steve fracy

Disappointed that Andy did not have the time this year to post the link to that great Remeberance Day song and video that he ran in past years. Hope all of you out there are remembering ALL the veterans in our countries that have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have! If you go to U-Tube and search for the song Pittance of Time, you too can listen to it again this year! Steve

I think you are onto something with that statement.... about the Mcc having to deal with the exact same issues as the CMA. The CMA has never made any attempt to unite trials riders in this country in my 30+ yrs of riding. This has led to where we are now. Spencer is right, and as we have tryed a few times before, to unite all the riders and let the riders govern the sport they know about. Not putting those words in his mouth either, I beleive we all want the same thing. If in fact the MCC makes an effort to support trials and lets the riders have direct feedback the way that the states does with the NATC/AMA aliance, we will then be able to move forward.

How much you askin for that gem in these tough economic times Ish......

Brian, my apologies for the rought upbringing mate......because actually the 1975 F-150 was a way better truck.

Ringo: My p*** is stronger than Bud Light! How dare you use those two words in same sentence as any true Canadian! Next time we meet, you can do a taste test for me and tell me if it is less filling or taste great......

Wow, when I see my name being used as some sort of example out there for you younguns, I guess I should chime in too! Its no secret that us Fantic lovers love riding them. I am finding it really fun riding our club events at home now because my son is riding the Intermediate class. I can take out the 300 and ride the same sections as him. Be challenged enough to have a great day out, and also help him out too by trying out different lines. At our last event I rode the Sen. Int class(same sections as Int). Nothing dangerous, some tight turns, steps, slippery stuff, cambers etc. All basic trials skills that any Int rider needs to learn! I lost 2 dabs on the first loop, and then had two clean loops. My good old buddy Dave Fair( the Canadian GG importer) normally wins the class, had 21pts. The point is that the sections were in no way too hard for anyone in the class, and I did take some points. The old bikes will do amazing things if you can get some time in on them and practise. I did contact Bob about having an ITSA event up in Canada, because we do run a 3 event vintage series called the Outlaw Series. (started by Canadian trials legend Outlaw Dave).Bobs answer was yes, it would be possible. Perhaps if some of the Washington and Oregon guys organized and event too, we could incorporate two weekends out west that would make it worth the trip! PS. I teased my buddy Dave when I got his answering machine that he was probably searching the Web looking for a good Fantic, thats why he could not answer the phone!

Hi Spinner: How are you..... Have you udgraded to this kit too. steve

Perce, I have had my 05 4t for about a year and half now. No starting issues. If it does not start, there is a reason. Last time I had a hard time( first time) in the summer, it was a plug issue. First one I had changed on it. I would like to put a Kehein on mine though. Anyone have any experience with it...As for Grimbo riding a 2T, maybe it is just a quicker bike to ride, revs better. steve

Add one pristine 300 here too!

I have heard it could be as early as the spring of 09

Clive, I had this video emailed to me a couple of weeks ago and was thinking the same thing as you! I was gonna email it to Kip!

Masso, you do realize that those prices he has shown are basically doubled when converted into Canadian dollars....and at the rate our dollar is falling right now, soon time to triple that price!

Ish, I get what you are saying, but Paul is apart of the STRA, and they do there fair share of events over the years so perhaps not the best example. I agree with Paul and the others that a full series is the best for sure,as I think you do too. Hopefully this years shortened series will have motivated a few more to step up and get involved again. I do not like the idea of One big week of Nationals purely as its not great to have all of the Nationals in one area, same terrain all week. Riding in foreign territory is what makes any championship special.

Hi there: YOu can google the Alberta Trials Riders Association to find there website. go there and ask lots of questions.... events are very close to you all the time. I beleive the club holds at least one event a year at the MX park right in Calgary.

Big John: Just have the update kit installed and the bike is a real treat. I am going to next put and exhaust from the 08 bike which is less restrictive. Still in love with the motor!

Just wanted to say that I have an 05 and ride it constantly with no problems@

Most are readily available depending on what model and year! What is it your looking for! Some stuff is still available in North America and a good load of stuff in the UK.

