2stroke4stroke

Go for a Berlingo or Doblo - two bikes in no bother.

If you have a Yamaha then adjusting the points is the only way to adjust the timing. But eventually you run out of adjustment. Moving a movable backplate gives more scope for adjustment. Personally I used to set the timing by using the backplate, having set the points to about the middle of their range, then tweaking the gap to fine tune, then again every couple of trials to keep it right using a dial gauge (and doing it that often definitely helped on the 348). As long as the timing was bang on and the points gap was within tolerance then I was happy. Dwell? The manufacturer's gap figures were designed to optimise dwell to get the points opening at the peak of the magnetic flux insofar as the relatively crude nature of a trials two stroke ignition system permitted. Nowadays of course it can all be programmed, which is great, but a programme won't push the bike off the hill when it packs in and you have nothing to tweak.

I'm not able to do the research just now but have a nagging feeling that (apart from obviously being badged as an Indian) it looks like something that was built by Laverda and sold as something else in America - or was that sold as the American Eagle?

I have to agree with the 200 Beta suggestion - at least have a go on one before spending the money. Much easier to use in a traditional style than a 125.

Do a search on the forums here http://singletrackworld.com/ and you'll find more shed security advice than you can use.

If the French importer is not as good about these things as the British one then, personally, I wouldn't be wasting my money buying another that may be no better than what he already has. Better to get a proper rebuild done by the professionals - I'm sure someone will come up with the name of a reliable outfit.

It would be difficult to get the pistons in had you done so but could you have fitted the seals the wrong way round? There's a very slight taper on them so that they seal under pressure and grip the piston to pull it back in slightly as they return to their original shape when you release the lever.

I'm sure you were there cleanorbust - http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/44300-early-cota-club/ "Very smart. You will no doubt be aware of the care required when starting these earlier models with the RHS gear lever. I recall one at the start of the SSDT at Gorgie cattle market. The thing gassed up and would not start so the rider gave it a really good kick with the throttle wide open - needless to say it fired at full bore just before the starter lever slammed the thing in to gear - he took away the starter's table and sent the gent flying. Rather early for a five."

Air screw is mixture - in for rich, tune from rich to weak. Throttle stop screw adjusts tickover speed. As above it may be the needle position at higher revs but the pilot mixture can have an effect surprisingly high up the rev range if well out. This is essential reading http://amalcarb.co.uk/downloadfiles/amal/amal_tuning_guide.pdf

By chance i was speaking at Alvie to a chap near here who, back in the 70s, had a similar channel across the back of his diesel Merc for his Bulto. The difference being he also had five bikes on a trailer behind, and let's not forget the TY 80 in the boot. Or all the riders, along with observers, inside the car.

As a matter of curiosity, how does he work out the internal arrangements without cutting yours open?

Surely most of those 6 Brits must have won back in the day of no stop so can't possibly be taken seriously as World Champions funtrials?

A modern two stroke trials bike (forget the 4RT on noise grounds) is very quiet when just running along. However I doubt you'll find anywhere near Edinburgh where you can legally do what you want to do. We've lost local(ish) trials venues to Edinburgh in recent years through folk on enduro bikes under the impression that they have the right to ride on "trails" that are actually private ground. And I think you'll find an electric bike is no more acceptable in law.

I would say that, in 40 years of riding, my Rev 3 200 is the best bike I've had for moor crossings. It's plenty fast enough (would always outpace my pal's Scorpa 250), will go up anything, grips well and, if ridden properly, does not use much petrol - a useful attribute in the Scottish. And I'm a bit heavier than you. I would suggest it should be regarded as an easy to ride 250 rather than a "small" bike.

Might be worth trying a rallying site - they must still have a similar requirement.

I imagine any of the Googleable sprocket suppliers could do one in the size you want but the gearing will then be far too low to do wheelies in 1st. If "wheelies", as opposed to just raising the front wheel, is what you want to do, then 3rd is about the lowest practicable gear anyway.

I've been trying to get them by phone for over a week with no success (their electronic system ain't working). Does anyone know if they are still on the go or what the problem may be phonewise?

I think we'll just have to agree that we have differing definitions of the word spectacle

You're right, there's not enough time spent watching that exciting spectacle of somebody standing still on a motorcycle. However, as someone who has health and safety management as a part of my job I'm a bit mystified as to what exactly the organisers are expecting will fall on to the observers' heads. A bit over the top to have observers wearing helmets surely - or will this be the next FIM dictat?

This sounds like good stuff and it would probably be worth having a look inside the forks in any case but try the simple things first - are the forks straight? Slacken off the bolts in the yokes and give things a twist about then tighten up again when all is straight. Slacken off the wheel spindle and pump the forks to align them before retightening the clamp at the bottom of the slider. if you ride the bike with the legs "drawn together" at the bottom then the sliders can crack across the thin bit at the Montesa "M" logo if you hit a bump at speed. Don't ask me how i know.

Surely, using your logic, it can be argued that the guy who gets his line right in the first place and does not have to faff about correcting it is showing a higher level of control - what lies above ultimate?

I think it's less for water and more for the possible effect of the ethanol content of the petrol.

Coming to a lamppost near you soon, I imagine.

Or get a much neater one here for half the price, post free http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=20498

Well the pair I have I bought for a Fantic 200, partly because they were rebuildable. I can't really remember what they were like but must have been better than the standard ones or the Girlings off the 348 (at least they didn't bend of their own volition unlike typical Girlings). But I did fit softer springs - I've still got the originals too. They got me round the Scottish OK so I must have been happy enough with them.