alan_nc

Tony/Lee, My reason for thinking about using the clutch in sections (hence the wish for lighter pull) is that most of my riding is against and in sections created for modern bikes. The local club I ride with doesn't have a special line for vintage bikes. Stopping is also allowed so using the clutch is almost required. In a tight section you may have to hop the back end around to set up for the next part. Even with a lot of practice hours I find my hand cramping by the end of a Trial. Alan

Lee, Thanks for the response. I guess I do have one more question: Does it make the lever pull any easier? Alan

Group, Has anyone tried removing 2 or 3 clutch springs to lighten the clutch pull on a TY250? I guess the follow-up to that would be: Does the clutch slip if you do this? Thanks Alan

Tony, Thanks, that's the way I hooked it up but wasn't sure. Doesn't seem like the right side is aligned to anything. I don't really know why it would matter but the axle looks like the nut goes on the left - is that your understanding? Alan

Hi all, I know that the front wheel of my 74 TY250 was not on correctly when I bought the bike. I have looked at the pictures in the book but can't see what spacers/bearing/washers go where. Mine has a split spacer on the right side between the pinch part and the fork tube- the split spacer/tube is longer than the fork tube bottom..... is this correct? Is there a spacer between the edge of the fork tube bottom and the wheel hub(around the axle)? On the left: If there anything between the brake hub and the edge of the fork tube(around the axle)? If someone could send me a close-up picture of the assembled axle shaft that would be great. Alan ab400@hotmail.com

Well she is back together and running. Got all the parts off Ebay (all shipped in less than a week). The surprise was that the baby is quite a bit harder to kick over than it was before - guess it had been going for some time. Alan

This site lists all Yamaha Part numbers. Also has pretty good drawings of how things fit together. http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/myyamaha.../starthere.aspx Alan

If you check the Yamaha web site their software will let you look up any Yamaha bike/part. The DT and TY's of the same year have the same number for the piston. I'm making this installation at the moment. Alan

Feetup/Max, I think Max probably is correct. The piston is standard, no overbore - so it's been in the bike for a long time. Both rings were broken into several pieces. Ring grooves surprisingly clean. There is a mark on the exhaust port - nothing else. All ports have the stock (factory) chamfer. Broken land on the piston is directly at the front. Bore not sloppy or out-of-round so have decided to just put a stock piston and rings back in. Have new piston/rings/cir clips/piston pin and bearing on order. I don't think this is a normal flaw. I think this poor bike had a history of being rode hard and put up wet. It has scars all over the cases and the gas tank looks like it's been through a demolition derby. P.O. had been using pre-mix (pump disconnected) so the gas tank was rust free. Fenders look original but both have several cracks. I just patched them as the bike will be used weekly in Vintage Trials so there is no use making it pretty. I rode a Model 92 Sherpa T last year but have really enjoyed riding the TY - it just seems to fit my riding style. OH, yea I rode the T in the Sunday event. Alan

Bo, Yes I did turn the muffler up-side-down and tap (could be stuck to all the gunk inside). Crank turns over easily with no noise, no hard spots. I will "burn" the muffler prior to reassembly. Don't you sometimes wish you had the answer to why something happened? Thanks for the ideas. Alan

So I'm riding through a section this past Saturday and hear a light rattle sound from the front of the engine ('74 TY250). Shut her down and just turning it over with the kick starter could hear metal parts moving around loose. I have pulled the engine apart and found a broken ring, small end bearing with a lot of slop and a cir clip missing. The ring caught in a port and broke the ring land so the piston is trash. Found no metal parts inside the engine - don't know if they went out the exhaust or down into the case. I have washed the cases out several times with kerosene (then turned the engine over to drain it out). Nothing has come out - pieces wise. Bore wasn't scored. Crank and rod look O.K., from what I can see. I have pulled both side cases and see no problems in either. Drained oil from trans and it was clear. I have been riding the bike for a couple of months but prior to that it sat for several years. May have had some rust build up in the bearings during that time. Have located and ordered all of the replacement parts needed. Would appreciate any comments or suggestions from the group. Thanks Alan

Well, I try not to be a "stick in the mud" but really do think that if you bike came with points you should be running points if you are competing in a vintage venue. I competed on a 59 BSA Bantam a couple of years ago and ended up fitting an electronic ignition due to difficulty in starting. Due to my poor riding I wasn't cutting anyone out of anything, but...... it still isn't right. I really don't think it's any different than up-grading shocks or exhaust. If it gives you an advantage over those in your class .....it's wrong. Alan

Maybe Dave and I can hash this over and post a joint reply. As to the added events: Yes they include modern bikes. I think you need to do this to get the overall numbers up. It is easy enough to have proper lines in the same section. One of our clubs is going to run a Vintage Line at every event this coming year. Peer Scoring: Personally I would rather have an experienced Trials rider score me than someones significant other or a 12 year old, who have never seen a Trials event in their lives (both of which have happened). Rules: No this probably won't increase numbers of riders. It just indicated the mind set of the guys in charge (no change). Also makes a local club have less interest in hosting an event (play/score by two sets of rules). Economy: Yes, everything will suffer this year. Would be a good time to change the rules as it would effect less people. Alan

