General Trials Talk

My club like many others runs a series of easy trials during the summer with 3 routes: Very easy, easy and hard(er). I guess the "hard" course is about clubman level, so there's nothing too scary. Until this week I've been riding the "easy" course with pretty consistent single-figure final scores but this week I rode the "hard" course and finished on 40 At this level (and for me especially), it's all about having a good time and sinking a few tinnies afterwards, but it's got me thinking: At what point do you decide that you either should be moving up or down a level? For example, the winner of the trial in question finished on 2 - does my 40 mean that I'm out of my dep…

If you the TC reader could ask Doug Lampkin ten questions like Jake did on the video, what would they be. Maybe the ten best questions posted could be answered by Doug?

Just a quick question? When I ride on the on flat ground I hear a knocking noise in the cylinder, is this normal with all bikes or just some bikes. My bike is a 2001 Montesa. Gavin

Hi all...... The brakes on my '99 mont work really badly once their all coverd in mud and water during a wet trial are the any way that i can improve there effectiveness in the wet? Danny

Ok, I'm sick of getting changed in the wind and rain whilst standing in my socks in the clarts and I'm not too impressed by the effect the salt on the roads is having on my already scruffy Sherco. I don't want a van and after the fun parking at Rookhope a couple of weeks ago 4WD would be nice. So, is it possible to fit a trials bike into the back of any of the lwb 4wd vehicles currently available in the UK? I'm thinking Landrover 110, LWB Trooper, or even the commercial version of the Discovery

My boys and I went swimming at the Warm springs Indian reservation yesterday, the whole area is big rock climbs, the water in the pools is from hot springs, nice and warm, big hotel and casino on site, it would make a great place to hold a world round, you can watch some sections without getting out of the pool.

Just a question.. Why is it that forks for our trials bike are not widely sold as a 'part'? For example we can buy virtually any part for our bikes through an importer/dealer or website, but you never see forks being sold or advertised. If I rang sandifords, would they sell Showa forks? Cheers,

Just read the advert of someone selling an 04 Montesa that looks pretty mint. Says he's just changed brake pads, wheel bearings, AND suspension linkage bearings. Now...I'm just wondering...am I neglecting my Beta. I ride it 2 or 3 times a week (its an 02 model) and I still haven't changed a single bearing. They all seem OK for me..but should I be more carefull and get these things done??

Did I see correctly , A Beta motorcycle with a DRZ 400 Motor? Is this a Beta or a Suzuki motorcycle. Is it street legal or just for trail/trials? Any imput on this?

The cooling fan switch has died in my Gas Gas TXT280 edition '02. Gas Gas USA want $73 for a new one ! The same part is #14.44 ( approx $25 ) in the UK. I don't mind paying a little premium for spares support in the USA but this is ridiculous. Anyway - to my question. Is the cooling switch common across brands ? ie can I get one from the Montesa/Sherco folks, or better still is the part a standard item from a more common application ( bike or car ) - if so what is it ? Please help if you have any info. If not I plan on quitting my job and starting up a fan switch import business. The Gas Gas part number is M0102003. It is held into a cast manifold by a metal cl…

In the Doug Lampkin event report from the last world round in Duluth USA, he says he made an error that basically cost him the event, and Fuji, also said he would of made the same error but saw Doug get a five for missing the marker. In the US nationals and our club events we use markers with arrows on them to indicate which way a class should go round or over an obstacle, they could be one or two of these markers or four or five. It wouldn't be hard to write on the section start card the number of splits a class has. All the start card needs is section number and champ class 3 split markers, expert class 2. Nothing worse than thinking you just cleaned a section only…

I'm normally a BMX shooter, but I've always been fascinated by Trials. When I learned of the Championships in Duluth, I knew I had to drive up there and try my hand at shooting trials...and I loved it! These were all taken on Saturday and unfortunately I had to leave for home Saturday night, so I missed the GOOD weather on Sunday. Although I didn't have a press pass, I quickly learned that I sure could get close to the action. I used a Canon EOS 10-D and mostly my Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 EX DF zoom lens, although I think 2 of the shots were taken with a 16mm f/2.8 Zenitar fisheye. Here's the link to my gallery -Observed Trials World Championships - Duluth, MN. As you go t…

hey guys i've been lookin through the photos from Duluth and noticed the huge splat, with spotters hanging from ropes and hay bails at the bottom of the rock wall. i was wondering whats the biggest splat ever done or attempted? and if you've got any pictures to share that would be cool

Has anyone done a euro round recently? Thinking of having a go this year, I think the main course my be a bit tough but whats the international class like?is it similar to the expert or master class?

These ain't half bad! http://www.xbe.es/pintures/ang/index.htm Ian.

could you double check if the email arrived for JORDAN. HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ADDRESS. gaz

My son's bike has a 19" Michelin tire on the front. I can't seem to find them here. Are they avalible in the U.K.? BTW, the Cheng Shins just don't have a deep tread.

Has anybody heard of these "speed bleeders"??? Seems like a nice tool for gravity bleeds. I searched the TC forums and came up with nothing. Who has experience/opinions????? Speed Bleeder home page

Browsing around on t'internet and noticed that there are very few high performance or customised parts available. Saw a few bits on Jitsie but thats about it!!! Am I just blind or do such things just not exsist.

Just thought I would wish everyone luck at the TC Trial...and hope you all enjoy it! AND....please have a beer or two for us geographically challenged lot who would LOVE to be there but cant. HAVE FUN!!