chris falcon

I could probably do with riding it for a week or two to make me keen to get back to my own bike, never understand why people make life as hard as poss for them selves : ) Cheers Chris

Thanks for that James, it is as I imagined and from hearing from one or two that have riden a Jotagas. I have a 9 front sprocket and a 42 rear on my 300 and am thinking of changing that to a 44, I also fitted a head spacer to cool it a little more. I love the bike but I get the feeling when riding it, that it could take me in to a whole lot of trouble in an instant : ) I will try to get a ride on a Jatagas in the near future, I just love the look of them for sure.. Chris

Why what bike does he have? : )

Thanks for the reply, I would be interested in trying the Beta but my 1st bike was an 03 rev3 and I did not like it at all. Chris

Hi Guys, I would appreciate any advice given on this subject. I am giving serious thought to buying a Jotagas, my currant bike is Gas Gas txt pro 300. What is the power ratio like for different size engines available in comparison to the Gasser, my 300 had to be tamed quite a lot for me to handle. Many thanks Chris

Hi, I'm sure you will get addicted once you get started, I can't help you with the value of the Montesa but the Stevenstone MCC is in your area and they are a great bunch. Chris

Well today I attended the Cumberland county MCC new years day trial at Nord Vue farm, this being only my 4th trial (and 2 of those were in 2011) I was a little apprehensive. The venue was unbelievable and the weather kind, after a shaky start mostly due to nerves I got around OK and even got better on each lap. I think the organisers got the sections spot on, just challenging enough to make me work but nothing over the top. A great day with a bunch of nice people in great surroundings, I came away wanting more and not ready to give in and take up Knitting, so it must have been right. A huge thanks to all involved, Can't wait till the next event. Chris

Thats great John, we will see you on Sunday for sure. My lad came with me and rode around while I did the trial on boxing day, just not ready for the clubman sections yet but very keen. Chris

Hi John, that sounds like a great day for the kids, can none members come along as it would be just the ticket for my 11 year old lad. I wish clubs would do more for young riders who are not ready for full trials, just to get them used to the events and give them some practice. Chris

A very Merry Christmas to all, looking forward to our boxing day trial tomorrow. Chris

Well not just today but over the last few weeks, replaced all the needle bearings in the rear shock assembly, not gas gas ones. Replaced the 3 metal screws that hold the rear mud guard on with plastic number plate nuts and bolts, fitted a head spacer and new O-rings. Fitted a new rear sprocket changing from 40 to 42 teeth, new brake pads front and back and serviced both callipers. Cleaned the carb and filter, removed and greased just about every bolt on the bike. If only this wet weather would improve I may start to ride it and stop messing, looking forward to the boxing day trial so I can get it all dirty and chucked about the place as it should be : ) Chris

As thats_a_ five say´s, It sounds very much like the bolt has been placed crossed in the drain hole threads, if it had stripped the threads you would not be able to get the bolt to tighten and would just turn continuously. My sons Beta 50 had stripped threads in the oil sump drain, a friend used an helicoil kit to replace the thread in just minutes and the result was perfect. If you are unable to re-start the bolt on its true path in the threads it may be the way to go, but I would think it possible to get the bolt running true again with effort.

Great to see young lads having a lot of fun and riding trials bikes, good video too some good editing together.

Cheers guys, thanks for your input. The mistake I made is attaching the coolant hose to the top of the head before placing the head back on the cylinder, this made it hard to place the head carefully in position. The stupid thing is I thought at the time " I wonder if those O-rings have moved?", but did not check and got kicked for it. I put the bike back together today without the spacer and its running perfect again, I have a new spacer coming and will fit that next week some time. I use the Blue Hylomar on the top of the Cylinder and it was perfect, just an even smear worked great. Chris

Hi Matt, the standard is 4ld for rear and 6ld for front, thats what I use all year. Chris

Mystery now solved, the inner O-ring had slipped when installing the head : ( This of course has damaged the spacer and wrecked the O-ring, oh well lesson learned. I had smeared the rings with silicon grease to help hold them in place but still!! Just wait for the new spacer and rings to come now and fit without ring slip this time : / Thanks for the help guys. Chris

Many thanks for the reply s guys, the noise does not connect to the engine revs. It is a constant rhythmic buzz - buzz - buzz almost like an alarm? it seems to be coming from the black plastic, sealed unit that is held in place by a thick rubber strap above the radiator. I find it hard to understand what could have changed to cause this? nothing other than the head was removed and the compression is high as it is still a pig to kick over. Chris

I have just fitted a head spacer to my TXT 300, did all that I should have, replacing the 2 O-rings and putting gasket goo on the top of the cylinder before adding the spacer. All went well and I tightened the head bolts gradually and evenly until they were at the required torque, put the bike back together and started the engine, Then I got an intermittent buzzing noise coming from under the petrol tank? I removed the tank and could find no obvious problem, started the bike again and got the same Buzz buzz sound almost like an alarm? Any one have a clue what this is? Chris

Just fitted the HK1520-2RS bearings to the dog bone of my TXT 300, went in easy and a much better job than the Gas Gas supplied ones I put in my son's TXT 80 last week. Not having to mess with the seals as well makes it quicker, the bearings inside are more robust so should last longer. Chris

I have to say a big thanks to all who gave me tips on this, tried the rocking back in gear technique this morning and it was perfect. Just put the bike in 2nd gear and rock back just a little until the back wheel locked, then just pulled the clutch in and kicked the bike. 10 times in a row with 1st time start each time, also very easy to kick with little effort. Much appreciated advise that has worked perfect, no worries about being stuck in a ditch kicking for life with no result now. Chris

Many thanks for the promt reply's, I will try all ideas tomorrow, last thing I naad is to be stuck down a hole on a trial and not be able to restart the beast. Has any one with a 300 tried the low compresstion head insert? if so how did effect the bikes performance? My last bike was a 2008 280cc, it started every time with no trouble at all and maybe not quite as much compresstion as the 300 but close. Chris

Hi Guys, just got my new bike at the weekend, a 2010 TXT 300 in great nick with no real hard rinding done on it. The problem is this... starting it is a complete pig! it has very high compression as it would have but I can kick it till I am wrecked and not even fire? Then with the same kick later it fires up fine, once running it is brill and so much power : ) But after 40 kicks to start it 3 times is gets very boring, any ideas would be a help. Chris

Many thanks to all who replied to my thread, I have now found a good few links to possible club events with your help. Got my new (2010) gas gas 300 delivered on sunday, my son his spending 3 to 4 hours every day on his TXT 80 so we are up and running. Chris

There seem to be many more bike clubs around than I thought, looking forward to seeing some trials and joining in. I have 13 acres of ground on my doorstep, there is a bank side running along its length from 20 feet to 50 feet high. I will try to get some guys to come and try it out as I am sure it could make a good venue, great having a trial on my door step : ) Chris

Many thanks Big John, good info. Chris