doc_d

Phil Smage showed up at our trials event in Michigan and shows everyone a line that no one had considered. I had just ridden through this section while he was scoping it out but missed his ride. Luckily one of my team mates caught it on video.

I'm a little disappointed I didn't get a video or at least a picture of you pulling your cooler full of beer around on your trials bike like a trailer.

Ran into this nicely edited video that Brent from Bennett Powersports out together of my club's first event this year. I had a lot of fun working it.

Thanks for the advice! I'm thinking that's the route I'm going to have to take.

Not sure how I missed your post Biff. The new house is coming along. Sure we can have a WGASA party. Best to break the new neighbors in early. I bet it's been a long time since they've seen a naked gentleman running through their yard at 3AM. I doubt Brad is going to have the Hidria stuff. My understanding is that in '14 the Hidria stuff was put into some bikes (Pro Racing) but not all bikes (Raga) because Kokusan couldn't provide enough ignitions which ultimately stemmed from the Fukushima disaster. I believe shortly afterwards ('15 maybe) they switched over to a different (dual spark) Hidria ignition system. So unfortunately I have an ignition system that had a very, very short run in the Gas Gas bikes. I think my best bet is to see if I can talk Don into swapping CDI's with me since he also has a '14. Supposedly there was an issue with some Hidria CDI's in '14 that resulted in the symptoms I have. The problem is, even if swapping CDI's proves that it's an issue with the CDI, it looks like procuring one might be very difficult. Doc

No worries Dan! I really appreciate your help. I'm crossing my fingers that there is really some new parts distribution from Gas Gas to US dealers and after he calls Jim he'll go through through those channels. So I haven't given up complete hope yet. But then again, maybe this is the Universe's way of telling me I just need to ride some enduros on my KTM this year instead. Doc

So I called the other dealer that could supposedly get the Hidria parts. He said he'd have to call around to try and find them. I asked them who he was going to call. His response was "Jim Snell" who I already know doesn't have the parts. So frustrating... I guess I don't get it.

I'm not trying to be argumentative but I have a box here with parts ordered from a Gas Gas dealer that were drop shipped by Jim. I was also told by this dealer they can't get the Hidria parts and I should try to retrofit my bike to a Kokusan ignition. Apparently I just didn't call the right dealer. Someone PM'd me the name of a dealer that said they have no problem getting the Hidria parts. I'm going to call them tomorrow. Thanks Doc

They get it from Jim Snell. Jim isn't getting any new parts, so it's just what he has left in inventory.

With Jim Snell no longer acting as the U.S. parts distributor, does Gas Gas have a new U.S. parts distributor?

Biff - This is Todd. I've swapped plugs probably at least 4 or 5 times. The plugs were gapped to spec. I've also replaced the spark plug cap, wire and ignition coil. I'll let you take it for a spin next time we're out at Sully's. Thanks Andrew... I'll see if the other gentleman in my club with the same bike would be kind enough to swap CDIs. If it did turn out to be the CDI, any idea where I might find one? I've had zero luck finding any of the Hidria ignition parts here in the U.S. Thanks! Doc

I have a '14 250 with the Hidria ignition. Once the bike warms up it has a significant misfire right around 1/8th throttle. It's right where you hold the throttle to cruise, so it's really annoying when transferring between sections. I've heard this is a known issue with the Hidria ignition. I know someone else who has the exact same bike and it runs flawlessly. So not every bike is affected. So I'm assuming it's fixable. Has anyone who's had the misfire been able to solve it? I'm willing to throw some parts (stator, CDI) at it to try to resolve it but I can't seem to find any of the Hidria ignition parts here in the U.S. I've tried Jim Snell and Lewisport. Any suggestions where I might source the Hidria ignition parts for a '14? Thanks! Doc

I'm toying with the idea of selling my '14 Gas Gas 250. It's getting frustrating trying to find parts or find information. If I buy a new bike, who has the best support in the U.S.? Are Betas or Montessas easy to get parts for or is it the same situation as Gas Gas? Thanks! Doc

