mags

Maybe he had Repsol ATF in it? (HypoidWink) Mags

I've noticed the kickstart lever on my 2014 hits the foot peg if you push the lever down too far!!! I went too far a couple of times and put some marks in the end of the lever so decided to make a kickstart lever rubber until I come up with something better. I used a bit of red car heater hose. The internal diameter pushes pretty firm over the end of the lever and seems to stay on well when I kick it over. It may get slippery in wet conditions but so far seems ok in the dry. I used a Dremel tool to create a few craters for grip and with a wet boot may still grip well enough for a start???? Time will tell but no more hitting ally to steel with the hose on. Does everyone's hit a bit or is it just mine? I see its machined on the end so maybe they all do it and the machined relief at the end of the lever is a meagre attempt to stop it??? Mags

Just fitted an hour meter to my 2014. I'm really guessing the hours I do so I thought why not be accurate and not over or under service the bike. I fitted the meter on top of the throttle body for a relatively cool spot. Just zip clipped to the rubber hose nearby so no sticking it to throttle body. That gives easy remove for injector comes out with tank for valve clearance check. The red wire I just inserted up the HT lead sheath and the black goes to an earth. I placed the black wire terminal under the top coil bolt and the hour meter works perfectly. All totally removable in a few minutes. Here is a couple of pics for those wanting to fit one in a hidden spot. Mags

Bou would have plates set to his weight and "friction feel he likes" maybe but he could easily be running the ELF HTX? Mags

I had a peek on the NGK site at the plug decipher chart... Lets take the BP5ES.. B is for thread size, B = 14mm thread, 20mm Hex. P is for Projecting insulator type, to me that means the insulator projects past the plug base. 5 is the heat range, goes from 2 to 10, 10 being cold, 2 being hot. E is the thread length, E = 19.0 mm S = Standard Type Plug. Now the B6HS B = thread size of 14mm 6 = One range colder than a 5. H = thread length of 12.7 mm S = Standard type plug. The heat range is close but in general the hotter plug will make the engine run hotter but it is fraught with danger going too far from factory recommended range… see here ...http://www.ngk.com.au/spark-plugs/technical-information/heat-range-explanation The main issue I see above is the thread length… you don't want threads protruding into the cylinder the thin edges can cause pre-ignition if they get too hot. One has a thread length of 19 mm verses the other at 12.7 mm. That means the 19mm plug may protrude 6 mm or so in to cylinder if head is only 13 mm? Check that with a torch… that may give you an answer as to the right thread length for your head???? Mags

Nice bit of fabrication there! Just remember when installing a bearing you should always use a press. When pressing on a shaft you use a mandrel on the inner race, this stops the balls or rollers seeing any sideways force potentially bruising the running surface. If you shock load the bearing (via a hammer) it can really bruise the race with earlier failure the result. When pressing into bore you use a mandrel on the outer race this stop any sideways force on the inner. Shock loading the bearing, even if the right mandrel position, can still bruise the rollers or balls into the races. I like to stay away from the Chinese made bearings and use Japanese or German ones, you may pay a few more dollars but you get a better quality controlled bearing and seals. IMHO. If no press… its amazing what you can make up with a bit of threaded rod and some pipe just under the diameter of the outer or inner race. Threaded rod can be spannered up and applies no shock load. Put the rod through like an axle pipe and flat plate with holos drilled in it, on one end to bearing… other end through a piece of thick flat plate (with hole drilled to size of rod) that rests against wheel on other side. 3/8" dia. or 1/2" dia. (would be better) threaded rod would do the job. Make sure the pipes are square on ends, not slight angle as this may cock the bearing into its recess. If someone you know has a lathe best to get them squared off that way if possible. If not, cut with hacksaw and use a file and T-square to get ends perpendicular to pipe. Bit of mucking around but you will have a bearing tool in the cupboard forever... Mags

Give a kid a trials bike and watch him soar… give a kid a computer in his darkened room with a "slaughter all humans with a gun" game and watch him turn into an empty shell. Tom Payne must be a metrosexual type… 30 mins on his hair to leave home! Maybe even face cream for men? Mags

I like ya thinking here! Where are the 20 and 30 something ladies on trials bike? A distinct lack of them which is a shame…. How would a bloke concentrate on the section…. Mags

Mokwepa, I read your entire thread where you had just started to learn stuff. Man! Take some credit there, dude! I can't believe your progression…. all the way to trophies, inspiring! I can practice here every day but only balance and fig 8's as the yard is not big enough to set up obstacles. I'm in a capital city here in Australia and in the suburbs so no go riding a non-registerable bike anywhere without the cops sending me to court. We spend 3 weekends a month (sundays) at a local 750 acre motorcycle park where we practice the stuff I see on vids. I can pop the front up onto an object 2 ft or so but can't zap the back wheel up yet… I'll get there, no rush. Once able to do the novice line in a comp I'll join a club… most clubs allow non-members to ride their comps, you just have to pay the extra fees and you're away. Our goal is for my wife and I to ride novice lines in comps… together! I can see a little stirring of each other… her on the Beta 4T and me on Montesa 4RT. We are heading out camping for 3 days next weekend with the trials bikes (and my enduro bike) and will have a ball with no lions to worry about…. although, last time out I hit the top of a hill and ran over a 7ft Black Snake… front and back wheel went over before I could turn! Almost crapped myself… it was angry!!! Mags

