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Hi there you're clutch should ideally clear before the lever reaches you're spare fingers. you can likely adjust it with some fine tuning but if you're really green get someone who knows there stuff to set it up or it could cost you a clutch. Neb's right too a shorty lever might be the answer. Also sounds like you're gripping the bike too tightly, most beginners do this and it takes a bit of time to learn how to relax. Have fun.

A month! I bought a new Fantic 307 in 1990 it broke my heart, couldn't ride for over a decade.

It's a funny old trial, there's always something that's not factored in . The weather can kill you and there's bike trouble and mad time schedules that just work against you. You can never plan for every eventuality. I would say the fitter you are the better and the better the rider you are the less fit you have to be. I would say just go for it as the chance is you'll not get an entry first time but be prepared for a very hard week and don't expect to enjoy yourself until after Town Hall Brae. It'll still be the best thing you've ever done on a trials bike by miles.

Got a copy at the SSDT and just finished. Certainly enjoyed it very candid. Some real eye openers for me, the Honda/Montesa 4rt and the Wheelie parts in particular. The whole book is full of humour , certainly worth the £20 even by the exacting standards of a tight Yorkshireman (Londoner?)

Hi the luckyone, here's my take on your problem. I find most modern bikes too high geared which forces you to ride on the clutch rather than use the throttle. This is fine if your clutch control is good but the bikes "run away" with most beginners so everything's happening too fast. I can't comment on the Vertigo but recently I've tried New Scorpas/TRS/Sherco and I would have to gear them down to be comfortable.. I'm sure plenty veterans like myself find this the case.

+To me consistency is the key you can't be easy on the clubmen and then hard on the good lads. I've observed at the SSDT and I feel most observers like myself try to be very lenient. Remember these riders are all trying hard under very difficult conditions and have paid well for the privilege. Never had any issues with the observing up there and have never felt the need to question an observer and I've ridden a few times including last week.

I'm all for crushing any pre 65 bikes certainly be more fun than riding one.

We're on {East Neuk Wobblers} next Sunday Pentland if you fancy a trip to Fife. You'll get plenty of advice and see what's what might even get a shottie if you're keen, we run trials most months and really aim things at new folk. Maybe see you about.

Just really an aside my wee boy has 2016 80. I'm believe it was one of Dougies sons and the carbs stock. It runs fine but I'm forever cleaning it out . Probably no one on the forum will agree with this but I feel it runs miles better on semi synthetic oil. Worth a try?

Aye Fife's where it all happens. Had a shot on the high spec one as my pals the dealer but frankly as a 55 year old who rides a 12 year old Scorpa I'm not really qualified to comment. Looks great though.

Hi Matt no seen one like that before nothing like the old tl 125 I had back in the day, Looks good condition.

Hi there this brings back memories but not good ones, I had a 307 new and never got it to run right fiddled with carb settings forever packed in first day of the six days as it just ran terrible. Never got it sorted . If I had one now I would get an OKO and try it I've one on and old Fantic Section runs fine. Sorry I'm little help sure there's others on here who've got them sorted,

Hi Rab and welcome no much help with places in Stirling one of our members has ground near Milnathort which the public can use for a small donation if that's any good, Most riders do go to the organised trials even when just starting out because that's where you find out what's going on and they're pretty casual affairs. Hope someone posts with some more local info. Cheers.

HI bearings last about 10 mins if the bikes been powerwashed they.re cheap so mot really a problem. flick out the rubber seals on the hew ones and grease before you fit them helps a lot.. If the seals are ok on the forks I wouldn't rush to change the oil they're tricky for the home mechanic better get the shop to do it unless you're really confident as mistakes can be expensive. Oil will likely be 5 weight and you'll get a measurement from the top of the fork tube rather than a quantity because they're hard to drain the oil out as I said they're tricky. Rear damper unless it's leaking leave alone should be fine on a 15 bike unless it's been hammered, Any work on this you'll need a shock specialist no really a DIY job. Anyway stop fiddling with this thing and get out and ride it.f

Mines 2 on the drive side and one on the brake side!

What what what you grudge the kids a cheap ride round? Up here we've more over 40s than you can shake a stick at but kids are a problem .Normally what happens is Dad or Mum brings junior along the kid packs in and the parent keeps on riding. I don't know if you've kids that ride but I have and it's heavy work with 2or 3 loads of gear to wash extra bikes to service, repair ,wash they always grow out of things and break things. Unless a parent is totally committed it's just not happening. Anyway a cheap entry is neither here or there but it' s a nice gesture. Agree about you're second point.

Forgot mines not got a disc guard which needs to be off to fit the wheel It should take seconds if you know the technique if not you're doing it wrong..

PS while I mind the back wheel lifts up and out for removal taking the caliper with it, To replace it fit the caliper on the disc then slide the whole lot down and forward..It's a bit odd if you've not done it before

Things to keep an eye on, kickstart bolt top and bottom check after every trial. Keep spraying the suspension linkage with light oil/chainlube seems to keep it right as long as you always do it. Tape up the tank skid plate where it meets to keep mud away from the wiring in there. Change transmission oil regularly the lowest bolt on the clutch casing should be removed to get the last of it out. Might be an idea to drain the tank I did mine and a lot of debris came out didn't think it would do the pump any good this involves turning the bike upside down which is a pain. I run fully synthetic at 120.1 seems really happy at that . That's about all I can think of anything technical see a dealer. Cheers

The problem in the UK is too many youngsters are working. I hear over 25% of under 25s in Spain have no jobs giving them loads of time to play about on any bikes that are lying around.

Just my tuppence. Like b40 mine came from Edgar Bros in Edinburgh in Trail Trim. Spoiled by dad as I was about 12 . We had a Bultaco which I struggled to start so the Honda was spot on. Power wasn't much of an issue as I probably only weighed about 6 stone. It also had brakes which the bultaco didn;t and a clutch and gearbox that was easy to use. Happiest time of my life riding the tl no one walked about the countryside in those days so I had a licence to roam. My pal bought one recently and gave me a play I couldn't believe how unwieldy it was. I often ride a Scorpa sy 200 f these days which kind of reminds me off it.

Extra bodies are always welcome the SSDT.org site gives a general contact. Catherine Anderson is chief marshal maybe someone has her contact details.

Got the word that successful entries have been informed. Looks like it's a goer for me and the laudie be more than interesting come May. See on the 12th if we can call ourselves Trials Riders.

Hi Rootsman sure sounds like you've had a rough time. b40 mentions some of the major trials but there's local stuff on every week. If you ever make it across to one of our trials you can have my bike. Scottish acu website normally has details of upcoming events for our AMCA stuff try East Scotland Trials. Hope your luck improves.i

To be fair it's an impossible task to film without an army of cameras. Quality was bound to suffer as he was burst from the first section at Leanachan to Town Hall Brae on Saturday. I really don't know how he made it .