cleanorbust

some clips of the stream down in our woods. thanks for watching! ben Wow, you did well to get permission to ride on private ground with a nice stream on it. Was it difficult?

Well done on getting the tyre swapped - it's all too easy to pinch the tube with the levers if you're inexperienced. On the clutch problem, probably the plates are just stuck together. If you've got some space available, knock the bike into gear and hold the clutch lever in as you change up through the gears. The torque of the engine should break the "stiction" between the plates by the time you get into 4th or 5th gear. The bike will then operate normally if this is the problem.

I would think motocross tyres are substantialy different from trials tyres in their ratio of tread block size to inter-block space. Also I think the regulation you have quoted states that absence of an E-mark on motocross type tyres does not necessarily mean the tyre should fail an MOT.

I have come across a Vehicle Certification Agency fact sheet which seems to state that only powered two wheelers sold as a new design after 17 June 1999 are subject to European Type Approval requirements. No doubt this is an area which would stand some further research on the 'net to establish the true position.

Yes, practice can help. On the other hand, I've been trying to solve this problem for the past 40 years.

I've found the Xpeed trials helmet to be up to the job at a reasonable price (you can get them for £25 on eBay). Also there's a Nitro X526 trials helmet at only £19.99! You're right about there being a profusion of makes at the low end of the price scale these days. As ever it'll be best if your pal can get to a shop to try on first.as helmets are such a personal-preference item.

In fact, employees of the Scott motorcycle company rode watercooled bikes in the original Scott trial, circa 1914.

I can recommend a Fiat Doblo - bike fits in without need to remove seats, just fold them up, in fact can get away with folding only single rear seat leaving room for three passengers. 1.9 diesel economical enough (55-60mpg in gentle running around).

Sherbert dabs.

This was highlighted on Trialscentral three months ago. Surprising it hasn't been snapped up yet...

An OSET would not be classed as an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle, due to the lack of pedals. However quiet or inoffensive a powered two wheeler may be, and even if its use is generally accepted by other users of land on which you take it, its use on common land/waste land or public leisure areas is almost certainly illegal, unless the local Borough Council has designated the land for such use. Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act applies. Warwickshire police have produced a useful leaflet for parents of youngsters aiming to use powered two wheelers off road. The essence of this is: don't bother trying. See www.warwickshire.police.uk/crimeprevention/Comsafty/motorbikeleaflet for a helpful list of Q and A's on the subject.

Not cheap, but could the price be a reasonable reflection of what a new RTL cost in 1980s money, plus a wee bit for the once in a lifetime opportunity it represents? (Not that I imagine it will ever be used in anger even if it sells).

I'm afraid the equally quick reply is that it would be illegal to ride on pavements, public parks, common land, waste land, etc.

As well as knowing the rules, it is probably advisable to get a feel for the local culture in how they are applied. As a rider I see competitors get away with all sorts of things which if I was observing would be a five. This seems to work because everyone "knows" what is generally acceptable, although it may not accord with what the rule book says. I've even got observers to correct the score they were going to give me on a couple of occasions as, where I'd fived a section about three times over in one attempt, they were going to give me a three because I'd "tried so hard" and eventually got my wheel spindle past the ends cards. Observing at the Scottish would be great, I'm sure you'd have a ball. However, if I was doing it I'd probably risk being "relieved of my duties" as for me a stop is a stop and gets five marks in the observers book. Having said all that I do recognise that observers do an invaluable job and it's probably me at fault if I object to them being a bit "kind" on occasion, especially if they do the same for everyone else.

Sounds like a case of the commercial position around sponsorship availability being rotten ,rather than the sport itself.

...and just as irritating if they get a hole in them.

Quite a find. I think it's a standard type 125 Sprite trials, from the 1968-71 period. The Goldfinger, which had a metalflake gold paint job on the tank, was I recall an attempt to make a trail bike version of the model (consisting of little more than fitting lights and a larger seat) to compete with bikes of the time such as the Bantam Bushman and Suzuki Trail Cat. The fork rake angle is quite notable isn't it.

Hi Dan, Thanks for your reply. My TY is good - just a standard bike but it takes me back to when I was 35 years younger, and I had a class win in my first outing on it two weeks ago. In the days when I was riding my original TY175, the 348 Montesas and 325 Bultos were becoming dominant, and (not that I ever actually knew him) it was quite inspiring to read in most weeks' T&M News that Pete Oakley was winning on his TY in East Midland Centre trials. Great days, and it's good to hear Pete Oakley is still active.

I certainly remember Pete Oakley riding the TY 175 in the Scottish and other big trials, mid 1970s. Very tidy rider always well turned out, as I recall his bike was pretty much standard. From memory he often rode with a brother also? By coincidence I tried googling his name the other day as I've recently bought a TY175 and thought I might revive some memories, but couldn't find any references or photos.

For me, this topic raises the question of what, exactly, changes to prevent a champion continuing to win indefinitely. Given that these essential qualities might be the prime requirements, it's hard to see why performance should drop off: Determination/hunger - Dougie still has this in spadefuls I'm sure Motivation - see above - he still likes to ride his bike every day Ability - he always had it before, so why not now? Fitness - surely Dougie's fitness is still up to the mark: anyone see him struggling at a trial? (especially the Scottish which would find out any shortfalls) Sure, there's something about ageing which takes its toll, even slightly, but hard to put a finger on it.

Out of interest, I've done some calculating: In 1981, I bought a new Fantic 200 (competitive bike at the time) for

Time was when any interest in motorbikes led to buying Motor Cycle News or, going back a while, Motor Cycle. These weeklies always contained considerable coverage of trials back then (in the 60s and 70s). So having an interest in bikes in general led to an introduction to trials. Wouldn't happen now 'cos MCN completely ignores trials and the young lad or lass with a general interest in bikes probably wouldn't buy, or even find, a copy of TMX.

From what I remember, 40 years ago a new trials bike cost about 20 times an average weekly wage, and trials seemed affordable for lots of people. Say a new bike now costs

Nothing to be alarmed about: Fantic 200s were known for this. Used to start turning backwards without warning, causing merriment among those watching. Letting the cluth out for a rapid take-off with your back to a cliff was always good for laugh if the engine had decided to start running backwards while you were in the queue at a section.