brendan

Thanks, Paul & everyone. I did as advised, and a 5/16" ball bearing seems to match. I was able to find one of those at Orchard Supply Hardware. One thing, though, it looks like the two push rods are different diameters. I measured the outer rod that pushes on the pressure plate, as I could not get the inner one out. The inner rod looks like it is a smaller diameter. Anyone remember if their clutch ball bearing was the same size as the outer rod or inner? Paul, I do not know why my email address is giving problems. I have a received a few emails today. Thanks for catching me on this board, though.

I somehow lost the ball that goes in between the two clutch push rods. Does anyone know what the diameter of the ball is? I am hoping to find the right sized ball bearing at a hardware store. thanks.

Update about my fuel mileage. I did a ride this past weekend that was rougher than the prior, and I received about 17 miles per half gallon.

I checked my gas mileage a few weeks ago on a trail ride in the mountains over here (Sierra Nevadas), I received about 25 miles per half gallon. This is on an '02 sy250 scorpa with a long ride tank. I had a '91 or so Fantic 305, and the mileage was about the same.

Does anyone know if there are full length fork guards (the type that extend up and protect the outside of the stanchions from crash damage) that are mold fit specific to these Paoli forks? I have seen a one size fits all brand, but I am hoping for some that fit right. Thanks for your help.

Does anyone know if the tyz250/Scorpa engine shares parts with any of Yamaha's non-trials models? I am specifically looking for clutch plates. I am hoping I can find those parts at the local Yamaha dealer (USA), where my sister works. Thanks for your help.

Can anyone recommend jetting for riding an sy250 at 6-7k and 10k feet elevation? There is also one of those screen type spark arrestors installed, so the exhaust does not flow as freely anymore. I have some upcoming rides at those elevations. Thanks in advance.

I disagree. I see your arguement being valid, from a street biker's point, especially harley people. Groups like the Blue Ribbon Coalition, CORVA, ORBA, and the like, have done more for off roaders in one year (probably even just one month), than the ama has in its entire history. I have yet to find one single land access issue that the ama has won or fought for us. Maybe someone here knows of one?

I tend to agree considerably with what some are saying that trials does not fit the general American mindset and culture, motorsports wise. I don't see how trials will ever become much more popular than it is now. I believe one of the main reasons for lackluster appeal to the general public, is the bikes themselves. When a person sees one, that is the first thing to start the criticism and lampooning. Three of us here in town just bought trials bikes recently, but not really for any of the reasons anyone is citing for lack of popularity. Initially, I joked with them that we probably boosted the US trials population by 10%.

Does anyone know if the sy250 shares jets with any other make of motorycle? If so, I am hoping I will be able to buy them from the local jap. shop. Thanks.

but it doesn't look as gaye as those trials tights!

I hope the bike makes it to production, as it looks like the type of bike that I have been complaining about manufactuers need to make. I have encountered a number of other people who are looking for something like that, also. It looks kind of tall, though, and that guy looks like Shemp from the Three Stooges. The frame design looks seriously flawed, however. The swingarm area and that whole member needs to be beefed up considerably. I also think that they need to build a cradle type of frame, as people are going to be trying to jump a bike like that.

How come everyone seems so hostile towards, and picks on Mich Lin? Is there some sort of oppressive pecking order in trials? This reminds me a lot about school, when there would always be at least one nerdy type person, and the whole class persecuted them.

The Honda enduro bike and it's ilk, are not true trail bikes. Those machines are race bikes built for speed. They are fire road burners, and often times they become instruments of vandelism. The singletrack that these bikes run in enduros, are not techinical, but are more of groomed trails that one can often times run 20-30 mph on. When the terrain truly does become technical, those bikes have to be forced through, and more times than not, cause immense amounts of trail damage. The sad part is that nobody cares when that happens. It is all about twisting the right hand. Riding enduro bikes through that type of terrain verses a trials type bike, is like using a butcher's knife to do surgery. I have found that a trials bike has the best foundation currently available for a great trail bike. It just needs a bigger tank, and a seat for some people. As far as the bike popularity comparison between us and the Euros, I don't see that as a valid analogy. We have far more land (at the moment) to ride on, than they do. Do they have vast national forests and blm type areas to ride on? I can see why the current incarnation of trials bikes are popular over there, because that is the best machine available, to make the best of a limited situation. Over here, it makes perfect sense to have a machine with a little more versatility. It is different here in the states. We have more riding options available to us. I don't see what the fear is all about, regarding the current bike form changing. As Mich said, the broader the appeal, the more bikes sold. And what do companies do with all of that money made? Do they deseveredly put that money back into R&D for their largest customer base, who all at best happen to be weekend amatuers? Of course not. These companies will predictably funnel the money into their race programs, which will trickle down, and mostly benefit the minority hardcore riders. The same dubious thing happens in enduro racing. The lowly C class has by far the most entry fees gleaned, but most of the money and focus is given to the handful of elite riders. It is nothing more than another form of aristocracy, a bourgeois plantation enterprise.

