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Is there any web based info on the 2004 Trial des Nations? I conducted a quick, short search but didn't find much? thanks

Alright. Latest on my clutch. I opened up the clutch pack and installed the thinner metal plates (1.3 mm and 1.4 mm). After installing these plates the new measurement was 19 mm. I put it all back together and poured the new oil in and took the bike for a spin. THE CLUTCH WAS SOOOO MUCH EASIER to pull!!! Yeah.. So, to sum up exactly what happened: My clutch fiber plates swelled, which caused the critical measurement to decrease,(pressure plate fingers to the clutch hub shoulder). This reduced the mechanical advantage which was seen at the clutch lever as a hard pull. So, now I will order the new fiber plates and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE Thanks, Wesley

Well, more good info guys thanks .. I talked with Jim Snell today.. It sounds like the spring is not the problem, but that the plates may be swelling. (Gas Gas has produced 3 "generations" of fiber plates for the Pro, only the 3rd generation are not subject to swelling. My plates are 2nd generation). For oil, I have been using either Dexron III, or B & M Synthetic. As the plates swell the "pressure plate fingers/levers" move down toward the bottom of the clutch pack and a significant mechanical advantage is lost in the lever action. Hence, the harder pull. Jim also mentioned some possibilities of problems with the original 2002 clutch spring and pressure plate, but the explanation was very long and I have since replaced the original so I won't go into that here.. So, it looks like everyone's first thoughts were correct: the fiber plates (swelling) are to blame. I have some of the thinner metal plates on the shelf so I will install those tonight to see if I can get the measurement back up to 18mm. I will still order the "new generation" plates, but I want to feel the increase in leverage at the clutch lever tonight! I'll let you know how it all works out.. thanks again. Regarding the oil, Jim recommended only 2 types of oil: 1) regular Dexron III, or 2) GM Auto-Trac Synthetic He also said Mobile One ATF is NOT good... too sticky and if the water pump seal forms a leak, Mobile One reacts with the water to form a corrosive substance..

Thanks guy for your thoughts.. I have replaced the clutch pack before and understand the "measurement issue." More of my thoughts: I put a new clutch pack in months ago and the measurement was 18mm (good), now the measurement is 14 mm (bad). Now, with this type of clutch, if the fiber plates wear down/thin out, this critical measurement would get bigger. Something has caused the "fingers" to settle by 4 mm. It couldn't be a "wearing" of the fiber plates as the measurement would get bigger. It could be that the plates have "swollen" as this would cause the measurement to get smaller.. and this would be unfortunate in such a short time, although I do ride the bike about 5 days a week.. Another possibility is the ring (that acts as the spring) could be "flattening" out some and this would allow the fingers to settle down also, AND more importantly, I think the ring/spring would be harder to compress with the travel that was remaining in the spring/ring. This is what I think is happening.. well, i have probably bored you enough... I'll call the tech guru tomorrow and see what I can find out.. I will get the problem fixed, but I do want to know the detailed technical reason why the pull on the clutch lever is getting so hard.. thanks

I have an 02 Pro 280 that is set up wonderfully.. Everything is perfect EXCEPT the clutch has become very hard to pull at the lever... it operates well, it just fatigues the hand. Knowing how the clutch operates, I have my ideas about why it has become hard to pull. Does anybody else that has knowledge of this clutch have some thoughts? A hint about what I think is going wrong: The "spring" (which is actually a "ring") is the culprit. What do YOU think? I'll be calling the "parts house" first thing tomorrow and ordering the necessary items.. a ring at the least, an entire clutch pack at the most.. . thanks, W

I couldn't remember if I posted these links here.. In case I didn't, here they are, a little late, sorry: Two slide shows with what turned out to be pretty good pictures: World Round Slide Show 1 World Round Slide Show 2 Wesley

Wait. Eric says: Bryan Roper, 1st overall, 10 year old AND Ringo says; Daniel Leavitt, 1st overall, 10 year old Do they share first?

I am ready for it! Looks like Saturday weather will be very nice.. Sunday says a slight chance for a few showers here and there.. See you there! wesley PS Les, I couldn't get the attachment to open.. nothing there for me..

I have trained for several years on a trials bicycle.. I think they are great tools for cross-training.. especially with regards to balancing, and moving the bike around (nose wheelie turns, front wheel hops, side hops). And of course to build stamina/endurance. As far as cardio exercise goes, the bicycle beats riding a treadmill or stairmaster, etc... There are several sites (one could find in a search) selling used 26" trials bikes that could serve as dual purpose machines... i would agree that you should stick with rigid forks.. You definitely should get a bike with trials specific components or you will just find yourself repairing the bike if you spend much time riding trials on it. I have both a 20" and 26" bicycle, and I like the 26" with respect to training for trials because the wheel base is closer to that of the motorcycle. For instance, for practicing nose wheelie turns on a 26" bicycle the motion is very similar to that on the motorcycle.. and more importantly, it "feels" very similar.. time to practice, Wesley