Ed and Evelyn Peacock, You two just can't handle the whole U.S. You say there aren't locations but our local/regional clubs are adding events and locations each year. I live in central NC and can ride in an event at least every other weekend within 2 to 4 hours of my home(from Feb to Nov). These clubs have no interest in making them AHRMA events because they don't want to deal with AHRMA. The AHRMA Trials rules need to be changed. You could put on an event with a lot less people if you went to Peer Scoring. I know that you have come out for the addition of other twin shock build years being included - this needs to happen. Stopping has become the norm. If a rider is good enough to stop and balance in the middle of a section don't add points. I really don't think the difficulty of the sections is an issue. My experience is that AHRMA (you guys) have don't a good job in this area. The board and their out dated ideas needs to go for AHRMA to ever be a vibrant organization again. I'm afraid you are doomed this coming year just because of the economy. You are going to have less riders at each event so getting support is going to be even tougher. I have sent my money in for the coming year and may not ride a single event. You know the old saying "don't complain if you didn't vote". I wish you the best for the coming year. I think the two of you have done about all you can. Alan

As your others..... this is a great video. Alan

Tony, I'm about to give up on Speed and Sport. I have emailed them 2 times in the past couple of months and have never gotten a reply. I'm looking for kits to rebuild Betor Shocks(Sherpa T) and the petcock for the TY. Either they never check their email or they just don't care. Alan

Group, Can someone give me a part number and location to buy an aftermarket petcock for my TY250. Surely EMGO or someone makes one that will fit. Thanks Alan

Group, Started a new thread as things get lost/or change the meaning of old threads. Specific to Tony's latest Blog comments: Good comments all from someone who has "walked the walk". On the difficulty of Loops. We have commented on making them more rider friendly... Something we haven't mentioned is making them more spectator friendly. Wouldn't we all be happier if family/friends on some little pit bike could ride out and watch us "clear" a section. It was mentioned that this (the AHRMA Trials Series) was a national championship. Well maybe, but with the distance between events you are going to have to be self employed, retired, unemployed or have a very understanding boss to make it to more than 3 or 4. "You" may see it as a national championship but I really think most of us just see it as a chance to ride Vintage Trials. And by the way: Ed, you did a fantastic job. I really hope it was worth it to you and will pay off for AHRMA. Alan

We disagree, which is not a problem. My point: Look at the makeup of AHRMA... It's a bunch of OLD WHITE MEN. In the nine events I rode there was one female entry - on the four line. Maybe three or four events had an older teenager riding, no sub-teens. I know AHRMA doesn't encourge children/youths to ride....but I think that is exactly the wrong attitude. If you don't have new blood the sport won't continue. We need to get some youth oriented people on the board. Alan

Slalom, Really don't mean to make an issue of this. I was just expressing a point. The part of the loop I am talking about at Barber is the winding downhill to the concrete bridge over the creek and then the uphill on the other side. There is no way a mule could make it up or down either side (it's a trail about one bike wide). A 125cc ridgid frame (there is a class in AHRMA for these) would not have a prayer on the hill. As I mentioned several riders were forced to drop out of the event when they could not make it up the hill. I don't know their names, but if they read this they might chime in. The point: AHRMA needs to attract more and varied riders. You gain skill by riding events and if you scare them off before they gain any skill .....they are not coming back. Look at the faces at an AHRMA event; they have gray beards and creases. If AHRMA is to continue we need new blood. I am currently riding a vintage bike against modern bikes. I have ridden against 12 year olds this year and at least one teenager in every event. I have never had anyone in my class over 50. Now that is a healthy club with a future. By the way several of the teenagers ride vintage bikes. AHRMA (Like the American Auto Industry), needs to clean out the "Old Boys Club" and get some folks in there that have a clue what the future is. Alan - please I really don't mean this as a shot at any one person.

Slalom, "As far as the loops being too hard, I have never seen a loop (not counting NATC Nationals) that a novice class rider could not navigate safely......... granted that doesn't always mean riding feet up, but there is nothing that says they can't sit and paddle through a short section of the loop if they feel uncomfortable. Because of the nature of our sport and the terrain required to create sections for the various classes, it is difficult if not impossible to create the cart path type loop." I don't know where you have been riding (or your skill level) but I've ridden several loops that were much harder than any of the sections. Last years Barber loop took out several riders before they ever got to the first section. It was at least 1/8 mile of steep downhill gravel with tough turns - and then an uphill to get out of the area. I don't agree that you can't set up a safe loop. That sure doesn't let anyone test their Trials talent. Alan

Biff, Was cancelled due to three days straight of steady rain. With the leaves falling off the trees and soggy ground it would have been a zoo. Hope things are going well with you. Alan

Well, as someone who rode Barber last year (but not this year) I can make a couple of comments. The Barber course is really bad. It's dangerous, not challenging. The Barber folks don't really seem to want us there and made it difficult to run the event. Last year: Entry was blocked to the course after the supposed starting time. Event was scheduled when most folks were packing up to head home. and..... in fairness - this year it was at the height of the gas problem (in NC we actually couldn't find gas). If you have ever ridden a ITSA event I think you will have to say that they are tough, but safe. Put on ...by Trials Riders, for Trials Riders. I'll probably re-join AHRMA this year but I'm not sure why. Alan

Do you have a Vintage Line set up for this event? Alan

Since we seem to have several regulars who have experience with TY250's I have a couple of questions. I have been riding a Model 92 Sherpa T in Trials this year and have just finished getting my TY250 up and running. Rode a couple of sections and found the riding position to feel strange. The TY must be 2 or 3 inches higher than the Sherpa T (foot pegs anyway). I find I'm bending over quite a bit to hold the handle bars. Have you changed the handle bars or do you get used to it? Have you changed the position of the foot pegs? Without going to anything really wild or expensive what changes have you made to the bike? If I can get a few more hours of riding time I will probably ride it in a vintage Trial in about 2 weeks. Thanks in advance. Alan