What did you do to your Gas Gas today?

[MargusV]

Ordered a bunch of new plastic parts for my 2011 EC250R from Motocrosscenter.com. By the way - they have -10% on everything for two more days.

[Anders]

I started the winter rebuild a few days ago.

1. Sent the Reiger shock out for rebuild.
2. Took off the Swingarm and linkage, to renew a couple of bearings, a couple of bushings, some seals and repack everything with lots of fresh grease.
3. Took off the forks and triple clamps. Removed both steering bearings (to be replaced). I am not impressed by the OEM bearings, so I ordered a SKF for the top bearing and a sealed Koyo for the bottom. Couldn't find a suitable sealed top bearing. That way, if the water gets inside, I know that it won't get out
4. Started fighting the dried Swedish mud (from Gotland Grand National). Of course I washed the bike when I got home, but hat mud is still everywhere the pressure washer didn't reach. Things have to be taken apart to get at it.

Didn't receive any parts yet, I am waiting for my new piston to arrive at the Norwegian Gasgas importer. Due to the fire at S3, it has taken some time. When that arrives (this week), I'll go there and buy piston, gaskets, linkage bearings & seals plus linkage / swingarm bushings (one of each) plus some other stuff.

Remaining tasks are:
1. change the fork oil, possibly do a small revalve (reduce the midvalve compression stack slightly) while I'm in there. Also, I am considering some polishing to reduce friction.
2. do the top end etc
3. Replace the brake light switch banjo bolts with ones without the switches.
4. Install steering damper.
5. Install a fancy LED headlight (if it ever arrives, I ordered it several weeks ago).
6. Replace the exhaust O-rings.

[MargusV]

Basically started the same process that Anders described in the post just above here. But - some details already arrived, including full HGS exhaust. Seems that my old bike is destined to stay with me for few more years .

[Simmo737]

What's the skiing like in Sweden / Baltic states, or is it more winter power sports for you guys over there?

[MargusV]

Originally Posted by Simmo737

What's the skiing like in Sweden / Baltic states, or is it more winter power sports for you guys over there?

In Estonia winters have become shorter with less snow during last decades. As Estonia's highest point is a bit more that 300m (1000 ft) above sea level skiing here is mostly cross-country skiing. I am personally not much into skiing but some cross-country skiing marathons have massive attendance.
But I am going to visit Poland this weekend with some friends to support our superenduro rider Rannar Uusna in Krakow stage of Superenduro World Championship. For me this is wintersport . Some travel to support their favourite football club but I do care more about motorsports.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by MargusV

In Estonia winters have become shorter with less snow during last decades. As Estonia's highest point is a bit more that 300m (1000 ft) above sea level skiing here is mostly cross-country skiing. I am personally not much into skiing but some cross-country skiing marathons have massive attendance.
But I am going to visit Poland this weekend with some friends to support our superenduro rider Rannar Uusna in Krakow stage of Superenduro World Championship. For me this is wintersport . Some travel to support their favourite football club but I do care more about motorsports.

The same in Norway regarding the winter quality. They have become warmer, shorter and with less snow. But as we have a very diverse terrain, lots of people do both cross-country and downhill skiing. My favorite is Telemark skiing, but I have been less active since the kids grew up and moved out.
There are some snowmobiles around. However, as using any motor vehicle in the open nature (offroad) is generally illegal, they are not that common (just like enduro bikes). All legal leisure riding has to take place on closed circuits.

I ride the Gasgas using studded tires during winter. There are normally one or two races during the cold season. With the studs, we have very good grip on ice, not so much on deep snow.

[VilluEST]

Like Anders and Margus V, I also started servicing and rebuilds. Forks are already done (oil & seals) by dealer's shop, rear shock is still in service. Decided to rebuild top and bottom ends since I bought the bike used and it has 250 hours on it. Good decision, since it seems like it has sucked some dust in it, piston and rings are worn to the max (a lot of blow by, previous owner told he had replaced piston around 100h), con rod big end almost to the limit and there was a piece missing from inside small end surface. Although, needle bearing was in good shape so maybe that is factory defect. I dismounted almost everything from the engine except magneto and did not halve the cases. Then I took it to the dealer to rebuild since I don't have all the tools needed and I'm going for a 2 week vacation, would be nice to get back riding after that I also checked swing arm, linkage and steering head bearings. Since I replaced those a year ago, they were still in excellent condition, so I just cleaned 'em and packed full of fresh grease.

A few pics to go with the story:

[Anders]

Originally Posted by MargusV

But I am going to visit Poland this weekend with some friends to support our superenduro rider Rannar Uusna in Krakow stage of Superenduro World Championship. For me this is wintersport . Some travel to support their favourite football club but I do care more about motorsports.

So do I. Have nice trip to Krakow! I think it is a nice place. Apropos Krakow, a young Norwegian is also racing there this weekend. Mathias Martinsen is in the junior class. Only 16, but very fast. I have watched him on several occasions. Quite impressive for his age.

Talking of travelling abroad, I am supporting our young friend, Extreme enduro rider Anders Becker Johansen aka Becker'n. We were in Portugal and Sweden (me and my wife drive his Iveco truck) for the European Championship rounds this year. The trip to Portugal is a 2 week affair. Next year's plans include yet another trip to Portugal, the Lagares extreme this time.

[MargusV]

Originally Posted by Anders

So do I. Have nice trip to Krakow! I think it is a nice place. Apropos Krakow, a young Norwegian is also racing there this weekend. Mathias Martinsen is in the junior class. Only 16, but very fast. I have watched him on several occasions. Quite impressive for his age.

Talking of travelling abroad, I am supporting our young friend, Extreme enduro rider Anders Becker Johansen aka Becker'n. We were in Portugal and Sweden (me and my wife drive his Iveco truck) for the European Championship rounds this year. The trip to Portugal is a 2 week affair. Next year's plans include yet another trip to Portugal, the Lagares extreme this time.

I am supporting a young lady rider with my bike(s) and also organizing a small team organization around her. Her main sports is trial (so far) but we plan to participate in enduro European Championship as well. So I plan to travel to Portugal in April for a week or so also and another member of the team will drive her van to Netherland, trials European Championship thereafter.

[hadfield4wd]

I finally got to pick it up from Dirt Dude. Big thanks Tom for picking it up.

In the back of my old truck.



Even recommended a great diner. Thank you Tom very much!!!

Also got some pictures of his "bike room". He said I could post them.