My dad and mom were in a tornado in Ontario. I was going to go home if we were they were not going to come out to mid ohio. looks like they are still going to make ohio so i am seeing them next week. Any trials around Rhode Island nationals? Ie the week before? I am taking the whole week before off. I see a d4 but ehhh i am not all about that. If your out practiceing that week let me know!
Hey Rilley this is Davey Knapp.... Hmmm i may be in town this weekend unexpectedly and may just have to drag pop on out. Are the directions up on the three d website?
I did the same thing last year at a trials Inc event in ohio. They have a special life preserver award.... Maybe this is a needed addition to the world round???
I moved up to expert here in our local club and I have been twisting tweeking cracking and scraping my plastic almost every time I ride now. If you whiten due to stress the plastic your done game over thats the way it looks end of story. I am currently using two different sets of plastics and since they were both getting pretty ugly i decided to start to play around. I was a body man in a car dealership for three years when in engineering school so i figured i couldnt do much damage. If you screw it up you can always get new plastic.
Yours are painted so it may be a little different. First is to use 3m plastic pollish an my power buffer. This worked well but it did not rub deap enough to get rid of the whitening. It did make them shine like new and with some 1000 grit sand paper on the scratches they will disapear. For paint use standard rubbing compound and if you dont have a power buffer use some elbow grease. 1000-2000 grit sand paper will take off the edge of the scratch and if it is not below the paint you can usually fix the scratch. Make sure to use water with the sand paper.
To get rid of the whitening i tried a heat gun from under neath and got it to about 300 degrees before it started to warp. It did fix a bit of the whitening but I found that it weakened the plastic and it finally cracked. At this point I gave up trying to get rid of the whitening.
I am cheap and I dont want to buy a fourth set of plastics for this bike but it looks like i will before i sell it. Good luck and try some rubbing compound.
No no they are still straight. The issue is durability and my reliance on them at this point. I pulled off the throttle before tennesse and the domino is wearing through the bar. I know that one of these days its going to go tink! and i am done.
Whew thanks for the good news. I was scared that the kid was getting a bike to match his skill. Thats not a good combination for a guy like me.
I purchased a monty with my buddy this winter and have been riding about twice a week in down town Detroit. We have stumbled on several nests of hobo's and they grumble when your hoping on their benches/beds but what can you do. I was off the gasgas for about a month and a half and it felt like i had never left it. Ballance is all there pretty much the same but the bicycle requires more push and that is something that I needed on the motor cycle anyways. In the states the bicycles are more expensive but we found deals. I have an alp magura with hydraulic rim brakes and my buddy pete has an x lite with front disc and rear hydraulic rim. mine was 300 and his was 600. It was this or get a gym membership and I can see where that would be a one time only event. My roommate converted his 200 dollar mongoose bicycle into a trials bike from a bmx with some hydraulic brakes from ebay and a new sprocket with bash ring.
Here I am practicing in the office at work on a saturday. Dont tell the bosses they get nervous when I start talking trials.
First: They didn't let you ride? Why was that? (I ask to educate myself from your experience not to poke fun)
Second: The Minimum # of rides rule has been around for ages! So if this has come as a surprise then where is the lack in communication between natc and yourself?
Here is my view point as a limted rider in a world of really great riders. In the U.S. this is an amature sport. Sucks in my eyes because its all I think about but its true. There is an audience for the sport but its not as accessible as other options. For instance you can flip on the tv any given weekend and see extreem drama and action from your couch. Extreem freestyle motorcross to foot ball its all there at your finger tips. On the flip side of the spectrum you have nascar. In my eyes the most boreing event in the world but its huge. Its huge because you can be there in person with your family while people come up to you to sell you beer and food sitting on your butt. Hundreds of thousands of people love the sport because it has come to them. They didnt have to go anywhere. (I am going somewhere with this so stick with me) Trials cant be like any of those sports. We can't spoon feed the sport to the public with the participation we have at this point. In europe it can be spoon fed to the public. You can go down to spain in 4 hours and check out the people you see on tv (10 for you brits). You can find a local event. You can find tons of redneck local circle tracks and do the same here. I have to travel anywhere from 30 mins to 2 hours to just practice and two weekends ago i drove 3 and a half hours to ride a TI event. Why? Because I would rather do nothing else.
