Kind of staying on the subject... Did Yamaha import the TYZ Pinky to the US? We've got a bunch of the t/s TY's and the mono TY's, but I haven't seen any Pinkys. One thing that can be said about Yamaha is that they build a bulletproof motor.
Modern MX is downright dangerous and expensive. Enduro riding has more than its share of riding wounded as well. So what's my point? There is a group of chronicly injured riders out there looking for a change. For example, just this week a local ISDE medlist from Poland with carple tunnel problems bought a trials bike. He posted this info on a local singletrack trail rider's forum seeking info. Myself and the one other trials rider participating on the forum jumped in and passed on as much info as we could. He showed up to our Holbrook trials and had a blast. I'm sure he won't give up enduros and trail riding, but he will be riding trials again. He also posted a great ride report on the same forum and now other guys are interested as well. Another singletrack rider friend of mine started his own website and forum to organize rides in the Phoenix area. He was nice enough to set up a trials forum for me to moderate. I've posted some trials info, pictures and let folks know when we're practicing. As Ishy has pointed out the clubs need to have a variety of sections so that these guys can ride, have fun, not get hurt yet still feel challenged. If they decide to just ride for fun, there needs to be a place for them. Most importantly, many of these guys are older and have families. When they see the great family atmosphere and wonderful kids in our sport, they will want their kids to join in.
Ditto for Arizona, and the folks I've met from California are sure nice too. If a blue 2000 GasGas TXT280 shows up at one of your events via a stranger, please let me know.
I had an opportunity to ride with 2 youngsters who participated in the TTC youth nationals and training week. You could see the improved riding technique and confidence of these boys. A tip of my hat to the TTC and all who made it possible. Your efforts are already bearing fruit, and will go a long ways towards developing a solid base of riders in the future.
There is a Haynes manual available for the TY175. Will have to check my bike out, but I recall the hubs, or at least the brake plates have magnesium stamped on them. I'll snap some pics of the bike including the exhaust system. Will take a couple of days though, work is getting in the way of fun this weekend.
Just got back from a window shopping trip at my local bike shop. They had an EZ Pull clutch accessory marketed by Moose. I didn't see any instructions on the packaging (or in the package for that matter). My TY175 could use all the help in the clutch dept. and I was wondering if anybody out there has seen such a device installed or heard anything about them.
Don't have the exact figures in front of me, but the TY175 is very light. Pretty sure it's as light as the modern bikes. Stateside, B&J Racing may have some Haynes manuals in stock. Andi, who runs a TY website has burned a CD with all of the factory manuals and parts list. Check him out at
Kind of went through the same thing you are experiencing when I returned to the sport a few years ago. I learned on a Bultaco Sherpa T with lots of flywheel etc. I bought a 2000 GasGas and it took a while to get used to the modern technology. I made a few adjustments to the bike that tamed it down and made it fun to ride. First off, make sure you've got the slow, throttle tube in (black if Domino). I switched to a rear sproket with 3 extra teeth. In retrospect, 1 less tooth on the countershaft sprocket would have been better, but if I'm not mistaken Montesa's have only 10 t stock. I then retarded the ignition timing by 1 mm. There have been several threads on this subject in this Montesa board, do a search for all the specific how to's. The overall effect worked great for me, a senior novice. You will still need to learn how to work the clutch in the sticky, tight stuff, as the new technology does require a different approach than vintage iron. After getting used to modern bikes in general, I had an opportunity to test ride a 1998 Montesa and found the power to be very smooth and managable.
Not that it has anything to do with trials, but there is a green single track trail bike in the garage that I've named the "Mad Kaw". The green color has kind of grown on me and it's lots of fun to ride around too.
I'm sure it's necessary as the vacumn created by the engine would collapse the filter. You probably are going to have to fabricate a unit yourself, or wait until something shows up on ebay. I would think a suitable holder could be made from some metal screen material. Good luck.
Regardless, we have some great young riders out there all across the country. I've personally riden with Bryan in a buddy check trials we had last year, he's a good kid and a very talented rider. Again, a tip of my hat to Alan and all of the folks who put all of this together. My grand daughter will celebrate her first birthday next month, so hopefully we'll be joining you all in a few years.
Obviously selling trials bikes cannot be the sole source of income for any manufacturer if they want to survive. Those companies that have another market to bring in the profits will be more likely to build trials bikes. Honda/Montesa certainly has enough diversity to dabble in trials for a long time. Beta seems to have a pretty good scooter business in Italy to keep the bills payed. GG has been working hard to round out their assortment of bikes over the years. Scorpa doesn't have to worry about developing an engine, that may be the best approach of all.
Yes, it's a 175. I'll check ebay and see what's going on there. I need to pull out my parts book and get the size specs and call around. We've got a pretty good Yam dealer in town too. I was going to replace the boots with Seal Savers. Will keep you posted.
Must be asleep at the wheel.
Ringo
in USA Trials
Posted
We talked last month on the phone, he's alive and kicking.