What were you riding in the 90's?

[ADVCoop]

My instructions were intended for a bike that has been sitting a long time, like over winter. Not everybody winterizes bikes properly. If you had to do that every time to start your bike i agree a rejet or top end rebuild would be in order.

[Seavoyage]

Originally Posted by lineaway

They are too new to ride vintage and the 2000 and newer were so much better People also hate to sell these bikes if they are still original because they bring little money for such good machines!

You can probably find '90s trials bikes for the same price or less than a '70s vintage. Caveat Emptor: If it isn't a GasGas or Montesa, parts availability may be an issue since the manufacturers are only required to maintain inventory for expired models for 10-years. Beta US importers have changed 3 times, with each new importer not purchasing the inventory of the previous importer (Hopefully you don't own a Techno)

We ride current Gasser Pros but keep a GasGas JT35 as a spare bike. The 1995 GasGas design incorporates liquid-cooling, case-reed induction, disc-brakes, and a hydraulic clutch; and is very capable unless your techniques and skill require a current sub-150 lbs. machine. The 147 lbs. GasGas 2002 Pro set the new standard for the lightweight modern trials bike, and facilitated the current riding influence from bicycle ('Bici') trials, and Freestyle MX.

It's amazing what riders were capable of on the older machines:

Charles Coutard in 1977 on a Bultaco Sherpa (200 lbs. twin-shock) and in 1987 on a Yamaha TY250R (216 lbs.) with air-cooled engines, drum brakes, and damper-rod forks:

After Bultaco initially ceased operation in 1979 and finally in 1983; the 80's introduced monoshock designs from Merlin, Mecatecno, Garelli, Montesa, Fantic, JCM, Beta, Aprilia, Honda, Yamaha, Alfer, JP trials. Ossa merged with Bultaco in 1979 and ceased manufacture in 1982.

Josep Paxau emerged from the Merlin acquisition by GasGas and designed the GasGas model in 1993 that lured Jordi Tarres away from Beta. This model (GT-T/JT/JTR/JTX/TXT) continued into 2003 eventually replaced by the GasGas Pro model seen today. Paxau moved on in 1996 to Sherco when owner Marc Tessier purchased the rights to Bultaco and launched Sherco in 1998, hence the controversial similarities between Sherco ST models and GasGas TXT models.

Here's a video of what Jason Finn was capable of on a 1995 GasGas JT25:

Honda continued with the 1981 acquisition of Montesa.

Yamaha ceased offering the 1991-1996 Yamaha TYZ and entered into a partnership with Scorpa to supply engines. Pre-1998 Scorpa's used Rotax motors similar to Aprilia. Scorpa eventually declared backruptcy in 2009 and was acquired by Sherco, hence current Scorpa's use Sherco motors.

Beta of Italy promoted the aluminium frame, currently manufactured for both Beta and Montesa by Verlicchi. The 1994-1999 Techno model emerged from the TR32/33/34/35/Zero/Synth/Gara in the '90s with development by Dougie Lampkin.

Ossa re-emerged in 2010. JotaGas was formed in 2009 under the direction from Jordi Tarres. Xispa launched in 2005 currently offers the XPA300 defveloped with David Cobos.

Cottage Industry: Most components such as Morad (nee Akront) wheel rims, AJP brakes cylinders/calipers, Domino throttles, Marzocchi or Paioli forks, Ohlins/Olle/Sachs shocks, Braking or Galfer rotors and brake pads, Talon Hubs, Ordonez radiators, S3 2-stroke cylinders, Renthal/Hebo/Jitsie/S3/Tomaselli handlebars, Keihin (PWK 28mm) or Dell'Orto (PHBL 26mm) carburetors, Lionelli electrical controls/rectifiers, Comex radiator fans, and Kokusan stators are shared by the manufacturers. In fact trials footpegs (S3/Raptor/Jitsie) are universal fit. Tires suppliers are Michelin, Dunlop, Pirelli as OEM with IRC or VeeRubber aftermarket.

Since Trials manufacturers are relatively small, and the market quite specialized; the modern trials bike built for the masses is, with the exception of fine-tuning, identical hardware to the motorcycles rode by the World Champions.

Here's a link to more details: http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums...24&postcount=5