Basket Cases

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

What a great Trial the TY Challenge was again, even more TY`s this year, and a better selection of models! More competition in `C` grade to make Daniel work for the perpetual trophy! Daniel has won it both years and is a very deserving winner with excellent bike skills and determination to be envied!

Below are some photo`s of the machinery in parc ferme and some riding inspired by Naturally Free!

[Stu]

Greg thats Classic! I hope there is a vid of you two clowns somwhere so we can send it to Bruce brown.

[Greg Harding]

Hi everyone,

Stu, I am always happy to be one of the clowns, what we need in the photo is more TY`s and there is no video. Hopefully you will be able to come next year!

I have decided to give an update on the RL loan bike. One of the things that has been bugging me is how heavy the clutch was, even with a free sliding cable, the drag of the pushrods combined with the ratio made it hard work. The first thing I tried was to file the lever and perch to move the fulcrum which gave some success, but still hard! Next thing, off to the wreckers and bought a later model TS clutch cover and pressure plate which pulls out instead of being pushed from the other side. All beautifully machined and a spline outside the case, so you can mount the lever in the sweet spot.TS185 clutch cables are cheap and about the right length. Another bonus is the kickstart has a needle bearing instead of running in the case. Very impressed with the result as the RL has gone from being the hardest clutch to one of the easiest! Also in the photo, you can see an example of my modified footpegs.

[Stu]

Greg, I'm after a decent pair of rear shocks for the TY. Plenty are out there; Falcons, NJB's, Betors. All around the same price to get 'em here in OZ. What would you recommend? As the TY is going to be used for Classic Trials and a back up to the Sherco, so it wont be ridden as often.

[Greg Harding]

Hi everyone,

Stu, I have been lucky enough to not have to buy new shocks yet. Just talking to people, I have found that Sammy Miller are well liked, apparently they are Betor`s revalved for trials. The first thing that I would do is to remove the old shocks with the bike on a stand and work out how far the rear wheel can go up. Do this with the axle right forward and right back, then measure between centres of the two shock mounts, this will give you the maximum compressed length of the shocks. Then lower the wheel down until the chain hits the swingarm pivot and measure between centres, this will give you the extended length of the shocks. Like most twinshock bikes, the `A` model will benefit in the steering by raising the rear end a bit, obviously you can go too far! What size sprockets are you running? I ran 60 x 12 at the TY Challenge which gave a 5 : 1 final drive reduction and allowed me to run longer shocks. When you have your two lengths, then check what is available! You may be lucky and get just what you want, but realistically there will be a compromise. The standard shocks aren`t too bad, I am not sure what you have, any increase in wheel travel will help traction, stability and ride.

One other thing is to look at the springs available, coil springs are not progressive unless they vary in the wind, ie close together at one end and wide apart at the other. Another way is to have two coils on the one shock of differing cross section diameters. The shocks available now have very open winds, I am sure the reasons are soft rates, easy to clean and light weight.

Just so we don`t set the forum ablaze with multiple threads! They won`t let you ride a Japanese bike in "Classic", surely you mean "Post Classic" ?????????????????? ??

[Stu]

ok,ok Post Classic then...sheesh picky. Yeah I'll be picking out the major events in the next 12 months and setting the TY up for those, maybe spruce it up a bit too! Glenmaggie, Denman 2 day, Brooweena,TY Challenge are on the list already.
I'll do the measurements on the shock travel soon, thanks.

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

Just sharing some photos of one of my loan bikes that several people have borrowed of all ages. Mitch Jackson has borrowed it to ride Post Classic in the Aussie Titles, hope you have fun and go well Mitch.

Stu, how did you go with your shocks? Plus you mentioned somewhere about a TK carby, send me a photo as I have an incomplete one I just found.

[Stu]

Greg, can you hold onto the carby til we get there in October? I'll send ya a pic of what I have, but I'd like another for spares. I did buy an OKO carby for the TY, but it will probably go on to the DT175E I have here. I rang Don Newell he has Falcon shocks for $440. I might try for Betor's and see how much they are..

[Big Al]

RL Clutch Mod

Greg,
I'm a new member. I have three RL250s. I've just started club trials here in NZ and need an incentive to actually use the clutch on my RL. Your post on 5th Aug re: modification to lighten the clutch using a later model TS clutch housing looks like just the solution.

Can you post a bit more detail on what model clutch housing you used. Is this a TS185 or 250 clutch housing for 1977-81 models?

Cheers
Al

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

Stu, not a problem, the carby is pretty ordinary with a very worn slide. In october you say, assuming we will be having another ride day before the Bucca Trial! Perhaps you will try Sherco hill this time! Back on the shocks, have you worked out which make has the best selection of lengths to suit the TY?


Hi Big Al, Three RL250`s !! I`m impressed, do they all go? Are they the same as we got in Aus, basically two models, one with a hand grenade rear muffler and one with a hand shaped muffler. Would you mind posting some photos?
About the mods, the motor that I got the clutch cover off was incomplete and I`m not sure what model! The clutch cover was black before bead blasting, I have the engine number written down and I will post it. Definitely a 250 and has to be pointy at the front, not round like most I looked at! By the way, are you South Island or North Island?