Basket Cases

[JC1]

Hi Everyone,

Here is a list of foreign parts in alphabetical order:


SUZUKI: RL250 carby and insulator, ER185 rear muffler Sierra transfer front sprocket nut.

Greg, I'm just wondering how the KT pulls w the 28mm carb compared to std 26mm. Have you ridden a stock KT to compare it too?

Or have any other owners of std KTs ridden Greg's to compare?

[David Lahey]

Yes I test-rode Greg's KT at conondale back to back with my KT. I would say the motor performance felt exactly the same as mine (standard KT carby). Greg will probably be able to report on those two KTs too!

[chippy]

Hi everyone,

Yes I rode Greg's Kt at conondale too after riding mine all day, and I would have to concur with you David, that it performed identical to mine and mine is running the standard Kt carby also.

Actually I will be riding mine a lot more next year too. I am really happy with how the Kt ran overall and has a very strong power delivery.

Chippy

[Julz]

Actually I will be riding mine a lot more next year too. I am really happy with how the KT ran overall and has a very strong power delivery.

Back in the day Two Wheels magazine rated the KT as having the best power delivery of the four Japanese trials bikes - with only a tweak needed to the initial off idle surge and the foot pegs. http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Kawasaki_KT250/reviews#Two_Wheels

I seem to have achieved this with a domino slow throttle and have lowered and enlarged the foot pegs.

I have ridden Fred Carter's KT which has a fast throttle cam and it is much quicker off idle.

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

Ron, I don't have any spare sprocket covers, but I do have one of each type. You are welcome to borrow either to use as a plug for sandcasting if you or someone knows someone to do the job.

Chippy, this mystery Italian job of yours is white or red then? What size catina does it run as this may help date and maybe identify it?

Manxman, really sad news that the Coona club is no more, we really enjoyed riding the events that we got to and definitely would have done more if the distance was less. The trials that we rode inTamworth (closer for us) were very well run and the local crew certainly know how to have a good time!

JC1, Ah yes Franken KT, I am really enjoying riding the monster and I am quite happy with the power delivery. You would know how a RL250's behave when you load them up at low revs, they will lug under load to a certain rev and then snuff out (fairly low revs), I think this is because you need more velocity through the carby than is achieved at these low revs. It was this trait that worried me the most when adapting a RL (very similar gearing) carby to the KT. The oil nozzle was removed and I matchported the barrell (about 1mm bigger) to suit the insulator and reworked the studs to suit. This all worked well, but was too rich, so I have gradually gone down 3 sizes in main jet and on the leanest setting on the needle. To my amazement, having similar gearing the KT will lug down quite a bit lower than a RL and pulls smothly up until it runs a little rich at much higher revs! I have Steve O'Connor booked to fine tune the jetting as it is boyond me and all of his bikes are carburetted very precisely. It was nice of David and Chippy to give me a ride on their KT's and I agree, it was hard to tell them apart in the power delivery department.

Julz, I like the slow action throttles and they are fitted to most of my bikes, however the bikes with 28mm carbies Alpina, KT and RL I use quick action as the slide has a longer travel. Below is a photo of the modified KLX footpegs, not much of a fan of the standard ones which I think were designed when Don Smith was looking at the warts on a toad in his backyard!

[Julz]

To my amazement, having similar gearing the KT will lug down quite a bit lower than a RL and pulls smothly up until it runs a little rich at much higher revs!

Interesting to hear thanks - go the green machine

I like the slow action throttles and they are fitted to most of my bikes, however the bikes with 28mm carbies Alpina,KT and RL I use quick action as the slide has a longer travel.

Thanks for that bit of info. I will try to store that away.

Below is a photo of the modified KLX footpegs, not much of a fan of the standard ones which I think were designed when Don Smith was looking at the warts on a toad in his backyard!

I know what you mean! I have had an extra serrated edge added around the outside of mine to give more grip. Really must save up for some decent modern style pegs...

[David Lahey]

progress photos of the Whitlock TY175 - fitting the swingarm bushes after the replating. First removing the plating from inside the pivot tube, then pulling in the bushes, then finished

[Greg Harding]

Well my italjet t250 is ready to ride again so maybe Conindale could be the italian job!!

Hi Everyone,

Darren C, thankyou for letting me ride a lap at Kyogle on your Italian Job (Italjet T250), that allowed me to dispell some myths. The most common one that I have heard is that they feel like you are going downhill all the time including when you are going uphill! BULLSHIT!

The fact of the matter is that as we go through life, we have to sift through the BULLSHIT! This is why I like to form my own opinions and the reality can be more bizarre than the rumour. This leads into my mission for this year of riding, testing and comparing all of the mid seventies Japanese trials bikes.

In random order: Honda TL125S, Honda TL 250, Yamaha TY175B, Yamaha Ty250A, Suzuki RL250 and finally Kawasaki Franken KT. All were ridden on freerides and at MA/MQ and SQTA trials, even a Coonabarabran Trials club Trial at Banalasta Tamworth. The testing, comparing, evaluating and rating was relentless with all aspects being considered on varying soil and rock types, varying temperatures and weather conditions. No stone was left unturned!




And the verdict is:

We have had another very enjoyable year riding every weekend with good people and I am happy to announce that in 2013 Team Hardwood will be members of Logan River Motorcycle Trials Club (L.R.M.T.C) and Southern Queensland Trials Association (SQTA)!

Hopefully we can all get along, work together and help one another for more good times in the future!

[EvH]

Hi Greg,
Good to see that Team Hardwood have chosen to become members of LRMTC and SQTA in 2013.
I know that both clubs are always trying to enhance the riding and social enjoyment of those involved.
So, welcome to a great 2013 season.
cheers Evan

[ianrogers]

You and Donna are going to have a very busy 2013 then aren't you?
Don't expect a "Yellow Breasted Twinshock Warbler" Division to be created in your honor just yet though! Gotta do the time for the crime, if you get my drift?
Oh, BTW, welcome aboard!