Hi Rockcat! Yes, the track was fun and challenging, the off camber, downhill turns were especially difficult early in the day when they were wet and greasy. Even though I had some engine problems, overall I really liked the track and especially the absence of big jumps. We are putting this event on our calendar for next year. Come over and say hi at the next race and by the way, what are you riding in the trials? We have an old TL125 we've been thinking about bringing.
Ladybug, we can talk at horse shoes on Sept 7th, we are getting our race calendar dialed in for next year.
I'll be just returning from a two week ride the weekend before that but I might just leave the bike packed and head over after work that Fri. I miss seeing everyone.
I have a '56 BSA 500 for trials. I started riding trials a couple of years ago, it is a great time. OregonCoast rode his SL 350 in the Chehalis trials a couple of years ago. Your TL will be perfect, just get new tires. Trials is about traction and old tires suck.
The last few months have been very busy with shop/home improvements. Over the summer and fall the shop now has all concrete floors, a concrete porch, a hillbilly sink/cleaning station under the new porch, a new carport (for the motor-home), a new wood shed, a man door out the back of the shop to access the woodshed and Luke and I have rebuilt the wood stove wall and chimney. While there are still many projects to go on the shop, for now it is time to get back to the motos and start prepping for 2014 season's various riding activities. First up is the TL125, we originally rescued this bike from a local junk dealer and semi restored it in 2005 to make a trail bike for my youngest daughter. This was a great starer bike for her, but we eventually moved her to a little spunkier SL100 and the TL125 has been sitting ever since. The plan is to return this bike to trials form and compete in the beginner class at AHRMA events. Now when we travel to AHRMA events, we can run the trials on Saturday and the MX on Sundays, double the fun! If you look carefully at the sprocket cover, it is something I cobbled up from a piece of tin years ago as the original was missing. The engine also had some iffy gaskets and the keyway on the cam for the ignition advance was partially stripped. Luckily, Luke had a spare motor, a clean and original fuel tank (complete with beauty marks), and a few other needed bits and pieces. The TL125 will be stripped, cleaned and reassembled with the better motor, new tires and whatever else is needed to make it a reliable ride for a trials newby. And those god-awful fenders will be gone as well! Maybe something in chrome or aluminum?? 2014 should be a fun and busy year with the D100, Crooked River, Snake River Rally (both rallys if we can work it out), Big K Ranch and maybe a few OMRA events if time allows.
Preston Petty? I had a set of those on an SL175. You might not want to just throw them away. Out of curiosity, I checked Ebay, and they are going for as much as $99 each. :eek1
Nice to see an update from you. Hopefully I will see you at the D100. Merry Christmas to you and Jan.
We really wanted to see you last year at the D100, you missed a fun time at our "campfire" and some good riding too. Kind of sounds like we may be doing the dual-sport ride this year, any chance you will want to join us?? Merry Christmas to you too!
I'd love to join you but I don't think you can ride that slow. Hopefully Junior will be able to return to the NW for a little bit and attend the D100 too.
The wheels on the SL350 were looking pretty shabby; broken spokes, bent rims, rusty and crusty. Time for a change! The wheels are being sent to Paul Peroli in Renton, WA. Paul will install new allow wheels and spoke kits, not only will they be lighter and stronger, but better looking too! On the lift; Putting Luke to work; Rear wheel ready; Both wheels ready to ship off and bike on "rollers"; On another note, after talking to Owen Morgan (legendary chief mechanic of Lameco Racing), I'm no longer convinced that my engine problems were strictly carb/jetting related. Owen pointed out that my battery "eliminator" (a very large capacitor) may not be enough for the engine when under full load. With Luke's guidance, we are looking at all options, most likely will install a small gel battery in addition to the capacitor, am also considering some new smaller more efficent coils and eventually electronic ignition (as suggested by Mr Fast). In the meantime, additional carb needles, jets and pilots have arrived, so no matter the outcome with ignition, we are ready to continue the carb tuning process. Stay tuned!
Rick, We just got a high output stator kit for Honzilla that with a little tweaking will work in a SL (It was designed for a CB). Bought it from Dennis Kirk. If you're interested give Owen a buzz & he will fill you in on the tweaking.
When we finally hit the sweet spot it will all be worth it. I have faith that at some point this bike will be the red rocket that it can be! I've had a lot of help and encouragement from many many people including Mr Fast, Owen Morgan, Luke, Loud Al, Twin Duro, Randy Hess, Don Housely, my brother, Don Matthews, Harry Fisher, OC, Lonnie Ortiz, Tom Street, Wide Open Motorsports, my lovely wife and many others I'm sure I should thank or mention. It's definitely been a team effort. Thanks to all of them we continue making forward progress!
Tell me more about the wheels being built! How much is that gonna run, because I could use a new rear.
OC, I was quoted approximately $380. each for new rims, spokes and labor. Paul Peroli came very highly recommended, once mine are finished and delivered you can have a look and if you like what you see, we can ship yours to Paul through local race shop guru Harry Fisher (Davis Fisher's grandpa).
Can't wait to see those wheels Rick! Paul ("The Wheelsmith") is well known in the vintage/classic bike crowd in the Puget Sound area; he does beautiful work! Also curious about the tweaks required for the high-output stator kit Mr. Fast mentioned. If it's the kit I'm thinking of, Rick's Motorsports Electrics makes it, and it's a good looking kit for a reasonable price: http://ricksmedealer.com/press/2007-09-11Classic_honda_kit.pdf I'm not positive, but doesn't Rick's Motorsports redesign operate in a similar way to OC's SL's charging system (after Luke's revamp on it)?
Got a good start on the TL125 today, first up was taking Luke's crusty spare motor and giving it a bit of cleaning. Before; After; Then got started on the chassis. This bike came from a local bike wrecking yard in 2005, my daughter and I took it down to the frame and redid it to make a trail bike for her, so some work has already been done. If I remember correctly (so many old bikes they just sort of blur together...), we did wheel bearings, seals, brake shoes, chain and sprockets, etc., so other than good cleaning and checking, we may be able to slip the motor in, service bearings, swing arm, forks and then clean up the trim and be good to go. Only time will tell. Before; After; Removed headlight, Preston Petty fender and a few other pieces, then threw on the stock fuel tank and for grins placed one of Luke's spare CB650 front fenders on it, just to see how it looks. I kind of like it so far. I may have to get back on ebay and start hunting another set of old chrome or aluminum fneders. Hmmm....
Happy New Year to all of our two wheeling friends! Hope you all have great adventures and ride safe in 2014! Started the new year by getting our AH Sprite out, cleaning her up and going for a spin with the roof off. Wasn't quite brave enough to get the road bike out. :eek1 Got home, went to work on "Nellie" our '86 class C Winnie and adventure support vehicle. Last summer pulled all the non essential emissions BS off, am still sorting out the vacuum hoses, etc. Want everything in top top shape before heading to the D100 in April. Current projects are; TL125, SL350 AHRMA MX, SL350 for DS Ride, Shadow for Hells Canyon Rally, Nellie, and just keeping all the other rolling stock for myself, friends and family running!