MC5 175 is loaded up and getting reading to head to Cortland NY for the XC race today. Our event is coincident with a "Northeast Husky Gathering" - it will be interesting to see who shows up. Only running one race today - combined V/PV because our turn-out has been small for this particular race.
What a hoot not to have to leave at Zero Dark Thirty to make it to a race (Cortland is a 2 hour drive on a slow day). 40 degrees this morning and we got an inch or so of rain yesterday so we'll have to see what kind of conditions await us!
This will be third ride on my "new" 175. I'm still struggling with the engine characteristics, Gary Ellis says I just need to gas it. [8D] We'll see....
I went this weekend and it was a blast! Just the right amount of rain. It was a small turnout, maybe 50 or so riders. I only rode Saturday. Great group of guys and great raffles.
73 Jackpiner
73 Husky 360 WR/RT
76 Husky WR360
78 husky cr250
82 husky wr430
10 ktm 250xc
02 bmw r1150r
Hey Bob, how'd it go??
Well...I had my best race so far on the new MC175 -for two laps! Was running with first two or three guys off the Intermediate start on a fairly fast, fun course when I suddenly felt something against the back of my left boot. Looked down thinking "why is the kickstarter sticking out?" But it wasn't the kickstarter - it was my rear engine mount bolt just about ready to exit. No sheet. Found a shortcut back to the pits, found a nut that would work on bolt end, but couldn't find right leverage tool/fulcrum/whatever to lift the right rear side of engine enough to get the bolt all the way in. I stared at the mid-engine/frame mounts and the front mount and thought about going back out. For about 10 seconds. Too much invested in this machine that was just running great. On a side note - it was about 60 degrees or so that day and I'm left wondering if the cooler air had anything to do with this motor being a bit more forgiving on the low end.
So I opened a beer and watched the race! Saturday was beautiful, not a big turnout like Dale said, but a fun course. I really am grateful for the variety of XC racing options that I have to choose from over the season up here in the Northeast (and Mid-Atlantic if I don't mind the drive...).
I know you guys won't believe it, but that is my first XC DNF since 2008 when I broke a chain on my Six Day at Broome XC (all that other stuff happens in motocross..)
Time for some TLC on each of the machines as we head into Old Man Winter. I keep staring at the BBR kit on eBay for my little TTR flat-tracker/pit bike. And my Duck Monster is begging me to to open up the airbox and re-flash the eprom. And maybe - just maybe - Santa will put a 4 or 5 year old Husky TXC 310 under the Christmas tree...
Hey Bob, Glad to hear that the bike is running better for you. Sorry about the DNF, they are never fun. Hey at least you got to have some fun on it this year, right?
1976 MC 5 Original Owner
1982 Suzuki PE 175
1976 Penton 175 XC
1979 KTM 175 GS
A belated response, Ski (life busy!). Yea - I had some "fun" alright, but really not till that 3rd race at Cortland did everything come together. For half a race.
If you saw my NETRA XC post from State Line (Hoosick), you will know that course (and conditions) completely chewed me and up and spit me out. I gotta go back just to find my damn underwear - so to speak - which I left somewhere out on one of the rocky hillclimbs. Maybe you can join me next year?
The forks and re-worked Zoke shocks feel really good now on the MC and the Vee Rubber - when inflated to the right pressure :) - really hooks up well. Just still have a nagging suspicion that if I am not on top of my game (keeping the revs up), the Lectron on the (boost-ported?) 2nd generation 175 motor can bite my ass.
Ahhh well - time to remove tanks, drain carbs, fog motors, and lay these girls up for the Winter. BTW-if you're a glutton for punishment, Broome Tioga is running a WINTER XC series! Maybe now is a good time to get a deal on a (fairly) modern ride.