cleanorbust

jml wrote: "Bonus question: For a new riders would a softer grip be better to reduce impacts from bad form?" Sadly I don't think "bad form" comes into it. I've never found that the behaviour of those who exhibit it, for example by squeezing in at the front of queues or gleefully scooting past observers on their final lap without pausing to thank them, is even remotely linked to the density of their handlebar grips. If only it were so.

Common (mal)practice, just more risk of being caught out these days.

Bear in mind that at some point you'll want to remove the new bearing to replace it. Not sure how easy that may be if you use JB Weld or similar, but stand to be corrected on this.

Perhaps there is a case for more good trials dedicated to pre 65/twinshocks regardless of whether there is a championship. The Highland 2 day shows that people will travel a long way to Scotland for a good stand-alone trial, and I would do so (from Yorkshire) if there were more like it.

"trialsrfun" posted: I read somewhere that GOV 132 was fitted with Girling gas shocks which at the time were unavailable to the general public. ...as might be expected with many parts on any works bike undergoing continuous development.

Could try driving a centre punch into the hub surface at several points where the bearing fits. This raises some of the metal above the surface level giving the bearing something to engage with. Do this along with using Loctite if you wish, or try on its own to start with. Worked for me decades ago with a Bultaco.

Where would we all be without the education afforded to us by your knowledge and experience.

£3,295 for a bike which the seller doesn't even know will start. Bargain.

Fascinating story, thanks for putting it together in your usual comprehensive way. Seems incredible that this bike disappeared into anonymous obscurity until this owner bought it.

You will find that a Doblo without wheelchair adaptation, if that is acceptable, will be fine. I use a standard Doblo which takes one trials bike diagonally leaving room for up to 3 passengers, or 2 bikes with the rear seats removed (I have adapted the seat brackets to make them qd). No need to fold handlebars down. The standard Doblo has a flat floor as opposed to the lowered central channel in the wheelchair version, so rolling bikes in and out is a bit easier. I just carry a plank of wood to use as a ramp. Wheelchair version also has less ground clearance, an issue when accessing some trials start fields! You can find a decent Doblo within your budget. Very reliable and economical car, diesel engines good for 150,000 plus.

Danger and delight grow on the same stalk.

Something causing timing to slip? - backplate moving/loose flywheel/points screw slack?

Thanks for confirming, was just thinking about it this weekend. I remember reading the reports in Motor Cycle as a schoolboy in the days when it was in mid Wales, which seemed to show the unique atmosphere of the event with great streambed sections and memorable names for each group. Sorry to divert from the original theme of this thread.

Last time I heard a noise like that was on a Beamish Suzuki where the piston was hitting the head on each revolution.

Yes, the Saturday is available for events. Am I right in recollecting that the Saturday of remembrance weekend is when the British Experts was traditionally run?

The absence of trials on Remembrance Sunday has in itself become a tradition which has its own long standing history. I don't think I've heard anyone clamouring to change it.

Well done, would be good to see one or two of the late 60s/early 70s "clockwork mice" used in anger again.

Well done, glad you felt able to push on to complete the event. Warning: now it's in your blood you'd better be prepared to allocate a little money and a lot of Sundays for years to come.

Checked carburettor rubber union for leaks/properly tightened? Could bind with insulation tape as a quick fix to check if this makes a difference.

As I recall the "works" Bantam was anything but, ie it was conceived by the enthusiasts in the competitions department away from the disapproving glare of the boardroom who would have seen the project as pointless. As such there was no chance of the bike becoming a production model, never mind a Bultaco beater.

Should have added to above post: remember to undo the pinch bolts in the top yokes before trying to undo the fork caps. Hope that doesn't sound insultingly obvious!

Definitely get the bike onto a box or stand so there's no weight on the front wheel as you undo the fork top caps, and keep a downward pressure on them to avoid damage to the threads, which are very fine, as the cap comes to the end of its thread. Similarly take care not to cross-thread them as you start to screw them in again. I like to use a socket with small extension bar (without the socket handle) to ensure the fork cap is square on to the fork as you get it started, again with no weight on the front of the bike.

If there was a lack of damping in the fork action before you tried draining the oil it would indicate there's none in there. Sometimes you have to pump the forks up and down after removing the drain screws to get it to come out. This has the combined bonus of leaving a line of oil across your garage floor.

Promising youngster, should go far.

From a practical point of view, take a bin bag to put all your muddy gear in after the trial. You'll be thirsty when you finish so be sure to take a drink. Also take tools sufficient to carry out minor tasks as you pass the start area, if not carrying them with you, eg zip ties, spanner for chain adjusting, tyre gauge etc. Don't spend too long looking at each section, but do watch a few riders through each one to get an idea of the best line, speed, gear etc. Try to keep up with the general flow of riders round the course, you don't want to drift to the back of the field leaving yourself little time to deal with any machine bothers or extricating yourself from any tricky situations. Post again next week to let us know how it went.