mags

Nice work! I've dreamt of a lathe and mill since using them at Machine School as a teenager. They ARE coming!!! I can use a mates anytime but would dearly love my own. Back in the day my Ducati (1982 MHR, purchased new, still have it) used to wear swing arm axles because it was not heat treated all that well and our roads are rough compared to Europe. The solution was to true an axle by surface grinding. Removing enough material so the "hardchrome" guy could build it back to spec'd diameter. The axle ran in Phosphor Bronze bushes and needed scant lubrication and lasted many times the original setup. I may have to do something similar with my Victory lower shock pivot pin. I replaced the original shock with a custom Penske Race Shock and noticed the pin has "polish" wear marks at 15,000k. It mic'd up perfect and no ridges felt but at 30k might need a new one or hardchrome. Mags

How frustrating was that giant hill!!! Even in the vid it looked damn steep to me! Don't know I'd have the kahunas for it? I did find a solution for it though... (see pic). Mags

I can probably be considered biased owning and riding a Monty 4RT... nice looking bike there Fatty! Get out and ride that Spanish Lady! I might rephrase that! (bigCastinetsWink) Mags

Heffergm, Like above... don't assume all motors need a new piston at 80 hrs far from it. It may of course but the idea would be to find out for sure and definately save you money if not needed. Do a standard compression test, its a good, basic indicator of the need to delve further into the topend with dial bore gauges and piston micrometers. A cylinder leakdown test would be even better and a local shop may be able to do this for a reasonable price? If new rings/piston needed you will at least have a cylinder compression reading for when it needs rebuilding again. Once done and run-in do a compression test again for a "new" benchmark. Check with the local bike shop mechanic if its easy to compression check with kickstart only bike? I've only done electric start bikes with comp test and leak down with kickstarts. Mags

Wow! Cyborg trials! Nice to know that gear is around. As a side note to "knees"... Knees exercises DO work! My 15 yr old daughter recently developed knee pain. She is more an academic than a sports girl. A season of volleyball was the most likely cause but the season was way over and the knee pain came on. Off to the doctor and then a specialist for an ultrasound and x-rays. Back to doctor for result. Chrondro Malacia Patellae a degenerative disease of the cartilage under the knee cap was diagnosed. Off to the physiotherapist for a cure and if no cure there possible surgery. I wasn't holding much faith in physio but worth a go rather than surgical intervention. She had a wonderful young girl fresh outta university and up with latest knee issues and therapies. Exercise was recommended and she gave her a full regime and intensity levels over about a 10-12 week period. She said "A good chance here for cure but you have to do the work and keep at it methodically and consistently". The aim was to strengthen the muscles around the knees and and therefore strengthen the resistance to injury or wear from constant use (long walking or sport, bike riding et cetera). Better muscle support of the knee would not let "use" cause pain or at least dramatically increase the level the pain would occur. She went once per week for assessment that the exercises weren't causing harm and to change the regime when needed. This lasted about 7 weeks at $100 a pop. The shifted to fortnightly appointments at $100 for about 3 fortnights. It did include an ultrasound therapy each time and strapping she had to wear from appointment to appointment. It has been an amazing result and restored my faith in physio. She has none to very slight knee pain now and if a twinge or two usually clears over night. The exercise regime has dropped off to almost zero (teenager) and her leg muscles have developed to the point of bigger support muscles and definition. She says "I have thighs now"! Hehehehehe And no surgery in sight! I'm now looking to have an appointment with same physio and get some exercises to keep my knees safer on foot pegs and landings as next 20 yrs lapses. Going by my daughters result it could keep you on a trials bike for years longer??? Hopefully! Obviously would not work for everyone or if knee so degenerated it won't come back to good but a qualified exercise regime for knees can't hurt. Mags

I've got only "reasonable" knees after the motorcycle foolery of 40 years plus but I'm not at the stage of protecting them. Realistically, the day might not be too far away where I need some support for both. WTF is CTi? A pic request if I may? Mags

Ok boys! I'm coming to terms with the gloves.... evil demons they are! The boots... yeah, dunno? I swap... left first, right, then right, then left, right, then right!! But the socks are doing my head in... those fLIckers need a lesson in manners!!!! DO you warm them first or treat them with contempt and make them suffer a cold fate... and then left or right first? And does the left one go cold if you put the right one on first when warm???? Serious *****, boys! Mags

