checkerboard, and on to the next 5. This was very liberating, and I could relax, have fun, and enjoy the camaraderie that is so prevalent in a trial. YMMV.

I always (for probably over 30 years) remove that springy thing and throw it over my left shoulder, for good luck.

Sorry to hear that ethanol isn't only in America. I am a farm mechanic and it's keeping me very busy. For our small machines (and motorcycles) I go to a local small airport and get 100 octane, low lead, ethanol free for $6/gal.

I have done this to straighten bent levers, but never pre-emptively. Interesting idea...

Hey! I'm getting back into trials after a loooong break with an '01 SY 250. I'm a pretty experienced mechanic and used to maintain one for a friend...over 15 years ago! How about some general tips? Best gearbox oil and quantity? Brake/clutch fluid? DOT 4? 5? Anything to know or watch out for? Any help would be appreciated. I'm already liking the idea of not having to service dogbones. You still out there, Reilly? Mike at Tryals shop tells me spares are still in good supply. What's the best deal in tires (tyres) these days? Thanks!

You are a driving champion in Croatia!? That is awesome!! What sort of racing is it? I was in Croatia when I was a boy. 1970! I stayed in Zagreb but often went to a very small village called Lekenik.

Any of the old gang still here? It's been a looooong time. I've been out of the sport and concentrating on music and other endeavors. I'm getting a full knee replacement in a month, so what have I done? Going to pick up a very lightly-used '01 Scorpa this Friday. When I get my knee sorted, I want to ride again. My youngest son is 7 now, and has been up on a 2-wheel pedal bike since a week after his third birthday. He's an amazing mountain bike rider, but I've been holding off on engines...maybe not for too much longer...he's crazy talented.

I have a local dealer. Prices are pretty good and they look the business. Any experience?

Cooooooooooooope! Sometimes the excitement I work up onstage is harder on the knees than trials! And trials doesn't get me home at 3 a.m.!!!