Now in my eyes the N.A.T.C. is a step in the right direction. I can see where your disturbed and I could see how a well run corporate entity would help fix your dilema with points. Its not the smoothest ornization in the world but they are trying. I only rode two events in ny this year and smage was there riding and doing his thing. I acutally signed up late and they sent me my late fees back saying no big deal we are glad to have you. Very personable and kind is what I took away. If it were a large corporation I am not sure that would have happened.
To round this all up.... I saw that Smage rode both ex and pro. Now if we had it your way would he get pionts in both classes and recieve two trophies? If you go into a tanning salon and pay for 10 sessions but expect a tan after the first two are you going to protest? I see no problem with the minum ride rule, I see a huge problem with trials marketing in this country. If your going pro then your that much more dedicated to getting there and riding your a$$ off. Setting up NATC as a governing body is a step but an agressive marketing plan and more events with regional trophies would be an improvement.
I have been thinking about buying an all aluminum Audi A8, taking it down to metal and anodizing it...... *squeek squeek* Now you have me thinking. :santawink:
Heres your step by step.... Disclaimer: I did this a year ago. I may be missing a step or two but honestly if you have ever done a fork seal it is pretty self explainatory with a few improvements to jap bikes.
I did mine last winter and it was pretty easy. You will also want to replace the dust seals (those are the outer ones on the bronze cap) and replace your fluid (i used belray 5w) I have a 2000 txt 280
First i would use a strap wrench(one of those soft ones) and break free the fork caps. (These are the brass looking caps on the fork body) If you dont do this before pulling the thing appart you will need two straps (one to hold the body and the other to spin the cap)
Next loosen the top fork nuts. Again while these are held togeather by the tripple trees and the axle it is easier. If already appart then again a strap wrench to hold the fork tube. I had a thin enough wrench to get inbeween the handle bar and these nuts.
Now remove the alxe and front wheel, followed by the fender and brake caliper.
Then loosen the tripple tree's and remove one fork. (why one you ask? Because i accidently put the left on right and right on left when i was putting it back in. learn from my mistake )
Once the fork is in your hand then screw out the fork cap and slide it off the end of the tube. Here is where the seal is. Becareful there is an oring under that cap which can be cut. Once this is in your hand it is pretty explanitory on pounding them out and using a correct socket/installer/whatever in getting the new ones back in. Dust shield is also in this cap replace this too.
Now drain the fork. First back the nut at the top of the tube all the way out. Note that the spring is attached at this nut. YOU WILL NOT be able to take the spring out nor do you need to. The fork tube will fall into the body and it will stay all togeather. There is a small allen screw at the bottom of the fork. Remove that and start pumping the fork tube. This will blow all of your old fluid out. (took me 10 mins of letting it dribble to find that one out)
After its drained put the screw back in remembering to inspect that oring that seals this screw)
Now filler up! 300 cc of your finest brew. I used bel ray 5w but i am a light guy (170lbs) and i like my rebound. what you need to do is tilt the fork at an angle and pour it into the spring/tube. Try not to spill any. I used a standard pyrex for this.
After full put the top nut back in till snug. Then slip the cap with seal and dust shield over the end carefully as to not cut the seal. Slide her all the way down and tighten it up as much as possible.
Slide the fork up in the appropriate side, set your height, and tighten down the tripple tree.
Repeat with the other fork.
Put your tire and axle in along with fender. Then tighten down those caps with your strap wrench. Reinstall your caliper and torque down your upper fork nuts.
First fork took me 2 hours second took half hour. Make sure you get your tripple trees tight enough. This year I came off a log wrong and they slipped causing my wheel to divert. Those caps have holes for a spanner wrench but i didnt have the appropriate one so the strap wrench worked fine.
Remember i did this a year ago and I may be missing something but this was really straight forward. I was really surprised at the spring not comming out like any other fork i had seen but the trick is not to force anything. Easiest forks i have ever done (once i figured it out) Take your time your in no hurry.
Mark your calander **torch**. There is a national trials this year in Alma. All of the top riders from the US will be there as will I. No where near the top but if you get involved next season you will probably be there. If your not riding next season stop on out. The dates are august 6th and 7th. go to http://www.natctrials.org/index.php for more info later on in the year. Alma south of wellsville about 10 min from your house as i see it. Cant ask for anything better than that.
I left the area in early 2000 to come to western michigan university (kalamazoo) and I have lived in the dearborn area for the past two years (engineer for ford). I bought my Yamaha ty 350 in olean in about 1987 but I was quite a youngin back then. That bike did me well all through high school. College kinda put a damper on things...
