Chad

I have a "regular" size bead buddy. (Which is not all that big either.) Used it three times in the past month (in the garage) and I think it is very helpful. I keep mine with me on the trail too, but have not had to use it trail-side.

Prayers for Scott's family... Made for a bummer end to the day. Mord... Glad to hear you're doing ok. Heal quickly! I went down early on too. Got the wind knocked out of me good, but recovered and was able to get three laps in. (2.5 semi-painful laps!) Courtney finished three laps with no problems. Steve's shock blew on his second lap. Safe rides brothers and sisters!

+1 A real bummer about the bike, but I couldn't agree more with how awesome our community is! Hoping your Ins. co. gets you/her back to whole.

Sucks! Sorry to hear... My truck was stolen back in January. Recovered and resting comfortably at back home now. Will send some good Karma/JuJu/Mojo your way and hope the same for you! As for the perps... I hope they find their due here on earth in the form of road rash on 90% of the body. It'll stick with 'em awhile as a constant and painful reminder of the bad deed! Satan can have them later for the long term punishment due a general jacka$$ of that type.

Action shots of T'Dualler, duelling it out... Lookin' good TD! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10209029181437334&set=pcb.10209029217798243&type=3&theater

Thanks! She's home now. Happy for that. Saw your introduction post. Will keep you in mind when we're planning our rides and keep an eye out for posts. You are welcome to join us.

SDAR Brothers & Sisters. My 2006 Ford F-250 pictured was stolen from in front of my home in Pacific Beach last night around 9:30pm. I was on the couch... Didn't hear it start, so they must have dragged it off. Black w/ black Method spoked wheels, BFG ATs, dual Banks exhaust, 3 gauges on the driver's A-pillar, large KTM sticker on the top center of the rear window, Astars sticker in the lower left (driver's side), two "GateKeeper" surfboard rack attachments on the inside of the tailgate. CA License 8B03411. I have Lojack and police report filed... Hopeful for her return, but not expecting much. Keep your eyes pealed please, on the outside chance the thieves are trying to move her around. Call the police to report if you see her. Thanks!

Dualler is #97, I believe, not #96. He blew by me... I tried to keep up, but yeah... no. I got wadded up once, but luckily no serious injuries. No official results yet. Appears there were a handful of SDAR'ers running. Agree the course was a lot of fun. Great mix of terrain. Really appreciate D-38, I-8 Dezert Racers, all the helpers, and specially LESAR for being at the ready to take great care of downed riders.

Heal fast Dualler! You ran a hell of a race... Big shout out to Kenny for takin' great care of his peeps! And Ty for jumping in to help. Safe rides brothers and sisters!

Yes, thanks! That is the first order of business...

Thought I'd close this one out... Got ol' Bessie back on Friday, everything put back to normal (ish). Sunday she was back doing what we love most! Thanks again for all the insights, assistance and support!

Nice! Will be very useful... Thanks!

I think the Sunday Drivers are planning a ride about the same time on Sunday morning. Don't forget the time change. Like you do off the starting line... SPRING FORWARD!

I'm registered... Looking forward to this! I've been invited by a friend the past 5 years but the date has always conflicted with an annual MC trip to Utah. Trying to convince a few others to join as well. You know who you are! See ya'all there!

It's time to rebuild the top end of my 2012 350 XCF-W. I'm right at about 150 hours. I would appreciate any guidance on the best piston to use for replacement on a KTM? I've read a number of forum posts from various sites but have not found anything definitive regarding a superior piston (if one is superior to the other). Vertex is the OE manufacturer for KTM, but there appears to be some question as to whether the piston you get from KTM is identical to the piston you would get straight from Vertex. And there is a very significant price differential. (KTM = $415 piston, rings, wrist pin, circlips; Vertex = $200-$210 for same.) I like the idea of using OEM-ish part (if it's not true OEM KTM spec). Wiseco offers piston, rings, etc. approx. $164 online. Do ya'all think there is a considerable difference in quality / performance? I am at best a weekend warrior with a few chinks in my armor, but still like to build with the best for optimal performance. I have been doing some desert racing where the engine gets wound out for extended periods of time, but primarily ride slower, technical single track. Other option - Reuse? I read a bit of Chilly's 350 Long Term Update, http://www.enduro360.com/2013/12/04/products-tested/ktm-350exc-long-term-update/ (along with a few other top end rebuild post observations) and there is also the possibility of just keeping the current piston and just replacing the rings. There are a number of instances where the piston has shown very little wear and only rings were needed. Suggestions? Best course to tear it down, check the condition of the current piston first and make the decision to replace from there? And if a new piston is needed, OEM, Vertex or Wiseco? Thanks in advance!

