Trials bike noob needs help

[pete-blen]

take the number off the bearings , looking at them it should be "62XX or 63XX"..Go get a couple of FAG bearings... NTN are middle of the road in quality...

[Sidey]

it just don't seem right to run a tire at anything less that 18psi...got to find a way to change my mind set from trail to trial

The guy who always wins the President grade in North Island Champs runs a mousse in his rear and less than 1 psi. For mousseless types, 3 rear and 4 front is correct, put it up 1 psi for trailriding or 2 psi if you're going to go hard over rocky ground. You can go down to 2 psi rear for really muddy slippery conditions. I've been riding competition trials for 35 years, so this is good advice.

I think that's an 07 Rev-3. In the UK it's pronounced "better" because the importer won't use any other pronounciation, but in Italian it's "Bater" which isn't used much in English speaking countries except by Gasgas and Sherco riders.

Anyway, the 07 had the Mikuni carb, and came jetted a bit rich standard. Go to the TrialsAustralia webpage to get instructions on how to modify the carb to stop it leaking fuel all over the place. Set the float level a wee bit low too. Run an NGK 5 series plug, or 6 for harder trailriding. If you're just going to potter around on low throttle all day you can go to a 4 series. Yes, I know that's really warm, but it will make the bike run cleaner and you won't get overheating or "hole in the piston" problems if you do need to run it hard up a hill for a while. Run the gearbox and ignition breather tubes up under the tank or into the air cleaner area so they don't suck water in when you go into creeks.

Judging by your photo the bars are set a bit forward, this will make the front end heavier but pull your posture forward. You need to keep your spine vertical, and as soon as you start jumping over stuff or needing serious traction you'll be wanting a light front end anyway.

I hope you enjoy your trials bike as much as I've enjoyed the ten I've had!

Sidey.

[F5 Dave]

. . .. I've been riding competition trials for 35 years, so this is good advice.. . ..

I dunno, you sound kinda old.

Anyway Welcome to KB Mark, just as a heads up don't take much serious here, but good to have you here.

[Night Falcon]

The guy who always wins the President grade in North Island Champs runs a mousse in his rear and less than 1 psi. For mousseless types, 3 rear and 4 front is correct, put it up 1 psi for trailriding or 2 psi if you're going to go hard over rocky ground. You can go down to 2 psi rear for really muddy slippery conditions. I've been riding competition trials for 35 years, so this is good advice.

I think that's an 07 Rev-3. In the UK it's pronounced "better" because the importer won't use any other pronounciation, but in Italian it's "Bater" which isn't used much in English speaking countries except by Gasgas and Sherco riders.

Anyway, the 07 had the Mikuni carb, and came jetted a bit rich standard. Go to the TrialsAustralia webpage to get instructions on how to modify the carb to stop it leaking fuel all over the place. Set the float level a wee bit low too. Run an NGK 5 series plug, or 6 for harder trailriding. If you're just going to potter around on low throttle all day you can go to a 4 series. Yes, I know that's really warm, but it will make the bike run cleaner and you won't get overheating or "hole in the piston" problems if you do need to run it hard up a hill for a while. Run the gearbox and ignition breather tubes up under the tank or into the air cleaner area so they don't suck water in when you go into creeks.

Judging by your photo the bars are set a bit forward, this will make the front end heavier but pull your posture forward. You need to keep your spine vertical, and as soon as you start jumping over stuff or needing serious traction you'll be wanting a light front end anyway.

I hope you enjoy your trials bike as much as I've enjoyed the ten I've had!

Sidey.

Thanks for the tips Sidey some really good advice in there. I have the engine in bits at the moment waiting for some new parts to arrive so In the mean time have been busy greasing and cleaning up the frame. Plan to fit a longrange tank/seat on it, barkbusters (already bent the clutch lever are a minor splill ) and will refit the head light.

You are right about the bars being too far forward, it feels way to heavy in the front especially for a learner trials rider so will be playing with the set up a bit. Might even fit some bar risers on it to make it a bit more comfy while standing.

