jaylael

Jim Pomeroy was a wonderful guy and a great friend. I miss him alot. We had spent two weekends prior to his death visiting, drinking and telling stories until late at night, at the Burnt Ridge MX. I also got a chance to race against him twice, the final time at Mid Ohio in the Hodaka race. One time at Alderdale, Washington, I had gotten a monster holeshot and proceeded to roost the holy living heck out of him. He was laughing about it still. What a great sport he was. He just congratulated me and said, "Good Job!". Never had a mean bone in his body. I NEVER EVER heard that man swear, not even once. Enclosed is a photo from the day I roosted him, early on. He caught up to me at least three times was rebuffed with a serious roosting each time. At Burnt Ridge he told me he finally had to take off his goggles, and was just soaked in mud. . He just laughed and laughed about it. He was just so nice. I think a lesser man would've been mad about it. I was prepared for his revenge at Mid Ohio, but it never came. The Hodaka he was riding lost third gear at about lap 4, so I went reluctantly cruising by. I think I was more disappointed than Jim. Try these links for some interesting stuff about that day Jay L. The web page with pic of Jim and meMy story about racing Jim Jims last race.

The rules are subject to interpretation. It is still twinshock, air cooled drum brake. I think the bike is legal as long as no ome makes a stink about it. I don't see why anyone would. That sort of thing just reduces the number of people who want to build cool bikes, and that is no good for the sport. See http://www.ahrma.org/rulebook/sec13.htm AHRMA rules

Since nobody seems to be busting down the door to write anything about this bike, I will jump in and say a bit about it. It was built by Mike Lake of Bend, Or. USA from a poor old Road Toad which had languished in the back yard of his mobile home for some ten years. Mike has an engineering degree which is evidenced by the cool perimeter frame he has constructed which nets a 24 degree fork angle, and a 52 inch wheelbase. (same as the trusty Montesa Cota 315 R) He had spent about seven months hard labour constructing this bike. I rode the machine for half an hour after the Prineville, Oregon vintage trials event this spring, and it is a great handling well balanced machine, which as a 100cc reed valved engine has ok power at best, but the fire goes out way too easily. It stalled several times at a low rev roll on with any kind of a load. Also the triangular expansion chamber made this bike very loud and annoying to ride. It would do better with a regular glass pack type muffler. Seems like this bike needs to be singing pretty good to make it up any hills at all. I understand our Designer, fabricator, engineer, Mike Lake has since converted this beauty to a 125 cc iron barrel Wombat configuration, to fit into AHRMA's "classic" class which does not permit reed valves. I wish Mike good luck in the upcoming AHRMA trials series once he has sorted out the initial teething problems with the bike. I enclose another photo of the bike. Tried to post more but software prevented it.

Ohio is awesome!

I resemble those remarks. Getting your butt kicked is no fun and to spend $6000.00 for the pleasure is a bit weird. Yes being on a twinshock takes the pressure off.

That is one nice Garelli Trial 320. Looks like it also has a 323 gas tank on it, with the badge spots in it. My original tank which is a little brown colored from age, has no badge spots. I have yet to see what the tank badges look like. I also have the original headlight and tail light. Those marzochi shocks must be original. I never knew that's what they came with, because Donato or someone else, had lifted the shocks, carb, chain, and controls. So far the Armstrong CCM kickstarter Idler gear from Paul is still working fine. I hope very much that continues. I have ridden three trials on my Garelli so far. I am beginning to get used to riding it and love it! I noticed the Garelli logo with the star trek swoosh is the same as the one on AXO riding gear. I saw Donato Miglio ride the 323 at Bodines PA in 1987. He finished a respectable 8th or ninth place if I remember correctly. I have a genuine Garelli jersey which I found on E bay. Garelli Sahel please post more Garelli pics. They are awesome!

Steve: I think I'm ready to try and hang with the likes of y'all. You are correct about the high level of competition there. It's like a who's who list of trials greats in my book. I just got in from winning the AHRMA national overall by a big margin at Mid Ohio Sports complex in Lexington Ohio. (on the '73 Hodaka) It had really tough sections for vintage, with the winner on 24 marks, while some experts had scores into the 100's. It was huge, with about 50 people standing at each section. When I'd rev up and slam that little Hodie up a muddy root step waist high, with a svery short run, it almost felt world roundish, the crowd would cheer very loudly! Then they started following me from section to section saying, "Holy S**T! There was a log jump section where you came around the corner and a slippery elevated log fairly tall was sideways to your bike, and I did a floating turn, whip move over it clean three times. Everywhere I went there was cheering! This has been incredible! I have to say I could hear the voice of James Lampkin in my head, telling me, "Right lad, just a bit more to the left, easy, easy, Ahhh, yes, exactly! Right Lad! I like that!" Thanks James for minding via astral projection. About the Garelli, I am trying to get some guys pumped up to ride SWM's, Fantics, Italjets etc. by hosting a twinshock series. These bike have been left all but forgotten, and it will take some time to get the masses stirred up enough to track down and fix a proper twinshock bike. Believe it or not America is somewhat of a desolate wasteland at the moment for these types of machines. I miss the Italian bikes of the eighties. So far it is only just beginning. I am hoping that "If you build it, they will come." JL

The Agratti Garelli Trial 320 has survived another Hammer and Tongs twinshock trial. (round 2) It performed flawlessly and is still functional so it's a win/win. I laid out the trial and conducted the riders meeting, won the event with 11 points 15 cleans, in. We had 14 riders in the 105 degree heat, and had to make due with 3 observers. I think getting observers is the toughest thing for a trials marshall to do. There are a few pics from the trial at http://www.vintagemotocross.us/burntridgeweb/index.htm

Check with Bob Ginder at B&J racing www.bjracing.com/ and Sammy Miller www.sammymiller.co.uk/ They should have a few goodies to lighten your wallet. One mod you have not mentioned is removing the frame tubes from beneath the engine and fabbing a thick alloy sumpgaurd with a rubber damper in between the engine and skidplate. Cutting off the rear frame loop, creatively cutting off any extra metal bits on the bike such as the kickstand bracket, fork theft lock if equipped etc.

