farmerj

That makes sense, either/or and use oil volume to set a baseline for future oil level measurements. Thanks Biff!

Thanks Biff, I was wondering about measurement from top of slider (vs. replacement volume)? I've read 100mm, but also 160 in the newer forks... An example of the question here, http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/34074-09-gas-gas-pro-fork-oil/ ...but specs for the older forks are not referenced; I don't think the '01s had aluminum Marzocchis.

Jon, Old topic, but how about fork oil level for the same bike? (mine is a 2001 txt 321) Thanks, Jeff

Great question! I have a Husaberg FX 450 with a close ratio transmission, and 1st gear is just too high for some of the riding I do. So I've been comparing final drive ratios with my other bikes, after running them all through the same trail/course. I thought I'd try to see what it would take to get the FX 1st to compare to 2nd or 3rd in the TXT...so I'm having fun with a spreadsheet and learning a lot about gearing!

Thanks for the responses, that makes sense!

Hi, does anyone know what the Primary Drive ratio is for a TXT? I have an '01 321. Tried a search, but couldn't turn up anything. Thanks, Jeff

Thanks, that all helps! Jeff

Thanks Ted. I think this must be what happened to me - file://localhost/Users/jeffjen/Desktop/Trail-riding%20Meltdown%20-%20Is%20Race%20Gas%20The%20Answer%3F%20-%20Gas%20Gas%20-%20Trials%20Central.webloc So would you guess that I need to go up 2 sizes on the Main jet? Jeff

Say Cope, Do the answers change if you are trail-riding the bike (not trials,) trying to keep up with the pack on their enduro bikes? More oil then? Or no need? Jeff

Wow, you guys are awesome - thanks so much! I'll report back my findings! Jeff

2nd ? of the day - Does anyone know what kind of compression reading I should expect from an '01 txt 321? When looking through the exhaust port, I can see a couple of lines or vertical scores on the piston. I know I got some sawdust particles into the engine a while back. Wonder if that has affected things, and whether it's time for a new top-end...thus the question about the correct compression reading. Thanks, Jeff

Hi guys, '01 txt 321, seems to be running hot - the exhaust header is turning blue, and it just feels hot, the exhaust and all. Plenty of water in the radiator, and the fan is working. I'm wondering if there is a thermostat that can go bad? (I don't know how to check it...) Can the water pump impeller strip or quit pumping? I recently went to Boyesen reeds - am I running a bit lean? Just looking for some ideas. Jeff

Uhoh, that is just stunning territory. What are you using for pressure suit/chest protector? I like the coverage! Jeff

Steve, I've done a bit of work on this, and thought I'd offer my opinions - though everyone has to find out what works for them. (1) The idea of a "sit down" trials bike is great in theory - but not necessarily in practice. Yes, it's nice to sit and rest your legs at times - but adding a big seat and trying to ride it like a "trail" bike doesn't really work. The beauty of the trials bike is in its balance and traction, it's maneuverability. A large seat (I fitted one off my KDX just for fun) transforms the GG into an underpowered, less responsive machine. (2) For a seat, I'd be thinking of something like the "Buttrest." Here you have a lightweight option that can give you opportunity to rest on straightaways. Currently I'm running a seat from mini-motocross bike, that fills the section between the tank and rear fender. (http://compare.ebay.com/like/270968743649?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar) The problem with using a seat of this kind is that a trials bike is not layed out with enough "cockpit" space - the distance between the top of the seat and pegs is short. If you try to ride the bike with a seat that puts your body directly above the pegs, your legs will be cramped and put into an unnatural position no matter how high you make the seat. My toes point toward the ground when riding in this position. The Buttrest alternative allows you to get your rear end back far enough so that your legs are not so cramped. http://www.buttrest.co.uk/ (3) Regarding fuel - First, make sure that you actually need more fuel capacity! You may be one of those "long-ride" guys, but I find that I can go for an hour or more, and usually loop back to the truck at some point anyway. While a large tank is cool, I've also read of guys that have great success with carrying MSR fuel bottles in a backpack. http://www.amazon.com/MSR-MSRFUELBOTT-Fuel-Bottle/dp/B002L1413S/ref=acc_glance_sg_ai_ps_t_4 Just more ideas. Have fun building! Jeff

This actually happened last fall. It was 80 degrees F, 3,000-4,000 ft. elevation, 3rd gear twisty trails through the trees. The bike seemed to be running "funny," not as smooth and a little down on power. Seemed to be running rich. Usually I'm at 500' elevation. Yes, I was pushing it - but I didn't feel it was much more than at other times. At one point it died - I thought I had seized it - but it started back up fine and I rode back to the staging area. I'll search for some posts on middle muffler cleaning. This one can't be taken apart! I've heard of guys cutting them open, then re-welding - which I can understand, given a new one costs something like $500! Jetting was 36 pilot, 114 Main, D36 needle. Thanks for your comments, those are helpful! Jeff

