neonsurge

Thanks for everyone's help. Since my original post I discovered that the airbox wasn't sealing properly because the screws that hold the connecting bars on at the exhaust side (the things that the cover screws attach to) were corroded and wouldn't tighten. I've replaced those and thoroughly cleaned the filter. I'm off to my local dealer at lunchtime to purchase a new plug and a fuel filter (just in case). Failing that, I guess I'll start looking at the electrics as per Jay's suggestion. I've now almost spend the equivalent of the cost of a nice '03 bike on this thing. Still, it's all educational innit?

Where'd ya get it? Not Feetup....?

I'm having recurring problems with my '99 Gasser 270. The bike starts easily (first kick, hot or cold) and runs fine at low revs. However, wind it up and she coughs and splutters like a fifty-woodbines-a-day asthmatic. Main jet clogged, right? Well, last night I stripped the carb for the umpteenth time and while I did find some crap in there, the jets were basically OK. I also checked the manifolds for air leaks and all seems to be fine. Finally I pulled the plug and it's jet black with significant carbon build up. Hmm. I removed the silencer and there's a lot of carbon and oily slime in there (and I only re-packed it a couple of weeks ago). Come to think of it, it *has* been a bit smoky of late... Could it be too-rich premix? I run it at 75:1 using Ipone oil (can't remember the exact type). I've heard some guys run as lean as 100:1 - could this be my problem? All comments gratefully received! P.S. Anyone know if Halfords stock in-line fuel filters?

I saw the Yam WR450F 2-Track (to give it its full name) at last year's Stoneleigh show - at first I thought that it was just a standard WR with Ohlins sussies but then you notice what looks like a front drum brake (it's not, it's actually the front wheel drive gears) and all the hydraulic gubbins. For some reason Yamaha let Paul Blezard ride it during one of the African rallies and his report has appeared in TBM and TMX. Brilliant in sand and mud, but not much advantage elsewhere by all accounts. And

You can buy Proclean and Procare mail order from Dirt Bike Store MUCH better than that FuchsOff stuff!

Brad: Is the [shift] key on your keyboard broken? Are you allergic to punctuation? You're not fooling anyone with the teenage text-speak you know!

Thanks for the offer, although just replacing the whole dogbone assemblies doesn't look too difficult - I might send out an SOS if I do manage to screw it up though! I use the old adage of "if it ain't coming off, clamp it with mole grips and hit it with a mallet". Wayne - Not riding in water and wet mud isn't really an option in Yorkshire!!

Total cost of all parts required to service the rear suspension linkage:

On 2nd December I emailed Eurosport requesting a complete schedule of their planned coverage of the world indoor series. This morning(!) I received a reply. For what it's worth: Hi, please find the schedule details for TRIAL on British Eurosport. 13/01/2004 17:00 17:30 TRIAL World Championship Sheffield VTR-EXT 15/01/2004 11:15 11:45 TRIAL World Championship Sheffield REPL 23/01/2004 19:30 20:00 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Hong Kong REPL 02/02/2004 23:45 00:15 TRIAL World Championship Koblenz VTR-EXT 03/02/2004 09:00 09:30 TRIAL World Championship Koblenz REPL 04/02/2004 07:30 08:00 TRIAL World Championship Koblenz REPL 05/02/2004 23:45 00:15 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Marseilles VTR-EXT 09/02/2004 23:30 00:00 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Marseilles VTR-EXT 09/02/2004 00:00 00:30 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Barcelona Spain VTR-EXT 23/02/2004 01:15 01:45 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Pesaro Italy RX Not sure what the "VTR-EXT", "REPL" (repeat?) and "RX" mean....

I spent some time on a friend's son's GasGas 125 this weekend and was amazed what it was capable of, even with my lardy a*** on board. The only time it felt remotely gutless was on long, steep uphills - the kind of thing you ride for fun and are unlikely to find in a section.

Just to reiterate what others have been saying - Sheffield '04 was the most exciting sporting event I've ever attended!! I'll never forget Dougie's face throughout the competition: He's usually a study in concentration, but last night his expression showed something else as well... not quite anger, more a burning intensity. Quite scary actually!!

While I've been surprised how easy my GasGas is to work on compared to the 4-stroke trail and enduro bikes I've been riding for the past few years, I think this job will be a step too far for me and since I have a very friendly local dealer, I think I'll just let him have at it and ask if I can watch. Thanks for everyone's help!

Thanks for all the advice. I knew that this bike needed "a little work" when I bought it, but the amount I'm spending on spares (including c&s, wheel and head bearings, wiring loom, muffler and assorted other bits and pieces so far) are starting to make what I originally thought was a bit of a bargain look like a false economy! Still, the engine's fine so far.... ...bang!!

After reading the thread re. rear suspension play in another section recently, while checking my bike prior to tomorrow's trial I thought I'd see if there was any play on my bike. Bugger me, there's about 15mm vertical play in the swingarm (although no horizontal movement, fortunately). I guess the problem is where the linkage connects to the bottom of the shock, correct? Is it a difficult job for a mechanically-challenged person such as myself?

...and from me and all the little 'surges! :hat:

I'm there, dude.

Wondered how long it'd be before you raised your ugly head.

My club's running a "conducted" trial for novices early next year - what's a conducted trial? Like a training day I'd guess...? Sorry for the daft question.

After repairing/replacing numerous parts on my now fully operational '99 TXT270, I've got around to setting the thing up properly. I've got the preload/sag set pretty much perfect but I'm finding the back end action (careful...) to be a little bit soft for my liking. Is there a damping adjustment on this bike 'cos if there is I can't find it?

I'm very happy with the Novogars as well (got a great deal on a pair at the Expo). I had Alpinestars previously and they never really fit properly and leaked quite badly. The 'Gars have loads of adjustment and have, so far, proved to be completely waterproof (although I should point out that they're not sold as totally waterproof).

TMX a couple of weeks ago - they tested all the 04 Gassers. Did the Betas last (this) week.

Thanks guys. Check yer mail! Still need a tank...

The first words said to me when I went to a meeting of my local TRF branch were "...and don't think we're going to mark up your bloody maps!" Not very welcoming, is it? Needless to say I left and didn't renew my membership. And as for that silly rag of a national newsletter....

I'm still looking for the following parts for a '99 TXT270: Complete sidestand assembly (or failing that, the arm only); Fuel tank; Footpegs (unmashed, if possible!) I *could* just buy new parts, but I'm a Yorkshireman and if there's any way of getting hold of stuff cheaply, I'm there. Thanks!