swooshdave

Pictures?

Oh, I'm sure you won't get any responses on this one...

Perhaps it can get back up to 4 if there is an Xispa importer... <runs and hides...>

While I don't mean to compare trials motorcycles to firearms, the dealer situation does have similarities. For firearm sales in the US, all that is required is a FFL (federal firearms license). There are few restrictions on getting a license, and having a B&M ("brick and mortar" storefront) is definitely not one of them. There are hundreds, of not thousands of people with FFL, a vast majority buying from distributors, selling at a few percentage points over wholesale and saturating the market with low cost and no service. Obviously not an ideal situation for anyone. It is a complex situation, it which if you base it entirely on what the consumer gets, they get low purchase prices. What suffers is the the real dealer network which now has to survive strictly on service and accessories. Is there enough margin on those two items to remain profitable? Probably not, unless you are generating tremendous traffic. What will happen is that you will end up with centralized dealers which means localize service will no longer become available. You can't troubleshoot all problems over the internet. I don't believe that trials bikes can be a commodity, but it is a specialized market that needs special service. Following other models will hurt the industry.

From the horse's mouth, wherever that phrase came from... The redesigned Mini (when BMW finally got to "fix" the English *engineering*) should be a worlds difference in maintenance, aside from the fact that BMW subscribes to the "no-maintenance", er, free maintenance policy. I wouldn't trust modern BMWs past their warranty.

Yeah, I'm sure they are checking out his technique and not his

not really. We don't mind laughing at ourselves. Heck I don't mind when Clarkson rails on us either. 1) can't really argue with the "lack of good candidates" comment 2) it seems we speak a close enough dialect that communication isn't a problem, just a matter of spelling and pronunciation. 3) once the UK is a smooth running ship, there will be a better case for running our little dump.

I saw your article in Vintage Views. Can I assume you are assisting/running the National Trials this year? You are correct, the PNW is a hotbed for trials. The turnout for Chehalis is astounding and yet it seems to gets constantly overlooked. I think it does get a good influx from the MX rider pool, but that can't account for the all of the participants. I certainly thought that Donner would be way larger. And I'm concerned that the Wyoming trial (3-day) is too far away for most riders. I'm not sure if we're going to be able to make that and Donner. It's almost like there is too many trials in this part of the country. I terrible situation to be in, for sure. And lastly I'm concerned that Hannegan is slated for the same weekend as Donner. It was the first year for trials at Hannegan last year and the turn out was modest (probably pretty good for a regional event) but I'm just hoping that having it at the same time as Donner doesn't cut it off at the knees before it gets a chance to get started.

Hell, I thought the first picture WAS his garage

I've seen some rear fenders which had a "pinch" in the middle to clear the frame tubes. You may be able to get an alloy fender and have a metalsmith customize it to fit your frame. Of course without a better picture I can't tell how much interference you have.

I had got the report from my uncle who said the hillclimb was "interesting". Good to see some variety. How was the overall turnout?

I'm sure this will drive someone crazy when you talk about the prices of trials bikes but there is someone over here trying to sell an 86 Beta and is having no luck. I think this is because, especially in the PNW there is no real twinshock class to even compete in. It's a bit different on the other side of the country, what with the ITSA. This guy started out at US$1500 (

Aren't they yipping enough as it is?

I can't help there but here are some cool scans of a TR77 catalog/brochure. From this site: http://www.lamaneta.net/ossa/documentos/cat/ficha202.htm Now can we go back to talking about Bultacos?

And yet the only people to answer the initial question have said 250, aside from yourself (although this isn't a perfect poll, it's similar to other impressions I've gotten from threads on TC). I will say the early 250s were a bit wide, especially at the engine cases. I believe the later ones where much narrower. That's what I'm working on, a M92, nearly have all of the horrible red paint off the frame. (sorry to have stuffed a Bultaco into a TY thread)

Good to know. That being said it seems like when anyone asks which TY to get the pat answer is the 250? The 175 is so light and controllable that it seems it would be viable candidate. Was it just because later 250s were more developed? I like a bigger bike because I can wick on the power and get me out of some of the uncomfortable situations I tend to find myself in. Some, not all.

My theory is that it depends on the size of the rider. My uncle is probably about 160lbs and loves his TY175. My cousin is a wee bit north of 200lbs and is contemplating a 200cc kit for his TY175. I'm moving to a 325cc Bultaco, so I won't mind an extra burrito or two...

You've probably forgot more about Yamahas than I know about Bultacos. Speaking of Yamahas, I think I've mentioned this before but it seems like TY175s are way more prevalent at AHRMA events, at least in the West. Is that just me or does that sound right?

I certainly would discourage putting oil into the crankcase. As for the oil/gas ratio, that is more debated than who shot JKF. Let's just say that some oil is good.

Rule of thumb is to use the highest octane you can procure/afford.

If he wants to do trails and trials wouldn't the Alpina be a much better choice than the Frontera? I thought the Alpina (especially the early ones) was basically the Sherpa T with a comfier seat?

Remind me to bring my M92 exhaust over to you for some much needed "help".

swooshdave COD4, Halo 3 Also an original member of 2old2play, an online site for gamers 25 and older that want to avoid the little kiddies.

Can you post pictures of the brake hub? Can it be turned and smoothed?

Submit plans to put in a shooting range. Once they see that a few motorcycles won't phase them.