JB

Believe it or not I'm still around (not that anyone's asking.... ) Still not back in a T, but enjoy reading about them. Funny though all the questions remain the same, however for the newer guys all the answers are here from the old bulls, you just have to search to find them. Great to see some of the old guys still here, also for the fact alot have graduated to Gt's or Phoons. Me I am waiting to see what the Orion project brings. Now driving a GTI Golf Love it, so walk it off Geea, Rob, Dags, Scotty etc (you know who you are) if you ever read this. SWMBO stole the X5, never see that again..... anyway tempted in the next 18 months-2 years towards pure power again, M3, 911 (not a chance with a 7 month old) or a phoon. Been travelling heaps for work particuarly OS so not much time for anything really. Hope every one is well. Cheers JB.

hahaha how good is the hoff ← Well done Grasshopper, you are learning the ways, with many Hoff experiences comes Hoff understanding and maturity.

Typically on the KTM you pay an extra 20-30% to NOT have dual chamber forks, to NOT have the lastest model Keihen carby, to NOT have linkage suspenson that's is inherantly progressive, to NOT have DOHC, and to NOT have an alloy frame.... Sorry what was it you were paying for ? sorry but I just love a ktm sledging ! ← If you're going to KTM sledge, show some knowledge: The KTM EXCs have won every 450cc enduro bike shootout on OZ, NZ, UK and USA since the 2004 model. They are generally only about 5% dearer than a new jap equivalant. The SOHC head on the 450 EXCcs (SX snd 250 models are twin cam) is more reliable, torquier and easier to maintain (important for enduro competition). They dumped their dual chamber forks in 2005 for more advanced valving designs giving their forks better feel, progression and adjustment without the risk of fork bind. They are the lightest enduro bikes on the market, their chromeolly frames are lighter and stronger than the trendy alloy frames which aren't easily repaired, are bulkier, crack easier and too rigid. Last time I checked, they were running the same Kehin carby as the Jap bikes, but different motors benefir from different carbies. Not having rear linkages is a bonus as you don't have to constantly adjust, grease or replace the bushes. The progression comes from their ingenious rear shock and progressive spring set-up. Your comment on this would indicate that you have never ridden one. What you do get is WP suspension, decent bars, decent std exhaust system, quality chain and quality components you'd pay extra for on Jap bikes. Maybe you got your 20-30% figure from resale where a KTM will generally sell for about 20% more than a Jap bike, easily offsetting the buy price. KTM riders have taken out just about every enduro title all over the world in the last 3 years. Not bad from a small producer. But, all of that aside, dirtbike riding is a skill sport. Unlike cars, only the best riders are able to extract everything out of a standard bike. It makes me laugh to hear guys crapping on about power, weight, etc. Chad Read actually detunes his bike to race it as he finds it too peaky from the factory, the Recent 4 day enduro was won ourtight on a 250cc 4 stroke, and Shane Watts won a World 6 day enduro outright on a 125cc. Also, unlike cars, there are no bad bikes out there from the main players, you simply can't go wrong, even if you buy a bike by colour. If you ride for fun, then pick the bike you like and have fun on it. If you want to race, pick something that you can be competetive on, and something you feel comportable on, if that's something smaller that doesn't wear you out then pick that. The dick size, V8, bigger better thing just doesn't apply in dirt bikes. ← Coul'nt agree more. I was on Yams for years changed to KTM's and have never looked back. For me the suspension is the reason I ride them, easy to set up and requires little maintanance as long as you service regulalry etc. I compete (or should I say did compete) in the Yamaha off rode enduro series and no matter what I never had a failure of any sort on my KTM, hence why I am now looking for my 4th one. The only failure was me with a knee reco, so whether I compete again I'll see how I go in 07. They are reliable, I believe a good build quality and as said if you set them up properly they will run without any issues. The only bike I have owned that something has'nt gone wrong every time I rode it. For the guys on the Gas Gas, awesome bike, it's a shame they do not have the reputation in Aus that they do in europe. My cousin competes in the British enduro championship on a factory gas gas 300 and swears by them after coming over from Yam's. I rode one in a round of the british campionship a couple of years back and it scared the sh*t out of me, awesome bit of Kit. You are definitely right when you talk about power, it has nothing to do wth it, it all comes down to the rider. I ride a KTM 525EXC which is reasonably quick, but I was blown away by the Gas Gas 300, which was way to quick for me. The way I look at it the Yam's and Hondas are great bikes, from my perspective and useage requirements, probably better suited for MX and are the ford or Expensive Daewoo of the bikes. The euro's are just that european bikes, I certainly would'nt consider riding anything else.

LOL, c'mon Wicksy, there is hrs of entertainment for you there. Have you tried colouring in the Hoff yet?

Thought I would blow the dust off this thread and give my Christmas present to you all.......... Now Jules don't try and do all the activities at once, one each day will keep the mental alterness levels just right! Cheers JB. IlovetheHoff__1.pdf

Thanks Mick, oil specs should be in the manual?

