gsade

Fivemeisters right about the GS, mine was the same - especially with the open Remus can on it - great fun when it happened after an overtake - car didn't know what had happened - my Evo 250 two stroke doesn't do it though - shame Have fun with the Beta Ade

I started back on an 07 Rev3 250 after a 30 year lay off, last bike was a 250 Bultaco back in 1976! Must say that the Beta has been brilliant, power soft enough to start with but I've now crisped it up a bit by removing the flywheel weight which is better still - this also reduces the bikes tendency to run on when you shut off & I find makes it a bit more controlable. I'm a tads lighter than you @ arround 77 kilos but I'm sure you'll have ample power with a 250. Too much power is liable to get you into more trouble (I was advised to get a 200 to start with, which is also a sweet revving & pokey little bike but the Yorkshireman in me wouldn't allow myself to buy one as it was only 50 quid less than the 250 & hence not vfm in my stakes ) Try to get a ride, surprising how many folks will let you try their bikes if you pop along to a trial, then at least you'll have an idea what you feel suits you - I really wanted a Scorpa cos of the superb build quality but found the beta had much nicer handling (again in my opinion) Mine has also been superbly reliable, never let me down (oh dear shouldn't have said that) good clean & squirt of WD40 after each trial & only cost me a set of brake pads & rear mudguard - my fault!! Whatever you get have fun Ade

Call me cynical maybe, but the top riders wear what they're sponsored with, and perhaps like the works bikes (especially Honda - whoops Montesa) are nothing like the kit you & I have to buy. Ade

Also got some of these - total cr@p - boots leaked like a sieve from new, despit copious Nikwax & the "waterproof" liner wasn't - again from new. Why they should be so poor I don't know, my Daytona Roadstar boots that I use on my GS have been with me for 10 years & 80K miles and are still totally waterproof, I know you can't expect that degree of longevity on a trials boot but surely they should be better from new than most seem to be - on talking to other riders it seems this lack of quality is accepted as inevitable Shan't be buying any more of them Diadora's - don't know what to go for though - which is why I was looking at this thread Ade

This happened to mine the other week, Didn't know I'd done it but had dinged it on a rock - when I thought back I could remember the culprit! Took it off, popped in the vice & warmed it up a bit then carefully bent it out by a couple of mm - there's very little clearance between chain & pedal at best of times so even an almost inperceptible bend (couldn't visibly see any on mine) will cause problems. Hope this helps Ade

Thanks Ishy, I'll give this a go as when I rode the bike last weekend the brakes weren't as bad as I previously thought. I think that having to muck about bending the pedal back made me think the brakes had deteriorated suddenly, but on reflection what had happened is what usually does, in that they'd tailed off slowly & I'd just compensated. Could be ribbed / glazed pads - first line of attack in remedial action methinks as it's easiest option, if that don't work looks like being Bob's rebuild Ade PS Thanks to all for advice.

Hi Gasser My Beta is a 250 but in terms of build it's been excellent. Ridden almost every weekend since purchase in March & apart from the usual carb / filter cleans it has been washed & WD40'd after every trial & that's about it (oh & changed oil) It's still on original plug & except for a bent rear brake lever (my fault, not bikes) that's it. I would certainly have another - & probably will, but not 'til 09. Bike itself suits me (suits you sir ) but I rode several marques before deciding & I'm very happy with my choice, try to get as long a test as possible on each bike you're thinking of. Cheers Ade

Thanks PA but they're both fine Ade

Thanks Guys Tried the rod adjustment to no avail, so may be more of a problem One thing I have noticed is that there's a recess in the frame for the rod to run through. The rod is nowhere near centre of this recess, in fact it's almost touching the top edge, is this position normal? Strikes me as it could be out of alignment but haven't noticed before, so don't really have a reference point. Cheers Ade

Bent my rear brake pedal today (07 Rev 3 250) only slightly, but there's so little clearance that the chain was rubbing. Took it off when home & bent back, no longer rubbing but rear brakes are now sh-one-t. Don't feel spongy so dont think they need bleeding & when I push the brake pads back they clearly re-grab the discs when you pump the pedal. Any ideas folks?? - my previous bike had cable / rod brakes (Bultaco 325 in 1976!) so am not familiar with these "newfangled" hydraulic jobs. Thanks Ade

Sure was Greg, and a cracking wood with masses of steep banks, big rocks & that stream through - why did I let my dad sell it

Some really useful info there, but with regards to the clutch I would make the following points:- When a newby I think that until you are really used to the feel of the bike a lot of folks use the clutch too much. Im newly back into trials after a 30 year lay off & when I rode before the clutch was used very little in sections. I see a lot of relatively inexperienced riders using the clutch in sections when they don't need to & making things harder for themselves by having to co-ordinate too many things at once. Now I realise that the clutch is an essential tool as you improve & are doing the tighter & harder sections but in my opinion good ballace & throttle control come first, especially if you're doing the easy trials where there tends to be more room to turn & less need to fly up steps from a virtual standstill - clutch skills can be further developed & honed as you progress. Ade

Yep, just looked at the location - typical Yorkshire sense of humour But in answer to the problem if you're prone to cramp at other times Quinnine tablets may be the answer - but try the other suggestions on hydration, potasium (the bananas are a high source of this & in my opinion better than supplements) etc. Ade

Just to say hello all. Back to trials after a loooong lay off, last competed about 1976 always rode Bultaco's but decided to go eyetie with a Beta in March - should have done it years ago, forgotten how much fun it was & how friendly the folks are. Any other old gits on here may have ridden with me years ago - my dad used to own "Netherthorpe Wood" near Worksop where the now defunct (as far as trials are concerned) Worksop & Retford clubs held trials. Hope to see some old faces at the trials - seen some already - strangely most seem to have become "follicularly challenged" like me - and we didn't wear helmets back then so can'y blame that. Ade