If your in the area visiting family and you have a bike with you let me know. I am part of a club in flint but we ride all over the detroit metro area. www.motatrials.org is our club but next years schedual is not up yet.
If you can nose wheelie your 480 husky you will do fine in trials. I also ride against a guy who is about 240 and 6'2" and he continues to clean my clock every week. People think weight is a huge disadvantage in this sport but in club events its totally the opposite. As you progress in this sport you will also find that your skills on the road or on a monster of a husky will increase. Putting that foot out in turns will be a hard trend to break but you will do just fine. I ride a 650 suzuki (turned cafe racer) every day to work. I practice standing and ballancing at every stop sign and light where ever I go. Makes you realize how many people carry camera phones when you do that.
Take care and every season is a good season for trials. Snow is just white mud.
You do have a small screw in the bottom of your case if you were not aware.
It was put there for moments like these.
My main question is how did you find this out? Did you try to crank it over? Are you looking past the crank? Just in case I ever run into this. Knowing my bike it might happen.
Well an ex new yoker. I live in michigan now but I gotta tell ya you are in the best place for trails. District 4 Trials is local to you. REALLY local. Events in Cuba, Elmira, Watkins Glen, Owasso, Locke (near courtland) are at your disposal near by. To your south disctrict 6 has a great series and If you dont mind traveling district 3 eastern ny had 3d trials. I actually bought my first trials bike in olean. Small world huh?
Ok now down to the nitty gritty;
Honestly since I have been out of the area for so long your greatest trials resource is going to be Mike Komer the owner of http://www.tryalsshop.com/ the tryals shop. He is based out of locke and has a great shop along with property to test stuff out on. Worth a saturday trip but call him ahead of time. To get an idea of stuff in your area check out these pics - http://www.trials4fun.20m.com/photo4.html
The chairman for district four (regan faught) lives near bath or cuba (can't remember) I would give him a call and he will show you around. http://www.d4trials.50megs.com/contact.html
Tell bob, mike or regan that David "biff" Knapp sent you. My father John Knapp rides down there a bit still but he is 72 now and Mainly rides Ahrma. If you need more email me at biffscell@yahoo.com .
I was told that the mesh was there to keep the fiber glass in. Other wise the glass will eventually be sucked out in time. I am having my pipe welded here soon due to my over shooting the crest of a hill last year. It crushed in my tip and cracked around the tube near the resonator. I will also be removing the mesh because this wont be the first time I unpack and repack the thing. New muffler is 200 dollars +. ouch!
As a rider who has ridden in several types of events I can see this as an issue. I started out in district 4 (western ny) where at an early age I was exposed to national and international events. By setting up these type of events the clubs technical abilities grew. The sections got harder but i was not moving up classes. From this grew a club called 3d (district 3 eastern ny trials) where the events were technical but not death chilling cliffs. I was having fun but not challenging myself. I was looking for a happy medium between the two clubs. Well time passed and school took priority but after school I bought myself a gasgas (some grad present huh) and I now ride in mota michigan ontario trials association. I have found a good mix here and i am having fun and not breaking myself.
My point here is that a club event can be a preperation to move into Nationals but also has to keep its core group "having fun". I believe that 100% of that is determined by the judgement of the people who are laying out the sections. Too easy and too hard are some words that are commonly used.
How could we make that a national standard? I have not gone back to ride in ny since i have been in michigan and i am an advanced rider here. I dont know if i could ride advanced there. I am going to give her heck when i do though.
Zippy you would do fine in nationals. Sportsman is about the same as the starter national class. (Kicking myself for going to Ohio 2 day without a bike )
Here in detroit they are trying to break the bank robbery record for the year. I have never heard of a trials bike stolen in this area. I do keep my baby locked to the trailer while its on there but at the event its the same senario as all the rest.
The people in trials are just awesome. The first club event this season I had everything ready to go. pants, gloves, jersey, boots, gas, gasgas, tools, and lube. I got all signed up and dressed up then when it came time to put on the helmet....... DOH The event ref lent me his brand new helmet for the whole event. Now thats awesome.
:santawink:
Tire Choice
in Montesa
Posted
I originally had a dunlop d801 but it never hooked up.
I have been riding mich x11 for the past couple of years but this year i found a deals on
dunlop 803's in ohio. 72 bucks! I have already sliced one on glass but I ride in detroit so
i get what i ask for.
so far the d803 is lasting.
It two two events for my roommates d803 to loose its nipples. He rides beginner novice on an 02 315.
I hope i never loose my nipples.... hahahahaha
-biff