Update on the truck… She’s been recovered, is back in the states and at my mechanic for assessment and repair. It was brought back to the US yesterday. Truck was recovered within 24 hours of being stolen, but apparently that was enough time to get away with a few things. No real details on what led to the recovery in Mexico. The driver’s door handle was busted and unlocked from the outside. That is apparently relatively easy to do on a Ford Super Duty. The ignition key switch lock was busted off so the truck could be started with a screw driver. The perps switched out all the seats and the center console. My leather Lariat captain’s seats were replaced with some crapped-out, ripped seats and the rear 60/40 folder was replaced with a bench seat. They also took both my batteries. Some of my personal items from inside were gone (hi-quality jumper cables, floor mats, surf racks), but apparently my taste in music was not that desirable… My CDs were all still there. HA! Overall though, the truck body is in good shape, tires / wheels are still on, and other items that could have been easily removed are in tact. So now it’s a matter of the claims adjuster assessing the damage and seeing what they’ll fix. Which should be most everything. Happy to have her back and I know she’s in good hands for repair! Thanks for all the advice, insights and concerns! I'll be haulin' out to CC and McC again soon!!

Not a whole lot of additional details since the last update... Followed up with my claims adjuster yesterday. She told me Automobile Club's Mexican liaison is petitioning the Mexican Federal Prosecutor to get the truck back to the US. She said the liaison is hoping within 2 weeks, but that's not a given "when dealing with a foreign government." Guessing the perps got nabbed with the truck if it's in the possession of the federal prosecutor, but who knows. So I continue to sit biding my time... Still hopeful tho! Thanks for checking in!

That's how you do it Dualler! Nice form!

Sorry to hear that brother... Hope your dad gets better soon!

Kenny... No racing the D-38s this year? Or is this just practice for Sunday?

No real skill there... Peg it, hold on, and hope for the best!! I got lucky. Great day at CC! Still a lot of moisture in the dirt, temps were perfect and not too crowded. Thanks 1K!

THAT's just the story I wanted to hear! I'm hopeful, but I realize "recovery" could mean anything until the truck is back in my hands. I'll just keep holding my breath and hoping for the best! Very much appreciate all the insights, assistance, and "emotional support" from all you SDAR folks!! The saga continues. . .

Not entirely sure of the requirements, but I think my insurance co has to do that in order to preserve any claim I may have to make / they have to pay. Still have no details on the condition of my truck. Will keep ya'all posted...

Hey Chad, I thought Lojack only works in areas with Lojack coverage... was Lojack used to locate your truck in Mexico? Looking into installing this for my truck, but not if it doesn't work the second it leaves "San Diego" Lojack area... Hey Seth... I have no details yet on the recovery or the condition of my truck. All my claims adjuster knew (or at least communicated to me) was that my truck was "in the system" as recovered. Didn't know how/why it was recovered or even who had it. Said it could be an impound yard, police, DA, etc. I had to execute a Mexican power of attorney so Automobile Club's contractor could deal with the Mexican authorities and whomever else to get the truck back to the US. That was sent to Automobile Club only yesterday. My guess is I'll be in limbo for another week or so before I know any more details. Plan to call Lojack as well and see if they have any details from their side. I'll keep posting updates / details here as I get them...

Hey Rojodogg... Don't know yet. Apparently have to get power of attorney paperwork in order before the insurance co. can deal on my behalf...