First off, thanks Martin for stepping in and once again posting up the facts! I had heard some silly rumours too, but, I have the benefit of knowing you and that you are a stand-up guy! I sometimes think it unfair for you to have to even dis-pell the silliness, but such is the age we are in now with the internet! I have some conficted feelings about the whole 4T experiment. One thing is, I love the 4Ts and I think it is great to have a choice for different people. I wanted to try one for so long, but honestly, it is hard to justify the price difference. I finally got to have one, but got a used one at a price I could afford at the time. I love it, and after a year now think that again the only thing that would make me go back to a 2 stroke is the price. To me that is kinda sad. I know others wont care, but if I am a manufacturer, this would be a concern because I dont think I am in the minority with my situation. I know for the most part the 4T is probably a bit more expensive to build, but I dont think its practical to be more that a few hundred dollars more than a 2stroke. I dont know what does everyone else think....I know it must be tough for anyone selling bikes for a living these days. Steve

Takes one to know one!

Copey; I know where there are some brand new in the crate 05 4ts up here and I was hoping to buy a new motor and update it to an 08 spec and slip it into my bike. I knew the carb was different. I like the idea of the different exhaust. If there is another new cam that would be helpful too. Makes sense about the muffler though. Could be an easy conversion if that is it! Steve

Cany anyone list the engine changes from 05 to 08. Internal or otherwise....I know the igniton is different now, and the Kehein carb, but what other things are different...!

Very Sad news indeed! My thoughts go out to his boys and his family! I am sure he would have been equally impressed with your writing skills and your tribute to him! I hope that something special would be planned to remember someone who obviously touched many people in his short life! I am also sure we would love to know about it if possible. RIP ! Steve

Copey: I was really hoping that Craig was going to be there, I was looking forward to meeting him! It was however a great time for me seeing old friends, some from as long as 20yrs ago. Kip was great and a laugh as the old days. I was very impressed with the whole Sherco pits! Catherine, Charley and Alex were very gracious hosts, and were instrumental in re-inforcing the idea I had set in my families head, about southern hospitality!!!!!! I had some great chats with Noel, and got to meet Patrick and introduce my son Matt to him. That was a big deal to him! It was an even greater pleasure for both of us to chat with Cody. I introduced myself as an old friend of his Dads, and told Cody that I last saw him when he was 11 or 12 riding on Vancouver Island. It was cool that he remembered the ride that I took him and Kip on back in 2000, and referred to it as something like the HELL ride! Remember his age at that time! What a great young man, and has so many great qualities from both his Mom and Dad! We were so jazzed that he won the Indoor right in front of us! There is some Canadian blood in that young lad!!!! I am not sure how many of you know about some of the very special people who attended the Youth Nationals this past year! Some of the names may be familiar and some may not, but all of them have had a major contribution to not only the STRA, but trials in America. See if you recognize some, or all of them. Nelson Crouch and Parker Lowndes. Nelson organized the World Round in TN in the year 1989 I believe, and Parker was a major member in the STRA in the 80s. Steve and Tom McNeal. Steve is one of the best riders in the US to never win the championship! #2 in 85 and just a superb rider and person!Tom, his younger brother, a great rider in his own right, but more known for being a superb bicycle trials rider, also a great person! Last but not least, Chuck and Mike West. Chuck was the Fantic importer for the US for many years, and Mike the High School champ. These are two people who had a great influence in my life as I spent 2yrs living with them when I was sponsored by TMI. I beleive it has been 20yrs since both of them had been to a National. The smiles that I saw on both of them there would make your heart melt! All very special people who in there own way have made major contributions to our sport. Just thought it needed to be noted! Steve

This was our first time at the Youth Nationals. I know what you guys are saying about the coverage, but honestly, if I knew there was not going to be any press, it would not stop me from coming! I have watched this event grow over the years since its inception, and waited for a long time to attend with my son. The amount of planning and organizing by Catherine and the crew at the TTC must me huge and I dont envy there workload during the week. Lots of folks to keep happy! So I dont expect anyone from TTC to do any more than they did. I guess the only mis-communication would be that if we knew that no one was available to take some pictures and do a write up, one of us who attended would I am sure been glad to take on that task. I know I would have put something together if asked! Bottom line for us though is that it is a unique opportunity for us to ride against other kids, learn a ton and have some of the closest competition we have ever had! It can only make my son a better rider quicker than if we had stayed at home! All of the great people and fun is just icing on the cake!

I have had good luck with the Dunlops the past two years. They would wear qucker than the Michy because the sidewall is stiffer, and the knobs as soft if not softer, therefore the knobs are taking the brunt of the thrust of the rear tire. Just my theory...The price of the Dunlop is good too! Both good tires, just choose which one gives you the most confidence. I like the Dunlops on my vintage bike too! Steve