Dirt Products
Do you make, import or otherwise supply bits and pieces, clothing or other things that the classic and vintage off- road riding community use? If so, then your product could be on these pages. Contact Helen in advertising on 01507 529574 or editor Tim Bri
Got something to help the off-road world go faster, keep their feet up longer or remain more on time in an enduro? Tell us, we’ll put it in this bit.
1. Briggs and Stratton power wash
It is almost ironic that at the very time a superb pressure washer is loaned to the editor of Classic Dirt Bike he hasn’t got a motorcycle dirty enough to use it on… Anyway, this Briggs and Stratton Elite 3000PX pressure washer managed to clean the CDB van quite easily and all of the muck under the wheel arches, from the last trip into a field at a trial, is long gone.
With 3000psi water pressure at 207 bar and featuring no less than seven cleaning systems in one easy to use nozzle, which will give options of a fine spray for delicate rinsing to a strong jet of water which actually made the gun hard to hold, there doesn’t seem to be anything the washer can’t cope with. It can deliver up to 1134 litres of water per hour which seems pretty impressive to us. There’s a hose length of nine metres, all the accessories clip on, it is powered by a Briggs & Stratton 875EX Series OHV 190cc petrol engine. There was some assembly required when it came in the box, once together and the oil checked, petrol tank filled and garden hose connected it took three pulls on the starter to fire up the washer.
What is it? A self powered pressure washer which requires only a hose to attach it to the water supply. What’s the cost? It’ll set you back £629 including VAT Where do you get it? Briggs & Stratton Power Products are available through Henton & Chattell’s – to find your nearest dealer, visit www.hcuk.co
2. Monza cap
A timeless design will fit any era and the classic, flip-up Monza style cap is just such a design. Developed in the Thirties by Enots it was meant to speed refuelling or topping up oil tanks during races and the fact it looked good was secondary to its performance. An incredibly simple idea, a threaded ‘neck’ is attached to the fuel or oil tank, usually by welding, the cap is threaded to suit, it screws on and is locked in place. In order to open the cap so fuel or oil can be added there is a small catch which when pressed allows the hinged lid to flip up. Once the liquid is in it is a simple matter to press down the cap so it locks closed. There are a range of sizes available but ours is the 2in/50mm version and is ample enough for the spout of a fuel can or even a petrol pump nozzle to fit in. Mead Speed, where our cap came from, stock a 2½in/63mm version too.
What is it? It is a classic quick action fuel cap. What’s the cost? The 50mm/2in cap is £33 and the alloy neck to suit is £12.50. All prices are plus VAT and postage. Where do you get it? Mead Speed, www.meadspeed.com Tel: 01908 610311 email info@meadspeed.com
3. Circlip pliers
It is possible to manage without circlip pliers, but as with all specialist tools they make the job so much easier. Circlips are a major part of motorcycles these days and typical areas they will be found in are fork sliders holding seals in place, pistons preventing gudgeon pins (wrist pins if you’re reading this in the USA) from sliding out or in gear clusters making sure cogs stay in the right place. There are two types of circlips on most motorcycles, those which sit inside a machined groove and are ‘internal’ and those which go over a shaft and are ‘external’. In order to remove the former, the ears of the circlip need to be squeezed together to make it smaller while the latter need squeezing apart so the circlip is bigger. Normally this would require two pairs of pliers but this handy kit, from World’s End Motorcycles, has interchangeable ends so the same pair do both types.
What are they? They’re multi-use circlip pliers with interchangeable ends depending on which circlips you need to remove. What’s the cost? They’re on the Wemoto Website at £6.36 plus VAT and postage. Where do you get ’em? Worlds End Motorcycles Ltd. Tel: 01273 597072 www.wemoto.com
4. M and H paddock stand
It’s okay if your van is close by when you’re at an event as all your tools and kit will equally be close at hand, but, if as at some events only your bike is allowed in the pits a good way away from your parked vehicle, then how do you transport everything you need? This simple idea from M and H Laser Ltd could be the answer.
The one we saw at the Motul International Dirt Bike Show looked very well made in laser cut stainless steel, accurately folded and had plenty of room for carrying tools, oils and fuel. Even better it comes with a set of wheels and a long handle so all your energy can be saved for racing. Fixed to the top is a non-slip covering made from phenolic resin coated trailer decking so your bike won’t slip off when you’re making those pre-race adjustments, or fettling between heats.
This fabulous bit of kit can be customised with your name or that of your sponsor, or just your race number. The stand is available in three sizes – or it will be by the time you’re reading this – to suit Pre-65, twinshock and Evo machines. We’re told M and H will have all three on their stand at the Classic Dirt Bike Show on February 18/19.
What is it? Custom bike stand and tool cart. Where do you get it? M and H Laser Ltd, Tel: 01822 617102 Web: www.mhlaser.co.uk Email: sales@mhlaser.co.uk
5. Yamaha Monoshock
With monoshock bikes now well into the classic era, their suspension units are obviously well settled in… and maybe well settled out, because if you imagine how many times a unit compresses and extends throughout its life then it’s no wonder things wear.
Okay a mono suspension unit isn’t as easily damaged as twin shocks but rods wear, seals go and fluid leaks out and then it’s goodbye to damping. Luckily, Gary Fleckney at Rock shocks has been on the case for those of us with Yamaha TY250 Mono models and he’s been developing a unit to fit straight on to this popular machine. Made with the same ideals as the company’s twin shocks – ease of fitting, ease of maintenance, ease of tuning to individual spec – the Monoshock is a proven winner too as shown in our massive Kia Series test an issue or two ago when Steve Bird allowed us to test ride his Yamaha with the development unit on.
Like all Rock shocks’ products, there is a full spares back-up and tuning advice is but an email away and there’s even a couple of instructive movie clips in the service section.
What is it? It’s a replacement shock for Yamaha TY250 Mono models. What’s the cost? £325 for the basic spec. Where d’you get it? See Rock shocks website www.rockshocks.co.uk or tel: 01234 741800 or see them at the Classic Dirt Bike Show at Telford on February 18/19.
6. Coming clean
Working on motorcycles, be they new or old, means your hands are going to get grubby. When that happens what’s needed is a good cleaner to safely and gently remove the grime before you pick up your sarnie.
This is where our first AMMO product comes in. Mucky Mitts is a citrus-based biodegradable cleaner which is tough on oil and the like but kind to the skin.
The second of the AMMO cleaners featured here is a biodegradable and eco-friendly brake cleaner. In the good old days it was acceptable to blow brake dust out of drums and off discs, then it was discovered the dust was nasty stuff which caused serious health problems. These days brake shoes and pads don’t contain nasty stuff like asbestos but let’s not take a chance and use a liquid cleaner to wash the stuff off.
AMMO’S .243 brake cleaner and degreaser can be diluted down to 80:1 for hard surface cleaning but see the dilution rates on the label for different applications.
What is it?: A range of quality cleaners for your dirt bike. Who does it: Precision Clean Ltd Where do I get it: www.ammopro.co.uk What’s it cost: various prices depending on the product but most in the £6 to £10 range.