cleanorbust

Disagreement is a wonderful thing! Funny thing is that the harder-tyre-for-practice routine works for me, as it did for Mick, and who am I to argue with him.

I find that it's more important to run tyres at the correct low pressures than to have a new edge on them. I'm still amazed at the number of riders who run their tyres too hard, and never bother with a low pressure gauge. I think it was Mick Andrews who advised pumping up your tyres for practice sessions as not only does this force you to sharpen your skills but when you come to use the correct, low, pressures where it matters, ie in a trial, everything will feel easier than usual and you'll have a useful confidence boost.

Contrary to some opinion, I've been riding trials since the early 1970s and don't feel the need to renew rubber at regular intervals. In about 35 years of riding I've bought maybe 4/5tyres! Yes, a new tyre is a good thing but it doesn't affect my finishing position in any trial. The state of the blocks on my rear tyre isn't the cause of the vast majority of the marks I loose, that's down to a different combination of factors such as balance, throttle control, mental attitude on the day, fatigue, gear selection etc, etc, and the best route to improving my performance is by working on these points.

You did well to get permission to ride there

There's an Ossa MAR manual on Ebay UK, item no 311451575044.

Well, it's an idea, but being polite about it given the choice I'd sooner endure a soggy head than the, er, "ribald banter" which would ensue the fitting of such a device.

I remember a sequel to this film featuring a frequent and much maligned contributor to this forum, called "A Life Behind the Times"

I seem to remember the minder of a top line rider cooling his man by wafting a folded copy of the Sun* in front of his face while he queued at a section. I suppose that would work if you can afford to hire the staff. * other papers are available to suit your political leanings if you so wish.

I also wear this model of Airoh. It's good but the conclusion I've come to is that even if a helmet was drilled like a colander I'd sweat just as much and the inside of the helmet would be saturated as happens now. Some people are just made that way and sweat loads. And even their best friends maintain a respectable distance.

Alas, not likely to get the answer you're looking for because: - nobody on here knows the figures involved for sure - anybody who does know won't be broadcasting it, a professional trials rider's personal income being as much of a private matter as anyone else's

As a little nostalgic aside, I remember that early-ish Montesa Cotas used to come with a little tab welded to the bars on which several lines were scribed. These could be lined up with a mark on the handlebar clamps and the handbook described which particular works rider preferred which of the various positions resulting from lining up these marks. Quite interesting, always assuming that Spanish quality control ensured that the tab was welded in exactly the same position on each set of bars leaving the factory...

It's one of those things that is worth experimenting with, especially if you have a practice facility, but strangely I can't recall any riders I've known over many years ever doing so.

Welcome along. I'd think a pretty low percentage of current trials riders hold a motorcycle licence as most trials run entirely on private land and don't use road work, so you have lots of opportunity without needing to ride on the road. As ever, best plan is to get in touch with one or two local clubs and get along to a trial or two to have a chat with regular riders and organisers about getting started in local events and the possibility of using practice areas (don't try using any land you think is OK until you've got advice in this way). You will also be able to see how people transport their bikes (trailers, vans or bike racks) so can get some ideas on that too. Let us know how you get on and there'll be lots of advice available here once you get started.

I guess the distinction is that an absolutely top line trials rider may make a comfortable living while he's riding, but unlike many other sports this won't set him up for life after he retires, and he is likely to need to look for another source of income in his mid 30s. And there are very few opportunities to continue to get an income from trials related activity. Running trials training sessions? OK as a (very) part time job. Opening a bike shop? Limited opportunities for profit these days. Importing bikes? Ouch, several recent painful experiences in that area. Doesn't leave much...

Fancy posting some pictures of the bikes, as they are now or as you work towards restoring them ? I'm sure this would draw comments and advice from the many Bulto experts on here.

Sorry, meant to say that the numbering on the seals I bought is as follows: D058 1 TC 25 40 10 TTO Hope this helps.

Unfortunately trying to remove the gear from the crankshaft can turn into the kind of challenge that leaves a competent mechanic in need of therapy, a mere quivering shell of his former self. All manner of heating, pulling and battering has been known to be used to crack the problem of the gear tightening itself onto the shaft over a 40 year period. On the other hand you may be lucky...

While you've got the cases apart it would make sense to replace the main bearings. These and the seals are available from Inmotion, www.inmotiontrials.com. Good luck with removing the gear pinion from the crankshaft!

Results are on the Isle of Man Trials website www.iomtrials.com

You may find Arthur Francis Rayspeed (www.afrayspeed.co.uk), who are near me, helpful. They appear to have the brake shoes of this design in their online catalogue.

I see, thanks for explaining, just didn't spot the brake on your Gas Gas - still to be fabricated? Precision work indeed from the look of your workshop notes!

Great stuff, thanks for posting. Nice to see some historical shots. Guess you do it all without the benefit of a rear brake? Good on you.

Can we have a photo of you riding up that rock? I can see the tyre marks you've left on it.

Is there actually a spark at the plug?

Sorry can't offer a 100% answer other than to suggest the new kickstart doesn't have as much of an outward crank as the original - have you compared the two in this way? Is there some scope to move the kickstart outboard a bit on its shaft? It looks possible from the photo. Aside from that could you post a photo of the complete bike? Looks as though you have done a very clean restoration.