totty79

You need a diagnosis, without that any advice will be flawed. Go back to your GP repeatedly if required and pressure them into giving you an appropriate referral. For years I was fobbed off as it being growing pains until I hit 19 when it was diagnosed with what's commonly called a bucket handle tear in one knee and suspected matching injury in the other. I was then advised against surgery to inspect/repair and in the last 15 years whilst I still have some pain I've learnt to live with it, I'm aware of what aggravates it and able to avoid it, the joints used to lock but haven't for years as I now recognise the pre locking sensation. I'm only a trials beginner but my knees are yet to be a problem when riding.

Search for Palm saver, they work quite well.

Check the DVLA website but IIRC you need to send in a v62 form https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/209995/v62.pdf

Checking that the chassis and engine numbers haven't been tampered with is generally a good starting point.

Today I discovered why the front brake lever clicked occasionally - a very mangled circlip fell out. I also replaced the front caliper as someone had butchered two pistons jamming them in the old one. You've got to love previous owners bodges to brakes.

Hi biggegg, sorry can't help with the ty, but just to put a forum name to a face I'm the guy with the gas gas 321 from earlier today.

Yes it is, the stickers on it say 321 contact txt.

Is the later 2000 to 2002 separate seat and mudguard a direct or near direct fit? Mines got multiple breaks, I've been keeping a look out for a cheap replacement and there are a lot more 2 piece ones around.

What's your budget? I'm also new to this but it's clear that brand recommendations should change with the age of the bike. e.g. pre 'Pro' (2004?) Gas Gas bikes have a reputation for being more robust, but in my experience parts availability is very poor - one dealer has recommended Beta's to me for parts availability reasons.

I've had a few issues with this and had the most luck with a vacuum bleeder. Hold a vacuum on the bleed nipple and also operate the brake lever. Keeping an eye on the fluid as it can drop quickly this way. Leakage round the nipple threads hasn't been a problem on any of my other cars/bikes but on my hebo calipers it was bad enough to need to put some PTFE tape on them.

I'm also a beginner, 34 so past the bouncing years and suffering from several old injuries but far from decrepit. I bought a mesh top thing with elbow, forearm and shoulder pads, back protector and chest plates. Movement wasn't as restricted as it looked and although I looked like a gimp I could live with it, the problem was overheating and it was only 12C. I'm now down to just knee and hip armour in a pair of kevlar lined road bike trousers. I had my first decent fall on Friday (flipped it on a hill and landed in rocks under bike) and I'm considering putting the armour back on, at least briefly for first attempts at things.

I'm surprised the trials list of coaches is so much smaller than the others. It may be a smaller sport but it's often considered to be more technical. Anyway I think I'm sorted now as I've been PM'd the number of the guy that runs sessions at Warden Law. Thanks guys.

Is this it? http://www.acu.org.uk/events/august-2013/north-eastern-centre/trials/hope-farm-longframlington-northland-ne65-7xr-acu38866.aspx

I've mostly ridden by myself. Wobblenorbed came through and helped me prepare for a trial, which was a massive help but the rear tyre coming off the rim cut us short and also meant I missed the trial. I've been to three trials as a spectator and I've got another thread on what techniques to start with. I don't get many free weekends and I've missed the light nights so I'm just looking to speed up my progress. The plan was to fit in 4 or 5 practise sessions then a couple of trials by June - if I liked it after that sort out transport and upgrade to a better bike, if not use the garage space for another road bike.

It'd be less painful to open my wallet and pay for the lessons than to keep getting them for free :-)

Is anyone offering training suitable for beginners in the north east? I asked at Warden Law and they said someone used to do lessons there but they haven't seen them for ages. I'm just looking to speed up my progress since I've missed the summer with bike faults. I've got about 6 hours experience on a trials bike so I'm a total novice. (I'll hopefully get a few more hours tomorrow at Warden Law, if I'm not too stiff after Fridays fall - I hesitated twice, on and off the throttle when I realised I had no idea what was over a hill I was half way up, flipped it and didn't land too well.)

If it's a brief lock that clicks on release it could be trigger finger. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Trigger-finger/Pages/Introduction.aspx I have this problem with both thumbs all the time and occasionally other fingers. The safest thing to do would be to get used to using two fingers on the clutch.

If the forks are the same as my 99 321 then the allen bolts aren't involved in changing a spacer, do you have a pic? See my recent thread regarding a similar problem that turned out to be a broken spring. http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/46109-1999-321-fork-cap-removal-sag-preload/

The springs have finally arrived

I'd call it a show bike, real bikes are built to be ridden. It's built for looks like too many customs are these days, although it does look good. Oversize front tyre and no fork brace will mess up handling, you see this all the time. Tiny tank and thin seat fit the style but are no good for a road bike.

I've watched similar bikes on ebay recently in the £500 to £1200 range. Try searching completed items to see what actually sold and at what price. I paid £650 for my 99 321 in April. It was described as ready to go, good sprockets, forks just serviced etc. However in reality sprockets were very worn, fork oil filthy, snapped fork spring, rear wheel bearings needed replacing etc. Without seeing it based on the description alone I'd say £850 for yours but at the end of the day it's only worth what someones willing to pay for it.

Cost doesn't directly relate to level of safety, there are many other factors but marketing has as much to do with cost as safety does. For road helmets check out http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/ I'm not aware of any similar tests for trials bike helmets. The head hits inside of helmet comment does make me question the fit though. Helmets aren't all the same shape, ideally you need one that suits the shape of your head not just the size that's the closest fit.

Interesting link - I'll stick with the 7 that I've already got. I'm yet to experiment with the clickers as they were overtightened and stuck when I bought the bike, I freed them off when I stripped the forks to check the springs. Hopefully they'll function correctly.

Thanks for the tips, I think I'll make one of them tools. I've already got 7 weight oil, would a novice like me notice the difference?

It's looking like I might finally get it fixed this week. I couldn't source a new original or alternative spring. The used one bilks very kindly sent me unfortunately turned out to have a small crack, only really visible when compressed but I don't think it would have lasted long. I decided to have two made, the first two attempts were found to have defects in the wire - they're now making another pair which should be shipped this week. Owned it since April, ridden it for 5 hours :-( Parts availability is my number one priority for whatever bike I buy next. Although this one will be a half decent bike again before I'm finished with it. It's been that long that I've now forgot how much oil each leg holds so I'll have to research that again.