sam

Falling in the mud and on those rocks did not hurt but being beaten by a 46 yrs. old dude did! I'm 37 and ride sport lines, the guy who won Expert was also 37 and once again the winner of Sport was 46 years of age. And, yes we ride Moto-trials also. mud man sam!

My throttle stuck!

Here is Scorpa's latest creation, Absolutly Brilliant!

I will agree that it has one super ugly tank and seat combo! But maybe this is the beggining of a war on who can come up with a affordable air cooled 4 stroke. I think its a good thing that people are producing different styled trials bikes!

http://www.zonatrial.net/actualidad1.asp?Id=26 Just wanting to know what this is, a reflex copy?

This stupid bike trials is so addicting. When you start rear wheel hopping across objects its like opening a whole new door in bike trials! I'll never get to the point of doing insane gaps or anything but I'll enjoy the sketchy loose rocks and soil. We have alot of dead Elm trees with no bark and they are a real challenge.

I was just wondering if you ever had a stretch of riding nothing but biketrials for like 6 weeks or so then hopped on the moto, did you loose or gain moto techniques? I know this is a silly question but I'm in this bike trials fase and do not even look at my motocycle. I understand that bike trials is a great cross-training tool, especially for cardio, but does bike trials open your mind for more advance moto techniques? The down side of bike trials that I can see is I do not get the forearm and hand strengthening work out like I do on the moto! Seems like a little bit different muscle group. Lots of questions? sam

Alan, Whats the word on all those China tractors saturating the gas station corners down FL. I swear every small town down there had a bright red two wheeled drive diseal on the corner for sale, for like 3990.00! Are there any reports on these machines?

Could it be true? I just returned from a Trade show a couple of weeks ago , were I spoke to a manager of a company who makes cheap scooters and bicycles. This company is already producing bicycles for trials that retail for around 300.00 in the US. Im sure many of you have seen the youngsters zooming around the pits on these 20'' bicycles and now 26'' wheeled models are being sold. So, I asked if there was a motorcycle trials bike in R&D and he said they would have pictures by July of this year. The bike is suppose to have large wheels, but the motor will only be a 110 4-stroke, air cooled design. I actually seen a off road looking bike with a 200cc motor in another display, that resembled a Honda air cooled motor. The suspension really sucked but for the price I was amazed of the appearence of this bike! Now, I know everyone is going to be laughing at this whole post! But, the one thing that I wittnessed that is not a joke, Are the mini pit bikes, the 50cc and a 110cc Honda knock offs, CRF'S. These bikes come with the adult riser bars, tall seat and extra stiff shocks, front and rear disk brakes. I asked about parts replacement on all these machines and they said no problem for even the most internal needed parts. The mini pit racers are very popular in are area, with lots of back yard racing. I'm going to order one of the 110's CRF look alikes and test it out, I'm very courious to see how this mini bike runs. Could China compete against Japan in the motorcycle industry here in the USA? sam

Ruffians or ODI, what ever as long as it locks on with a screw! The greatest thing you can do for your new bike is if it has HS 33's swap out the brake pads if there stock, buy Plazmatics or KOXX Bloxx's pads! We do not use Tar, I'm not saying its bad or anything, we simply grind the rims and use after market pads, and also use Simple Green like crazy cleaning the rims. The one thing I do know is if you are learning to hop on the back wheel make sure the brakes lock up! I tryed to learn rear wheel hops with the worst brakes ever and suffered greatly. But the most important thing (correct me if I'm wrong) hook up with other natural style bike trials riders!

Alan, Who ever had the motorcycle trials bikes for sale along with tires and parts inside the area of the event, they had the UNI'S for sale. They looked real nice and rugged, I almost bought one and the price was like $198.00. After I returned home I went to UNICYCLE.COM to order one but they had nothing similar for that price. The one thing I noticed is if your a adult be aware they come with different size seat post so if your long legged be carefull to buy one that fits ya! Maybe that was KEYSTONE CYCLE selling them? sam

B Wolf, Motorama was a blast, I had so much fun! The bike trials went very smooth, well organized and I'LL be going back next year for sure. Florin made his Gasser look like a bicycle. Are you going to attend are bike trials two day in May? sam

Alan, My name is Sam Markley and I spoke to you at the DIXIE CUP 2004, we were washing are motos, I had the Montesa, on Saturday afternoon. I just wanted you to know that I will be hosting a couple bike trials events this summer. First one will be April 23 at the BadLands in Attica, Indiana in the area were the ROCK CRAWLING JEEPS run. This is actually a motorcycle park with like 500 acers, many qauds run there also, camping is available. But the trials area is off limits to all machines accept trials bike and jeeps! should be a fun time. The big event will be a two day at Warsaw, Indiana May 21/22. This place is actually a MTB park which is located 1 hour west of FT. Wayne Indiana. There is on site primitive camping, on site showers. Last years we had a event which had a attendance of 28 riders, Pat Smage was one of them and he plans to attend again. We where very happy for the turn out last year being a first time event. This is also a great place to bring the ladies along to, its on the edge of a Artist Village which host many little shops and eaterys. Also a block away is a beach on a very nice lake. The MTB track its self is very nice, 10 miles of the fastest rolling singal track in the Midwest, by far the best track in Indiana, well maintained. The big surprise at Motorama for me was the amount of Uni-riders, correct me if I'm wrong, there may have been 25 or even more. I spoke to many of them and they are aware of are event in May. There was a young man named Ryan out of Canada who they say is as good as Kris Holmes maybe even better! He was very interested to attend are event and also would like to add it as a possible National for the Uni-cycles. I know this is a long ride from Tenn. but we have been contacted by people from Texas, Minn. and many people from the east coast. Also, we will allow a rider to compete both Uni and Bikes during the event for one fee. I'll post the Flyer here in the near future. sam

