Want to thin down the tools I take with me when I go out practicing, currently I just grab a giant socket set, a big spanner set, some screwdrivera and an allen key set. This is fine for a trial but its getting a bit much lugging it all about everytime I go out so:
Does anyone know which tools exactly I can get away with for doing most repairs when out and about? Not that it matters much but I'm currently riding an '04 GasGas TXT-Pro.
I believe GasGas sell a tool kit, anyone know exactly whats in it or if its missing something useful?
Can you explain the finger measurement? Am trying to set my clutch/lever up currently. I also have a bit of drag so will try burning it a little as described above.
If you guys are referring to me then, A: I'm 33 and have riden trials mtbs for 18yrs, motorbikes for years and trials motorbikes for 4yrs. B: Theres nothing noobish about asking how well a manoeuvre scales down before I waste my time practicing it. C: Thats not a very welcoming spirit to newcomers which is also likely to stop them asking for help. You want the sport to grow then you have to help people learn.
Keen to learn this so my question is, is this something that is easier learnt on a good sized obstacle or is it something that can be learnt on a small obstacle? I know some moves are alot easier when done in full size as when scaled down the bike is all in the wrong position.
Also is there a way of training for this on the flat? I can already bunny hop the bike by raising the front up on the throttle, compressing the rear end then shifting weight forward and blibbing the throttle, I guess some of that is transferable to the zap.
anywhere in the upper half of the sight glass should be ok.
If you want to be sure there is still enough in there, then have the level just under the top of the sight glass. Ya know just enough down so you can see the top of the oil.
Woah ok thanks so I put 550ml in, I better drain some out, what am I aiming for then, oil level near top of sight glass when the bike is sat level on both tyres?
Anyways I can confirm that the lighter spring fits and is also a little lighter as expected. I do seem to have gained clutcg drag though no matter where I have the adjuster set to, even with fresh Putoline oil? Is my GasGas manual correct stating 550ml of oil or is it another mistake? If the oil amount is right I'll go through Jims video on setting the lever and see if that helps.
I had to re-edit this, Math and Eyeballs almost got confused... almost all "normal Nuts or bolts" have 6 sides to them, and same # of points. But wrenches can have 6 or 12 points, with a 12 point, you can risk slipping and rounding the points on the nut, but the 6 sided wrench doesnt work as well in a limited area where you cannot move the wrench every far to get it back on the nut... you have to be able to move 1/6ths of the rotation, to get another bite, where as a 12point you move 1/2 that or 1/12th the rotation to get another bite. FWIW, I like 6 points if working on a nut that is needing lots of torque or is rusty, less likely to slip or tear up a nut.
But 12 point should fit the clutch bolts, because all they did was make the heads of those bolts less likely to be rounded off because it fits in your 12 point wrench more exactly.
12 point wrenchs or sockets, It is NOT a special socket, but ANY even your AUTOMOBILE parts shops should have the 2 types of sockets, and or boxed in wrenches, one with 6 sides and or points inside the boxed end, the other with 12 points (double the points) inside the boxed end.
Sorry about my math in the earlier post, I shoud have said 6 or 12 point, not 8 or 12 point, It was earlier in the morning for me... here are the 2 examples of "MOST COMMONLY sold wrenches...
6 sides, like the normal nuts have) 6 points or 6 sides, looks just like it was the cookie cutter the nut you are working on See this picture I hope.
12 point, makes a wrench have to move not quite as far to get the next "bite" or grip on a nut/bolt...
No normal 6 sided wrenches don't fit the GasGas nut, they don't even fit even nowhere near (see pic). Found a good 7mm ring ended spanner in my box at work and that done the trick.
BTW I'm an Aerospace engineer so have a pretty good grasp on what spanners fit which bolts and the theory behind 6 and 12 sided fits so can definitely 100% say that a 'normal' 6 sided wrench will not fit these bolts. All I asked was if anyone knew exactly what the GasGas screws were as at that point I had nothing to hand that would fit them.
And at the time I was looking for a 12 sided socket not wrench so the stores I tried locally did not have any, they were:
G&R Fasteners
Srewfix
B&Q
Hurns Hardware
Stonehouse Autoparts
Halfords
Yes they had 12 sided wrenches but I have one of those at work so didn't want a duplicate purchase.
Ooh thanks, so a 7mm ring spanner should do it then? Just so happens thats the only size I don't have here at home, should have one in my toolbox at work so will hopefully get that done tomorrow then :-)
No video today as I drained the oil to install a lighter clutch spring only to find some odd size bolts holding it in! Looks like a 7mm 12 point torx will do it but I cant find one anywhere! :-(
Seems I need a 7mm 12 point torx socket to remove the clutch spring, anyone know where might stock one local? Have tried my local bolts and fastners place and local motor factors but both places only have 6 point starting at 8mm. Will stop in bvm-moto tomorrow but doubt they'll have one so looking at the likes of b+q, machine mart and screwfix etc. Cant even find one on ebay :-(
Ok have tried whats been said here and am still getting alot of kicks where it seems that the levers moving but the engine isn't, again it probably is my technique ( am used to kicking a big 450 supermoto). Will make another video tomorrow so you guys can see if my technique is any better than the first video.
Anyone make their own flags or markers for practice? I made a set of flags a while back using straight pieces of coat hanger wire for the pole and some colored tape for the flag. They looked and worked great but I didn't really like the idea of falling on one and impaling myself on one. So am looking for ideas for some floor markers rather than flags, something like football practice cones but a little smaller. Whatever I use needs to be bright colored and robust enough to take bikes riding over them and people falling or standing on them. Something quick cheap and easy would be handy too, I don't mind getting down the hardware store and knocking something up.
Think the problem is I've not ridden trials for 4yrs, its just frustrating that I have to give up after a few hours just because of one finger. Should have the lighter spring by tomorrow and will also move my lever in a bit so I've got maximum leverage where the one finger sits so that should help. Of course the more time goes by the better it will be but I'm impatient and want to get practicing and make the most of the good weather.
Old thread I know but does anyone have a part number for the lighter '06+ spring?
Also I have an '04 txt pro so would this spring make a difference on this bike?
I only ever use one finger on the clutch so after a few hours practice my clutch finger/arm is always the first thing to get tired making me stop for the day :-(
Trials Bike Tools...
in General Trials Talk
Posted
Good shout on the folding allen keys, thats a space saver right there.