cfraser

Good point Cope...by the way, how have you been? I hope you had a chance to do some fun riding this past summer. -Carl

Thanks Steve and BigJohn. It seems like "parting-out" is all you see anymore back here in the States. I guess everyone figures that the parts are worth more than the bike. You are correct regarding the tank. The problem that I have besides the yellowing, the plastic has broken down and is seeping through. The tank is not damaged or split it's just no longer sound. I have been researching and hoping to find a sealent of sorts. I have had some luck in the past with sanding the tanks and then heating and polishing them. This tank is to far gone. I have tracked down a green one from an earlier year but I'd like to stay with the white. Carl

I hear that! Talking about innovation...wow, Ossa is really pushing the envelope. I remember when Cannondale did the same thing regading MX bikes....yea, I did purchase one. Cannondale whent out of business a few years later with huge quality issues. I wish Ossa all the best! It's nice to see them back. Not to hijack this thread but I do like the new Sherco from what I have seen and of course it's the same as anyone has seen this side of the pond. All the best, Carl

That's a good question! I'd like to hear the answer as well.....

Well, I guess I should have my head examined but I just purchased a 83' Italjet 350T Piuma. The bike was left back here in the States after a world round. It is complete with the scrutineers marks on both hubs, engine and steering head. The paint dabs are scribed with the number 26 (Rider No, 26). I need a few bits and larger pieces to bring it back to being respectable. The mud guards, white tank, side stand and factory kick lever. During the round, the rider broke the kicker shaft as everone is well aware was a huge problem with these bikes. The shaft has been replaced which is a mirical in itself thanks for a doner Italjet being parted out on ...."the bay." So if you know of anyone with the elusive "kermitt" parts, I'd be forever greatful. The good news...the SWM is in fantastic shape! Here are a few photo's. All the best, Carl

Hello everyone, I just purchased a neglected 83' Italjet 350 T Piuma with scrutineers paint marks on both hubs, engine and steering head. Two of the marks are still readable with Rider No. 26 in the paint dab. I was told it was left over from the world round in here in the States. It only has the single marks where the other two Italjets brought over competed in the Canadian Round as well. I was told that the rider broke the kicker shaft and had other problems and the bike was abandoned here in the States. I'm just trying to track down some history on this bike as I start to get it back together. It runs great but needs a few bits here and there. However, it is complete with a few exceptions. The shaft has been replaced and is missing the factory kick lever and side stand. Yea, I know, why would someone actually purchase a "kermitt bike" in the fist place.... All help is appreciated...I know you guys are a wealth of knowledge and I have yet to see you not being able to solve any world round questions. All the best, Carl

Thanks for all of the comments. Glenn, a special thanks for the invite and the links. I hope to take you up on your offer if you don't mind helping me off the ground from time to time. Johnnyb, I just replied to your PM and sent you an email to your email addy. I did ride the SWM on Sunday, a few friends and I set-up a few small Sections here at the house and I'm amazed and delighted with the bike!!!! 100% different feel and power delivery from the montesa 349. Once again, thanks for the welcome and I'm looking forward to being a regular within this Forum. You guys are the experts, and trust me when I say this. "You are all part of my reasoning in making this great purchase." There is so much great information in this Forum..... -Carl

Hello everyone, well after 20 plus years, I finally did it...I just purchased a well sorted TL320. I have been wanting one of these for years. I'm sure I'm going to have a load of questions for you in the future. I have already reviewed all of the SWM posts and I'm getting quite the education. So, a humble thank you is in order for leaving such detailed information in this Forum. I just wanted to take a moment and introduce myself and wish you all the best, Carl...from the East Coast, USA.

Martin, PM sent.... Carl

Welcome Mike and congrats on your purchase! It sounds like you have got your money's worth. I'm across the border in Lancaster, PA. The MAVT group as you know is active and a great bunch of people. A friend of mine, who is also a MAVT member, rides a 95' Fantic Section. You two will have to meet up at one of the upcoming events.

