jaylael

Superfly: Although I can't offer any solid advice regarding the value of the Gassers you mentioned, I feel compelled to say I understand your predicament and I am sorry for your plight. It can be very hard to deal with all the pressures you talked about. Trail use issues here in Oregon have become increasingly difficult to sort out with all the "casual users" tearing up the hillsides and p***ing off the landowners etc. I have been getting very dicouraged with some of the hurdles our trials club's working trials marshalls are facing these days. I have been fearing the dire effects of all these "greenlaners" "cowboy riding" which are causing grief to the trials club. All I can say is things are bound to work out if you keep trying and don't give up hope. Just when it becomes dark and seems like it's just not worth the trouble, things can turn for the better in ways we don't expect. Good luck with your future bike riding plans, hang in there and enjoy that new Pampera if you get it let us know about it. Trials or trail riding, we are all in this together. Jay L

Gavin: I have owned a '93 Gas Gas 250, 1991 Beta Zero, 1995 Beta Techno, 2000 Beta Rev 3 and a 2001 Montesa, within the last 10 years. I keep my bikes way too long, until they become grossly outdated. I have field tested these bikes in many trials events and general riding etc. I have found any of them can be reliable and effective machines given proper maintenance and care. I think the Gasser requires more frequent parts replacement and general attention to keep it in top fettle. A pro would be higher maintenance than a Montesa. As far as your question it would be a forty page essay which nobody wants to read. I suspect you are a bit hard on your bikes, maybe not the best mechanic and not wealthy. If these are all correct assumptions, you should get another Montesa. Probably a nice low mile two stroke similar to the one you've got now would be your best choice. It's only my opinion, since you asked for it right?

Despite the wonderful advice from some of you helpful people, I have disassembled the poor Monty and found the problem. To make a long story short, over the incredibly large number of miles this bike has been ridden the hard coating on the end of the aluminum shift drum has worn through, and in the center groove for the shift fork there is a raised spot which shows bright aluminum and an obvious divot in the ramp area. It appears these combined flaws in the shift drum have created the binding condition. Since the shift drum does not turn freely the detent mechanism is not able to finish indexing the shift drum like it should. Since the shift is never really completed, it tends to jump out of gear. Between replacing the shift drum, cases, gaskets, seals and bearings I sould be spending quite a bit but hope to have the ole girl back to her former glory as soon as possible. Looks like I will be riding vintage class at the point event though. Jay L.

Ringo: I agree completely. Your comments remind me of the time I rode the 1987 world round at Bodines PA. I was way overmatched and generally the crowd was supportive and even into cheering for me. That was very cool. however there was a section at one point which involved a six foot drop off at the entrance and later wanted us to go up a ten foot vertical cliff. Many riders failed this so it was a real crowd pleaser. As I was walking this, I remember standing there trying to imagine even trying this, when a woman not three feet behind me whispered to her friend, "This guy's a squid." What could I do but smirk and get on with the job? It still makes me smile every time I think about it.

Neat picture Steve! Is this youg master Fracy then? Future Canadian champ no doubt. Too cool! I shoulda' had a kid. Looks like great fun. So Steve I wonder if you're gonna make it to our point event in two weeks? It would sure be great to see you again. Stan B. was here for my trial and kicked all butts but Dennis S. Looks to be getting on well with his new Sherco 2.9 Hope you can make it. O.K. here's the deal. If you show up I'll bring my guitar and sing. Jay L

I have it on good authority the 175 Crosser rode was a poweroll, built by none other than Oregon's Pete Fischer, then detuned for trials back in the UK. Poweroll's engine was too high performance as it was built as a motocross/enduro engine. I'm guessing it had too high comp. so perhaps the piston dome was milled thinner to lower the comp. or something? I submit the big bore engine setup was not sufficiently tested before rushing off to fort William with it. Timing and carb. fine tuning can be a moving target. Perhaps it was too lean or too far advanced or who knows what all. The Scottish is no place for un tried lashups. Time will tell if the 175 Scorpa 4T is a viable option. I sure would love to have one just because it's new and different. Jay

Sorry Munch: Just trying to be witty. These "my bike's best" deals never go anywhere. Thought a chuckle might be in order. Once again I'm not funny.

