CENTRAL ARIZONA TRIALS
Posted by Tony Down at 12/10/2007 8:02 AM 
Categories: Vintage Motorcycles, Vintage Bikes, Motorcycle Trials, Trials, Building Vintage Motorcycles
Categories: Vintage Motorcycles, Vintage Bikes, Motorcycle Trials, Trials, Building Vintage Motorcycles
CENTRAL ARIZONA TRIALS
OAK FLATS FEBRUARY
All Prepped and Waiting
Oak Flats is the CAT season opener and time for OSSAMAHA to show her paces. Section 1 has an
entry step followed by some turns through the rocks and all is well here recording 3 good cleans.
Section 2 has awkward turn into an uphill off cambered rock which was fine on the first 2 laps but
on lap 3 my position was off as I arrived at the turn and I needed a 2 to escape.
No3 was seemingly made for Os but a clumsy dab on lap 1 went into the book. The second loop
was one of those hang on, hang on type turns and a late squirt pushed me close to the tape
necessitating another 2! The third lap was going well, right line, right speed when the bush grabbed
my arm pulling me right around the turn and all but ripping my finger off the throttle, another dab
but I’m lucky to escape with that.
was one of those hang on, hang on type turns and a late squirt pushed me close to the tape
necessitating another 2! The third lap was going well, right line, right speed when the bush grabbed
my arm pulling me right around the turn and all but ripping my finger off the throttle, another dab
but I’m lucky to escape with that.
Onto 4 owned by Carl Miller and 3 good cleans here despite never really being comfortable on the
bike. No 5 should have been my favorite but another dumb dab is punched. Loop 2 and a disaster
when I stall the motor on the turn. Lap 3 just a dab but that’s 7 lost on a section I should have
cleaned.
bike. No 5 should have been my favorite but another dumb dab is punched. Loop 2 and a disaster
when I stall the motor on the turn. Lap 3 just a dab but that’s 7 lost on a section I should have
cleaned.
No 6 causes no problems and the full lock turns are perfect for this bike. 7 looks tricky but I get
through the 3 laps for the loss of 1. Section 8 causes no problems so a reasonable total of 15 which
should have been 6 on a good day.
A little Pre-Trial Testing
through the 3 laps for the loss of 1. Section 8 causes no problems so a reasonable total of 15 which
should have been 6 on a good day.
A little Pre-Trial Testing
KINGMAN MARCH
Kingman is next and I elect to take the Steed and get used to this 4 stroke performance. The big
BSA forks give a much higher stance which feels good and the Del Orto gives good consistent
response through the range.
The New Del Orto
BSA B50 Forks grafted in
A standard buddy check trial and I’m with Eric and Steve. We start at 5 & 6 which look decidedly
ambitious! Our line has a harder entry than the Ints and then after crossing the rock filled ditch it’s
a difficult turn up over a rock, then into the sand and the changeover to 6 which has a soft sand
start into a massive boulder which I don’t like at all as there is nowhere to put your feet should
trouble arrive. After the boulder a tight difficult turn before arriving at the gap between some huge
rocks and then multiple lines to the exit. I manage to stall the motor hanging on too long for the
clean and the start of 6 sees a panic centipede 3 on the rock. Not a great start!
ambitious! Our line has a harder entry than the Ints and then after crossing the rock filled ditch it’s
a difficult turn up over a rock, then into the sand and the changeover to 6 which has a soft sand
start into a massive boulder which I don’t like at all as there is nowhere to put your feet should
trouble arrive. After the boulder a tight difficult turn before arriving at the gap between some huge
rocks and then multiple lines to the exit. I manage to stall the motor hanging on too long for the
clean and the start of 6 sees a panic centipede 3 on the rock. Not a great start!
No7 is a variation on previous years. Cross the river, up the gnarly crevice, turn left either tight or
wide down over the rock steps into a right turn over a big rock before lining up on another step to
the exit. Take a dab on the sandy turn and another panic dab just before the finish.
wide down over the rock steps into a right turn over a big rock before lining up on another step to
the exit. Take a dab on the sandy turn and another panic dab just before the finish.
