ben888

Thank you Jimmie, glad you enjoyed watching it, I sure enjoyed riding it! It is really great that there are willing volunteers observing the sections, sometimes we have to 'group check' the odd section, but we are very grateful to the people who kindly observe for us. It keeps the scoring consistent and keeps the flow of riders going, all adding to the enjoyment. To that end, a massive thank you to all the organisers and Volunteers of the Somerton mcc club, great event guys! Ben

Hi Michael, having the not so vast experience of only two trials to my name, I don't know how normal it is to have sections this spread out, but it sure was great fun riding between. Everyone there was very helpful and friendly to me as a beginner, so I'm sure we could get you a ride if it was pre planned. Your certainly welcome to have a few sections on my beta. I'm planning on a new bike next year, but keeping the techno for friends, so if the timing is right, you're more than welcome to ride with me:) Thanks Prosport, I appriciate your comments, the video makes it look kind of flat, where in reality it was steeper in person! But, laid out at just the right level of difficulty for a novice like me! Some sections I could clear, and some required a dab or three! After 4 laps of 10 sections I managed 23 points, can't wait until my training day with Steve Saunders next month! And yes, amazing setting!

Here's my day at the Beacon Trial yesterday. An excellent event. Many thanks to all at the Somerton M/C club for hosting the event and to all the observers who made it possible.

Hey Mags, I'm using Final Cut Pro X for editing the gopro footage, works well and very intuitive to use.. Here's the video showing all the sections we did, and some of the riding in between. We started at #6 at the top and worked our way around four times. I collected 23 points. It was an awesome day, can't wait to ride with Steve Saunders next month! 59 Ben Novice O 1 0. O. O. 2. 3. O. O. 8. O. Total 23

Hi Guys, I had my second trial today, amazing venue called the beacon, a big, steep hill overlooking the village, views for miles! I moved up a group from beginner to novice. It was significantly more challenging, but not so much that it became dangerous. Only had a couple of offs, but also some clean sections. The course was 10 sections with 4 laps, quite a bit of riding between sections which was great with the amazing scenery! 3 1/2 hrs riding time, I'm a aching well now, but exhilarated too! I've put together a 10 minute video from the gopro, just waiting for the YouTube to upload, as soon as it's done I'll post it here if anyone fancies a look Ben

It's interesting about the weight not being that bigger deal. The only trial bike I've ridden is my techno, and to be honest, my first impressions were "I expected a trial bike to be lighter". Now that I'm used to riding it, it does feel lighter, but I expected the newer bikes, being 10kg or more lighter, to be noticeably easier to hop and handle generally.

Also, how did the evo compare after riding the techno? Was it night and day easier in the sections? I plan to use mine for a season before upgrading, either an evo or a jotagas I'm thinking..

I've heard of lots of cases of dodgy rear brakes on the techno, shame as it's a great bike, even if it is getting old now. A classic one day maybe...?? Stpauls, sorry to hear you had so much trouble. Everything brand new and still it failed every trial.. What was it that was causing the failures? Mine is ok at present, and long may it continue but, any info on you can give me that I can use to help prevent my own failures would be appreciated.

I bled the brake, then a couple days later I notice brake fluid, slightly damp around one of the pistons. Cleaned it off, but it came back a day later! So... New seals purchased. Stripped down the caliper, carefully cleaned the pistons with an old tooth brush and brake fluid. Removed the old seals and cleaned the groove in the same way. Brake fluid makes an excellent cleaning product for brake parts. All put back together, leaving out the ball bearing under the bleed nipple. Used a medical syringe to back bleed the system, with the pistons fully home and positioning the caliper in my hand to encourage the upward movement of bubbles. Once full, I removed the nipple, replaced the ball bearing, and lightly fitted the nipple. Keeping the reservoir full, I let gravity do it's thing, forward bleeding the system, while again, moving the caliper to encourage the air out. When satisfied that the air was out, I tightened the nipple, cleaned off all external brake fluid from the caliper and refitted, still with the old contaminated pads at this time. I rode around for 30 mins, then left for a couple of days to ensure no further leaks. I then changed the pads for new, cleaned the disc with alcohol, scuffed lightly with emery paper and put back together. A little riding to bed it in, and now, with this combined with the pedal bushing, I have an excellent Beta Techno rear brake, that locks easily. Having done this, I don't believe the techno suffers from an inherently bad back brake. It's just a combination of old age components that need refreshing. After all, Dougie Lampkin won the world title with the Beta Techno...!

