the artist formerly known as ish

Timp, I stuck it here (pic below) for long rides on the road, but found the best place for riding moor and sections was against the tank like on hte top photo, all I needed for the week was in that bag including front tube. I didn't carry anything else.

The factory will soon sort it. When the bike was being developed they probably tested the noise level saw it was well below limits and for all intent and purpose met the required level. They could very well have a mega quite unit ready to go, but having to first pass HRC's test before becoming stock equipment. The other factories can test a component on the bike and if it does the job then it's sorted without having to do all the test HRC, probably require. Not only how it sounds but how it looks is a big factor, why spoil the looks of a good looking bike for the sake of a little patience. We saw how they stopped production for a small bolt or whatever a few weeks ago at a time of high demand, will they stop production again to fit a different silencer or wait until the 06 production run, I don't know! but the more you scratch the spot the worse the itch will be in the end. I think everyone will agree the bike is quite until it is opened up, so if riders just use a bit of common sense when riding in sensitive areas they can avoid a lot of conflict.

All I needed to use this bugger was a knackered rim band, had the bumbag. Every fuel stop I would slipp a bottle of water under the strap and then supp it when I walked the next group of sections. Your main thing K, is how to make up time, only two places I see you being able to do that, is on't road and at the sections, you don't need to be pizzing about taking stuff off and putting it back on the bike, strap the bugger on monday morning and take it off sat.

Best revive this topic again K, first time I fastened my bum bag to the bike, but it worked well all week never got in the way and I left it on the bike to save time, many got time penalties last year, I didn't and I'm not a very fast rider ower moors.

Some good close-up pictures of Dougs works bike from the Granada event http://www.todotrial.com/ttactual/indexttactual.htm

Are you saying the date has now been moved to 08 ?

what you think Perce

This one with a welded mount instead of the universal mount plus it is also a spark arrester which is required in most of the USA.

Just seen this on phototrial, fitting an aftermarket pipe to soften the sound. I think someone who can get the FMF sparkarrester universal model sorted they could make themselves a bob or two because this one doesnt look as good. http://www.phototrial.it/2005/mantovani.htm

First few I did were 1/4 clear tubing with a bolt stuck in t'end, my 05 I got a bit creative and spent seventy five cents on two vacume hose connectors and a rubber vacume hose plug to cover one end, this made it so I didn't have to use a full hose just connect to the factory hose and job's a good un, took a good twenty minutes to do job.

There are three 2.9 sherco's running around this area with nothing but a piece of clear tubing in place of the reservoir, vent DIF just left the fluid half inch shy of the top and wound a little bolt in the tube to seal, then ziptie the tube to the frame in front of the shock. Why!!! my RTL only had a tube and if it was good enough for them it's good enough for me. Problems, three years on and not come across one yet, but don't take my word for it.

I was discussing this section while riding with the lads at Washougal today Jay, come to the conclusion old buggers like us need at least one pucker factor section per trial, or we would soon be riding novice. This wall looked intimidating but had a perfect run up to it and a good landing if you did get it wrong, the way to get confidence on something like this, is to practice with another rider to catch until you have it dialed, I went at it in third full chat but slipping the clutch until I dumped the clutch about a bike length off the wall. Also look on the bright side, a lot of the trials world is looking at pictures of Jay Lael, having a crack at a reet rock step.

Jay Lael on last section

Jay Lael section 6

Jay Leal step at section three

What the hell is Ishy on about!! taking the top five riders in the world/country and make them ride down a class, buggers won't loose a dab. Probably true! if they have the advantage they have now, pre walking the sections getting their man to help out with the landscaping, then being able to leave at the back of the field when all the sections are nicely treaded in, along with the rest of the support crew which could number more than the total entry twice. Unlike the poor lad trying to make it in the big time, his knackered old van still venting steam over in a remote corner of the paddock! only just got there in time to weigh in and get his gear on, after a mad dash to the event after work and the affore mentioned van pigging out on the freeway, no hot shower and cappuccino for this lad, it's scoop down the can of cold beans and crank the bugger into life! thas late. The truth is the top end of the sport is geared to the big teams, and for such a small sport the advantage is tremendous, if the playing field was leveled, and once the event started all riders were in the same boat, no minders, no spare bikes to rob parts off, start times drawn for all riders and not grouped, no pre course inspection, then I think the severity of the sections could be lowered, not only would eased sections allow more riders to compete, it would also allow riders to ride longer. Don't get me wrong, I'm still talking sections way over the majorities head just eased enough to make them feasible by a few more riders.