I was trail riding up in the mountains with my '01 txt 321, trying to keep up with my buddy on his DE 300 - and my bike got so hot that we started smelling something burning. We thought it was a problem with electrical wires. Turns out that the middle muffler area got so hot that it melted a hole in the brake fluid reservoir Why did this thing get so hot? Was it from an elevation change that affected the jetting? Middle muffler clogged? Just pushing it too hard? Fan and water levels appear OK. I was running the gas/oil mixture at 80:1. My dealer said that he often has problems with overheating when trail riding a trials bike. His solution is to run Race gas and a 40:1 gas/oil mixture. (1) Will that work? Does Race gas run cooler? (2) Is there any problem with running Race gas in a (stock) trials bike? (3) Do I have to re-jet for the 40:1 mixture? Thanks! I don't want to burn something up again! Jeff

Well, maybe this is the easy way out! - but I've been researching for an hour and can't find the answer to my question. What reeds fit a 2001 txt 321? I'd like to install Boyesens, but the Boyesen factory website does not indicate a Boyesen reed for the 321 (similarly to this link - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GAS-GAS-Trials-Bike-Boyesen-Reeds-Pampera-Pro-TXT-new-/190559268303#ht_2080wt_907) If Boyesen does make one that fits, is there a dual-stage option? I think that I understand that if I want the best down-low torque, I do not want carbon-fiber but the "original style" reed. Is this correct? On another note, I installed a VF2 on my KDX 200, set the reeds on low tension, and loved it. Is there a way to adapt some model of the VF2 to the 321 trials engine, and would this be a good idea? Thanks for the help! Jeff

Thanks again for the good information, Jon. If the problem persists, I now know which direction to look for solutions! Jeff

Jon, Thanks for your reply! Fun to hear from the guy who has answered so many questions! On behalf of many, I thank you for sharing your expertise. I took your advice on jetting settings from the GasGas.com website tech articles. That was really helpful! My own tech expertise, at least in this case, is embarassing. First off, my description was inaccurate. I hear the noise when I am on the right side of the bike leaning it left. I kept wanting to grab for the kick lever, it was like a noise I've heard when that's partially engaged. But I found something different in playing around. I started the bike between gears. I must have done the same thing a couple of times, finding a false neutral (say, between 3rd and 4th gear.) Bike straight up - no noise. Bike leaning right, no problem. Bike leaning left, with me on the right - a knocking, tapping noise. I assume it's from the nature of the position of the gears while in the "false neutral." I'm grateful for this forum where guys are willing to help us work through to solutions, even when the guy with the problem hasn't been too 'bright!"

Thanks for the response, guys. Clutch not engaged. (So I'll try pulling it in and see if there is anything different?) I read this on the GasGas.com website in resonse to a "knocking" question, which made me wonder... "I've got a couple of ideas. Check the float level and make sure the carb vents are open. If the level is low and/or the vents are clogged or there is an obstruction in the float needle assembly not allowing fuel to flow into the carb, when you hit fourth gear the carb may have run out of fuel, going lean on the mixture just before sputtering, spiking the combustion chamber temperature, thereby causing the knocking symptoms." ...but it happens to me when the bike is not hot, and idling. I need to go play with it again and see if the knocking persists at higher revs, I can't remember. Dombush - interesting idea, I'll try checking flywheel play. This bike is different, however, in that it doesn't have very many hours on it. Jeff

Hi all, I have an '01 txt 321. I love this bike! I do not love the knocking noise that I hear in certain circumstances. This seems like a weird one, to me - when I lean the bike over to the right, it knocks. Straight up, or leaning to the left, no noise. I have looked for loose or rattling components to no avail. It sounds like what I would imagine a piston knock to sound like. Any thoughts? Thanks, Jeff

Good tips, I'll check them out. Thank you! Jeff

Hi all, I have a 2001 TXT 321. When night riding, the front light is relatively dim. Relative, that is, to the times when it comes on brightly! Does anyone know why the light level fluctuates? It is dim most of the time, but every once in a while brightens considerably for a short period - 10 seconds or so. This is not related to RPM level, light switch position, or any other indicator I can think of. Any thoughts? It would be great to have this thing shine all the time! Jeff

Thanks Doug - I appreciate the reply! Jeff

OK, this may be a weird question - has anyone ever heard of adding an auto clutch to a trials bike? I had a great time riding single-track trails yesterday on my TXT 321. While one doesn't need to shift much, there are a couple of spots where "no shifting" would be a benefit (ie, while sitting down on fireroads.) Just thought I'd ask! Jeff PS - I've never ridden a bike with an auto clutch. Would you still get engine braking on the downhills?