Section 8 and one that looks definitely more like a Vintage section. No problems here and all 3 of
us are through for a clean. Does wonders for the confidence! On to No 9 which again is a good
challenge but I feel sorry for the Ints who have an impossible task. An adverse climb up a rock
gully, but plenty of grip, back off, lift and squirt over the step an idle to the exit. Punch a clean as
our group gets the ride through like golf, and watch Rich Palmers gang struggle to literally find
lost balls! Eric is through for his clean but Steve takes a bad line and escapes for a nasty 3.
us are through for a clean. Does wonders for the confidence! On to No 9 which again is a good
challenge but I feel sorry for the Ints who have an impossible task. An adverse climb up a rock
gully, but plenty of grip, back off, lift and squirt over the step an idle to the exit. Punch a clean as
our group gets the ride through like golf, and watch Rich Palmers gang struggle to literally find
lost balls! Eric is through for his clean but Steve takes a bad line and escapes for a nasty 3.
A ride around the property to some new land and sections we haven’t used before. No 1 is fair
but can cause plenty of problems, however it looks doable. Eric completes the first portion in the
soft dirt and turn around on the bank before dropping into the hole and attempting the big step
where it all comes to grief. Steve goes next attacking the sand bowl but too much weight on the
front and she casters away from him with a step off 5. Hum! Well through the sand and up the
bank for no problem and drop back in for the step but arrive on the wrong line and a lot of
footwork for yet another 3. Section 2 is a nice downhill glide over the rocks and we all slip through
without penalty. Hum, these BSA forks aren’t that bad.
but can cause plenty of problems, however it looks doable. Eric completes the first portion in the
soft dirt and turn around on the bank before dropping into the hole and attempting the big step
where it all comes to grief. Steve goes next attacking the sand bowl but too much weight on the
front and she casters away from him with a step off 5. Hum! Well through the sand and up the
bank for no problem and drop back in for the step but arrive on the wrong line and a lot of
footwork for yet another 3. Section 2 is a nice downhill glide over the rocks and we all slip through
without penalty. Hum, these BSA forks aren’t that bad.
Round the corner to section 3 which requires just the right speed on the final turn where there
is a drop off beside some huge boulders. Everyone through without problems and on to 4 our last
section on lap 1. Looks easy, should be easy, and lo it is easy and the three musketeers are
away back to 5 & 6.
is a drop off beside some huge boulders. Everyone through without problems and on to 4 our last
section on lap 1. Looks easy, should be easy, and lo it is easy and the three musketeers are
away back to 5 & 6.
Nearly through that step but a dab in the sand and 2 more to get away from the tape ****!
Here comes that rock and over for a 2 but now an impossible turn so may as well walk out for
a very beginner 3. So, lap 1 returned an awful 13, and now another 6 on the opening sections
of lap 2. Eric and Steve fair better than I did so I’m not too pleased with my performance on this
double section.
Here comes that rock and over for a 2 but now an impossible turn so may as well walk out for
a very beginner 3. So, lap 1 returned an awful 13, and now another 6 on the opening sections
of lap 2. Eric and Steve fair better than I did so I’m not too pleased with my performance on this
double section.
Back to 7 and I have a lucky clean after nearly losing it in the gully. Mes amis take dabs so on to
8 which is plain sailing for everybody. Section 9 has the Ints in all manner of problems and we
observe their lack of progress while trying to be supportive. A few rocks have been knocked off
the step but the upper line still looks best. Steve gets into trouble again on the lower line and Eric
has a dab. I stick to the plan and Steed complies with my request and another clean is in the books.
8 which is plain sailing for everybody. Section 9 has the Ints in all manner of problems and we
observe their lack of progress while trying to be supportive. A few rocks have been knocked off
the step but the upper line still looks best. Steve gets into trouble again on the lower line and Eric
has a dab. I stick to the plan and Steed complies with my request and another clean is in the books.