I was only paraphrasing what I read in some of the other posts in "Across the Pond," which someone(s) reflected on the current trial membership. I have only literally met a couple of trials people, and they are not "fuddy duddies." I certainly hope that did not rub anyone the wrong way. The reason why I make mention of the tank/seat issue, is because as an outsider/non-trials person, I have a valid and different observation on the situation of "An Example of the Problem with Trials in the US." As I already mentioned, if one wants a sport to grow, it has to come from the outside, and not exclusively from restructuring the way competive organizations and events are run. If one is satisfied with the status quo, then I don't see much of a foundation for discussion on the issue. I cannot see why making a larger tank/seat combo removable or interchangeable, would change a bike for the worst, as some here seem to believe.

Those don't work. I have been using those types of bikes, and they are not anywhere close to being as good of a trail bike as a trials type machine. They are too heavy, too big, and 1st gear is not low enough. Try turning one of those 300lb. plus pigs around in a tight rocky ravine, or on some narrow goat trail on very steep hillside, and you will see what I mean. I have discovered that a trials bike has the closest representation of perfection, when it comes to overall balance of suspension, weight, tractability, engine characteristics, and gearing. The much lighter weight also really helps with the slow speed handling, and reducing trail impact.

Hi Scott, Thanks for the info. I am scheduled to ride this Sunday with the Lewisport folks at Frank Raines. Although I never bought this machine to ride organized trials or compete, and my interest is lukewarm at best, I will at least once, go and check it out. I doubt I will ever return, as I have never seen an ohv park I have ever liked. Especially, when there are tens of thousands of acres in the local national forests to explore, and sights to see! I am going to enjoy as much of it as I can, before the government someday designates the majority of it as non-motorized recreational areas. That is the newer "Quiet Recreation" campaign the greenies are doing, rather than emphazing the less popular approach of converting everything over to wilderness areas. Since it sounds like Bob is not going to do the Trans America trail (transam.com) this year, I plan on using the vacation time I had for it, and go to the 2006 Husaberg meet in the Canadian Rockies. I hope you can go, too, as the UHE Canadians have claimed very high standards for the place.

I agree completely! From what I have read here, it sounds like trials is largely made up of old fuddy duddies, and trials in America will probably follow them to the grave. I may be reading between the lines, but it seems that some believe that this NATC group is the devil, and others are hoping usmta will be the next messiah. Everyone here seems concerned about the future of their sport, and want others to join in. Why perform the alien autopsy by analyzing internal conflict, but, instead, ask outsiders why they don't want to ride a trials bike? It is going to take outsiders to cause growth. This is how religious groups increase their numbers, and it works for them. I consider my riding buddies to be a good representative sample of off-road motorcyclists, and they all criticize the bike for reasons I have previously mentioned. That is where the focus should be. You raise a rather enlightened point about the environmental impact and MX type machines. I have been incredibly impressed with how little physical impact my trials bike has on trails. Most of the time, one can't even see any signs that my motorycle even went through there. I have argued with my buddies that if I was the supreme, grand ayatollah of America , I would lower the decibel limit by about 15 db, outlaw knobby tires (only trials and eco tires would be allowed), ban all loud pipes, and ban 2-strokes and quads (except those with trials like engine characteristics). I sometimes get the feeling they want to burn me at the stake, but I believe these types of changes are necessary for the future of off-road motorcycling. But, it is probably too late for that, and we have been riding down the path of destruction.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Brendan, If you get a chance to come to our March event in Lucerne I'll introduce you to the original "Adventure Ride" A wonderful 2-4 hour ride, depending on skill level, through the narliest, rockiest, tightest trail that you've ever seen. Also, a few of us have been seen competing against some of the best desert racers in hare scrambles events and enduro events, etc. There are aftermarket large tanks, seats, etc. that can aid you in your search for the ultimate trail bike. I hate to see the trials bike be classified as 'nothing more than a trick/stunt bike when there truely is a lot more you can do with one. Feel free to email me for more info on ATA for Southern California trials riders or PITS for Northern CA. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Many thanks. I would really like to check that out, or at least find out where it is, and do it myself sometime. I think that those aftermarket tanks are still a joke. One stingy gallon? I need enough to go around 80-100 miles. I wish they would make a two gallon tank. I don't like to carry fuel on my back. Last weekend while in my pack, my gas can started leaking on me for some reason. Since my other bikes are broken, I will probably be using my trials bike in the Quicksilver national enduro next month. I doubt one gallon will make it to the gas stop, so I will have to carry extra fuel in a backpack, which I believe is against race rules.