Mark, I will take your advice and pass on rebuilding the 06' shock. Hey, at least I found a home for the WP on the 02'. More than likely I will spring for a new shock since I really am anxious to jump back on the 06'. By the way, I just picked up an old twin shocker...a Monty 349 and will enter the next MAVT event. Wow, what a difference after riding the Shercs. I forgot what its like not having reeds, lol. Well, thanks for the advice and I hope the weather in the great state of Texas is better than the weather we are having hear in the North East. I grew up is San Antonio..... All the best, Carl

I always start a turn to 1.5 turns out from full in on the mixture to start and similar regarding the idle screw. Start the bike and warm it up and set the ticker just over idle so you can hear the difference in idle as you adjust the air/mixture screw. Adjust the air/mixture screw until you achieve the best increased idle, adjust in small incriments and pause so that you can hear the difference. Rev the throttle from idle so there is no bog and adjust/repeat until you feel the bike is reving clean. Each bike is different and has a "sweet spot" and this has been working for me over the last 30 years. At least it should get you started. I hope it works for you. All the best, Carl

I always start a turn to 1.5 turns out from full in on the mixture to start. Start the bike and warm it up and set the ticker just over idle so you can hear the difference in idle as you adjust the air/mixture screw. Adjust the air/mixture screw until you achieve the best increased idle, adjust in small incriments and pause so that you can hear the difference. Rev the throttle from idle so there is no bog and adjust/repeat until you feel the bike is reving clean. Each bike is different and has a "sweet spot" and this has been working for me over the last 30 years. At least it should get you started. I hope it works for you. All the best, Carl

Fray, A friend rides a Gaser and I did notice their is a difference regarding length between his shock and mine on the Sherco. I also tried a Works Performance Shock which works great on my 02' 2.9 but really is lousy on the 06' Caby. The dogbones between the two Sherco's are different lengths and hence, different shock lengths. The Caby uses a shorter swingarm also. Your 07' should use the same length shock as my 06' so the Works Performance Shock would be to short? I'm going to do some research on the TRP and will let you know if I find anything out. I'm new to trials but have been riding for years. I'm torn between an aftrermarket shock or rebuilding the caby's shock and changing spring rates. All the best, Carl

Autostream, I'm experiencing the same issue with my 06' Caby. I found the shock was blown and totally out of oil and charge which seems to be a common thing regarding the 06' shock. I tried a Works Performance Shock and it was just a bit to short for the Caby. I'm a Novice as well but I can feel the difference when riding a few of my friends bikes which are setup correctly. Can you tell me anything more about the TRP? I'm glad that you have the suspension setup that makes this so much enjoyable as we learn the basics. All the best, Carl

Hey Mark (Cope), Sorry for the delay in giving an update. I actually tried the Works Performance Shock (WP) on both bikes. The 02' uses the same length shock measurement. It's a tight fit since the pre-load adjustment is on the bottom of the WP shock. Ryan is correct, the 02' dog-bones are a tad shorter than the ones on the 06', hence the tight fit. I ran just enough preload to make sure the adjuster didn't make contact with the swingarm. I was lucky since static sag measured 26mm. Wow, what a difference! The WP uses a thicker shaft and has rebound adjustment. After full-day of adjusting by trial and error, I found the correct settings that suited my inexperience riding style. I now can actually feel the suspension load and unload where the stock suspension seemed lifeless. The stock shock was in good condition but at 205lbs rider weight, I have a feeling I was sacking the spring due to excessive preload. As you know, I have zero experience in riding trials, and I'm trying not to influence the testing based off of my MX background. But I did notice huge improvements when setting up for a blip of the throttle. When the rear tire makes contact with the log, I don't feel as though its just dragging behind me...if that makes any sence. As for the 06'...good and bad, lol. As suspected the OEM shock was out of juice and lifeless. The WP is a tad shorter than the stocker but still worked well due to the longer dog-bones. Ride height was reduced and the bike felt out-of-balance. I played with the front end preload and actually corrected the feel by raising the forks in the tripple-trees... the second line down from the top of the cap. The bike felt good but....tracking seemed off. I still can't quite explain what feels different. I liked the shock on the 02' but really didn't care for it on the 06'. I was even thinking about swapping the delta and dog-bones on the 06' for the setup on the 02', but why take a step backwards in the evolution of Sherco development. The WP is back on the 02' and I have been riding it over the last two weeks. I'm going to call Ryan and get a new shock on order for the 06'. More than likely and 07' shock since the Caby is pretty much the same suspension setup as the 07'. I'd be happy to listen to any suggestions that you or any others may have regarding the 06' shock replacement???? All the best, Carl

I'll have to take you up on the offer.... Thanks, I'll stay in touch! Carl

Hugo, Thanks a million! I really appriciate you sending me the length of the shocks. I'm going to tear down the 02' this week since its also time to clean and regrease the linkage anyway. It's been hectic and I haven't had the time to do this over the last few weeks. Thanks again and all the best! Carl