Probably committing trials bike murder with my plans for her, but I think once I'm finished setting it up she will be a great trial adeventure machine! these things can go anywhere and I already have a new respect for trials riders skill sets!

thanks again for your advice and welcome to the forum

Love this bike, should have got one years ago, but better late than never.

[Sidey]

No worries mate.

The gearbox oil was probably ATF, plenty of trials riders use it to make the clutch grip better (Beta?). That's why it was pink, or red maybe. Perhaps you did have a little water in there, but now you rerouted the breather that's a thing of the past, right? The engine only has the oil you put into the petrol in it. To avoid hydraulic-ing the bike next time you drown it, push the kickstart really gently when you first restart. If it turns you're probably OK but give it a few gentle kicks before really prodding it. If it locks, get the spark plug out. If water comes out when you kick it, turn the bike upside down to drain the water. Fortunately they don't weigh too much! Turn the gas off, put it in 4th gear and turn the back wheel to get the engine turning over, the water will all come out. You need to clean the plug to get it to spark, so you have to take it out anyway. While it is upside-down the carb will drain too!

I'm sorry to hear about your bearing hassle. You've probably got it fixed by now but here's a few words of "wisdom" if you have the time!

I put SKF "E2" bearings in my old Rev-3, I had a 2008. That was the year they got the Keihin carb, makes a big difference. Anyway, the bearings are a low-friction alternative to standard ones. While I was in there I ported it a bit as well so maybe the results were not valid, but by crikey it went well after that. Smoother and torqueyer than a 270. Main bearings are the usual thing to replace in trials bikes, and usually after a drowning. You can also get bearings with silicon nitride balls. I think it's nitride, maybe carbide. Anyway, not steel. Shouldn't be affected by water as much, but of course they'll be twice the price. I've never done a big end or a little end on any of my bikes, and some of them were old when I got them. You can forget anything you used to "know" about pistons and rings from enduro or MX two-strokes. As long as you're happy with the power just leave it alone! The engines make little power, the compression ratio is low, so there's not much stress. Rings should last at least 2 years even with the hardest use.

When you are ready you really should check out a trial. Beware: it can be addictive. They have really easy sections for noobies and if you ask everyone will tell you what you need to do to get up that bank or over that log. There's this guy called Warren in HB. The banks and logs he can do will make your eyes bulge like Jim Carrey's but you'll find he's ready to help anyone. If you get a different opinion about anything believe Warren! The contacts are: Paul Simmonds Ph 836 5282 Warren Laugesen Ph 844 5070 / 021 2213596

Happy riding! ... Sidey

[Night Falcon]

No worries mate.

The gearbox oil was probably ATF, plenty of trials riders use it to make the clutch grip better (Beta?). That's why it was pink, or red maybe. Perhaps you did have a little water in there, but now you rerouted the breather that's a thing of the past, right? The engine only has the oil you put into the petrol in it. To avoid hydraulic-ing the bike next time you drown it, push the kickstart really gently when you first restart. If it turns you're probably OK but give it a few gentle kicks before really prodding it. If it locks, get the spark plug out. If water comes out when you kick it, turn the bike upside down to drain the water. Fortunately they don't weigh too much! Turn the gas off, put it in 4th gear and turn the back wheel to get the engine turning over, the water will all come out. You need to clean the plug to get it to spark, so you have to take it out anyway. While it is upside-down the carb will drain too!

I'm sorry to hear about your bearing hassle. You've probably got it fixed by now but here's a few words of "wisdom" if you have the time!

