lotus54

I already said many reasons why sales were low that had nothing to do with the bike. I also don't know the figures of unsold bikes vers bikes produced. Dealers still have spares. Out of the 150+ bikes I've owned over the years, it is at least as well made as anything I've ever had. Of course, that is just my observation from my experience- I don't claim to have the inside scoop on all the factories and know about all the bikes I've never owned or worked on.

Along with name, a supurb design that has been developed and now working very, very well. Certainly a fully developed design is worth quite a lot. Not to mention spares 'in th system' already. Plus many don't ven know that it went down. I certainly wouldn't presume to know what tooling, parts, bikes etc they still have. To be successful I certainly think they need a bunch more $$$ to do marketing, supply etc. Hope it happens. Mark

No problem with spares from what I've seen. I'd buy another if I had the cash. I still say low sales volume had nothing to do with the bike- and everything to do with marketing, number of dealers, and capacity. I have under good athority that many, many more could have been sold in the States if they could have supplied them. The deal with GasGas was claimed to give more capacity and cost savings. Who know how much was political? Of course a lot of that is down to $$$ and how it was all managed. I wouldn't say the Spanish companies have had the best record In The workd there-- but of course their economy was hit VERY hard also. Only time will tell. Sure would be cold if someone with loads to invest put it in and they came out with a properly engineered/developed version of thenEnduro bike along with the trials. (I believe it was Colin Chapman at said devlopement was the result of poor Engieering) But of course I'm not neutral, since I like my Explorer so much. Most fun bike I've ever owned. And I've had a LOT over the last 46 years I've bee riding .

I'm hopeful someone will get them going again. Very innovative and I thought build quality was at least as good or better than the KTMs I've owned. I did buy some parts, just in case- and Adrian bought a fair amount of spares. So I figure I can keep,it going a long time reguardless

These engines don't have reed valves. So the intake side piston skirt is the intake timing. It is important.

Here is my 1974 OSSA Explorer. Engine has never be touched.

From what I've been told- at least in the States a LOT more could have been sold, but the factory couldn't supply them. Also, very few dealers around. That will stop many people. I've had oddball stuff most of the time, so it didn't bother me. I'm not sure the bike itself had a lot to do with lack of numbers at all. In fact I would suggest that the bike is so good is the only reason so many were sold at all. (Or perhaps just to wierd guys like me that like something different) Too bad they didn't have the funding to build supply more bikes and expand dealer network. Plus if they could have actually built (with proper development of course) the Enduro model I think many of those would have sold. IF they could have kept the weight down and kept performance and reliability. Mark (Edit: I think what I'm saying is I don't believe how bad the OSSA was had much to do with not huge amounts being sold. I actually think how good it was had to do with how many were sold even with all the other reasons to not sell)

My OSSA is still going strong ( some 250 hours) and I like it more all the time. Yes, the diagnostics cables should have come with them. I got a set of the aftermarket ones, work great and easy to load a new map and make any needed adjustments. I have a 2014- I understand the early ones had a few teething problems, but loads of new bikes do. Mine starts well, runs fabulous and is very reliable.

Dang- Of course there is no woodruff key on the primary side. I just had two of them apart to replace crank seals too! Jeeshh!! (I'm an idiot! ) So I fully agree with Stan. Pop it all apart and make sure all is good. Chain, cluch, Cush etc.

I did see you said there was no issue- but that sure sounds like it! Did you check the woodruff key? Primary chain? I would think if the gear dogs or drum had an issue it would make a big sound when re-engaging. Sorry- guess not much help! I do have a 74 MAR gearbox on the shelf- but I'm afraid any pics wouldn't help much.

Sure sounds like a cush drive problem. Any noise when the drive resumes?

The throttle body works as advertised. Spring is a bit stiffer, but I really don't notice when riding. Idle speed is just a screw turn. Might be a big difference if the bike wasn't running quite right and I needed to raise idle or something. Or someone just like it higher and is riding it. Mark

I think I tend to go too slowly. Although I seem to do better than a lot in my class when it comes to slick hills. On my Enduro bike I got pretty good at really slow, steep, twisty slick hills I couldn't go fast, bit figured how to get good traction. I still struggle a bit standing and getting max traction- other bike I would sit and move my upper body and control throttle. Getting better though. If I go faster I don't feel as much in control- although before I changed my style I used to just blast over/ through everything. But I'm very much a novice. (Been riding 48 years, but still working on doing a proper turn!)