You should expect to be able to do a few miles without issue. Although not on the road, my old 97 Beta Techno has been fine around the woods for a few miles at 5th gear speeds I don't know where in the world you are, but here in the UK, NaOH (caustic soda) is readily available from amazon, very cheap. I prefer this method, but be very careful with skin, eyes, and aluminium bits!!

Hey Mags, how did you and the wife get on with your first practice day?? I'd love to know, and see your pics

I've read that ssdt exert before but I don't agree with all of it personally. I've been a marine engineer for over 20 years, and worked on many 2 stroke outboard engines (as well as many of my own bikes). Many 2 stroke engines will happily run at a constant throttle, such as outboard engines, lawn mowers, chain saws, bush cutters, scooters, etc. As long as the carburettor is jetted correctly, with the needle set correctly, holding a constant throttle will not cause a lean mixture situation. Outboard engines spend most of their lives at extended constant throttle, and with the drag of the water, it's the equivalent of constantly going up hill under load. This doesn't cause them to overheat and seize. In my opinion, trials bikes would be more susceptible to overheat at extended high revs due to their small (light) coolant systems designed to cool a bike that revs occasionally. Also it may be in part due to an exhaust that is tuned to make power at low revs, might be restrictive at higher revs. However, the advise isn't bad, and I certainly don't want to put down the author, Pulling the choke would assist in cooling a 2stroke engine because the additional fuel itself would help cool the engine. A rich running engine is a cool running engine. But, The engine isn't running weak, it's overheating due to its design characteristics. All that said, it's still worth making sure your exhaust and carb are in top condition to maximise your on road experience Good luck, Ben.

Either burn it out if you have a gas torch and air line (see you tube) or soak in caustic soda. Either way is messy but not particularly difficult. Worth re packing the silencer at the same time.

If the switch is single wire, run it to earth to turn on the fan (touch it to the jug). If it two wire, join the wires together to run.

Hi Harry, It could be that your exhaust needs de-coking, something that should be done as part of a major service, particularly on a trial bike that usually chuggs about, building up carbon. A partially blocked exhaust will cause excessive pressure, not only restricting gas flow, but also the flow of heat away from the engine. When used for relatively long periods at higher revs, such as on the road, the carbon in the header can begin to burn inside the exhaust. This would explain the burning oil smell and very hot pipe. Before changing to a different plug temperature, I would definitely pull the pipe and ensure its nice and clean. Good luck and let us know how you get on Regards, Ben.

Blimey Mags, you watched the whole thing!?! I hope you were static balancing while watching ! I reckon ill be owing you a few pints, i hadn't even noticed until you said!! My new to me club has very generously organised for a few of us, to go on a free of charge training day with Steve Saunders, the ten times world champion! Cant wait, roll on the 18th october!! , Oh, and next trial is the later this month. The bug has bitten!!

I've machined the pedal so that the side nearest the frame is flat, and made a nylon spacer to go between the pedal and frame. No slop now! It locks the back wheel now, still a bit spongy and long travel, I'll have to go for a back brake bleed!! :0

Hahahaha, I missed that one! I was in the beginner group so we had our own sections which we rode twice forwards, twice backwards. That made it a good learning experience. The other groups, Novice upwards, ride the 10 section loop 4 times. Sure was a fantastic day!

