Messages

1006

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Mad Scientist is at "it" again...

« on: December 23, 2009, 06:10:06 AM »

Great article, well done.

I agree the claiming rule was a largest error the AMA ever made.. including the edge for the 4 stroke pigs.  Back in the day, technology was evolving so rapidly, because the factory works bikes were so advanced, the new technology was showing up on production bikes the following year. This is the era I grew up in... I remember drooling over the works bikes.  They were truly one off bikes.  I agree that the privateer had a difficult time trying to "win" during that time, but look at the level of competition during the late 70's.  Not only was there full factory teams, but competitive teams were fielded by aftermarket manufactures including FMF and many others.  There were more bikes than that of the big-4 and KTM.  There were bikes of many different colors and brands.

The demise of the big bore...  The sound of 40 big bore smokers going into the 1st turn, not to mention the ditches that were dug by the bikes as they launched off the line...  this was something to behold...  As a 13 year old in 76, I loved to watch the big bikes come off the line, it was a just amazing.

1007

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: 10th Grader essay...

« on: December 22, 2009, 05:02:46 PM »

I vote we give her John's new TM with the Two Stroke Motocross.com stickers...   

1008

Technical / Re: Needle Bearings.....

« on: December 22, 2009, 02:19:19 PM »

I will confess, I have owned my current ride a 2000 KTM 300 EXC for 3 years.  During the time I've owned the bike, I've done the top end (piston, rings, needle bearing, replaced clutch plates, wheel bearings (front and rear) and replaced the juice in the hydro clutch, and replaced the fluid in the brakes front and rear, and replaced the brake pads. 

All of the above was done during the off season, all I consider normal maintenance.  I've yet to pull the swingarm, although its on my list for the off-season.  KTM does not have linkage suspension; they use an F-bushing.  Plans are to pull the swingarm, replace bearings as needed, check F-bushing, replace if needed, and grease everything.  I'm not sure if I'll get to the steering stem.

During the season I replace the gear fluid 2 times, and clean the filter after every 6th ride.

I need to get the above done, as I need to do the top end on my son's quad.  Yes, not only is he a quad turd, but he rides a 4 stroke...  (Honda 400EX).   When we purchased the quad used, (two years ago), knowing it needed new rings, and valve seals.  So its time to tear it down, and replace the top end.

1009

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Two stroke is alive and well

« on: December 22, 2009, 02:01:05 PM »

I ride a 2000 300 EXC (comparable to the XCW of today)...  I drool over the new bikes with the happy button.  True I ride 90% trails and hare scrambles, and only play on the track from time to time, but when I'm stuck at an odd angle on the side of a mountain, the happy button would sure be nice to have....

Most that I know that have the e-start button start the bike with the kicker when cold, and then use the happy button the rest of the day.  There are a few hard core riders that have removed the E-start and battery to save weight (8lbs).  Me, if I got a new bike with E-start, I'd be a happy man....

1010

Vintage Two Strokes / Re: Official Vintage Bike pic thread... post'em here

« on: December 21, 2009, 04:19:12 PM »

Here is my 1974 Honda CR250M.  I bought it new in 74, and sold it in 2004. Check out my "trick" stand...  When I pulled the bike out of storage, (15 years worth), it fired up with the old nasty gas..  it ran but not well...  I replaced the carb, and added an after market exhaust.  When I was young, I re-ringed the bike twice, so it still had the original piston...  until I was racing my son on his YZ125, and I cooked the piston...  so a 2 over bore, new piston and rings, and all was well.  I sold it to a local gentleman who wanted to race in the vintage class as I was ready for some modern suspension...   

1011

Technical / Re: 125sx

« on: December 21, 2009, 04:14:26 PM »

The best place to get the detailed info you're looking for would be KTMTalk.  I'm sure someone there would be able to answer your question.  With the cranks being different KTM part numbers I'm not sure they can be interchanged.  You may end up spending more to rebuild you engine, than if you purchaced a used 200 engine and rebuilt it. 

Just my $0.02...

1012

Technical / Re: 2001 KX250 mods and performance

« on: December 21, 2009, 04:05:49 PM »

I had a 99, it was a great bike, very reliable.  I added a 11oz flywheel weight.  It helped to reduce the wheel spin, and put the power to the ground.

Jetting can really change the power delivery.  When jetting, do one change at a time.  This way you will know exactly how the bike reacts to the change.

If you run it a little fat, it will give you a little more torque.  I try dropping the clip one notch to see if you like the power delivery, then go up one (from the current settings) to see how the power delivery feels, while checking the plug...

Let us know how it works out.

1013

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: New to motocross, and two strokes! HELP!!!

« on: December 19, 2009, 05:00:28 AM »

1014

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Another 2T victory. The Red Bull Los Andes.

« on: December 11, 2009, 07:50:02 AM »

I love this quote from the article.

Chaleco was unlucky to have a little crash during the race when he went over the handlebars in one of the muddy parts of the circuit. I was riding close by at the time so when I saw him fall I stopped to see if he was OK and could complete the race.