Cope, Thanks...I'm going to do some testing on the 02' today. I rode the 06' all day yesterday and the shock was getting progressively worse (leaking) by the end of the day. If you don't mind, I will keep you posted on the results through out the week. All the best and thanks again, Carl

Cope, Thanks for the info. You are a wealth of knowledge and I was hoping that you would respond. There is so little information available on the web regarding shocks for these bikes or at least I'm not having any luck finding it. I'm going to try and make time this week and remove the shock and links from both bikes and measure them. I'm hoping it will match-up with the shock from one of the bikes so that I can at least try the Works shock. This shock mounts in the more traditional method as the later shocks for the Sherco do. It looks as though Works Performance designed it so that it will have enough clearance at both ends. The 2006 Shock is not at the lowend of the oil charge yet and just started seeping. If this dosent work out, I'll call Ryan and get a later model adjustable shock from him. Hopefully the Works shock will fit, on one of the bikes, so I at least get a chance to put it to use and see how it does. But I doubt that I will ever really test the shocks limits due to my trials riding ability, lol. Thanks again and I do really value your input, Carl

Would anyone happen to know the length of a the 2002 shock? I also am looking for the length of the 2006 Shock. From what I have read within the RYP Forum, Sherco used a particular length shock on the 01-05' and a different length shock on the 06'. Here is a quote fro RY: "99-00, 01-05, 06-. ALL HAVE DIFFERENT LENGTHS AND DIFFERENT TRILINKS TO GO WITH THE DIFFERENT SHOCKS. ALL SHOCKS AND TRILINKS CAN BE SWAPPED ON ALL YEAR MODELS. Here is my problem, the 06' shock is leaking and I have a new shock that was givin to me and has never been used. It was built by Works Performance here in the States: http://www.worksperformance.com/html/home.html The previous owner couldn't remember what year bike he had the shock built for since he has owned just about every year Sherco built. It was built for the Sherco 2.9 and measures 10.250 inches.(26.035 cm) from the center of the top mount hole to the center of the bottom mount hole. I haven't had time to tear down the bikes to measure the shocks yet and I am hoping that someone might have an answer to my question. Since I have an 02' and an 06', I'm hoping to give this shock a try on one of them. It has adjustable rebound and is oil/gas charged...... Thanks and all the best, Carl

You may also want to check the overflow tube and make sure the floats are not hanging on it as well.....good luck!

Thanks for the welcome and I guess that shoot's holes in the new guys theory, lol. Carl

Thanks guys for responding, I'm looking forward to this and I'm quite excided yet nervous as well, lol. Hey Cope, I'm sure they will scare me to death, lol. I've watched some of these boys in action up here and they AMAZE me to know end! The obstacles they encounter and the sections they clean. I'm about 10 miles from Candytown and watched the vintage Mid Atlantic Vintage folks event a couple of weeks ago. All I can say is WOW! Dixie, after watching that event, I sure do wish I still had the Monty, however I doubt I could even get close to cleaning a single section of the 4 line. I'm going to try and see where this takes me. Hey banjo, I used to live in Cinci back in the late 80's and early 90's, I was still riding an early/mid 80's Maico back then, lol. It's funny that you mentioned the Ossa, I always wanted a Gripper back in those days but ended up getting married and raising kids. I hope you like the Sherco and I hope you are enjoying this as much as I am. Don't ever regret school as I will never regret getting married, lol. Which school did you attend?. I ended up getting a sweet 2002 2.9 a few months ago and the addiction began. I'm now getting all of my friends hooked on trials and selling the 02' to a friend and I just picked up a used 06' Cabby. We are setting up our own sections between the 3 of us and trying to get used to the bikes and this whole balance thing. If you would see us TRY to do anything at this point, you would laugh until you cried.....ALL help is apprieciated! The only traing we have at this point is RY's first training video and just what we have read, lol. Thanks again and all the best! Carl

Hello everyone, I'm new to the Forums and I'm returning to trials after a very long break! I'm now 48 yrs old and have not been back on a trials bike, until recently, since 1976 when I enjoyed riding a Montesa 348. I rode flat track (short track) here in the states for a few years before moving over to Motocross and Trail Riding and then along came the children. When they started riding Motocross through out their youth, it kept me quite busy keeping up with them and their bikes. I kept riding trails through the backwoods during this time but I missed my first love,,,,TRIALS. I guess they say you are never to old to relive your past and chase your first passion...I guess that's why I'm here. Call it a mid-life crisis or what you will but I'm really excited and ready for some fun again. I'm sure I will have a million questions and if everyone will be so kind as to help me along, I will be forever greatful. I wish everyone all the best, Carl