Thanks for that JB. Everything I've read on these pads (and now heard), they are a very good choice. It's funny that you don't hear too much about them being as good as they are. Very surprised! I have been quoted for a front set of DBA 4000 slotted rotors and QFM high performace pads at $510 including fitting. After I told him that my wife works at Wesfil and I can get car parts at cost, he said he would do these at cost (plus the fitting). Since new my car has run 2 sets of Bendix Ultimates and 1 set of OE pads. My rotors are RS. By the way, how much are you selling your QFM's for? Not that I am interested but someone else might be. Cheers ← $50 if anyone wants them, preferably melb. They are as new. Cheers JB

Good luck guys, this issue has been around since the inception of the BA and then models before. Do a search plenty of discussion on it. It's Called driveline shunt or backlash. I describe it as a slackness in the driveline, ford are well of it, but getting it fixed I suggest you get a lottery ticket as you will have a better chance. Aside form the diff whine, Ihhad 2 gearboxes and 5 diffs and no resolution, the only way to fix it is learn to drive around it, or buy a european car. BTW it is more apparent in the manual than the auto's. Cheers JB.

thanks Dags I'll go and have a wander around there, not sure if they are ready for me though........

Can anyone reccomend a good gearbox oil for this type of car? Can anyone assist me in changing it? eg Nick do yoiu have a hoist I can use?

2nd? Where's that?

We've seen pics of your Bavarian brush-cutter JB, or is there something else? ← Yep............. ← Hey Lukey, SWMBO has comandeered the Bavarian Cabbage Cutter to transport mini me around in, so I found myself in need of alternate transport and only a certain amount of notes to throw around. Went out and bought a VW GTI Golf, 5 years old with factory Recaro intrerior (bloody beautiful) lowered with Audi RS4 18 inch wheels on it. It has a powerchip installed which well makes it about as quick as a T in first gear, no more to be said............ Great little car to drive, good quality german build with no shortcuts. Should keep me going for 12-18 months then we will see where we go from there. Will post pics when I get a chance, I am really enjoying it as a quick small run around.

We've seen pics of your Bavarian brush-cutter JB, or is there something else? ← Yep.............

Hey guys, unfortunately it's not a T issue however with the wealth of experience on here I was hoping to find an alternate solution for a noisy first gear in which I believe the syncro is on it's way, or gone. It is for a VW GTI. It selects gears fine, it's just when you are driving around in 1st it's loud like gears running dry without oil, but once in second as quiet as a mouse. Would a change of oil to Synth do the trick? Is there a specific oil I should use? Otherwise if it's a rebuild what cost would it be, or would a reco be a better option? I am open to any suggestions. I am sure to most people it's not to bad, however being as pedantic as I am about my cars, it juts eats away at me! Any suggestions appreciated. Oh BTW for the Older term members of the forum, I will post pics of my current ride when I get a chance to take some photo's! Cheers JB

Moto X or enduro use? Personally the Yam's are a good bike but hate water. Great engine but from a brakes and suspension perspective there are better bikes out there. Have you looked at the new KTM 250EXCF (Twin Cam) or even the new CRF 450?

Yes I used them on my T, Still have a set in the Garage with 90% left on them if you are interested. They came off the car when it was taken back to stock and sold. Always use QFM's, get them from Race Brakes in Melb. I was getting brake fade at the end of qtr mile runs and after heavy applications, put these in problem solved, also got rid of the brake squeel I had with the stockies. Cheers JB

Hey Dave, great to see you back. What have you been driving since the purple monster was sold? Knowing your tastes it will end up a very sweet ride, subtle yet still making a statement. Will you look for another body kit? Maybe loose the wing or go for a DJR style one? cheers JB

Wonder if Ford would still honour the warranty?

Hi Rob, she's still looking the goods that's for sure. Is'nt this the same issue Craig was having? Has'nt he doen at least a couple of sets of planetary gears? BTW hope you are well mate. Cheers JB.

I have been using firefox for a couyple of years, never had a problem with the forum. may it be a setting or something?

The add has been removed???? What the......... ← Sold

To be honest Dags always looking for my next car. The bimmer still has a couple of years left on the lease and I am still enjoying the car, even though I miss having alot of power and swmbo is now driving it daily. I would be interested getting into a Phoon, however in 2 years time where will petrol prices be? Something that's floating my boat at the moment is the GTI Golf, very impressive and besides being FWD I think you could extract some good power out of it. We will see where the road leads in a couple of years, in the interim I will keep my eye on the market! Cheers JB

There seems to be a big variance in what they are going for New and used. Some people are a little out of touch not realising that even though it's a Phhon, it's still a Ford and asking the same price for a BA 2 or even BF for the same price you can get a brand spanker from the dealers. I have now seen variances privately from $45k to $62 with 10k or more on the clock. Dealers are even funnier with $52,000 drive away on a new 05 or $56 drive away on a 06 up to $70k drive away.

13,000k's 45k.............. http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/...9&model_id=4839