monty-python

In the recent world mountain bike round at Fort William, well known female trials rider Maria Conway came 12th, beating many seasoned proffesionals from around the world, having previously done 4 or 5 downhill races (not world championship races, i hasten to add). I guess flying across the moors at the SSDT really does sharpen the reflexes. The men's winner averaged 38MPH, (yes 38MPH, on a mountain bike!!)

Yes, well "trialscot",, it's so easy to critisice isn't it. I am sure that the observer situation will be remedied shortly, because, as you are so concerned about it , you will inform your riding buddies, who will be so outraged that you, and they, will decide to give up maybe one or two rides a year to volunteer to observe for your club, meaning, no need for non- experienced observers. problem solved!! Not that i know anything about it, but i will imagine that experienced observers (i.e trials riders) were not forthcoming, because they either wanted to ride themselves, or would rather stay home than observe. It's the same story all over,

I have also trtied the cr250 plates, which cured it for about 6 months before dragging again. The silkolene SRG 75 is excellent with standard plates, don't know about the apicos, never tried them (and at 80 quid a pop, am unlikely to). Previous posts on the same topic recommended haven plates and silkolene or elf oil.

As bigfoot says, if it is pinking (my 99 mont did this too), it will knock just as you shut off from a blast of throttle. I found that using better fuel helped (optimax or good old 4 star, if you can get it.)

Bigfoot, they are a mail order firm in Swansea, Wales.( mostly road bike stuff). I think Demon Tweeks also do them. Iwill post the number when i find it. Found it!! M&P = 08705 703030 How's the new bike - you got it yet

Yeah, i,ve got some on my road bike and can honestly say that they are absolutely fantastic- no more wishing i had a third arm and fluid all over the floor scenarios. Havn,t tried them on the trials bike yet, but when the fluid,s due for renewal, they WILL be going on!! One thing though.. do not drain the hoses when you are putting them on, if you can, as it takes a while to get all the air out, but it is sooo much easier than conventional nipples. Mine are manufactured by "Russels", and came from M&P. There are different thread sizes so check before you order!!

Well done to all of team woftam, With the state of the moors, it looked like a really tough week. Kinell came out with the quote of the week, after Monday at Lagnaha, which will hopefully give an impression as to how tough the SSDT is. " i was looking for the easy line up Lagnaha, and thought F*"k me, there isn't one". I'm sorry that you had to retire, but you gave it a bl-*dy good go, and you did seem to have a load of bad luck!

Cheers for that Bill,

Thanks Bill, now i just have to find the money for one. I spoke to Andy at the ssdt on Monday, and he rates the canon, but to be honest i'm inclined to the nikon. Andy told me of a web site, but i've forgotten what it was called, based in Wales i think? Did youir friend get a good deal and if so, where from?? Cheers!

The thing is... he had no need to move it anyway, everyone else was just riding over it!! Still, he's not the only top rider seen to do a bit of "gardening" in the sections!! Nice photo Boofont BTW.

Hi all i am contemplating a digi SLR, and have ben looking at a Nikon D70. How does it compare to the canon? Has anyone tried both? The Nikon seems good as it has more features/ less cost. As this will be my first digital camera (had SLR's for years), any advice would be appreciated. Cheers

Cheers Dave, much appreciated, Whoever set it out deserves a large pat on the back, it was an excellent day out .

Think positive, the forecasters don't have a clue, so they are covering themselves. Last weekend Aberdeen area was forecast for overcast skies,rain with bright spells. It was a scorcher!! Plus, it can't be any worse than last year (i hope!!)

Probably about ten places above me!! It's possibly on the idmcc website, or failing that will be on the next newsletter. Are you going to the Scottish?? Just checked the website...no joy! Alternatively ,you could email them, or maybe big john has some inside information.

Quote:"There,s nothing wrong with the bike or engine", Yes Boofont, as long as you put petrol in it!!, Ha ha! Seriously though, the yam is a proven motor, as you will see at the Scottish etc. Last year there were old ty mono,s and tyz's doing the ssdt, but there weren,t many other 10+ year old bikes there!! Having ridden boofonts, i would say the scorpa is a good bike, maybe it doesn't rev as quickly as the others but thats no bad thing for the novices (like myself). It's definitely easier to handle than a gasser or sherco, which can easily get away from you if you give it a little too much gas.

Saturday night will be the "get a shed on" night. (the 1st May), and i solemly promise not to get lifted by the cops, like last year, for the henious crime, (surprised it didn't make crimewatch) of , gasp, drinking from an opened container in Fort William high street. The police in Fort William will be on the lookout for any other similar villainous acts, so don't take your opened bottles of beer into the street at chucking out time, or you could end up nicked.. On another note, also beware of the "Ben Nevis" whisky, it leads to amnesia and loss of control of your basic sense of direction!! See you all there!!

Bl^**y computers!! No luck john, I guess i'll see t&mx news tomorrow, but thanks for changing it anyway!! How did you get on wonder boy??

Now that's what i call service!!!!cheers guys does any one else have [problems loading the file. I have tried to open it and tried to save it but it keeps coming up with "problem loading the file specified when running the accesability wizard".. Any ideas. (please bear in mind that i am no expert on computers)

Still no results then??

If you're concerned, im sure that you could make one up from stainless or alloy and attatch it to the two bolts directly to the rear of the sprocket. There are protectors on ebay at the moment, but they dont cover the front of the sprocket, still, you could adapt the idea from them, i'm sure!

I would advise you to get a lightly used 03/04 if you can. But check out the previous owners maintainance, is the airbox clean ? wheels and bearings ok? Is he a crasher? etc. I managed to get a mont, from a dealer, with 150km on the clock, for a grand under list price. (thats a lot of tyres/ trick bits etc.) It looked brand new. As to what make, try them all and see what you like, but don't "car park" test them, get into some sections if you can. If you liked your 99 mont, try an 03/04 montesa, they are a lot more progressive, power wise than the older ones, and seem to grip better as a result. I have recently changed from a 99, and find the newer bike easier to ride ( and when you'r as cr*p as i am, anything that makes life easier is a bonus). I also tried a beta and liked that, but everyone's different, ask some of the riders in your club for a shot of thier bikes to see which you prefer. Good luck!!

I run mine now at 50:1 with ipone oil and have no problems. I have in the past run at up to 80:1, and it seemed ok. The montesa manual (for the 03) recommends 50:1 As they say "oil is cheap, engine rebuilds aren't" BTW don't run it on unleaded, it will knock (unless you add octane booster) Shell optimax works ok, as does 4 star, if you can get it

Looks like an old fantic !!

How about allegedly changing bikes, engines etc, in the back of vans. This has been tried in the past, and people have been excluded for it. Back in the good old days of air cooled bikes they used to seal them at the cylinder head, to avoid such measures, but water cooling = no fins to drill through.

MC> Let's not let the facts get in the way of slagging someone off, eh!! i would not be daft enough to ask it the filter would block up when i got crap in it! FACT:I wasn't asking, I was stating the FACT that, when clogged, they will restrict flow, i fully understand that filters will clog etc. and my original post was concerning the merits, or otherwise, of fitting them. . Then again im not daft enough to get the crap in the tank to start with!!! FACT: Totally infallable are we? Did you think that i put it in on purpose?