sameagle

I've now found information about the plug, thank you, but would still appreciate a bit of info regarding the age of the frame. John

Last Autumn, I took to falling off a Bantam, instead of falling off my usual ride. The engine is a 1970 D7, haven't a clue what the frame is, but I'd like some advice with the spark plug, please. The engine is fitted with an NGK BP7ES, and a "Rooster Booster", and it seems to be running OK, but does anybody know if this is the correct plug? If anybody has knowledge of frame numbers, by the way, mine is D13266, any pointers towards when it was made would be gratefully received. John

Right! Thank you - got it. From what you are saying, it was nothing to do with "a 3 bike trailer" at all - it looks like because there were as many as three bikes on the trailer, they could have taken the weight over the limit. Probably wouldn't matter if they were all competition machines, but if they were a BMW, plus a couple of Harleys..... So what he was saying may have been right, but not quite for the reason he was stating. Thanks Chaps and Chapesses John

I travelled to Lancashire today, to collect a single bike trailer. Whilst chatting to the seller, he happened to mention that "My mate reckons his friend was nicked by the Police for towing a three bike trailer without a licence" I said "I'm aware that you have to have an extra test for towing now, because my neighbour [23 years of age], had one" "No", he said, "you can tow a single, or a double, on an ordinary licence, but there's something to do with a triple that's different" Now, I've had a motorcycle licence since 1961, and car since '65, [i think], but I've never heard of this one - anybody care to comment? John

I'm aware that this is an old'ish post, but fibreglass sheet was mentioned, for a roof. Coincidentally, I need to construct something similar; can anybody tell me where fibreglass sheet can be obtained, please? John

Took the Bantam out for it's first run last night, petroil mix OK, thanks very much. Lack of power - yes, but it's elderly, like me, and only 175cc. Bad brakes? They probably were on the original Bantams, but this one's got Franny Barnett hubs and brakes; they're not bad, they're terrible! As far as overheating is concerned, I did notice a certain "Glowing Warmth" wafting up from beneath the tank; ignore it and press on, I say! This was only my fourth time out on a trials bike, and it's the first time that I've not fallen off - I just had an "unscheduled dis-mount", when a tree decided to trot into my path, and loomed up on my left - they look so firmly planted when you walk along the course. I need to get a folding kick-start lever, it only has the stock model fitted at the moment, but I love it; it might be a bit boring for you younger sprogs, but for me, starting trials later in life, it's suits me fine. I must have got on OK, I ache all over, today! Thanks for all your help and comments.... John

Thanks for the replies, I'll go with 50:1 with the synthetic oil. And no, I don't think that this Beeza was advertised on here, I found it on a BSA site.

I've just acquired a Bantam trialler, with a view to replacing the SY250 heap of engineering sh*te that I got the other week. The new steed is a 1969 D14/4, I understand, a bit heavier, like me, but at least the plug can be changed without removing the tank and radiator, and the float bowl removed without the prior removal of tank, rear mudguard, air filter/box, muffler, aluminium spreader plate, and gas shock. The frogs must be taking the pus. Back to the plot - I don't know what petroil mix to feed the Rooster on. I was using Morris' "Sport Action 2" synthetic oil in the sulking frog, but that is a lot different to the "Gloopy" stuff that we used to have 40 years ago. Can anyone give guidance on what ratio to use, please? I'm due for my next "Beginners falling off" session this Wednesday! Thanks in advance John

I'm sure they are, Johnny, but I've got to get a bit of usage out of this one first. I was advised to get a modern "Ladies Bicycle" type, as opposed to a "Classic", because I'm starting at 64! I did look for a "Gas Gas", but I kept getting pipped at the post - this one's a bit scruffy, but I don't mind about that, I got it to ride it, not admire it, the amount of "Thrutch" it's got is OK, but I'm mightily unimpressed with it's crappy design. John

Further to yesterdays post, I've had a chance to "go through" the Scorpa today. I'm very impressed with the standard of design - placing the HT coil right at the front so that it will get all of the benefit of the cooling water that is cast from the front wheel, is an excellent start. The spark plug has the benefit of receiving full protection in the position where the designer placed it. Incidentally, where DID they put it? Oh yes, just there - no chance of it coming "unwound", and falling out, the plug cap makes sure of that - you know where this is going, don't you [?] wait for it, wait for it! I did wonder if the correct method for changing the plug, might be to perhaps drop the engine, so that everything would be more accessible, but I [eventually], worked out that the radiator could be eased forward. [Can you believe it, "We have come up with a special bit of design here - to change the plug, the rider need only remove twenty eight other items first, instead of none, as on other machines"] I immediately fell in love with the "totally sealed, needs no adjustment" carburettor - they have so much faith in it, it's been placed where "bloody tinkerers" like me, cannot "get at it"! [Or clean it] The French might make the Worlds best food and lovers, but, we only have their word for that, don't we? You can't beat a good bit of British traditional Chicken Tikka, and as far as loving is concerned, as Eartha Kitt often remarked, we only need time! I still 'aint impressed with these footrests, though, I'm going to see if I can fit something that can be lifted up, rather in the style of a pillion footrest, and then flicked down again, after using the kickstart - unfortunately, moving the rest backwards would involve modifying the brake pedal by a similar amount. Whatever I come up with has to be better than what's fitted, and no, I ain't going to make any remarks about kickstarts and frogs legs, ['cos I've only got short legs]! If I stick with this trials malarkey, then my next machine will be something that's correctly engineered, and it won't have a sniff of bloody garlic about it!

OK, thanks for that. I'll have a nose round it, and see if it's practical to shift my footrests - relying on memory, I think I only need to move things backwards by about one inch. John

Good Evening, I acquired my first trials bike, a 2004 Scorpa 250, two weeks ago. I'm not new to motorcycling, [passed my road test, back in the 60's!], but I am completely new to trials. I always wanted to "have a go" but never did, too busy bringing up children, building dolls house bits for a grand-daughter, and soon will be assembling model railway stuff for the new grand-son. As a widower now, I can please myself a bit more, but now in my 60's, it will be strictly the "Dead Easy" trials for me! I have a question about my Scorpa - it runs fine, and is going for a new rear tyre on Monday, but there seems to be something amiss with the kickstart. It descends ok, perhaps a little too OK, because it clouts the R/H footrest - I take it that there should be a stop fitted. Is this stop, part of the casting, and has been "graunched" off, a nasty thought, or, is there perhaps a collar fitted on the part of the kickstart shaft that is inside the casting, that has come adrift? Any help please? John