Wonderful sportsmanship on his part.

Congratulations.

When I read that, I had to go back and read it again.  That is the way I ride, of course I'm as the back of the pack...    To see a top performer doing that is just amazing.  Sportsmanship at its best.

1015

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Riding 4 stroke in woods

« on: December 08, 2009, 09:11:04 AM »

I started riding / racing in the early 70's.  When I moved up and purchased a Honda Ellsinore 74 CR250M, I was on top of the world.  I was pretty competitive at the MX scene, but as time went on, I could not keep up with the long travel suspended bikes.  The motor the Else, was not much different of modern smokers, it was just trying to keep the rear wheel on the ground.  As time went on the jumps got bigger, and the long suspended bikes would just pull away.  

Long story short, I loved the bike so much, that when I took a 25 year hiatus from riding, I just parked the bike....  I took her out of storage, drained the fuel, put fresh fuel in....  and she fired after 10 kicks...  yes it barely ran with plugged jets, but it still ran...  I cleaned her up and rode it for a few years before selling her to a vintage racer, and moved up to modern bike.  

The power of the 99 KX250 I purchased was equal to or maybe a little less the the Else, but the suspenders....  wow what a difference.

Here is a pic of my beloved Elsie, when I sold it in 2005, it still had the original front tire, and I still had the original exhaust system.

1016

Technical / Re: my cr125r boggin down?

« on: December 01, 2009, 06:39:20 AM »

We went through at least 5 spark plugs in a day because they kept on getting wet.  If anyone knows what's going on please help
Thank you.

1st off, if your going through spark plugs than there is a jetting issue.  No bike should ever foul plugs.  I change my plug prior to the ridding season, and only because I feel guilty for never looking at it all season...

2nd, we need some more details. 
When was the last time the top end was freshened?
Did the bike smoke a lot before this? 
When was the last time the silencer was repacked? 
When you kick the bike over, are you getting spark? 
Is fuel getting to the carb? 
When is the last time the carb was cleaned?
Is the air filter dirty, or could it be over oiled?
When you have the carb off the bike, please write down the current jetting settings.  Needle, and clip position, Pilot jet, and Main jet

This list is just a few things to consider.  With some more details, I'm sure we'll get your bike sorted out.

1017

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: 16 year old two stroke lover!

« on: December 01, 2009, 06:26:47 AM »

The 125 class bike is a great bike in which to learn how to ride fast.  As we all know, to make a 125 go fast, the rider must, and I do mean must be on top of his game, must keep the RPM's in the meat of the powerband, and must always be in the proper gear. 

When the rider is ready and able to apply these principles to a 250 smoker, look out....  You'll need to build a bigger trophy case, and get something to sooth the sore muscles in your face from all the grinning    

1018

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: new member

« on: December 01, 2009, 06:18:01 AM »

wayfastwilly please pass this onto Taylor...
 
Please tell Taylor to continue to KICKING THERE ARSE!!"   

Keep up the good work wayfastwilly.  There is nothing like the father son time spent in the garage working on the bikes, and cheering on your kids at the tracks.  Enjoy every moment of it, as time passes by so quickly.

My brother lost his thumb and index finger on his left hand in an industrial accident a few years ago.  After he had recovered, I forced him, yes forced him (I didn't give him a choice), to go riding with me.  I borrowed a quad with a semi auto tranny so he didn't have to worry about the clutch.  We went for a little trail ride.  Lets just say that for the few hours we were able to steal away, I could tell he was his old carefree self, reliving his childhood of when we used to go riding everyday.  We've gotten out a more times since then, and the last time he kept looking at my KTM 300...  So I let him take her for a spin... Once he figured out where to position his left hand so he could work the clutch,  it was like turning back the clock 30 years, to where we were 15 year olds without a care in the world....

1019

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Riding 4 stroke in woods

« on: December 01, 2009, 05:53:56 AM »

You are absolutely correct....  A friend of mine's son is a great rider, he's pretty good at MX, but in the woods he shines.  Of course he wanted to drink the Kool-Aid like all of his friends who were on strokers.  At the time he was one a 125, and was mid pack on the MX track against his buddies.  In the woods, he was the master of slipping the clutch to where not many could keep up with him.  He was always complaining that he was at a disadvantage because he was on a smoker.

Fast forward a few years, its time for a bike upgrade, and of course he wants a stroker.  One of his friends who is tired of spending big bucks to keep the stroker intact, decides to get a KTM 250 sx.  He goes from mid pack to the front.  He too was trying to ride the stroker like a smoker.  So now my buddies son sees the light, and gets a YZ250.  Now he's in front of the pack of his friends, and in the woods...  well lets just say, learning how to ride a 125 the right way, slipping the clutch and keeping it in the meat of the RPM's has really paid off, he flies through the woods.

His only complaint now is he needs a 450 to compete against the big bikes....  Some people are never happy....

1020

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Proposed rule change for pro GNCC 2010 - equal cc 250 class

« on: November 24, 2009, 02:17:56 PM »

Finally the AMA takes a step in the right direction