Dirt Bits - May 2000

Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Marks 10th Anniversary  In Search of the Forty-Niners Trip to the Diggin's  Formula K2 Acerbis Modular Enduro Taillight Southern California Triumph & Offroad Mexico to Canada: "The Ride of a Lifetime" Trials rider Geoff Aaron wins first-ever NAMU title

In Search of the Forty-Niners July 29-31 are the dates for the 6th Annual Lassen-Applegate Emigrant Trail Ride. This isa 200 mile guided four-wheel drive tour of the 1849 wagon route used by thousands of emigrants from Imlay, Nevada to Surprise Valley, California. The journey includes superb desert and mountain scenery with many historical points of interest, led by experienced guides. All quality meals and basic camping facilities are provided. Fully insured and operated under a BLM recreational permit, the Trail Ride is limited to 25 vehicles, suitable for sport utility vehicles. The cost is $250 per person. For more information call Ed Dunkley at (916) 988-4690 or Warner Anderson (916) 878-8833. Trip to the Diggin's  This leisurely two-day 4WD trip through the heart of the Mother Lode, beginning in Nevada City and cresting in the High Sierra near Sierra City, will take place September 16-17,2000. This trip takes you through some of the best preserved early day mining towns, mines and museums, including some towns that have virtually disapeared since the days of the gold rush. The 9th Annual Trip To The Diggin's will take you to places where the richest gold mines were located. The trip starts out in Nevada City and all quality meals and camp-out facilitys are provided through Sunday noon. Local motels are available. This trip is classed as gentle four-wheeling. No rought stuff. Suitable for sport utility vehicles, the cost of $125 per preson. All proceeds to go thte CA4WDC Conservation and Education Foundation to support programs of driver safety, education and resource protection. Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Plan now to attend and find out why many participants return each year for this most enjoyable and interesting trip back in time. For more information call Ed and June Dunkley (916) 988-4690.

Formula K2 Maxima Racing Lubricants announces their new 100% Synthetic Racing Oil, Formula K2. Formula K2 is a very high performance two-cycle lubricant that utilizes a 2,000 centistoke ester and proprietary special additives to achieve outstanding levels of protectoin and cleanliness. Friction and wear, ring sticking and exhaust tract (power valve) carbor are virtually eliminated. Formula K2 is an excellent choice for any "premix" type racing 2-cycle engine.

Acerbis Modular Enduro Taillight Acerbis has designed a new look and shape to their taillight. It's non-certified. Offers increased mud protection as well as presenting a stylish new light. Bolts on to most motocross rear fenders without additoinal support. Comes with a 12-volt, 21.5-watt bulb. Available in black only with a suggested retail price of $35. Call any of your local dealers or Acerbis USA at 800-659-1440. Visit them on the web at www.acerbis.com.

Southern California Triumph & Off Road A unique type of enthusiast driven motorcycle sales, parts and service dealership has opened in Brea. Southern California Triumph & Off Road will offer new Triumph and Beta motorcycles as well as offering parts, accessories and service for all brands. "What will set the store apart from the crowd is our focus on the 'fun-factor' of motorcyling," said owner Tom Hicks. "We have already aligned ourselves with the top-flight riding clubs and school.s" A special kiosk feature of the store will provide information on riding areas, rides, schools, seminars and newsletters for both street and off road. Southern California Triumph & Off Road (SCTOR) is located just one mile west of the 57 freeway on Lambert Road in Brea, California. A special Grand Opening event will take place Saturday, May 13, including Triumph bike contests, trials riding exhibition, vendor booths, free hot dogs and sodas, Triump demo rides and more!

Mexico to Canada: "The Ride of a Lifetime" Mojave Adventures announces their 13-day 2500 mile self-guided trail ride for dual sport motorcycles this summer, July 23 - August 6. The ride is limited to 16 people and the cost is $2000. This is not a "follow my dust" ride. Dual sport roll charts will be made available to follow so you can travel on your own with your buddy. The trip will cover Southern California desert and mountains, old mining areas in Nevada, the famous Black Rock dry lake where land speed records are set, high mountain plateaus where the wild horses run, through the mountains of southeast Oregon, cross the Snake River at Oxbow and north through the beautiful mountains of Idaho's panhandle. The tour includes: motel room, double occupancy, 13 nights; transport of your motorcycle back to L.A. area; charter bus to Spokane airport (air fare not included); new rear tire installed and oil change at halfway point; luggage truck with bag at room before you arrive; chase truck behind last rider; celebration banquet at finish. Requirements include: experienced rider able to do all maintenanceon trail; street licensed, insured bike (130 mile range) and odo must be resettable in tenths, not just to zero. For information or to sign-up call Jerry (818) 348-8381 or Dave (760) 251-2477 or e-mail [email protected].

Trials rider Geoff Aaron wins first-ever NAMU title
PICKERINGTON, Ohio - Five-time American Motorcyclist Association/North American Trials Council National Championship Observed Trials champion Geoff Aaron of Jamul, added another prestigious trophy to his collection by winning the first-ever North American Motorcycle Union (NAMU) Observed Trials Championship April 9 in Goldendale, Wash.

The NAMU Championship consisted of two events, a March 25-26 trials near Ioco, British Columbia, and another April 1-2 in Goldendale, with two rounds each weekend. In the first two Canadian rounds, Aaron was bested by British Columbia's Ryon Bell, who won both events, with Aaron taking a third and a second. Bell struggled at the two U.S. rounds, in the rocky terrain of Goldendale. Aaron, 27, secured the title by 6 points when he won the final two rounds, while Bell finished third and fifth.

"I'm really happy to be the first NAMU champion," Aaron said. "I think having Canada and the United States working together to improve trials on the world level is a good move and I hope it continues to grow." In addition to the Championship class won by Aaron, four more classes of competition also ran: Intermediate, Senior (plus 35), Senior (plus 45) and a women's class. Each rider had to master 12 different trials sections three times each day. The challenging Goldendale, Wash., competition site will play host to the 2001 World Championship Trials. NAMU was established in 1998 under guidelines of the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) to assist in the development of motorcycling at the continental level through the FIM's member federations.

Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum marks 10th anniversary PICKERINGTON, Ohio - If your summer travel plans don't include the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio, pencil it in now. The museum, on the grounds of the AMA's headquarters, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer and promises new exhibits that will entertain motorheads and non-motorheads alike. The popular "75 Years of Excitement" exhibit - featuring racing motorcycles from early board-track machines to more recent motocrossers and road racers - is still on display. But Executive Director Mark Mederski says the exhibit will be improved with explanations about how racing has evolved, providing new insight for hard-core enthusiasts. The exhibit also will explain the finer points of different racing types for visitors who want to learn more about motorcycle competition. A new exhibit will tell the story of selling motorcycles in America, explaining sales approaches and, for example, how racing on Sunday increases motorcycle sales on Monday. Building brand identification and loyalty has always been an important part of the sales strategy, and different techniques for accomplishing that will be explained. Sponsored by the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, the exhibit will feature showcase products dealers used to boost sales, ranging from Indian key fobs and cigar cutters, to racing posters and a replica store front. This summer also will see the opening of an exhibit and a timeline relating to women and motorcycling featuring memorabilia, photos and information about women who have made their mark in the motorcycle world. For more information, contact the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum at (614) 856-1920, or check out the museum online at www.motorcyclemuseum.org. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, operated by the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, is located on the same campus location as American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) headquarters, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, Ohio. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Weekend hours, March through October, are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (614) 856-1900 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

This page last updated on 6 September 2000