Messages

91

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: racer x race report Claverack mx 5/20/2018

« on: May 31, 2018, 06:26:58 AM »

WOW... taking home the hardware.... congrats to you and your son....  well done... 

Two races at two different tracks in one weekend... you'd better start hydrating now...   

92

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Weekend ride 5/28/18

« on: May 29, 2018, 05:49:40 PM »

Sorry to hear that Coop... I did take my camel pak. Had it lying down in the back of my truck.  When I arrived at the riding area I discovered it leaked out all over my shorts and shirt I planned on wearing home... 😩👎. So I went without.. and paid the price... I’m still sore today... 2nd day can sometimes be worse than the day after... 😎

It’s all good... the wife said this morning you look as though you’ve lost weight... my answer that’s because I went riding two weekends in a row... imagine how skinny I’d be if I could ride more often...   no she didn’t buy that line of BS either. 🏆.

93

General Two Stroke Talk / Weekend ride 5/28/18

« on: May 28, 2018, 11:38:58 AM »

Was invited to ride with a group of guys on some private single track.  Little did I know 7 out of the 12 guys regularly race in the local hare scramble circuit... oh well let’s see how I stack up... the trails are mostly tight tight single track, lots of mud, clay soil with trails that Mother Nature is trying to reclaim.   The hardest part for me was not knowing what’s up ahead... I was the only one who had not been there before.  The 1st loop I held up pretty well..   but after 2 hours I needed a break. We headed back to get some water & food.  One asks me if you don’t mind me asking how old are you... I’m 55.. holy crap 55 and still rocking a 380... yea all but one was younger than the number of years I’ve been riding a dirt bike...  😩 oh well let’s hit it again... after 60 min I knew I was done. I started making stupid mistakes. It took another 30 min to get back to the truck...I was dying...  they wanted me to go out for another loop... I knew better.  That’s when you’re tired and get up close and personal with a tree, or some other immovable object... no I’ll skip this loop

All smokers except two.  One owns a shop and wanted to try the KTM 250WXC F that was just traded in, instead of his KTM 200.  The other is s die hard stroker.  Oh well... we even had a vintage 88 husky running race fuel... ahhh the smell of race fuel.

The carnige... During the ride I started to get s cramp in my hip... would not go away. I knew I was dehydrated so I kept drinking water. Now this is the most non-stop riding I’ve done in a long, long time.  After I got home my 3 year old grand daughter wanted me to play blocks with her.  Of course I’m going to... hip hurts like hell but down onto the floor I go..  soon one side my groin starts to have a muscle  spasm...  oh shit now the other side too... I’m in agony.  I ask my grand daughter to get my wife who’s  outside.  I can’t I’m too little to open the door...  so I crawl, hang onto the furniture open the door and beg for help...  she brings me s large glass of dry red wine.  Drink this.  I chug it and in a few seconds the spasms stop... 

Yes she reminded me I’m not 18 and I need to get into shape before riding like that. Yes dear... thank you dear...  so here I sit on Monday, hip still hurts, right wrist hurts (I think when I fell my wrist landed on a log or tree limb)... but I am a happy guy... give me a few days to recover  and I’ll be ready to go again.

94

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Weekend update 5/20/18

« on: May 25, 2018, 06:03:40 AM »

Usable parts I hang on to, but things like completely worn out plates, broken cables, etc., get tossed. If I saved every part I have changed in the last 38 years of riding I'd need a warehouse just for old parts lol.

Are you saying I could be a bit of a parts hoarder...  yea I guess so...     Although I used my stash of parts to repairs various bikes over the years...  several of my riding buddies are on KTM's and it amazing how many parts / pieces are a direct replacement, or with a little massaging can be make to work in a pinch.   

95

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: 125 "All Star Series"

« on: May 24, 2018, 09:34:59 AM »

Come on Racer X... you are one of the chosen few.... chosen for what we're still trying to figure that out... 

96

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Practice track diaries Central Cycle club 5/12/2018

« on: May 24, 2018, 09:32:40 AM »

Nice carnage...  at least you got some seat time in... 

97

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Weekend update 5/20/18

« on: May 23, 2018, 05:33:18 AM »

New clutch plates / disks and springs have been ordered.  Since I purchased the bike used and I've now owned it for 4 years... it's probably safe to assume the clutch clutch plates / disks are at least 10 years old...  time to retire them.