Thanks so much to Paul-CCM Trials! I got the Garelli running again and rode the advanced class at the "Dabber" trial today. It was unbearably hot, so the wife and I made a run for it before learning the results. What a heavy beast! It took me a couple of loops before I got used to riding it. Seems the Can-Am kickstarter Idler gear looks different from the Garelli one, but works a treat. The clutch baskets are different. Can-Am one doesn't fit on the Garelli. Jay

Chris and Keith were the stars of the show! It was so cool to see trials on tv! I am just amazed. That exposure has got to be good for our sport. Chris and Keith, you guys rock!! That was by far the coolest thing EVER on TV!

That's great news, as I have decided to keep it and fix it again. It is the newest trials bike I own. I'll be in touch about the parts I need. Jay

The wolf is at the door and I am desperate. If anyone is interested in this bike I would sell it for $500.00 US as is. (The kickstarter gear has broken again) I could disassemble and box it for separate shipments for an additional $100.00 There is no title Jay

I spotted the bugger on 2006 Pizza bike 125 at a local trial. Fresh new 125 out th' box. It's a temporary arrangement. Loves those 125's does Ish. Sad really.

It suddenly occurs to me, since yes I can be a bit thick at times, the natural effect of lower inlet depression due to high altitude would richen up the exhaust, thus having the opposite effect of what is needed. You are correct FF. It can't possibly have automatic altitude compensation the way it's built.

The only reason I had considered this as a possibillity is because some GM cars actually use this technology as far back as the late 80's. Granted they have a battery and therefore can take a quick check of "inlet depression" before you start the engine, thusly measuring altitude. In the case of the M4RT it's more a matter of semantics. Even with a 4 valve engine sucking it to negative pressures, the reading will be different at high altitude because air pressure will be different to begin with, hence it is altitude compensated by the fact that "inlet depression" will NOT be the same number at high vs. low altitudes. The difference is a very small number.

Would inlet depression be the same number at top of Killeminjarro and Say, Silsden at 1800 rpm? The difference could be used as altitude compensation. You make an excellent point, and I'm not saying you are wrong so much as to simply try to understand the system.

Yes, inlet depression=MAP sensor. It has to be in there. The bulb thingy is Air Charge Temp. sensor or ACT. If the computer is as sophisticated as I think it is, it can calculate altitude from the map (inlet depression) sensor value, and refer to lookup table to figure out relative air density. This is an amazing piece of work. If Honda TLs ran this good and were this light everybody would have bought one.

Map sensor could get a value from inside the throttle body on the vacum side of the throttle plate, through a drilled hole perhaps, but FF you are saying there isn't one in the throttle body computer? A map sensor could help to calculate altitude compensation if it has one.

Since loading the Dennis Map on my bike, other than a bit of cold bloodedness 'til warmed up, it is flawless! Turns the Mont. into a 1963 Tiger Cub! Now I think I can ride this thing.

I've had quite a bit of time to field test the Laia Sanz throttle map and have concluded it's way to snappy for someone of my dwindling skill and relexes. It's a bloody handfull in the wet slippery rocks and mud. It sure is good for stadium type riding which let's face it, most of us never do. I had a chance to ride Dennis Sweetens bike last night in the muddy going and it is absolutely brilliant! Nice smooth controllable power and excellent grip. As soon as possible I will be using this program on my bike. It was custom written for Dennis by Jordi, who is one of the top techs at Team Montesa/Honda. Man I can see why. So anyone who is using the Laia Sanz program have anything to say? It rips don't it!

In the COTA club here in Portland, Or. we have Expert, Advanced, Intermediate, and Novice. In the past we have tried to run champ class but we now only have one champ rider, so it was dropped, at his recomendation. Also we have an optional "sportman" class which simply means no trophy. Riding sportsman means you don't care what your score is or if you beat anyone, but are just out for the fresh air and exercise. If standardized rules are adopted it would work best for us as Champ, Expert, Advanced, Intermediate, and Novice. I really don't like the word Master as it dates back to 1972 when we rode trials in golf caps and wellies, and Pro implies you are a paid rider.

Check the suspension linkage. The needle bearings are almost always shot due to water entry and lack of grease. Listen for unusual noises coming from the top end such as wrist pin noise or piston rattle. Check the wheel bearings for looseness, and look at the brake pads, and fork seals. Look at the engine skid plate damper rubber and if it is badly squished there could be cracked engine cases or inner clutch cover which are very evpensive to replace. Many of these bikes have liqid steel or JB Weld on the underside of the sump to cover up cracks. Just the first things that popped into my head. Good luck. Jay

Had a brilliant time at this weekend's Hammer & Tongs twinshock trial. 22 riders who all seemed to be smiling. Enclosed is a photo of yours truly on the Garelli.

The kickstarter got a rigorous workout friday night two weekends ago I was riding the Garelli up in the hills behind my house, while a friend rode my M4RT. After stopping to admire the view she refused to restart. I ended up pushing the thing back with my M4RT while my friend rode the dead Garelli. I have since rebuffed the points and set timing etc. I shine them up on a wire wheel and go through the precision adjustment with a dial indicator. I also have a big zip tie to hold my footpeg up while kicking. If the bike ever backfires and the kickstarter is trapped under the footpeg, that is what explodes the kickstarter idler gear etc. The zip tie just dangles there when you are not using it to hold up the footpeg. Sure beats breaking the hard parts.