Hi Scott! It's a small world after all! Lol! I was wondering how someone here knew I have those bikes. Then I finally made it to the last sentence, and it clicked. I did not know you rode one of these weird bikes! I keep hearing about how these machines are supposed to make you a better rider, but, right now, I think it is making me a worse rider since it is much easier to ride. Some of my riding buddies call it a cheater bike. I mostly bought it for an exploration and "hardcore" trail bike. Are you going to the Husaberg meet in Arizona next month? Bob says he is going. I might go, and if I do, I will probably be riding my trials bike, since all of my other machines are broken.

I just bought my first ever trials bike, and I believe that the amount of competitive events is not at all the answer to the problem with trials in the US. I could care little whether there are any events or not. The real problem is the bikes themselves. Trials bikes need bigger tanks, a seat, a real airbox, and the appropriate marketing to be appealing to the general motorcycling public. Trials bikes are not practical, and are really nothing more than a machine to do tricks/stunts on, like a skateboard. The overwhelming majority of motorcyclists do not compete. They ride because they can go places, and it is fun, or they feel cool. This holds true for most all sports. Most amatuer sports practioners, the ones who make those companies all their money (so they can pay those pompous, ginormous salaries to their professional athletes), do not compete in organized events. I see some observations given about MX/SX and its popularity, but I see most of those bikes being used off-road, rather than on a MX track. Enduro type bikes are popular, but how many people can actually spectate? Off-road racing is not at all spectator friendly, but yet many people ride those bikes. Why? Because they have a seat and a decent size tank to ride and explore the millions of acres of national forests and BLM land we have in this country. I believe a trials type bike has the basics for the best trail bike, but needs some modifications to be attractive to the general purchasing public. Unless that is done, I believe that trials will always be at best, a very niche sport in America.

Wait a minute, Greg LeMond already did that way before him, and he has a better personality, also.

I believe that is one of the main reasons that trials bikes are unpopular, and always will be, in America. The modern trials bike is basically only good for doing tricks and climbing around in rock fields the size of some people's yards. It is as useful as a skateboard. That is what skateboarders do, and they are a niche, sub-culture fringe sport/hobby. The 1 gallon aftermarket tanks are a joke. One cannot go on a real trail ride with 1 gallon. There needs to be a minimum 80-100 mile range, which would mean about 2 gallons for a 2-stroke. That would be the ultimate trail bike.

Why can't the USMTA find some other insurer other than the AMA? I have been told the MANN organiztion in Nevada runs all of their races with some other insurer, and they are not AMA members. The ama is a worthless organization to off-roaders. There is not one single land rights issue they have won for us (although they do take credit), and there have been many times that they have been petitioned to provide lawyer help here in District 36 and elsewhere, and they refused. But, wait till a steet bike issue pops up, like helmet use or loud harley pipes, and they will be all over that like flies on poop. As a D36 enduro racer, I have to join the ama, or I don't race. I hate signing a check over to the ama every year. There are many other enduro riders who feel the same way over here. The notion of the AMA helping off-roaders, is nothing more than an urban legend, a complete myth. It is organizations like the Blue Ribbon Coalition, that have truly made a difference. The AMA is one of the major proponents behind the evil bill, H.R. 3247. If I remember correctly, one of their lobbyists helped architect this. I hope no one or their kids are ever caught accidently going down some unmarked, "illegal" trail that our government would never miss marking as such. The environmentalists were pretty happy with this, but fortunately it has been stalled.