No need to credit me. I was just thinking out loud really... it would have to be cleaned up a bit before using? Feel free to use any of it... Mags

Left or right? AND/OR same sequence as boots? Mags

Here is a pic of the knob. I keep our 4T at around 1200rpm or just under. You will need a tach to set it. I use a tinytach which is hand held unit that reads the HT lead. Mags

G'day Tom, The idle adjustment knob is the black knob on the right hand side of the carby that has a silver spring on it about 1.5 inches long. The spring sits vertically and runs down beside the bowl and has the knob on end. Rotate to adjust idle speed. The Owner's Manual and a pic of the adjustment knob for setting idle is on Page 74 of this... http://www.betamotor.com/system/attachments/0000/4252/Evo4t_2011_en.pdf Mags

You can always do a compression check for reference. Then check every 6 months to a year depending on use. A leak down test is great indicator but requires a leak down tester and a compressor. They can be expensive. Once you have reference you can at least check it going off (wearing) with a compression check. Mags

Scumbags! Enough said! Getting another bike, now thats good news!! Don't forget its pretty cheap these days to Data Dot a motorcycle. Comes standard on Yamahas. At least when Data Dotted it will always be able to be proved as yours if you ever see it again. You can grind off numbers but you can never rid the bike completely of data dots. Place data dots in the most obscure areas, under tank, inside frame rails, hub/spoke interface et cetera. Mags

I have not worn out a trials motorcycle (yet) but have experience with other types and they would be similar. General marks will give you a fair indication of condition. Look under bash plate. Are the cases marked badly? Scrapes and rubs on frame, forks, swing arm. Chunks out of wheels or bad scrapes or rock marks. For wear checks on frame components.... Put bike on stand, grab forks with both hands and push/pull to feel any play in head stem bearings. Rotate bars slowly full left/right and feel for any roughness. If bike is on ground you can place fingers on head stem/handlebar collar and hold front brake on, push bike forward and back with brake on a feel for play at head stem. Look at fork seals for leaks. Hold brake on compress forks and feel its smooth operation. If bike is on stand with wheels off ground check both brakes for smooth operation and that they release wheel back to freewheel (no drag). If callipers not shielded check for brake pad wear. Look at brake discs for significant marking or wear. Move back wheel in up down motion and feel for play (wear) in rear shock bushes. Move wheel side to side to feel for play (wear) in swing arm bushes. Spin wheels and check "true". Place thumb on swing arm for reference and spin wheel with 2mm gap from thumb to wheel rim, shouldn't wobble too much. Spin wheels and let finger nails run over spokes you will soon hear a loose one or one with significant lower pitch. I use a spoke torque wrench to check mine and keep an eye on wheel running true. Sprocket and chain wear check. Throttle operation smoothness. Cold start ease. The motor is a little difficult to check without at least a compression check. You can hear any top end noise (valve clearance) and you can have a bit of clutch basket rumble that quietens a little when clutch in. Riding it would be a better check of engine and gearbox. Go through all gears and feel change smoothness. The Honda motor is pretty tough and long lived from what I can gather on forums. One in New Zealand has 700 hrs on original rings and piston. Good luck in your quest! Some pics when you score one, please! Mags

Now thats funny!!! Hehehehehehehe FujiGas and Dynamite didn't need it but they did!! Hehehe Mags

Hey Shoney! In my opinion there is not a trials rider on the planet that faired much better on the first few comps!!! Geez! My one and only trial I only got through about 15 or so outta 40 sections! I was plain buggered and fell off twice on the sections!!! Ahahahahahahaha The third fall off the day was directly in front of my wife.... she was just sitting there idling as I pulled up! I was so fatigued from the day I couldn't lift foot off foot peg and I just fell over in the dirt as I stopped, perfect faceplant!!! How embarrassment!!!! Hehehehehehe She laughed and laughed once she realised I was ok!!! Bless her!! Bought me down to earth I can tell ya!!! I agree on the addiction! We are hooked and when it comes to trials (as far as I'm concerned) TOO much FUN aint enough!!!! Mags