I put SKF "E2" bearings in my old Rev-3, I had a 2008. That was the year they got the Keihin carb, makes a big difference. Anyway, the bearings are a low-friction alternative to standard ones. While I was in there I ported it a bit as well so maybe the results were not valid, but by crikey it went well after that. Smoother and torqueyer than a 270. Main bearings are the usual thing to replace in trials bikes, and usually after a drowning. You can also get bearings with silicon nitride balls. I think it's nitride, maybe carbide. Anyway, not steel. Shouldn't be affected by water as much, but of course they'll be twice the price. I've never done a big end or a little end on any of my bikes, and some of them were old when I got them. You can forget anything you used to "know" about pistons and rings from enduro or MX two-strokes. As long as you're happy with the power just leave it alone! The engines make little power, the compression ratio is low, so there's not much stress. Rings should last at least 2 years even with the hardest use.

When you are ready you really should check out a trial. Beware: it can be addictive. They have really easy sections for noobies and if you ask everyone will tell you what you need to do to get up that bank or over that log. There's this guy called Warren in HB. The banks and logs he can do will make your eyes bulge like Jim Carrey's but you'll find he's ready to help anyone. If you get a different opinion about anything believe Warren! The contacts are: Paul Simmonds Ph 836 5282 Warren Laugesen Ph 844 5070 / 021 2213596

Happy riding! ... Sidey

Havn't got her back together yet as still waiting for parts so will check out the bearing options. The bike is an 08 (at least that what the PO sold it as). It had heaps of power but ran a bit rough on full throatle so I think it was in need of some tweaking in the carb. shouldn't be too hard to sort once its back together. Might print out your de-drowning method and keep on the bike....in plastic bag!

cheers

[Sidey]

Havn't got her back together yet as still waiting for parts so will check out the bearing options. The bike is an 08 (at least that what the PO sold it as). It had heaps of power but ran a bit rough on full throatle so I think it was in need of some tweaking in the carb. shouldn't be too hard to sort once its back together. Might print out your de-drowning method and keep on the bike....in plastic bag!

cheers

You are lucky, the 08 is the last of the Rev-3 model, therefore the good Keihin carb. No mods required. The Keihin is very sensitive to float level though. Set it at an angle of around 30 degrees so that the weight of the float doesn't push down the needle on it's spring and give you a false reading. You probably need a leaner main jet, and if the bike doesn't respond to the mixture screw probably a leaner pilot as well. You know you have the right pilot when it runs best 2 turns out. Tuning the pilot is unheard of in Enduro and MX but makes a difference to a trials bike. It should pull 3rd gear uphill from walking pace without blubbering or hesitating!

Sidey.

[Ocean1]

It should pull 3rd gear uphill from walking pace without blubbering or hesitating!

Unlike the rider, eh Mark?

[Night Falcon]

Still waiting to hear back from the dealer on where the parts are at....but I souldn't be impatient, its only been 2 weeks is Poor service an oxymoron?

[F5 Dave]

Dealer? You are surely dealing with John the importer (Kapiti MC)? If not give him a call in the evening, he works a day job & isn't the most PC savy, but a more dedicated person to the marque you will not find.

[NordieBoy]

You should be out there doing this soon...

[Sidey]

Still waiting to hear back from the dealer on where the parts are at....but I souldn't be impatient, its only been 2 weeks is Poor service an oxymoron?

Hi Falcon. It's true that John isn't good with email and you need to ring him. But also his wife's mother died about 8 weeks ago and he had to make a short-notice trip to the UK and last week his sister died so he's doing it a bit tough at the moment, could be a little more distracted than usual. Sidey.

[Night Falcon]

Dealer? You are surely dealing with John the importer (Kapiti MC)? If not give him a call in the evening, he works a day job & isn't the most PC savy, but a more dedicated person to the marque you will not find.

Hi Falcon. It's true that John isn't good with email and you need to ring him. But also his wife's mother died about 8 weeks ago and he had to make a short-notice trip to the UK and last week his sister died so he's doing it a bit tough at the moment, could be a little more distracted than usual. Sidey.

Thats terrible! I can wait..John has there are far more important things than a broken bike to deal with.

You should be out there doing this soon...

not me...tooo cold and way tooo steep for this trial noob

[Night Falcon]

All parts have arrived Hopefully have her back together on Saturday....ride on Sunday!

[Night Falcon]

Engine back together and bike almost!