How To

Advanced Dirt Bike Roll Offs Prep - Pro Equipment Secrets - Dirt Rider Magazine

February 24, 2009

Well-prepared goggles can provide some of the most important protection in motocross. At a recent National, we spied Utopia Optic's Simanovich working some fishing line onto a set of Mike Brown's Roll Offs and asked what he was up to."Installing fishing line onto your goggle, between the lens and the Roll Offs film, ensures that moisture stays off of the lens, and it also keeps anything that gets between the film and the lens from adhering to the goggle, which affects your vision."

To start with, grab a fresh lens and take off the plastic wrap. Cut off about 14 inches of fishing line and 11/42 inch of electrical tape and wrap the fishing line around the backside of the Roll Offs' securing plate-on the right-hand side-using tape to secure it. Pop the plate into the lens, but don't install the front plate yet.

Wrap the line twice around the right-side plate, and then bring it around to the front. Wrap twice around the front posts, and then run the line down the face of the lens on either the top or bottom. Next, install the left-side plate and do two laps around with the line, then run it back down the front to end where you started from. Try to keep the arch in the fishing line so that it isn't too tight. Be patient and take your time so you get it right.

Once the line is in place on both the top and bottom of the lens (similar to the Roll Offs path), screw on the top plate on the left side so that the line is held. You only need tape to hold the line at first (Step 1), so make sure the plate secures the line well. Now, install the motor-side unit, which will tie off the loose end of the line, and clip any excess sticking out.

With that done, you are ready to snap the lens into your frame. Be sure the line stays good and straight and that it isn't too tight or too loose across the front. As soon as the lens is in and everything looks good, carefully wipe any fingerprints from the lens with a soft cloth or goggle bag.

Now, you are ready to install the Roll Offs film, doors and visor. Do this as you normally would, except, again, make sure the line is in a good spot and the film moves well. Before you add an optional top tear off (for the first turn or the race), a good tip is to firmly place your finger on the film and give the string a few good pulls-this will ensure proper tension between the film and the fishing line. With that, it's time to go tear up the track!