I have the BTWICE throttle body. It looks pretty nice. I have not had time to fit yet- but will do a report. First one Trials and Tribulations managed to actually get. Since I trail ride my bike 99% of the time (only one trial all year so far) if I'm way up in the boonies and the idle were to get low- having a quick adjustment should be nice. Plus it is alloy rather than plastic. Plus I like, to try stuff...

You have the Ohlins? I as thinking they are just a pivot- should be able to just clean/lube. I could be wrong, I have had it off for a bit- have to. Take the exhaust head pipe to remove.

I have a BTWICE throttle body coming. I'll do a report

Are you looking for stock throttle body, or BTWICE one? Check with Lewisport (California) or Trials and Tribulations (England) I'm interested I the BTWICE throttle body, although I've on had to adjust anything twice in over 200 hours...

I'm running an OKO on my 74 Explorer and MAR with. Pioneer engine. So,far they have been great. Pretty easy to setup and work well- plus the price is right.

Mine has a. Letter C in that position. #238 It was the first 2014 model in the States. I don't know about Canada. I got it late September I think. I'll PM my VIN

There were quite a few good improvements to the 2014. The easy start system is quite a bit different also, a AAA rechargable battery in a case with other electronics. Trans is improved, better main bearings more.

A note on the conversion KTM sells a reusable sealing plug for the injection hose that goes to the upper tank. They call it a 'washing plug' I'll try to post the part number. Definitely need that. So,far I have had no issues with the Explorer stuff for trials, but like I mentioned, I'm just a novice and nothing that hard. Sometimes I find it an advantage- like super slick hills that others (of my skill range) are having problems with- I can sit down and get very controllable traction and make it right up. Or seat bouncing double logs from a stop. This is just because I have a LOT of years riding sitting down and pretty new to trials or standing all the time. I can balance my weight better for slick hills sitting (getting better when standing) Plus even if I have to 'paddle' for a rut deeper than my footpegs I can make it. Without a seat I couldn't. (Plus only a 3 not a 5) Guys better than me could stand on the 'seat' portion of the trials bodywork- but I'm not that good. Others could just wheelie all the way. I'm not that good either. For that matter, I'm plain not that good! Mark

Yes, ROX 2" risers. It worked with stock bars as well, but he TE bars really help on the rough trails and a quicker pace. I ditched the stock rear damper and installed the Ohlins. Much nicer, but cost too much. I think Adrian has another option that is cheaper. The stock was ok- but Ohlins a lot nicer. I'm using Maxima Extra4. 0w10 100% Ester. This is what Adrian said I should use. I change about every 10 hours or so. I run Motorex full synth Cross Power 2T oil at 100:1 Lots of great rides near me also- check out some of my vids if you want. Always happy to show you around if you get this way. (Too hot east of the mountains now for me!) Mark

If I had just a few extra bucks ( and bringing into the US would be such a hassle) I would buy it myself foe that much! I have bar risers and twisted engineering flex bars on mine. Yes, you need the TR plastics and move the Easystart box. The cables are long enough to mount on bars. Yes, I thing the lower, stock bars give better control, but my kneck hurts on long rides and I'm just a novice trials rider that has only gotten to one even this year anyway. Not a very good pic But I'll be happy to show more if you like.

I'm just over on the Olympic Peninsula in PA- I have the software/cables to do the TPS and other electronics. Also have some spares. I did buy a few things to have, just in case. But the bike has been really reliable. I did break a suspension part once, but that was my fault. The linkage bushings are higher maintenance than sealed needle bearings, but they are cheap and easy to service. (Wish they had zerk fittings) I ditched the stock rear brake setup, I kept bending the rather heavy caliper mount. The TR one works a lot better and is a lot lighter to boot. Starting is easy 99% of the time. If the plug is too dirty, aftermarket spark arrestor clogged or you give it throttle it doesn't start easily. Conversion to full Trials is easy- maybe 15 minutes one you have the parts and make a mount foe the easy start box (assuming you leave on the headlamp). Oh yeah, the stock rear brake pedal is awful, but the TR one bolts right on and is great. Mark

I think my 74 Explorer has a 627 Amal- it is all original and very low miles, from original owner