That's my boy!! looks like he's warming up for a paint job.

I think it will sort itself out soon, I used to think we had to do more before it all went south. The west costs PNTA series, Ryon Bell and Wilson Craig retiring out of competition, leaving only the odd rider that could even attempt the sections they used to ride in the champ class, so in all but name that class has been dropped and the section level will drop to that of the expert class. Having put a few nationals on I have seen that points can be taken off the top riders while still allowing those riders who are not at that level yet, a valid attempt at the sections, I have also seen just what stops all but the top one or two even making an attempt. It has been happening in world championships for some time and they are trying to fix it by adding classes, Junior, 125, ladies, champ, this has not worked in the US national championship, the only effect it had, was making the support classes grow, and the same will happen in world events. If a championship event needs three levels of lines to attract a decent turnout of entries, I think the same could be achieved by using the middle line for the top riders and the lower line for the support, and the year end results would be close to the same, but tighter. A challenge to FIM, ACU, NATC, or any other governing body, dropp the championship class to the next level down and see how that class grows, not only by allowing the good riders a crack at the top 5, but also inspiring the young lads to give a go.

Just don't go bumping into him when he has his back to you

So are you saying HL threw Mark's entry away because he was after the same bum has her, never would of took Mark as being a fudgelero

A lot of negative comments about this bike and most posting them haven't even had a leg across one yet, In the mid eighties the works fourstrokes of Lejune and Saunders, sparked a lot of interest and excitement in trials at a time it needed it, also they delivered the goods and Saunders was nothing less then unlucky not to be top of the world on one. This year should be even more exciting as there will be two, poss three models competing. At a trial this weekend I also saw many lads excited to test ride one and watch it perform, it did very well!! The truth is Sherco, GG, Beta, Scorpa, are all close behind and trials is heading down the fourstroke road, p*** and moan all you want but many of you will be on one eventually. The results at the end of the year will tell the true story but at least let them run the buggers in before you start jumping to conclusions, it doesn't do anyone any good pulling any brand of machine down. The first chance I will get to watch the works bikes perform in full anger will be the Duluth world round in June, and to tell you the truth I can't wait to get there. A true fan of trials doesn't care what anyone else rides they have made their personal choice and obviously it's a better choice than those daft buggers riding fourstrokes, so step up to the start gate and prove it in competition, it has a lot more merit than tabloid press tripe getting posted on here.

Sting, I'm posing a question about the big picture, not my own riding preferences. The topic is about National championship and world championship, the USA has three riders of five in the champ class this year. All monies generated by trials is by clubmen buying bikes, clothing, and spares, a major expenses for the manufacturer, importer, dealer, are spent on sponsorship and providing machines and backup at the nationals and world championships. A good dealer and local expert can probably influence a person to buy a brand of motorcycle in any given area better than watching a few riders compete in the world championship. I'm not saying trials shouldn't be a challenge, and nothing wrong at all with a tough trial, but when the numbers get as low as they are at top level, then I think some problems need addressing, in my opinion, the two reasons having the most impact on the champ entries are cost and section severity. At club level, any club worth it's salt should soon figure out the ability level of it's members, and cater for them accordingly. It wasn't long ago half the entry at a US national rode the champ class, and world rounds had entries over 50 riders, bike sales were better than now, and more riders got sponsorship, why!!

Steve, I just found out this week, due to no champ riders that PNTA will not have a champ class this year. I have said this before many times if people would stop trying to make the sport something it isn't then it would do better, looks to me it's evolving along those lines as it is. There is a place for world championships, but trying to gear the sport for one or to riders to make it to the world championships isn't good for the sport. So what if the sections ease off at national top level, I feel safe to say if they do entries will go up rather than down as they are now.

When you go to buy a new car, your options are base model base price, and adding extra's adds cost. I see many posts on adding things to bikes like the fat bars, wheels with no rimbands etc, these can be personal choice or an improvement over the stock item, bottom line it comes down to cost. It must be cheaper to put the part on at the factory, than replace with an upgrade after you have bought the machine, in MX it's after market bits and a whole shed load to choose from, trials is so small aftermarket parts are not a big industry so fewer are about. What if these options were available before you bought the bike!! would you put in an order for the new machine with your dealer tricked out with anodized gold rims, fat bars, acront rims, CD payer

Dennis on the 4rt, went up big steps all day no problem, this is a small step but the only picture I got of him.