Thanks Mags! Here is a youtube link. It starts real easy, some small log hopping near the middle, but if you skip towards the end of the video you can see the hill and off camber turns. It always looks flatter and simpler on film doesn't it!! Had to be careful where i pointed the camera, didn't want to capture any 'adjustments' !!

Hey guys, you won't scare me off that easily! Well, the first trial is in the bag, shoulders aching well and can't wait for the next event! I went with the beginner route. It was made up of 5 sections in a woods on the side of a moderately steep hill. We ran the sections twice in both directions. What can I say.. Great fun, good company, some dabs, some 5s, managed to stay the right way up! The 17yr old Beta did me proud, didn't miss a beat. I learnt a lot about off camber turns today! Lots of them on the very dry, loose ground under the trees. It was nice to do the sections more than once so mistakes the first time round could be given another bash. It's quite humbling riding trials, I've been riding bikes all my life but trials really shows up what skills need more work! BUT... It's hugely satisfying to get right and very addictive! My 15yr old lad wants a go now, and probably not long before his younger brother too! Might be needing more bikes!! By the way, some gopro footage is currently uploading to YouTube. I'll post it once it's done, it's being real slow... Did I mention the aching shoulders!! Lol

Haha, the tongue sticking out is a great aid to concentration. I wonder if I'll do it when visualising the section!! Did the figure 8 today but set it up on a bit of a slope and put a pile of broken concrete blocks and 4" diameter branches in one corner. It looked a bit scary to do slowly but I was surprised how quickly my confidence increased to get round in a controlled manor. I even had a go at getting over a 14" log, not very impressive I know but it was a personal milestone . No video this time I'm afraid, battery flat on the camera... Feeling good about Sundays trial, it's going to be great to learn and have FUN!

Thanks Jimmie, I'll have to build up some spares for my coming trials, funds and time mean I'm going to have to wing it with tools and spare plugs for this one and keep my fingers crossed! I went through the bike today, checked everything for tightness, made up a bush for the rear brake pedal as it's not available off the shelf And wrapped some ptfe tape under my lever perches, hopefully they'll rotate rather than break now. Oh, and moved them inboard a good deal (good tip there Sherconoob) Really looking forward to Sunday, it's going to be a lot of fun. I've been watching YouTube clips every moment I get and riding in the garden every day this week! I'll be sure to write up an account of my first trial experience once I recover!

That's shocking, and reinforces the public feeling that the insurance companies are the real criminals. They are quick enough to invalidate your policy if they can find a small irregularity or modification to your bike that hasn't been notified to them. Surely the fact that you no longer legally own the bike is more than a small irregularity!!

Thank you all so much for all the really useful tips, there's a lot here I wouldn't have thought of. Zerorev3rev4, what's the bit about not stopping? Is that feet up or down? I'm probably wrong but I thought riders stopped, balancing on the pegs while preparing for the next obstacle..? Do I have to keep moving slightly? What's the penalty? pro sport, thanks for the towel tip, even 15 minutes doing figure 8s in the garden feels like I've been for a run! Sherconoob, I've been practicing clutch slipping, is is better to be in 2nd gear with more revs and more slip to keep it smooth at low speed, rather than 1st? The info and check lists on your site are great and very helpful. I'm ok with the tools and field fixing, I was a mechanic for 22 years before a recent career change.. I think it's the mechanic in me that feels bad doing all that clutch slipping, not something I had to do much of with faster bike riding. Mags, thanks for the encouragement, I'll be sure to take the GoPro camera so I can see (the many) places where I go wrong! Michael_t and Axulsuv, I'll be sure to be asking lots of questions, hopefully someone experienced will take me under their wing and explain the flags, rules, advise me on route choice and tell me when it's my turn to go and where to go next! All this is the scary part as I've never been to watch a trial, let alone have a go! I'm sure I'll learn lots and have a good laugh at myself too!!