You'll need two of another brand of bike to equal the longevity of a Mont.

I for one am truly grateful for Ishy's selfless sacrifice for the good of our sport! (once again) Without him our club would be much, much worse off. Bless ye Lad! Y'er allright.

I'd rather be riding a caroureted bike twenty miles back in the woods from the truck. In all fairness it will probably be reliable most of the time. Problem is it opens up whole new horizons in frustration and expense for that other small percentage where things go wrong. It will require more diagnostic skills and parts availability. The first Gasser enduro four stroke to hit our local shop suffered a fuel pump relay failure with less than 50 miles on it, and had to be towed out of the backwoods by it's frustrated new owner. Then the part had to come from Spain and costed big bucks. No a bosch relay wouldn't fit as it was "special". Two weeks down time then the customer was most likely gutted and afraid to trust his expensive new bike. These are all things to consider. Still, like the legions of gas gas pro owners will testify, It's worth it if you love the bike enough. That will be the case for new Mont. owners also. Whatever the slings and arrows, It will be worth it. Jay

Practicing up for the world round in Duluth I bet. No time for the Bulletin board with all the practcin' I 'spect.

Ishy: Looks like a wonderful trip. Must say it's been quite awhile since I was to Victoria. It's a wonderful place allright. Them kids must've had a field day! Was it tough getting back in the USA? They didn't search your secret hiding places did they? Way to go on smoking them with 12 points. Must be all the practice. I wonder if you'll have more points at Jordan Creek this weekend. I think it's gonna be tougher this year, but who knows until the day for sure. The wife, and Dog and me are planning a lovely camping trip out there this weekend. Will you be coming out to camp sat-day night? Hope to see you then, Jay L.

Ed's pic

As I get older I'm more prone to mis representing the facts. You gotta' watch me. It sounded funnier.

I ordered up road toad airbox decal and scissored out the written part just keeping the froggy pic for my bike. Ed may have a different approach.

I saw Dennis tonight and he was walking a little stiffly. I asked him if he was still sore from the Scottish and he said no. He was fine until he went practicing wednesday night at Kary's house. See the trials riding at Kary's must be tougher than the whole scottish six days then eh? Hmmmm. To quote my old buddy Ed C., "He must be tougher than hammered owl poop." only he didn't say poop.

Thanks for the tips. Seriously. It does pop outa' gear and it's getting worse all the time. It does leak oil like hell. I have a new skid plate and rubber and have jb welded (epoxy like glue) the leak at the center case joint several times before. It does have a gazillion miles on it. I was also just having some fun as well since I have yet to repair the dime sized piece of case that's been popped off the case in back from the kicker shaft fiasco I wrote about before. It is gonna' be time for a total strip down. Needs new cases and whatever else is wrong inside. I just don't have the time until after I finish all the Hodaka work I have planned for Hodaka days june 25th and also trying to restore my '69 Maico 250 before Chehalis national mx in August. I have a busy summer ahead and just don't want to sprawl that silly Mont. I intend to keep riding her as is until I can get to it. Thanks for the good tips and the comic relief too. Jay L. ps once I figure out for sure why it pops out of gear I'll write an update.

Larry Stevens of Texas: If you are forced to ride with your neck bent in an uncomfortable fashion there is more to be concerned about than just your helmet choice. It sounds as if you may be taller in stature and possibly riding a bike that is not set up properly for a tall rider. The bikes in the '80's generally were setup this way with high footpegs and low bars which set the rider in this neck pinching position. The solution to these ergonomic problems lies in higher bars and lower footpegs. Newer bikes are generally closer to the ideal. Ironically the older bikes like the '74 class of trials machines have a more ideal layout with lower pegs and higher bars which position the rider in a more comfortable and effective position. One way to raise handlebars on some bikes is with an additional set of bar clamps and longer bolts with two lower clamps stacked up together to raise the height of the bars. This however won't work on bikes with layed back clamps found on earlier Bultacos for example. It seems it's getting hard to find taller bars these days. Also on some bikes like the '80's TY machines it helps to lower the footpegs a bit. Many riders of older machines are well versed in this method of improving the horrible ergonomics of these machines. Don't know if any of this applies to you, but it's just what came to mind reading you comments about neck pain. Good luck and thanks for listening. Jay L

