htrdoug

Coming down to SaddlebackEast this weekend? you can ride the novice line,that's what it's for. Or if you don't feel ready just yet come watch.

I did get pinched(just a warning though) about my license plate being obscured by my trials bike on the rack last week here in Indiana,so even if your lights are visible I'd rig up a way to get the plate onto the bike rack. My bike rack(modified J.C.Whitney to accommodate trials bike wheelbase) has a pinch clamp to steady itself onto the hitch receiver. If you can give up all pretenses about being cool and come to the same conclusion as I have that 4 wheels equals transportation device only then just buy a minivan,I wasn't sure I'd be happy driving one so I only spent $4000 on a 2002 Dodge Caravan,turns out I love driving it,can haul my mountain bikes inside and have them at the ready if I happen to get off of work early. I could easily sleep in it at a trials event as our events are usually two day events over here.Heck,I'm considering splooshing out for a new one :-) I like it so much(Stow and Go seating would rock as I have 4 damn van seats in the garage at all times) Or other option would be to go full 'Merican, enclosed trailer for security pulled by a Big Ol' Dually :-) can take all three of my trials bikes plus haul a dual sport to ride around after the trials,or use the trailer as a camper itself.

Your only about a hour north of me. We freakin' ride all the time.have Beaucoup locations to ride.

Really you need to just find a TY175 for him to ride,I realize that's an anathema for a Fantic rider to have one around but it would be something easy to handle and trouble free to own. Now I would be intrigued by the 349,especially after a spin on my buddies 330,but I'm afraid the temptation to tune and modify would create a never ending story... I will throw out there that my SWM is the easiest motorcycle to start ever,and it handles well and seems to just go over anything with very little rider finesse,but finding a good one that is for sale may be a problem,plus clutch at it's best tuned is two fingers.

All good and well getting off the ledge with a jump,but I can tell you if I am laying out sections you won't get more than a bike length from the drop to the boundry tape,and that would be in even the lowest,easiest level line(height of the drop might be different for the classes but I'm gonna hold 'em in tight just to stop the motocrossing off of ledges) higher classes=bigger drop and less room beyond. If you really want to wheelie drop be ready to land with the brakes locked. But do be prepared to use the Wheelie drop when sections call for it,you never know when it will be just the ticket...

Shoulda named it "Electralla"

Define North Central US,Minnesota?Wisconsin? Dakota's?Michigan? if you can spare 2k you can find something and ride rather than wrench. Without some trials riding experience how would you know if your work was proper? (You may have Trials experience ,I don't know) bet there is an event somewhere in your neck of the woods,bikes are always for sale at those.

You could take the time required to cobble all that together and go mow lawns or something and buy a trials bike...YZ250 might fit into a Scorpa frame but if you find one it'll be attached to a working engine so...

Oh yea,Means he will be riding the "Equalizer" line at my event in October. BTW Steve,Super and I were messing around and found that it looks like a Reflex swingarm will fit a TY175 with a few mm trimmed off each side,we just didn't have a healthy arm to try it out on.

Blew the rear fender off my 309 Had to say"I'll just do this big climb with step at the top one more time then I'm done for the day" And a couple of weeks back murdered my aftermarket 240 tank Cracked through just below the Fantic decal Again,5 minutes before I had planned to be done riding for the day...

So Biff,are you gonna run the V.C.series? I'm doing the Championship event in October and can Guarantee points will be taken Southern Indiana not to far for ya! Just a prevue,and the "Equalizer" comes after this I woulda liked to be at Fly but overloaded at work BTW,Agree with Biff,when scores are low you have to be perfect,I ride in a class with guys who have been doing it along time and they always do well,It requires tight concentration in every section to beat them on the "easy" days

Looks fantastic! I think I may be missing my old one... Put that speedo in a box somewhere where you won't loose it,she'll be bashed in no time otherwise. I'm having great luck with the Neutech Tubeless system,allows me to run super low pressure in my SWM rear wheel,Highly recommend(2.5psi no issue)

Welcome! Trials is big fun,but it's best when shared with others If you state your location I'd bet there's someone to ride with. Ty350's aren't like modern bikes but the heavy flywheel effect does have it's advantages.Make sure you don't have too much rear sag,that'll kill steering.Handlebars should be rotated forward compared to mxer.One finger on clutch and front brake at all times,if you have to add a clutch extender do so that it works with 1 finger pull. Levers close to horizontal. TY350's don't care a whole lot to be ridden like a trail bike,they prefer to be ridden between section,sit a bit while you inspect and find your line,then enter and ride the section. If "trail" ridden for extended periods the whole "pinging" and "surging" surfaces and the bike just feels unpleasant.Ridden like your in a event she'll purr and pull smooth and steady. I only sold my big TY because I had too many projects,now I kinda regret it!

I recommend a 400 over any other Maico,I had a 71 Square barrel that was FASTER than my 99 380 KTM,and super smooth no vibration steady pull from bottom to top.I never had a chance to sample a 490 but had several 450's over the years,no match for the 400,450's vibrate and power was one hard strong pull of power that shut off to early.Selling my 400 was a regrettable mistake!

Adjustment of the screw at the center of the clutch is critical,If too loose the lengthened arm will hit the case,I had forgotten that I did the Beta clutch fix procedures too.

I just use a standard extension kit on mine plus Honda CR lever,Domino levers don't seem to fit my hands comfortably,plus every time I've tipped over with Domino levers they bend,1 finger operation.

New bodywork for two bikes? Tax refund check shot to Hell? Gonna look freakin' great when both are done! Decals from where? I got some made online that mimic the 309 Fantic well enough and look great,Just waiting for the sack to try to paint the fluorescent yellow plastic tank,I'm never patient enough when it comes to paintwork...

I sent a email to fanticmotor,we'll see if they respond.

Keep an eye on the center post,once the airbox starts getting brittle the center post can pull loose and then the filter falls out, I had been patching mine and noticed when I got home from a ride the airbox lid laying out against the sidecover. Had to fabricate a aluminum one.

Try draining the float bowl by loosening the bolt on the bottom of the float bowl then allowing a minute for it to refill. Choke on.Then shift the bike up into 4th gear. pull the clutch lever in and rock the bike back and forth until the clutch breaks free.If it frees immediately then release the clutch and rock it again until you've had at least 5 repetitions.Don't go more than 10 times.Shift back to neutral and kick away. Fuel looses it's volatiles quickly these days. Draining the float bowl and refilling helps tremendously with starting.

Black appliance Epoxy paint for the frame then,tough stuff

Section got a Alloy kicker? I think the alloy one are not as good to kick as the steel ones.

I've ridden a TL250 with the rake pulled in to make it turn. Felt great to me. By keeping the stock length shocks you keep the center of gravity low and the swingarm angle flatter which I think makes the suspension action feel better,keeps the chain from pulling the bike down into it's travel under power.....But the increased ground clearance may be worth the trade off on TL's,I never road the deraked TL in any sections that would give me a real feel for how it would do in competition....I would absolutely lower the footpegs though,seldreg's mod looks spiffy ;-) Just some alternative thoughts