steve fracy

Just wondered if anyone who is close to the action with the indoors is on top of this all! A big victory by Raga in the first Spanish Championship has me wondering if this is finally the year for him?? What do you think?

Hey Jay: Who is Apex Sports and do they have an email??

I had problems with my 02 GG Pro that had me baffled. Came down to bad gas! How old is the fuel or maybe you just got a bad batch!

Fantic had financial troubles not once but twice! It's unfortunate that a bike with a reputation as having good quality was mis-managed. I really hope that the new owners can bring back some of the ideals that made this marque such a favorite!! Viva Fanticmotor!

I would love to see that as well! I almost have my 240 Fantic ready to ride!!

Don T: I don't ever have a problem with going as low as 3lbs in the rear when it's really slippery out! It will make a huge difference! Cheers, Steve

Yes Ishy, music was playing! Gets the celtic blood in me boiling for sure! I'd pay double for the trip to have weather like the way it is in the movie!

Must say that I really enjoyed Andy's very well put together movie of the SSDT! It got me excited to the point of wanting to ride again. But wait, the sunshine in those pictures was blinding. People spectating in T-shirts. Enticing for sure, but for some reason I can't shake the images that were etched in my brain, and they didn't look like that year. They are more like 03. Well done Andy! Very impressed. Cheers, Steve

Easy one hey PA? It was a 240 Factory Fantic. The factory bikes had one obvious difference from stock that year, anyone know what it was? At least I remember John's bike being different anyway.

One thing to think about though Ish, does anyone ever REALLY quit trials?? I know a lot of guys who have quit, myself included, who after a nice break start to think about riding again after sometime and come back with more enthusiasm than before! Lets hope that's the case here! I saw John win his first ever World Round in Muenster Texas in 1983. A huge roar went up from all the rider's when he went up to collect his trophy at the banquet! I believe he was a very popular guy with the World circuit! What bike was he riding in that trial???? Anyone? Cheers, Steve

Jay: Glad to hear that all is OK for you down there in Oregoon! Did you think up any new songs with all that quiet time?? Take care and before you know it, it will be back to normal west coast weather! Cheers, Steve

Gee, you mean Hyper Products is still not in business??

Some of you guys might know that some of the things that you've asked for have already been tryed before, by Fantic. The 303 Fantics came stock with adjustable flywheel weights that could be bolted on or off. They also came stock with adj. footpegs, 3 diff. positions. Then, the Fantic section came with a powervalve that had an variable exhaust port that would open as the throttle opened up! Just some thoughts :madsanta: Steve

The FACTS are that if you want to be a National or even Regional Champion, you must be a complete rider, and yes, be able to hop! But, as Ishy points out, 90% of the people out there learning the sport would be better off Mastering the basics! When I teach trials schools, I constantly hammer that home. Unfortunately, everyone wants to know how to do the trick stuff because it's cool and looks impressive. If you don't have a solid foundation first, it doesn't matter how good you are at tricks! Guys like Ryon Bell and Geoff Aarron are masters at making things like getting traction when no one else can, look routine! If you can't ride up to the point where you need to be able to do that trick move, what's the point? :santa1: Steve

There was a very interesting interview with Jordi Pasquet on Todotrial that's worth taking a look at! Despite the poor translation, it's interesting to see his view on the state of the World Championships and where he thinks it's headed! Have a look! Cheers, Steve

I was defenitely naughty, still waiting to see if I get what I was asking for! Only one person knows for sure!

I'm told that the flywheel is lightened, different base or head gasket's, and timing advanced! Just as quick as a GG Pro, so I'm told! Would like to try one and see for sure!

Great story Ridge: I have found that most guys who ride other forms of motorcycles ALWAYS enjoy getting out on a trials bike. Some dive in head first like your friend, others continue to dabble and eventually see the light! Good on you! Cheers, Steve :santa1:

Not too many people took much heed in the fact that Raga rode that last couple of Outdoor WTC's last year with the 300 motor! With the flat slide carb and some other mod's the 300 can be made to rev just like the 280, but also have the advantages of the big-bore! I would think that it has something for everyone! :santa1: Steve

Ishy: When it comes right down to it, I'm in the same boat as you. I just love to ride my bike, looking forward to riding the 240 too. It just struck me as odd when I looked at those old results, that's all. Not trying to stir any **** up at all, but curious to see if anyone has given any thought as to where things are heading?? Bikes used to be half the price they are now, and that surely has to have some bearing. What will happen if we all just take the attitude of just worrying about what happens in our local area and regions?? I don't know. I think the specialty events will always have lots of riders because they are fun and cater to a larger amount of people! Getting 240 fettled for Easter Weekend Extravaganza! Your have to make it Ish! Cheers, Steve :santa1:

I was rummagin around the other day looking for some old Fantic memorabilia to go with my 240 twinshock that I'm working on, and I found a ton of old Trials Competition papers with write-ups on Nationals from the late 80's, and results sheets. I was still riding Champ class back then and, I was quite interested to see the not only the number of riders entered, but the actual points spread between 1st and 10th. First off, every event I looked at there were at least 20 rider's in the champ class. Other than the top 2 ( Scott Head and Ryan Young) the rest of the guys in the top 10 could almost be interchanged from event to event! These were all impressive rider's too! Mcneal, Webb, Commo, Stites,Pyle, Manniko, just to name a few! In the results I looked at, rarely was there ever more than a 15-20 point difference between 1st and 10th! When I look at the results from this past years Nationals in the Champ class, I see a dramatic difference! Rarely is there ever more than 10 riders. The difference between 1st and 10th is almost always about 70-100 pts depending on how tough the event is! In my estimation, the bottom couple of guys riding champ would be doing a lot better off riding the Expert class, but then there are even less guys riding champ. My question is, ( a good one for you Ishy) how have we come to this?? I mean, I know why, but, what are all the factor's contributing to this?? Was it not better back then when so many more rider's were capable of winning? What can we do to get things back that way?? To me it all stems from the World Rounds and the FIM. This made me think of Ishy's theory of how perhaps all the World Rounds should go back to complete no stop! I know I have always hated that idea, but it seems the World guys are unfortanately putting themselves too far away from the general trials public and club riders. In the eyes of the factories, surely that can't be all good! Pretty soon, who will be able to ride anything other than elite 20 or 30?? Just some thoughts. I thought it might provoke some good ideas and maybe some solutions!! Cheers, Steve

A huge congratulations to Ryon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone in Canada is very proud of him and I hope that this gives him the boost he needs to win the Outdoor US Championship this year!! Next question is, was Wilson Craig riding or not?? Anyone out there?? Gotta get my dates better organized for next year as I was really hoping to make it to this one this year! Cheers, Steve

I'd love to see Tony Scarlett make a comeback on the Yam . Or perhaps Steve Saunders would like another go too! Seriously, the previous post to mine seems to have a lot of merit in it! Reward the lad who won the championship!

Although I only have an 02 Pro, ( and have had no problems despite most of the horror stories I hear) I could not believe the difference between my 01 TXT and the Pro! With the new suspension improvements and all the refinements, I can't imagine it getting much better! ( Yes, I've been saying that since my first Yam Mono). Seriously, if you already have a GG, you'll love the Pro. It will take some getting used to the light weight though. But, once you get used to it, you won't believe the difference! Cheers, Steve

Joe: I feel your pain! I to tuned in and had the VCR ready to go, but saw that fascinating program on the sinking of the Rainbow warrior! Sure ties in nicely with your cool avitar though doesn't it?? Cheers, Steve