The June 2016 issue marked Dirt Rider's 400th issue, and to mark the milestone we put together 400 tips that might save the day, or just make the day go easier. We thought we'd show them to you again online, ten at a time, to help instill the wisdom into your brain so when the time comes you hear an expert bit of advice in your head.
Note: Tips that came from a specific source will have an attribute listed. Tips with no attribute have been pulled from Dirt Rider's extensive library of content, including back issues of the magazine, dirtrider.com, and The Total Dirt Rider Manual. Enjoy!
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"Don't overtighten the chain! The added friction will destroy the inner bushings, reducing system life by at least 50 percent. This is also bad for the bearings in the wheel and final drive shaft." —DJ Maughfling, Supersprox
"Roots are bigger but 'more parallel' near a tree's trunk and are thus easier to cross." —Paul Whibley, 6-time OMA Champion
Keep on the balls of your feet when riding ruts, so if your boot gets hit, it will just send your foot up and back rather than under the peg.
If heading out for a ride in mud or deep sand, consider jetting richer to help your straining engine.
You can stretch pantyhose over radiator louvers for very muddy rides so the mud bounces off and keeps the airflow going.
Brakes squeaking? Your pads and disc may be glazed. Replace the pads and clean up the disc with a Scotch-Brite pad.
If there's a hole designed into the end of your throttle tube, cover it with a piece of tape before putting on your new grip.
Clutch creep? Check cable adjustment (bleed hydraulic clutch lines), make sure you have good (and of the right type) transmission oil in the trans, look for warped clutch plates, and check that your clutch center spins freely.
O-ring chains are wider, so watch the master link pin for wear.
For very muddy races, switch to a solid brake disc; it will prevent excessive pad wear during the race.
