zippy

Last I knew the Dude had mucho vacation stuff going on. I am not sure if he is even near a computer. I think this weekend he is at the Vintage days in Ohio. I like the idea of easing up INT a bit and getting the top 7 riders of current INT to move to Sports. The titles of Beginner and Novice are appropriate titles for that level of skill. We could call them "Newbie" and "A little better". No matter what we name the lowest skill level classes those riders that are concerned with sounding like they are better than they are will always move up too soon.

current Senior guys Keener and Capistrant would whomp on my young ass

Well that sucks that there was not enough interest to keep it going. I was even gonna beg the Mrs. to let me try one out. Good luck next year..

WHAT!!!!!!! You mean I would have to ride ADV for another 15 years!!!!!! My current goal is ride ADV until I hit 40 then slide into Senior. And still get beat by those same 2 guys that get 1 or 2 points an event. OH heck I might as well stay in ADV, at least those guys have double digit scores that beat me. Yea 40 is a bit young for senior

Well, Definitely looking forward to the Trials in Rose City. Last one there I got many many points but had a great time. I really liked the off-camber turns on the hills, just slick enough to make it really interesting. And some good size steep climbs also. Really enjoyed the no run up rock pile that was used in the E-Cross. Beautiful property there, will be great to see more of it this time around. Wonder what I can break on the bike this time??? OK to the off topic portion of the thread: Had to break out the MOTA book. "Sportsman class riders shall compete over a course comprised of approximately fifty percent of the more difficult Intermediate sections and approximately fifty percent of the least difficult Advanced class sections. However, at the promoting clubs discretion, a separate Sportsman line may be used in a section, and shall be marked accordingly throughout the section." OK myself I am guilty in the past of making a separate Sportsman line. But I agree that we all need to get back to the 50/50 setup for Sportsman. I think the allowance of a separate Sports line is ok if it is used as a last resort because that section has a way easy INT and a way hard ADV. The following is not a complaint, just a statement of opinion and some fact. The difference from Novice to Intermediate is HUGE!! Intermediate to Sportsman is BIG!!! Sportsman to Advanced is BIG!!!!! Advanced to Expert is well screw the Experts they are the best so set them up with the impossible stuff (I say that cuz I will never ride Expert) I have noticed that within MOTA (and all clubs are guilty of this at one time or another) that instead of encouraging riders to move up a class the events get set up to really challenge the top 4 guys in that class. As those top 4 get better the sections get harder but are still labeled that class. Those in the lower classes are like Whoa!! that is too hard or scary I ain't moving up. Not sure about adding another Sr class, not sure if anyone would ride it, but never know until you try, my biggest concern would be ease for observers to know who rides what. At first glance it don't sound like a bad idea. Might be worth pursuing.

If you are comfortable with the jump up do it!!! I went from Sportsman to ADV and am now beating the crap out of myself and coming in last place every event, and having MORE FUN doing that than riding Sportsman.

That's why I clean it outside. Even in winter, we Michiganders can handle the cold. If I use the mineral spirits and reuse it then recycle it instead of using gasoline........when do I get to have the big fire when I am done cleaning???

I am beginning to think that 2 day events are the way to go if there is enough space. Camping.. 2 days worth of interesting sections...etc..etc... Also would give me a great excuse to buy that travel trailer with the garage in it....

Ummm ..... we are supposed to clean that foam thingy????? Is that why my rings, crank bearing, and crank seals needed replacing 2 yrs after I dumped it in the creek? (I am being sarcastic) Yep clean them often and use a foam filter specific oil. I clean with gas and since I am lazy I use an aerosol spray oil. quick spritz and good to go.

I took the easy way and ordered it pre-assembled when I had to change mine. no riveting involved.

Well, technically it is at the Sherco website. http://www.sherco.com/ hover over the "support" tab and click on "Wayne's Help" Many topics there. more specifically the rim tape one is http://www.sherco.com/wayne/Rim%20Band%20R...nt%20Manual.pdf

Hey he's got a seat too. what's that all about???? modern bikes don't have a seat....... Yes I am being a bit cheeky.

So is trials popular over on China or is it just beginning to be noticed?

HEE HEE HEE FIRE! FIRE! HEE HEE HEE

Well at least it was definitely sealing like a gasket should

When I was younger I had a sticker on my bike that stated "Turn the gas on dummy" I needed that silly thing a few times.

Is there any other way to ride a 250 Ninja? Don't red line until 14,000rpms. It may not have been the heat range that caused the failure, but I did some research (online of course, so may not be 100% accurate). Found out I was not the only person to have this issue. I have a Temp gauge on the bike, when it holed the valve I looked down and it was in the red. Only rode about 10 miles when this happened, which is consistent with what I discovered during research after the fact. Had proper coolant level in it. problem was solved with NGK plugs. (oh and a hefty repair bill for valves and valve lapping) Any ways learned a lesson, only use NGK in my bikes. And yep was very lucky that the piece of valve that came off went out the exhaust and did not stick or score the piston and cylinder. Very very lucky.

I will always use NGK plugs in ALL my motorcycles I will never use a Champion again. Quick story. Adjusted valves on 250 ninja, decided to change plugs. Go to local auto parts store ask for 2 of these, (handing him my NGK plugs.) He says "we only carry Champion" I said "well cross reference them, should be equivalent" Boy was I wrong. The listing for 250 ninja in the champion book came up with a plug that has a different heat rating than the NGK. I found that out after my bike over heated and and burned a hole in one of my exhaust valves. And no the valves were not adjusted incorrectly, they were perfectly in the middle of the spec. I checked before pulling the head off to take to bike shop for repair. Any engine that is heat sensitive should NEVER use Champion plugs.

I liked the Staircase part.

Maybe wishing US drivers were better trained is a fantasy, but what I was trying to convey is that it needs to be made a reality. Through organizations such as the AMA and the MSF. I have seen billboards in my area stating the need to watch for motorcycles, a definite step in the right direction. And I already agreed with the ability to escape. I forgot to mention anything about being seen, that is my oops. I do agree with being seen. As for the heard portion I don't think we will agree......so to avoid going off on a tangent of this topic how about we agree to disagree about "Loud pipes save lives" and concentrate on Off-road noise. I have a Honda TLR200 Reflex that I started back into trials with, In the section at Idle I had more than one observer ask if it was still running. With that same bike opened up it was still rather quiet. I realize that it is a small bore machine and typically is quieter, but is it possible to obtain the same sound volume of the TLR200 with the same performance of say a montesa 4rt, or any of the 450cc Crossers/off roaders?

I are in US. Sorry don't know any suppliers in England.

The answer is YYYYYEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!

Depends, What country you in?

Atom, I was taking the proverbial pi$$. or at least attempting.

Atom you looking to purchase?