Compression check or a leak-down test first maybe? Bore camera to check cylinder wall, scoring? I know of a 4t in New Zealand has 700 hrs and was taken down to refresh but didn't need it. Barrel, piston kit put back in cupboard. Mags

Shyted, Now there is a paradox! If they change it to Repsol (although in my 2014 manual it does say to use Repsol for the engine oil) we have no Repsol in Australia (that I've seen) so I'd be in the same situation like those that can't get Elf for gearbox… I couldn't get Repsol for gearbox, so i would use Elf! As for the Elf and its friction additives and not being used in immersed clutches… if the additives allow slip maybe that what Montesa wants??? Doesn't slip on full clutch engagement but may slip slightly on take-up giving more progression on clutch take-up??? Just a thought? Mags

Zippy, Oh ok! So there are club thats actually do that… thats very cool! Not many people would enjoy coaching a beginner around… maybe a stunning 25 yr old blonde babe would get a line a helpers! Hehehehehe Especially with "no visible panty line" in her trials pants! One thing that I will always remember wherever my trials journey takes me in the future… I will never lose sight of beginners love encouragement and a little guidance. Now where is that babe! Excuse me Ma'am… you really should have a spotter for your first 40 sections! Mags

WoW! Thanks Dan! I'm a little embarrassed… computer screen is reflecting the red colour!! Hehehehe

I saw that sheet on an Elf site and queried it with the Aussie Importer. He said " Still the oil to use according to factory! My 2014 service/owner's manual says HTX740. Its still available here in Australia… I pay $32 a bottle (1 litre). Mags

I kept both on the Beta. Just ordered one for the Cota and will keep button kill as well. I still use the button to turn off bike and then flick lanyard off throttle hand. Lanyard never seems to leave its magnetic spot? Habit on the button I suppose. The Cota has lean sensor to cut motor at 65 degrees (sideways) as well. Mags

Speaking of kids in trials... At my one and only trial comp there were a few kids doing the sections. At one stage I was with one guy's dad ready to grab his son as he went up vertical bank for first time. He made it and we didn't have to grab him or the bike… immediately everyone watching broke out into spontaneous applause! I said to him "Well done"! He had a smile as wide as his ears… damn fine encouragement there!!! In another section one dad and his son were heading into a section… the son for the first time and on an electric bike, he was about 8-9 yrs old. To save his dad dismounting for that section I said I'll walk beside him in the section. Which I did. He had a bit of trouble on a sharp rise and went down sideways. I grabbed the bike bars with one arm and him by the arm with the other. He still went down but not as hard as he would have. He got a little teary and I said "Good go there mate! Not sure I could get up there?". He said "Thank you" as his dad just arrived and said "Well done there buddy, that was a bit steep there huh?" He looked like he would not go on but he did try quite a few more sections before retiring just plain worn out! I think in the main the kids are well taken care of because they are sort of expected to need help because of age and size… they're kids and may need a hand after all. As an adult, on a trials bike, because of size and age its more like he can do it like the rest of us… yet you may be a rank beginner. Hopefully that gets picked up on in the first few sections. At the next trial I enter I'm going to ask at the riders meeting if there are any beginners like me and see if they want to do the sections together and help each other through the "walk through" and then the ride through… Is that a done thing? Or will I look like a tosser? Maybe one good rider could ride with us through the sections… but geez, they might be a bit bored! Hehehehehe Even if we did it so slow we only did 20 sections on the day … being around the same skill level (or lack of it (smile)) we would not feel so much pressure? Mags

This thread has given me some encouragement thats for sure. Seems like some clubs really know the value of newcomers! Was at my favourite ride spot yesterday and another trials guy came over for a chat. Between my wife and I, and him, we were the only (3) trials bikes amongst 100 motocrossers and enduro bikes on the property. He said " I saw you in the creek bed earlier and you have great static balance, I can't balance stopped like that yet and I've been at it for 9 months!" I said "Thanks man! You climb creek banks like I'd love to…" My wife said later " There you go! A compliment from another trials rider hey! Might need a bigger helmet!" Ahahahahahahaha! About an hour later any thought of a bigger helmet was quashed! I was doing some vertical creek banks about 3 ft, got front over but back wheel spun on top edge and put me on my a***… back in creek! And she saw it!!! Bugger!! Mags

Your recently trials bike addicted wife says … this June long weekend lets hit our favourite trials ground and camp there for 3 days and nights!! I said "Sure thing!" I rang property and booked a site… asked guy what was temp for last year (June is our winter) he says Minus 8 deg Celsius!!!! Holy Crap!!! I says to wife are you sure it may be minus 8 deg… our fridge freezer is only minus 12 deg!!???? She says Yep lets go!!! And she hates the cold!! We have it bad!!!! What sane person leaves a beautiful fire in his lounge room for a tent and trials bike! For 3 frigging freezing days! Mags