I have a 2001 Cota that has approx. 100.000.000 miles on her an' she is popping out of 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. Also leaks oil from between the skidplate and the cases. I think it could still be under warranty? Don't the manufacturers back their product any better than this? I tried wedging a screwdriver handle in between the skidplate and the sump but it still pops outa' gear. Maybe I should change the gearbox oil to a thicker weight? Would this eliminate the schreeching noise in the clutch when I downshift from 5th to 1st at 60 mph? Thanks in advance for your replies, Jay Lael.

Hey Guys: I did a bit of research and came up with the name of the guy who rode his Wombat from New York and a page with some pics etc. Here's the address to the web page for Steve Kirkpatrick's ride. www.jhmand.com/hodaka/steve.html That was a brave attempt at crossing America on a Wombat! Also a comment about Ed's Bullfrog. It works way better than mine. Maybe the new one will be closer though. Jay L.

Sendero:Like most fables there is a grain of truth to it. The guy rode a wombat from New York and tried to ride to Hodaka days at Athena Ore. but ended up buying a beater pickup truck to complete the trip after the poor Wombat garbaged both engines. The rumour I heard was that the bike was not jetted properly and fell prey to lean seizure before it made the state line in New York. After fitting the new engine which was mounted in a special rear rack, it made it farther, but still suffered ultimate failure. As you probably know a guy rode an Ace 100 around the perimiter of the Australian continent in the '60's so it wasn't the bike as much as bad luck and poor jetting choices. The man who did this has a writeup about him on www.strictlyhodaka.com (I might recall his name if it wasn't 5:25 in the morning) Seems like a great idea 'til you get out there on the wind blown prairie on your overloaded Wombat. Jay L.

Do any of you have any reports on Ishy? I see he finished. That's good. I can't wait to hear his tale of the Scottish. I can only imagine how tired you all must be after such an ordeal. Congrats on a job well done all of you who were there in person and rode the greatest trial of all. My hat's off to you. Jay L.

I can't imagine riding the Scottish in a pair of rubber muck boots on ANY bike! Makes my feet hurt just lookin' at those things. When I was a kid and couldn't afford a pair of those Dunlop/Hi-point "wellies" I rode in those farmer boots like that, and one day climbing a rocky bank on my OSSA one of my feet was sucked under the peg and smashed by the combined weight of the bike and rider. No more rubber boots for me! Life is just too short to spend it in that much pain. Jay L.

Hi guys! Can't resist a chance to comment again about those wonderful funny bikes (almost) made in Oregon. Bullfrog's bike was one of just five? special prototype bikes, most of which never saw the light of day. I will wait until Ed tells the story from his viewpoint. I was a trials riding kid in '72 on a special Hodie built by the colorful character, Whitey, "Hacksaw" Hartman, who also happens to be my uncle. It was based on a 1964 Ace 90 which was number 00004. Too bad it is no longer around as it sort of vaporized when I got my first OSSA MAR in 1974. I have a few pictures of the Hacksaw bike but the one shown here is the one I built in '2000 using alot of the ideas which were used on the Hacksaw bike, plus alot of new ones dreamed up since then. The thing is, I am currently building a new version of the "Lael" Hodaka which is three inches lower with revised steering head angle and different specs and lightwer weight. It is being collaberated on with Ed Chesnutt of Hodaka Pabatco, and Hacksaw Hartman, who is still riding bikes at age 74. The new bike should be done by Hodaka days and I hope to ride it at Chehalis this year also. Sorry no pics as it's still top secret. Here's the Lael Hodaka I call T-1. Jay

Andy: What was the trouble he had on day one? Go Dennis! _cid_image001.jpg_01C43332_1_