Soon to be 38 I know what your saying about the back thing. All the people I ride with are big into rear wheel moves, I just work on sport level stuff. I may not be as courages, but the cardio work out even on minor sections is huge! sam

R2W, If you pick up another stock frame, look real hard at the BT Ravens from Poland! I picked up a 5.0 this summer for 300.00 frame only used. The chain stays are really short. I have a Echo Pure and the BT is way more responsive on the rear wheel. sam

Remember, the pedal power event is on Saturday, should be loads of fun, riders coming from far off to compete. sam (the oldest guy on a bicycle)

I'm looking for any advice on flushing out the crank case? My buddy toasted his GasGas's top end, we pulled the jug off and then had taken time off from the repair. Well some atifreeze went in the crank case and actually did weird things with the synthetic motor oil, actually froze up! You could see that every thing turned white and hardend, I've poured 2 stroke oil in there and let it soak, then put a socket/breaker bar on the fly wheel nut and loosened it up. Crank spins fine, but I'm wondering what would be a good solution to soak/flush the case? Does Napa have something for this? Do you think we must split the case and do the (bottom end bearing), or just let it soak/flush a few times? sam

I have a 97 GasGas 320 that needed a new top end. We got as far as pulling the jug off and ordering parts, well we accidently got antifreeze in the bottom end and where unaware that this would turn to cement. Evidently antifreeze and synthetic oil does weird things when it mixes. So, what should I do? Will we have to split the case or can I fill the crank case with some kind of solution to free things up? We wondered about mineral spirits, deisal fuel or somthing, Anybody got any Ideas? sam

Thanks, fellow trials enthusiast! sam

I do not mean to be so simple minded, but could you explain that even a little slower, JTT! I put this soder in the the plug hole to the left and then to the right touching the cylinder walls, as Im facing forward on the machine, towards the exhaust port. Is my objective to have how much clearance from the top of the stroke to the cylinder head? Between the top of the piston and the head. I'm basically making sure I do not make contact between the piston and the cylinder head, correct? simple sam.

My friend is about to place a new cylinder on his 97 321 gasgas, we are both a little nervous about the amount of thickness of the base gasket. There is techniques buy using soder to determine this, any tips on this subject would be appreciated. sam

I have a 03 montesa and was just made aware of removing the restricters! I have located one between the muffler and the exhaust box, but looked in the head pipe and seen nothing, must have been removed. I was told there is two more around the reed valve and carb, could someone be more specific of the location and what they look like? Indiana Sam.

He signed with Bultaco at the age of 12? Maybe 13. sam

Yes, Issac L. is the kid. The event I had Sat. was way fun! I had 23 riders show and they had a blast. Pat Smage placed 3 over all in the expert class, Wow the kid can ride, I think there was at least a doz. riders in the expert class. A 39 year old guy named Jim Keck won the sport class. Over all only 2 unicyclist showed, the rest in are area which consist of another 5 all had school functions. Now that I think about it the guy who won beginner was probaly 40's, riding a old monty stock that he said he bought years ago from Ryan at Cosmo Motors. I'm going to try to host a 2 day event yet this summer, it is way to much fun. I think the motorcycle trials people in the US should take more notice of these bike trials people, it is very easy to obtain Insurance and host a event! When I hold my next bike trials event which may be in July I'm going to bring 2 or 3 Moto-trials bikes and put them on display and try to promote the motorcycle trials to them. I had at least 3 riders asking many questions on price of motos and where they could compete in moto-comps! One thing is for sure the money these guys have in bike trials bikes and parts is not much less than they would spend on a decent used motorcycle. Anyhows Chris, I just flew into Florida last night to ride back with my snowbird parents, I have 19 hours to mentaly prepare myself for the Flint comp Sunday. This time I hope my head plants will be more controlled over them big ugly Michigan logs and we must remember to take are snorkels, this is the moto-trials grounds with the bottomless creek! See you Sunday! sam

BWolfe, I think this event is going to be a blast, I have at least 15 bike trials riders that are claiming they are coming to the event, they have all been doing research on camping and such, getting more specific details. And through the local bike shop, news is there will be between 10 to 20 Mtbers and freeriders showing up. Also we have localy 6 unicyclist and one coming from Chicago so far! We are all stoked, I have a few Moto guys helping me so this will be a treat for all! The grounds is outstanding, near a artistic, gift styled, shop keepers village, touristy place! Lots of good places to eat also. Camping at the grounds is allowed and also everyone can crash at my place also, may make them sleep in the same room with my Montesa though! I'll let you know how it goes. sam