Good stuff Biff! A guy after my own heart!!! I've been fabricating stuff since I took my dad's hacksaw to my LT125 Trail bike (circa 1973) and tried to turn it into a trials bike by cutting the head light off, for a start! The most recent thing is the front sprocket guard in plastic on the Cota 4T... it split around the fastener hole. Made a "shiny" one in thin stainless and popped it on.... voila! Never split again! Also shortened the side stand by 12mm and inserted a "nutcert" to fix lost stand rubber. Imagine the cost of paying a 17 yr old, first year apprentice, in a dealership to do that work. When I locate my camera I'll put a pic up! I always thought if you own a motorcycle (any motorcycle) its your duty to work on them and know somewhat how they work. Mags

I think bike and man going up that rocky washout.... "BOTH" in shape!!! Mags

Welcome from downunder! Some great videos in the vid area and the tip and technique section, if you have not seen them already! Some basics (ignore if doing this already)... Only one finger on clutch and brake levers. If a bit tiring at first use two but shift to one as soon as possible. Knees bent and slightly apart, arms slight bent and relaxed. Keep whole body generally relaxed. Look ahead further when beginning and slowly bring back area of focus closer in, especially up longish, steep runs. Static balance is your best friend. You can practice that with motor off and inside home... we do! Slow Figure 8's are your next best friend. Enjoy! Mags

Welcome to the sexy world of Observed Trials! Oh yeah.... the babes can't stop looking at 20 somethings! 50 somethings... not so much! hehehehehe Kidding aside... watch out!!!! If the bug bites, it bites hard! And why not!!! Mags

Good vid Jeff! Makes me even more worried I have some "fails" ahead when I start the tyres leaving planet earth! Hehehehehehe I've pressed all the buttons on the handlebars and can't seem to find the one, that, when you press it... the back wheel lifts like on wings and the bike turns 90 degrees and the back wheel slowly lowers back to terra firma???? Must be an optional extra??? Mags

Geez Jimmie! I'd be pretty happy with that! I've been at it 6 months and can't pop over that log like you do... let alone pop up on the end and ride along and semi-power off it! I wish! I have been sticking with improving static and fig 8's! I'm only just exploring Jap Zaps which I'm not even doing just yet! I'm just practising popping wheel up onto a small object then ride over it. I was told the basics down pat then explore? What I "can" do is .... stop bike in static position with bars full right (or left) and clutch wheel 4 inches forward and brake to stop. Another 4 inches, then brake to stop. I can do this for a full 360 degrees and then do in other direction. This was a personal goal I set before moving on ... static, then static with full lock turn as described above. I'm looking forward to the day I can pop over a big log like in your vid! Other things I do every time I ride is .... I start bike and do full warm up of motor whilst practicing static. And every time I stop to talk to wife on her bike or stop back at camp for drink I come to a stop and static. If I miss I get back up for a count of 10 secs before hitting kill switch. Sometimes I stop on back brake, sometimes on front, sometimes both. Edit: I might just add... I'm in no hurry as I figure I have the rest of my life to learn this stuff! Soon as my finger touches a clutch I feel.... AHHHHHHH! I'm home!!!! Mags

That fresh frame looks like the start of something fantastic to me!! Beautiful! Mags

My two girls have recently asked me "Dad can you teach us to ride a motorcycle now?". One is 20, one is 15. So they are starting at almost grown up! I purchased a 2014 Yamaha TT125R 4T as an early xmas present for both to use. It will be a stepping stone to a trials bike. They really needed a seat for first ever go of motorcycles... feet on ground, bum on seat, that is the clutch, that is the brake, that is a gear lever- it moves like this, that is the rear brake, these things are where your feet go when underway. They were never really interested when younger as motorcycles was just what Mum and Dad rode around on. But when they saw the coloured gear of the trials outfits and saw mum having a great time... we want some of this, Dad!!!! Didnt take very long! Two good days at our riding area and they are now taking off with good clutch control, changing gears to 2nd-3rd and running a straight line with no wobbling now! Both addicted now.... and bleating about too little ride time because of study they do until holidays (one at Uni doing Engineering other is second last year of high school). Wont be long I'll give the oldest one a go on her mum's Beta 4T! Mags

My neighbours do appreciate I didn't open up the exhausts like most of the Harley crew. I've sent the badass noise booster pic to a couple of mates!!! Hehehehehe Mags