Dirtybits.com
5/6/02
Ace mechanic & top
"dirtybits" bloke Jeff, writes about his continuing
passion for all things Italian …well with two wheels that is !
Since I last wrote
a lot as happened. Firstly the bike had to get it's first MOT,
so checked over all the necessary bits-n-pieces, light's, horn, wheel bearings
Ok,
swinging arm bearings eek there's the first problem. I knew there was play in
them
but not that much, on the phone to Nigel at in-chains and after an informative
chat,
had ordered even more parts and gleemed from the man a great tip on how to make
the bearings last longer.
Tip : Fit
a grease nipple to each side of the swinging arm pivot so you can get
some grease to the bearings without stripping the arm out.
The day before the
test I thought I'd put some road legal tyres on the rims but in my haste
had put the rear tyre on in the "wrong direction" so it damm well failed. Fixed
that silly mistake
and she flew threw the re-test. Since replaced a piston ring, they (in-chains)
advise every
15-20 hours but even though I had been using the bike to commute to work for
a few months,
its condition was'nt too bad.
Have yet to race
the TM due to illness but I have done a few green lanes and been up the local
moto-x track, it sure does fly, well literally backwards once snapping of the
rear fender.
On that phone again to Nigel only to find the new one is from a KX125, huh ?
so I'm starting a list
of parts that come from other bikes that fit the TM, if you come across any
please feel free
to e-mail me and I'll add it to
the list.
Still looking forward
to that first meeting & seeing just how the bike performs in anger (or is that
me ?)
All best, Jeff
TM Compatability Parts List
Rear fender Kx125
94-98
Front fender Yz's
Seat Kx125 94-98
Clutch plates Cr500
Air filters Cr250
Front pipes Gas Gas Messico
Front pipe Cr250-96 file some material away off the headerpipe
Throttle cable Ktm
Throttle tube Ktm
Front sprocket Gas Gas
Fork guards UFO fitting 94-97 KTM 125 little trimming reqd
Brake lever Ktm
Rear brakes Ktm 98-99
Seat cover Ktm 98-99 gripper slight trim
Airbox cover Cr250