I think the 250 is mild enough to start with and gives you room to grow. I started with a Gas Gas 250. I don't think it was that snappy. Just start with a slow throttle and you should be fine. When you're ready for a little snappier power move to the normal throttle. The Gas Gas (and other's I'm sure) also have a two position ignition switch for wet / dry. If you run it in the wet position it retards the timing and makes it even a littlle milder. Doc

My '14 250 is cake to start. 1 or 2 kicks cold (with choke) or hot (without choke). I'm not a big guy. So I think you've got something else going on. Does it have good compression?

I bought my '14 used. I just pulled the rear wheel to mount new tires. My left side chain tensioner cam tab was facing out and my right side chain tensioner car was pointed in. There is a raised portion on the side of the cam that if I remember correctly was positioned towards the wheel. Because the cams are identical Thr only way the raised portion on the side can face the wheel on both sides is to have one tab pointed in and one pointed out. But again I bought my bike used to it's possible someone prior to me just put one of them in the wrong way. Doc

On my '14 the voltage regulator is mounted under the the right ride (if you were sitting on the bike) of the coil on the bottom where the rest of those wires are. That tab on the voltage regulator is actually a heat sink and not a ground so not being mounted would not affect your lack of spark. Mounting it will just help dissipate heat and keep it from getting knocked around. As Eazyste pointed out, both those holes in the frame for the coil need to have the power coating removed so that you have good contact with the coil and with the other wires mounted there. Doc

Just for anyone whom might be searching in the future.... I bought a used '14 Gas Gas 250 TXT Pro Racing. I had a heck of a time with knocking, pinging (pinking), stuttering, chugging and cutting out in the just off idle to 1/4 throttle range. I jetted the carb every way imaginable (many different pilots, needles and even a #3 slide). Going richer made it slightly better but not matter how rich I went I couldn't resolve it. I also tried various types of fuel including race gas with no improvement. I checked my squish (piston to head clearance) and it was 0.7mm. I changed the base gaskets to get it into that 1.25mm - 1.50mm range. It runs great now with the stock jetting (45 pilot, JJH needle) although I still prefer the #3 slide over the stock #3.5. Doc

Mr. Jim Snell was kind enough to give me the specs. They are 1.25mm to 1.5mm for anyone else looking for them. Thanks Jim!

Where is your air screw at? At about 900 feet above sea level and 65 degree F with a #48 pilot and #3 slide I ran my air screw at 1.5 turns out. I did an event last weekend with those settings on a fresh plug. I pulled the plug after the event and it looked perfect. I'm sure you know but as Nigel mentioned it's an air-screw. So in is richer out is leaner.

Does anyone know the official squish setting? I know Jim used to have a squish video on YouTube but alas, now it is gone. I've searched and people throw out ranges but I'm just curious if anyone knows the official Gas Gas spec. Thanks! Doc

My bike stumbled, knocked, pinged and stuttered in the just off idle - 1/4 throttle range. Going to a #3 slide cured most of it. However there is still a small throttle range right near 1/4 throttle that was still giving me fits. No matter how rich I went, I couldn't cure it. I just checked my squish yesterday and it's at 0.7mm which I believe is the issue. I've got some base gaskets on order and will correct that. If your squish is correct, which it should be if you are the original owner and have never changed the base gasket, the #3 slide will probably cure your problem assuming your issue is in the idle - 1/4 throttle range.

Just checked into a hotel in Goshen, IN. See you in the morning!

Thanks for confirming Zippy. I'm just glad I now have a spare that works and won't have to borrow "Nancy" the frilly lanyard/magnet from Biff if I misplace mine.

OK I received the Jitsie brand magnet and it does indeed work on a Leonelli switch. So either I misread Zippy's lanyard or he put Jitsie layard on another brand of magnet. Thanks! Doc