lotus54

Best way to test is with a 2-stroke leak down tester. But yes, if clutch side it would lower your trans fluid level- although it wouldn't take much oil to make a huge mess.

Not a rebuild- but I ditched the Mikuni on my MAR and installed and OKO from Mid-Atlantic Trials http://www.usa-oko.com I have one on my 74 Explorer, 72 MAR and 2000 GasGas 200ec. They are working really well (low cost also) Mark

Yes, working for me- but didn't earlier. Probably something goofed up. It doesn't seem to slow other companies (and governments) that are broke down very much. (Still hoping they come back-but who knows?)

I think I have an Explorer wiring diagram. Let me find it and post it.

I'm very happy with the clutch on the 2014. I'm very much a trials novice, although I place very well in our club events. I do best when it is slimy/slippery and rooty. Since I ride that all the time. Plus if really nasty I can just sit down to get great traction and paddle if I need to. A 3 is better an a 5. I have a LOT more experience getting max traction on hills sitting. I've been working on doing it standing- since control is so much better. I got pinch flats on the front tube setup when I when below about 6psi. I certainly recommend the Tubliss system. Just watch the install video a few times and take your time installing. I can ride with the tyre completely flat and it won't come off the rim. Where are you located? From the experience I've had on my bike, once it is setup right- it only needs attention every 100 hours or so. Easy to update the ECU to a newer map, and Lewisport is doing a ECU exchange to the newer model now I believe. I fit the BTWICE throttle body, that allows idle speed adjustment without changing the ECU. I've never needed to do it, but if the bike is having any issues being able to change it out on the trail could save a ride. Your idle should be about 1600 (well, that is memory, could be 1300). If sounds link you made much closer to Lewisport, but I'm happy. To help out if you are anywhere close to me or are on a riding trip up this way and want do a setup and ride day (I'm very reasonable cost). I was working on a LithIon batt setup that would either run be connected for a set time (say two minutes) plus automatically connect when running- so it would charge also. But mine has been starting so well with the easy start I haven't finished the project. Adrian said mine started 2nd kick out of the crate when new (first 2014 Explorer in the States) I also swapped the rear brake out for the TR version (perhaps yours already has it) Mine came with the same caliper on the rear as on the front- with a larger disc and horrible steel mount that would get hit by rocks, bend and mess up the brake action. The TR brake setup works great. Mark

The Explorer tach/speedo is a TrailTech Vapor.

Looks good! I have one of he BTWICE plates, similar to this one. The only issue I've had is catching my MX boot on he outside edge of the plate when shifting up. Most people probably won't have that issue- but I have big feet and not very precise I guess.

The Explorer has the same frame and engine as the TR. The forks and rear damper are cheaper and nowhere near as good. The Explorer ca be converted to a Full TR ( well, if you upgrade suspension) in about 15 minutes. The subframe with aux tank, seat, rear fender comes right off. The 2014 Explorer has tube type tyres front and rear. So you can't go too low on pressure without getting pinch flats. I tried the front with low pressure, but got pinch flats. If your Explorer is tube type also, I recommend fitting the Tubliss system, ditching those horrible Pirelli trials tyres and fit some Michelin X-11 Tubless (if you can find any). The IRC radial works pretty well also - I have not tried the New Dunlop. I have over 230 hours on the X-11s so far and still work pretty well with very low pressure (5/3 F/R) I didn't find the stock suspension had much in the way of adjustability. The forks only changed very minimally with the clickers and the rear only has preload. I fit an Ohlins rear and Marzhocci front- it is a LOT better for trail riding. There are probably cheaper options than the Ohlins. I also fit some Twisted Engineering flex bars- it really helps for trail riding when you have mediocre suspension. Not as good for trials, but I did learn I was not preloading with my legs as I though I was. I understand the later clutches are much nicer than th early ones. Mine is great. I run a Clake 2 also, which has assisted clutch. A small Lith-Ion battery can really make the starting easier and is super small. Cheap too. The easiest way is to just wire in a momentary switch, hit it when starting. Also make sure the TPS is correct. I run a hotter sparking plug- I watched the the temperature on it carefully and it is just fine for me use,and setup. A dirty plug makes it a LOT harder to start. I don't ride trials very often, it is more fun for me to just trail ride. But the trails I like are much like the intermediate Trials sections I've ridden (or harder). I get more riding time in and I don't really care about competition. (All just my opinion of course) I have around 260 hours on my Explorer, I like it more all the time!

