tombleds

That is AWESOME!!!! Way to go Pat! NITRO trials riders are proud of ya!

I would again like to contribute to Patrick's world assault. His recent videos show tremendous form at rear wheel riding. I am excited to see the effort to go. Please post an address to send donations. Patrick go do your best and please document with video and if you create a dvd I would be happy to purchase that also as My kids and I have enjoyed the previous Smagical videos

I have an opinion for sure but let me start with a few "facts". Crashing hurts and breaks things. Done that enought to know I dont like it so I decided several years ago to protect myself as well as possible without limiting movement/enjoyment. In mx I wore inflexible boots,knee braces, chest protector and full face helmet-even elbow gauards in the rocks or on ice. Fact is I ride -I crash. Can't seem to shake that cycle and kinda enjoy it in a weird way:). Fact is all the protective gear adds a layer between me and ground,rock,tree or bike. Given the choice I prefer that layer. In trials I have for several years worn full face high quality downhill mountain bike helmet. I also wear chest protector(roost guard) and back guard albeit a lightweight one but it has some serious grooves from savin my skin!. I also wear knee guards and use them quite frequently! I have even been wearing a Leatt neck brace(get some snickers on that one. I prefer to not be paralyzed and can take the snickers so I will keep wearing it especially when I am attempting more difficult obstacles. Does this protection come at a cost of lack of mobility? Most of it does not hinder mobility but for sure neck brace is annoying at times. I am seeking other braces that may offer more range of motion. Everything else I wear doesnt bother me in the least. Now on to my opinion(oh boy! lol) A wisw man once told me if your going to be stupid you better be tough. I am neither(please dont ask around as you may get a different opinion!. I think most people should wear full face helmets. Give it a try for 3 rides and then let me know how it feels and what problems you are having as I would like to know. I think knee guards are mandatory. I think eye protection should be worn most of the time. I wear safety glasses 95%Z of the time. I dont like sticks or branches in my eyes. Last but not least I like to ride-not be injured. I have spent as much as 13 consecutive months on crutches and that gave me a lot of time to think about whether i prefer to be hurt or whether I will take precautions to keep me riding. I choose riding My fingers hurt from typing- I am going to go polish my helmet

Noel or Craig I have some pics of Noel that I took at the endurocross. Send me an address to send a cd. Tom Bledsoe mule2500@yahoo.com

Thanks Subira!! That is it!! I think I will try some.

The FIM is so darn stringent!!!! Who are the "ACE" team? I have used 2 differnt types of communicators- Collett Electronics from Canada(mainly used by snowmobilers) and a NADY communicator. Coletts weren't full duplex(where both people can talk and be heard at same time) but worked pretty well. My friends got tired of hearing my bull**** so they crushed em!!! lol The ones the riders used this last weekend appeared to be much smaller than what I used. The Nitro guys are a good bunch of people- I try not to bring down their standards too much!! I just watched Phils Smagical Adventure again the other night and am still impressed by how well done it is and how funny it is!!! I will buy the next one(if their is one). We are rooting for Pat and tell him we are all proud of him. The check is in the mail!!! And Craig- Thanks for all you do for Pat He will remeber that forever!! Now don't get any ideas of huggin or kissn on me because of those nice remarks I said.

Craig- I forgot to stop by and donate to Pats cause on Sat(great job Sat Pat- we are proud of ya) I left as soon as trials was over to drive home sat. night. Give me an address to send a check please. I thought you looked professional in your press bib!!! The disposable camera you were shooting with really added to the aura!!!!! Take care and good luck to all you guys!! Tom B.

I have used different type communicators in the past but havn't seen they type the world round guys were using. Anyone have any info or close up pics???? Thanks

Craig- good hangin out with you guys at the endurocross! Phil is a nice and humble young man and was still all smiles even though he didn't make it to the final- a nice quality to see in a young man!! Thanks for the video- "Phil's Smagical adventures". Frank and I laughed while we watched it on the way home. Other people should buy this video and watch it- it is very well done and enjoyable!!! Maybe we will see you in Vegas if not good luck!!!! Tom Bledsoe