Cross country back to 1 and a bit more walking of this tricky beast. By now a “cheater line” has
emerged after the step but still has problems. Steve blasts through on the intended line for a
great clean and Eric is looking good but takes a dab on the loose rocks on the cheater. I blunder
into the second turn and Steed is non compliant to steering demands (check this later) but
corrections with lean get me out of the mess and I take a dab on the step and then stay clean to
the exit.
emerged after the step but still has problems. Steve blasts through on the intended line for a
great clean and Eric is looking good but takes a dab on the loose rocks on the cheater. I blunder
into the second turn and Steed is non compliant to steering demands (check this later) but
corrections with lean get me out of the mess and I take a dab on the step and then stay clean to
the exit.
Steve is into 2 and records a clean where both Eric and I stumble on the same little rock.
Everybody through 3, and on to 4 where, Eric and I, are amazed to see Steve take a silly dab in
the soft sand. Well that’s 2 laps done and only 8 this time.
Everybody through 3, and on to 4 where, Eric and I, are amazed to see Steve take a silly dab in
the soft sand. Well that’s 2 laps done and only 8 this time.
Back at the dreaded 5 & 6 we all do much better and after cleaning 5 (I knew I could do it!) I
approach the big rock, and hey ho I sail straight over it as though it doesn’t exist but in my
surprised state take a dab to round the top turn. Wow! This is more like it. A great clean on 7
leaping off the last rock to land beside Rich Palmer and Jim Wagner. Section 8 has the Ints in yet
more trouble but because of their right turn on the hill they have rotovated the one and only
problem out of the way and its now the proverbial main road.
approach the big rock, and hey ho I sail straight over it as though it doesn’t exist but in my
surprised state take a dab to round the top turn. Wow! This is more like it. A great clean on 7
leaping off the last rock to land beside Rich Palmer and Jim Wagner. Section 8 has the Ints in yet
more trouble but because of their right turn on the hill they have rotovated the one and only
problem out of the way and its now the proverbial main road.
Another good ride through 9 and I think Steve and Eric did OK. Only problem left that tricky
section 1. I power through cleaning the step and out on the new line in perfect control until a
random rock takes the front wheel and its duty dab time. Steve has a 3 and Eric was in great
position until he went the wrong side of the marker for the worst 5 there is! 2, 3 and 4 see us all
through without penalty and I’ve only lost 2 on this last lap which is very pleasing and gives me
the best ride of the day on the N line. Steve lost 31 to my 23 and Eric finished on 40 after that
annoying 5 on section 1.
Game Over
section 1. I power through cleaning the step and out on the new line in perfect control until a
random rock takes the front wheel and its duty dab time. Steve has a 3 and Eric was in great
position until he went the wrong side of the marker for the worst 5 there is! 2, 3 and 4 see us all
through without penalty and I’ve only lost 2 on this last lap which is very pleasing and gives me
the best ride of the day on the N line. Steve lost 31 to my 23 and Eric finished on 40 after that
annoying 5 on section 1.
Game Over
Brian had said he wanted “25” so he was pretty close in what was a pretty tough trial. Back at
the start my “new” Triumph helmet has left a lot of the black leather dye on my neck looking like
I’ve been in a coal mine but nothing compared to dogs who have all changed color in the dirt,
where Brenda, once gorgeous in white, is now a filthy grey with dirt and dust and drink splatters
from excited dogs. They look like they have been in a supermoto!
TONY DOWN
the start my “new” Triumph helmet has left a lot of the black leather dye on my neck looking like
I’ve been in a coal mine but nothing compared to dogs who have all changed color in the dirt,
where Brenda, once gorgeous in white, is now a filthy grey with dirt and dust and drink splatters
from excited dogs. They look like they have been in a supermoto!
TONY DOWN
Another good write-up Tony - you have a good memory for an "Old 'un"
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that Oak Flats is one of the nicest places that I've had the pleasure to ride.Glad to see the German copper barons haven't turned it into an open pit yet.Too bad its so far from Canada,I'm hoping to see it again in the new year,sometime in Feb and /or March.Theres a canyon there full of balancing towers of rocks,very inspiring.The trial sounded great,wish I could have been there to share it.thanks Steveo
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