From The Saddle - June 1971
June 1971 - Volume 1, Issue 1
NOT IF, BUT WHEN YOU BREAK DOWN
Notes: This was the very first column ever written in Dirt Bike magazine, and was the first time I ever used the column headline, From The Saddle. Since this was the first issue of DB to hit the stands, I had no idea of what to write about. Luckily (?) I broke down in an enduro a few days before, and was lucky enough to have a fellow Dirt Diggers club member help me get back to the pits. The column sure wasn't funny, but it seemed like something worth writing about at the time. So, for what it's worth …)
Dirt riders are basically very independent, and our independence is causing us an unnecessary amount of pressure from law enforcement types. In this case. I'm specifically referring to the problem of stranded or lost riders. An ever-increasing number of Enduros and Hare and Hounds/Hare Scrambles are being cancelled because a sour taste is left in the mouth of the authorities who may have spent many frustrating hours searching for some inexperienced kid in the middle of the Mojave.
We all break down out in the boonies at one time or another, and it's not fun no matter where it happens. It's even less fun 28 miles from nowhere.
There's not much you can do if you lunch an engine or destroy a gearbox, but a lot of riders are stranded because of lack of preparation, ninth rate equipment, or insufficient spares carried along for the machine.
There is absolutely no excuse for not taping a spare throttle cable to your existing unit as a back up on a long run. Things like plugs, plug tools, assorted wrenches, safety wire, spare links, chain breakers, cables, levers and such should be on your machine before the banner drops. Even if you belong to a club that will search for you if you don't show up after an event, bear in mind that it's sure as hell no fun for them to wet nurse you all the way back at the end of a tow rope.
Enduro riders should have the above gear, plus basic vital components back in the truck, such as clutch plates, pistons, rings, etc. In real Enduro country, more often than not, towing a bike is completely out of the question. A recent enduro comes readily to mind. My DT1 clutch gave up the ghost completely 26 miles from the pits and the many rock-filled rivers and streams precluded towing.
A little foresight enabled me, after bumming a ride back to the pits, to pick up the plates and tools needed, have a fellow Dirt Digger pack me double to the machine, rebuild it quickly, and get back in time to see my last beer being consumed by yet another club member. Such is the penalty for untimely breakage. Having the right items available saved untold grief, time lost from work, and maybe even prevented a lost or stolen bike.
You might think that it's unreasonable to expect the average dirt rider to be a mechanical whiz. Well friend, if you want to ride the big toughies, you had better be prepared for almost anything. It's really not all that hard to do most of the common breakage work yourself, especially on today's uncomplicated two-strokes. Anyone, no matter how fumble-fingered, can put a piston or rings in a two-stroke single. The majority of clutches require a twenty to thirty minute job to replace plates, even with the most elementary tools.
Take the time to learn these procedures and prepare yourself for any reasonable breakdown. Naturally you can't be expected to carry $900.00 worth of spares and a tracer lathe for emergencies, but common sense should tell you what is likely to fail.
Have you ever spent a night in the desert or back country, next to your “never-lets-me-down” machine? If you don't mind it, fine. But what about the people who have to look for you and risk their machines, while spending hours searching? Dirt riders understand and accept this to some extent, but I'm sure that the local sheriff, who would rather be at home resting, is less than enthusiastic about searching about in the boonies for missing riders after almost every major desert race or enduro.
A recent enduro, in which over 600 riders were stranded overnight, really brought the wrath of the authorities down on dirt riding in that particular area. What do you think of the chances of local approval for that run again?
Something must be done, and done quickly. What about some sort of tech inspection for enduros and desert races? Sure, it's inconvenient and a lot of extra work, but it beats not being allowed to ride at all in an ever increasing number of areas.
It is absolutely criminal to let an inexperienced rider and totally unprepared machine even start something like the 147 mile Barstow-to-Vegas Hare and Hound race. Yet, it is done every year. You could start the majority of desert races on a stock Vespa scooter, and nothing would be said.
How many times have you seen riders take off at their assigned time at an enduro, with a street bike complete with mirrors, center stands and street tires? Generally, everyone shakes their head and thinks what a fool he is, but that is all that happens. Nothing is done by the people in charge to discourage this. If we don't do something to police ourselves, someone will do it for us, in spades.
Wake up, race organizers and club officials. Is it worth the extra few dollars in entry fees to have to go out and rescue these guys who should have spent more time learning what it's all about, before they wade in with both eyes firmly closed?
There are plenty of races where a novice rider can develop much needed skills and accumulate knowledge about machine preparation. Shorter events, such as European Scrambles, where you don't have to stray too far from help, are ideal. Most European Scrambles are between 5 and 10 miles in length, so you are never out of walking distance, unless you're injured.
Which brings up another point. Would you pay a few extra bucks for an entry fee, knowing that a helicopter was scanning the course, keeping an eye out for injured riders? Even the best dirt riders bite the dust now and then, and it sure would be comforting to know you didn't have to lay there with a broken stem or two pinned under your machine. This is being done by a few clubs in some of the larger events, but not nearly enough. The few overworked organizations like the International Racing Radio Crew and Rescue Three, simply do not have the funds or personnel at present to handle it all.
Dirt riding is big enough to deserve the best possible treatment for the thousands of competing riders. In order to help in some small way, this magazine is including, in the next few issues, a Dirt Riders' Check List, to enable everyone to have a fighting chance at proper machine preparation.
This list, prepared by Steve Hurd (one of the finest long-distance riders in the game), is similar to an aircraft pre-flight sheet, in that all critical, stressed components are given priority. Use this sheet. Keep it near your machine and go over your bike and spares before you enter a long, tough event, or if you're smart, before every ride. This check sheet will be made available to any clubs or race organizers upon request, and we hope you use it as a guideline for some sort of inspection setup and preparing your own bike. Race sponsors are the key to success.
There really is no choice. We help our own, or get helped right out of the dirt forever by some politician who couldn't care less about riding, but doesn't want the sheriff's patrol tied up. Think it over.
- Rick 