The OSSA runs better top to bottom then any bike I've ever owned or ridden in the last 48 years of riding. No issue with power, although the early ones without Easystart were finicky. Probably better with a larger batt. It works very, very well. Could it be better ? Certainly. Wait... I forgot. OSSAs are crap and the worst bike ever made. WHat was I thinking?

But can you adjust you pilot jet, main jet, needle, throttle cutaway in a few minutes ! The FI allows that Plus I've yet to need to adjust it for elevation, temp or humidity Just reset the TPS every 100 hours or so.

Email them and ask to get one. That's what I did

Try Trials and Tribulations in England. That is where I got mine. Works great

If Adrian doesn't have one, try 'Trials and Tribulations' in England. I could be persuaded to make some... Mine has been wonderful (2014)

OSSA did sell the cables ( software is free) - but it was VERY expensive! I got the BTWICE setup for a resonable cost, it works very well. I think OSSA should have made it an inexpensive option or standard with the bike. But of course some people would just muck it up with the software. Matk

I have a BTWICE throttle body (and cables) but I have no idea which throttle plate it has. Seems to work well - a little stiffer spring, but I don't really notice it.

1974 and 2014 Explorers

I sure hope they do start producing again. (I know a certain person will say that they will never be back and they are crap) We will see! But I certainly hope so. I'm over 255 hours now- only twice setting the TPS and it runs great all the time. How can you not like that? I've never had any carbureted bike that good (even smart Carb). I'll be hoping! Mark

I have the diagnostics cable, software and maps. Very easy to do. They did produce bikes after the merge- parts were worse, OSSA did a lot better job than GasGas (but got ok after awhile) I bought one new (2014 Explorer) and it is wonderful. I would buy another if I had cash, but I'm prepared for a bit. More time on some parts (so far no issues) Anyone not prepared for that I wouldn't recommend buying one.

I've had my Explorer (same as 280i) to about 60mph and it had more- cruises 50mph easily. I run 100:1 and have around 250 hours on it. not very fun on the road, but I do have it street plated. mark

With the 2014 map I can idle mine all day with no issue. I run Motorex full synth at 100:1 Mark

I have a SAAB, so know what you mean. I also have a couple of 1970's OSSAs and can still get parts for those. I did buy a few things to have, Lewisport bought a bunch from the factory. I'm going to guess some things will be harder to find, many are standard trials parts.

Yes, it comes with software/maps/manuals. I can send those to you if you like.

I 'flashed' the newer firmware on my 2014- it runs better and starts even easier. I did mess about a little with baseline mixture - I run 100:1 Motorex full synth. Non- ethanol fuel (makes a difference, but probably not an issue there?) I run a hotter plug then recommended, I've never seem any sign of it being too hot. I found the bike is a bit touchy for likeing a clean sparking plug. I run a spark arrestor and need to make sure it stays clean or it runs like crap. I have something like 250 hours - still runs great. It seems to like a TPS reset every 100 hours or so. If I notice a bit rich, I just reset and everything is fine.

I got the cables/software at Trials and Tribulations. See if they can get more http://trialstribulations.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=31&products_id=2716 I found I have needed to reset the TPS about every 100 hours. Easy if you have them. I also updated the firmware to a newer version, and installed the BTWICE throttle (adjust idle without resetting anything) But if a dealer is in reasonable distance you don't need them, Bike is very, very reliable. Maybe the first year or two had issues (most bikes do)- but by 2014 the build quality is excellent and no problems. Features like cassette gearbox, FI, rear facing exhaust, high intake and radiator that never gets clogged in mud are something nobody else has. (Well, Vertigo is FI and the Montesa). For me, sine I trail ride it 99% of the time all are really worthwhile, Just yesterday I had to go through waterholes that would have flooded out most trials bikes with their low intake. Mark