One question...  whenever you swap out parts do you just toss the old ones into an old parts bin... I swear I can't make myself throw away used parts... even though I know damn well they will never be reused, they still end up in my used parts bin..   

98

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: racer x race report The Wick 338 NESC opener

« on: May 22, 2018, 06:54:58 AM »

You looked pretty comfortable...  great way to prep for surgery

99

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Weekend update 5/20/18

« on: May 22, 2018, 06:51:53 AM »

Sounds like a great weekend!  Sometimes we don't realize what we are missing until we fix/change/etc. things    We're getting ready to do a poker run on Saturday with very little riding time over the winter.  I predict pain on Sunday!

Yes there will be pain on Sunday... and don't forget Monday....  When I get on the bike its like I'm transported back in time... I found my 16 year old self, and he kicked my ass...

My son usually accompanies me on these rides... but he had to work...   I look back and laugh when he used to get on my case, we need to go riding...  sorry, I have to work, cut the grass, or many of the other things we need to get done in our busy lives.  Now the tables are turned...  He's a Pipe Fitter who builds high pressure vessels.  He could work 7 days a week if he wanted... He usually works 10-12 hour shifts...  so time off is very precious.  Now that he has a house to maintain, vehicles which always seem to need attention, etc., etc. I'm the one getting on his case, and boy does it feel good.  There's nothing like calling / face timing him from the track / riding area, it really pissed him off.     Can't wait to go again with or without him...   

100

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: 125 "All Star Series"

« on: May 21, 2018, 05:59:13 AM »

I may have to go to the High Point race just to watch the 125's... 

101

General Two Stroke Talk / Weekend update 5/20/18

« on: May 21, 2018, 05:56:39 AM »

I've been having clutch issues for quite a while.  I finally broke down and purchased a new clutch basket.  First issue, my bike a 2001 KTM 380...  all aftermarket clutch baskets are for 2003 and newer...  after a bit of research, I found the baskets from an 2003 - 2016 fit KTM 250 - 380's...  so I picked up a Wiesco clutch basket.

Install was simple...  lay the bike on it side, remove clutch cover, remove clutch plates and clutch basket.  Drill out rivets to access gear, install onto new basket and reinstall...  The only issue I had was reinstalling the spring from the brake lever to the clutch cover...  that took almost as long as replacing the clutch basket. 

Took her for a spin Sunday...  what a difference.  I know dealing with a warn clutch was giving me fits, but until Sunday's ride I didn't realize just how much.  I love to ride the technical trails...  with a proper clutch, it's so much easier...  I guess 17 years is too long to wait to replace clutch parts...  Next will be to replace the plates and disks...  I wanted to see the impact of the basket before more changes.

As far as the ride... great day, we've had a lot of rain, but the riding park was not too bad.  Yes it was pretty wet in some areas, but overall conditions were pretty good.  I'm paying for my lack of off season training today, but l can deal with the soreness.  Most of the riders at my club are off-road, so the mix of bikes continues to be 75-80% smokers.  I even spotted a couple of KDX's. 

Overall it was a great day

102

General Two Stroke Talk / Time for a Spring Cleaning of my bike.

« on: February 23, 2018, 08:41:40 AM »

My bike (01 KTM 380) doesn't need much heading into another season...  but it's time for a good spring cleaning.  I've pulled the seat, tank, all plastics, exhaust and am preparing for an extreme cleaning.  The engine cases are stained... so I'm going to attempt to clean the engine with some aluminium cleaner.   Any suggestions as to a cleaner, I've read about some good results with aluminium wheel cleaner and a lot of elbow grease.  I will also be cleaning the exhaust.  it to is dirt stained.

I'm not sure if I'll pull the motor or not.  I'll try with it in the frame 1st to see if I'm happy with the results. 

Of course after she's clean  I'll be going through all moving parts / bearing to ensure she's ready for another season.

103

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Swapping my 380 motor into a modern frame

« on: December 24, 2017, 09:35:07 AM »

I found an 06 KTM 250F for $500... decided to pass...  if I'm going to go through the trouble and expense, I prefer something a little more current.

104

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Premix 2

« on: December 24, 2017, 09:32:38 AM »

Coop you are a cheap ass... just like me    I too will pay to see it... 

105

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Swapping my 380 motor into a modern frame

« on: November 27, 2017, 11:18:29 AM »

The frame swap will drop the bikes weight plus the suspenders will be up to date...  If, and when I do make the switch, I will document as I'll need to so I can remember what the hell I did...  I'm still looking for a suitable roller, so no news yet...