One thing to check is oil buildup in the bottom of airbox. That has caused my bike to not rev and to run erratically especially at high rpms. I just wipe it out with a paper towel. Hope this helps. Tom

not that you asked me but I take a little different approach. I dont wait for the oils to get dirty. It only takes a little over 500cc for the engine so I change it every couple rides maybe 6-8 hrs of running. I know I am anal but I figure if I can afford a $7500 bike then I should change the oil often. I have never had oil related failure but neither has my buddy who hardly ever changes his!!!! I just cant do that besides it keeps me out the wifes hair when I am in the shop--trying to keep marital bliss!!

almost 1 year on 4rt first time ever that I am not buying a new bike this year that means i like it Starts and runs perfect-everytime- no tricks no gimmicks just kick it and go all bikes should be fuel injected smooth and fun to ride- my friends call it a cheater bike--I prefer to call it "skill"!! I kept the oil changed often and filter twice. changed clutch master cylnder but not sure if it helped. skid plate is weak have bent it back a couple of times and we dont even have rocks fenders are brittle and $150 each I bought a plastic welder and have learned to repair them. suspension is awesome build quality is first rate only problems are with things I damaged Still keeping it for 2006 so I am happy Tom Bledsoe

when I had my 04 raga it suddenly developed a bad noise sounded like bad crank bearing took off clutch etc and no visible problems noise appeared to be coming from flywheel side I did not have a flywheel puller but I am fortunate to live 2hrs from Jim Snell the gasgas parts importer. I took my bike to him and he pulled the flywheel off and noticed the case below the flywheel had been dented slightly from a hit to the skid plate. he pounded the case out a little and end of problem the skid plate is a little thin so it bends easy Maybe this will help Tom Bledsoe

congrats on the new bikes!!! Dreamland riding area you live in John Stoodly writes some great articles on bike setup. He is on some of the boards and is very helpful. His articles appear in trials competition newspaper Definitley grease all bearings especially since winter is coming and you will have more time. I have had Gasgas bikes come with lots of grease in certain areas and virtually none in others. I wiould pop off wheel bearing seals and grease as these have been problem areas. Get yourself a straight thin piece of small diameter rod- use this rod as an alignment tool for your silencer since they are prone to rub on tire after crashes. Lay rod vertically across inside of tire and sticking up past silencer this way you can see if it is goiung to rub. $200 plus if it rubs hole in silencer or you will have to weld up. I have found on some Gasgaspros that if you add a washer or 2 or 3 to the bottom mounting bolt of the mid silencer that it will effectively work to push silencer away from rear wheel. Some bikes need this more than others. Go through dvd and check to make sure the shift lever action is perfect. Jim Snell does a nice job of walking you through that procedure. Dont be afraid to adjust air screw or pilot jet on carb In our area almost all seem to be a little lean. Your elevation may eliminate that for you. No trials bikes like extended wide open runs(my guess is has to do with coolant capacity etc.) Ask anybody who has ridden SSDT and they will tell you of destroyed engines. Safety wire grips(I like to glue also) I also like to safety wire rear axle nut. Also safety wire throttle cable to carb and to throttle housing to keep branches etc from pulling it out as easily. Anti sieze all steel to aluminum bolts you will be glad later:)) Ride , ride ,ride and have fun All I can think of for now Tom Bledsoe

Lewis I second what hillary said. Also as I have stated before in other posts, I think this is the best built bike out there bar none. My only frustration as far as parts are concerned is the front wheel bearings. I need to replace them. Normally when I get a new bike I pop the seals off the bearings and put a mix of antiseize and grease in there. I evidently forgot this on this bike and now I will be replacing the bearings. The things that I changed were for my comfort only. The fenders break too easy but in all fairness I broke gasgas fenders pretty easy too. Maintain it then kick it and ride never misses a beat Now the weight issue. My previous bike was an 04 raga replica while it was lighter it didnt track through rocks and logs near as predictable as the 4rt. When you are in trouble the 4rt feels heavier--- because it is!! However the bikes weigh 160 some odd pounds and for me I have no problems wrestling it around. 6ft 185lbs of out of shape flab!!! All in all I like it so much that I am keeping mine another year (at least) I normally get a new bike each year-not because I need one or ride that much --I simply want one each year. Montesa got it pretty right the first time so no need for me to get a new one!! Thats probably the best promotion I can giv e the bike. Get one and you will love it!! Did it make me a better rider---- nope but neither will the other bikes. Does the bike entice me to want to ride it-absolutely!! Will my scores go down-for me yes because the 4rt excels in the areas that I enjoy. So get one and ride on.