I actually got to remove mine from the original crate, week and a half ago!! Other pick is van packed for day at fav trial property, yesterday. Mags

My wife and I had the very "off-putting" experience some of you are saying… went to a trial, found it way too difficult and won't go back at this stage. Only had the 2014 Beta for 4 months and have trained hard as I could. Static balance is 5 mins, stopping down a slope for a rest for a 30 secs or so is doable. I have been riding motorcycles for 43 yrs this year and put over 40,000 k's on two bikes in last 2 yrs alone, I also own an enduro I push pretty hard down trails. Have my stunning 2014 Montesa Cota now as well. Some of the sections where just plain scary… I refused to go into them for safety reasons. Very steep, dry, rocky gully with the novice way through a 2 ft wide grassy bank top with drop off. Maybe I was a little naive thinking the novice would be achievable? I face planted twice, no injury, no bike damage. This was the first time I have ever dropped the bike including all the last four months practice (every day). People came down to help me up both times…. I was laughing too hard for first 15 secs to get back up!!! Second one I just lay there… ah, I need a rest, this is comfy, nice soft dirt! Ahhhhhh! I did 15 of the 40 sections and gave up after the second fall. In all fairness to the club that held it… maybe they just don't get many beginner/novice at the events so don't set the sections accordingly. So you guys (and gals) setting sections… if any beginners, can you set the tapes slightly wider, please? If its too wide for me I'll slow down and practice keeping a very straight line. Take a beginner with you to set sections? Ask … Is there any area you can't get through you think? Is there a way around for you? Maybe that not the way its done? Just thinking out loud…. as a beginner you tend not to feel very welcome and outta place. Same in any sport I suppose? We invested heavily (two 2014 4t for a start) and are totally addicted to trials and am able to now afford to do it since the pic of me in my Mick Andrews trials top 40 yrs ago. I could never afford the bikes then and tried to convert a trail bike into a trials bike at 13 yrs old. My paper round didn't support a trials bike! Hehehehe We will just ride together doing our own thing (no comps) for the foreseeable future… and loving it! If the urge arises to hit the sections again…. I will go round with the section setters with some input for beginner class even if I'm the only beginner. If thats allowed??? Two guys I know and one of their girlfriends all purchased trials bikes recently… went to a trial and won't go back. They are very experienced trail bike riders and have now gained access to private property and ride there most weekends. Even getting a machine and bobcat in to lift logs and rocks around… Imagine that energy into a club? I have an invite to the land. They just had a disheartening overall experience of their first ever trial comp. One other thing I would like to say as a beginner… be EXTRA social and welcoming (if not already). You can really feel outta place because sections may be too difficult and you don't even get a small achievement for the day. Can be very disheartening but social interaction from the people that seem to glide through the difficult sections could go a long way to build your spirits again. Mags

Dropped the gearbox oil today after first day out running it in, yesterday. Oil had some fine particles and a few bigger ones. In with the HTX 740 it is! Mags

The "double troubles"...

A pic ...

Ok! Bike is uncrated! First thing I notice is the quality of how things like the plastics and exhaust are hung off the frame et cetera. The fasteners do up into nutcerts (not just a threaded hole in frame ally) and the fasteners are shouldered to apply the right amount of pressure on plastics, NICE! Owner's Manual is a ripper and gives all the torque settings for assembly and on-going checks and maintenance. I've run it around yard to start run-in procedure of motor and bed the brakes in. Feel like a kid at Christmas!! The idle was high at 2430rpm as crated (measured by Tiny Tach) and now set at 1750 after first warm up. Bike feels and sounds much better obviously. Dropped tyres to 5.5 and 3.5 for now and seems fine for static practice. Might go another half for Sunday's ride as a start. I'm fitting the power cone today and will run it that way unless it is too noisy for neighbours, soon see!!! Hehehehe Cleaned factory grease off chain and re-lubed with a multi-purpose clear lube I use on the Beta. Attracts far less dust. Sag set seems ok for my weight for now but will re-check after full day ride this Sunday. Set clutch and brake lever to my liking and clutch seems pretty good one fingered… after plates get to wear in it should be even better. Went over whole bike checking fasteners, attached my carbon fibre fork and swing arm protectors in silver, look great to me. Starting is a little weird with having to just push kickstart through its arc rather than just kicking at it… who would have thought you could kick start injection!!! Dunlops are very different to Michelin Comp 11 on Beta, much less wall bagging but after dropping pressures seemed to static the same. I'll put some pics up when I work it out… sizing, method, et cetera. Mags

I just uncrated my new Cota… still recommends HTX 470 in the Owners Manual. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. What are the potential downsides of using it? Maybe clutch slip when NOT wanted… full torque application? Factory team must have it their boxes? Mags