Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

:TE T.· 1995 G Gas JT35 S as By Donn Maeda Photos by Jon Maeda ... o Cf) l-< Q) "E Q) > o Z 14 n most forms of motorcycle competition, the mere mention of an open class machine brings to mind several thoughts. One - in the case of road racing - is the prestigious 500cc World Championship series, in which the machines and the men who ride them are amongst the absolute elite. Another in the case of motocross - is the armjerking power and strength-sapping ride that a 500cc MX bike de livers. And in off-road racing circles, big bikes rule. When was the last .time a 125 won the Baja iooot But what about trials? Though larger displacement machines have been quite popular in the past, modem technology has made midsized machines the weapons of choice for most trials riders in recent ye ars. Tod ay 's flashier riding styles and trick riding also demand a lighter, more flickable bike, and a big, heavy open bike just doesn't fit the bill. But in 1994, wh ile [ordi Tarres stuck to h is tr u sty Ga s Gas JT25 237cc mach ine en ro ute to his six th World Cham pionship title, his teammate Joan Pons competed aboard a 327cc ]T35 and emerged as one of the series' brigh test new stars. As the only rider in the top 10 to compete aboard a "big bore," thirdranked Pons made sure to praise his larger machine at every op portunity. Gas Gas produced a 350 in 1993, but the bike wasn't as popular as the allnew '93 250 that featured a highly anticipated case-reed inducted motor. As a matter of fact, Gas Gas reports that only fiv e percent of the trials bikes made were 35s. The model was subsequently dropped from the '94 model line. It was throughout '94, however, that Pons developed the new case-reed-inducted open class motor, and the '95 ]T35 is the direct result of his and the factory's efforts. Though the "JT" designation hints that Tarres played the key role in the development of the entire Gas Gas trials lineup, perhaps the big-bore machine should be called the "JP35." Of course, the biggest news about the new ]T35 is the single-cylinder, liquidcooled two-stroke motor. Though the case-reed design is known to produce a harder hitting type of power, Gas Gas engineers have put in plenty of hours making sure that the ' motor produced trials-friendl y power. The engine is completel y hand-assembled in the Girona Gas Gas factory, and a small 26mm Dell'Orto carburetor delivers the fuel Zairmixture to the powerplant. Unlike the JT25 engine, which is painted a gaudy florescent red color, the JT35 has a conservative silver paint job. The plastic ig n ition cover is black, and should retain its color much better than the florescent red JT25 units. The big, fat exhaust pipe is chromed, and it matches up to an oddly shaped silencer. Unfortunately, U.S, riders will have to add on an unsightly spark arrestor in order to comply with forestry regula tions. Controlling the power delivery are a Do mino throt tle assembly and a hydraulic clutch. Unlike cable-actuated clutch mechanisms, the hydraulic unit can compensate for swelling of the clutch pla tes and limit the amount of play transmitted to the lever. Cradling the motor is an all-new-for'95 chassis, which is coincidentally the same frame that the smaller JT25 motorcycle inco rporates. This results in the entire Gas Gas trials motorcycle lineup having the exact same basic feel. The perimeter-design frame is constructed of steel, and the twin spar main chassis rails have a trick-looking brushed finish. The frame does not entirely enclose the engine, instead - the motor hang s in the frame by the swingarm pivot and two front engine mounts. A heavy-du ty alloy skid plate protects the bottom of the delicate engine cases from damage. The subframe is comprised of two sepa rate spars that cradle the tiny airbox and support the bike's tail section. Tucked in up front between the frame rails is a ra ther large rad iat or , which should have no trouble keeping the engine cool. A tiny fan is tucked in behind the radiator, and clicks on when the temperatures start to rise. The new banana-shaped swingarm is made of cast alloy, and its new shape is designed to allow for better clearance when tackling square-edged rocks. A ·T he JT3S's white fenders and brushed steel frame ralls are qu ite attractive. The Gas Gas logos are red. trick chain tensioner graces the left side of the swingarm, w hile a ha ndy kick stand is bolted to th e right. The side stand is tucked far and away from harm's reach, but it takes consi derable effort to lower the leg. Suspension duties are handled up front by a set of right-side-up Paioli forks . Unlike the forks that grace most modern-day MX bikes - these forks seem to be quite simple in construction. The left fork leg contains the compression da mping adjustments, while the

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