faussy

I would avoid using it, you'll be putting unnecessary strain on the big end and conrod Its impossible for it to be anything else other than the crankshaft turning in the opposite direction.

Just to expand on what has "most likely" happened. Your ignition timing has somehow moved and advanced itself, hence when you try to start it,the engine fires and runs backwards. Has the bike been kicking back lately? Why it has moved... if you haven't been working at it yourself, the most likely cause would be the woodruff key shearing (as stated above) and the flywheel moving on the crankshaft. If its that, its a relatively easy and cheap fix, though you will need a flywheel puller.

Your ignition is too far advanced

New starting ideas are trivial. Id be very surprised that a good percentage of no-shows is due to their starting number. Most people genuinely do have a reason for not showing up, especially when entries are required so far in advance, they go hand in hand. Either enter on the day and be prepared for a high number or require entry in advance and be prepared for no-shows.

Only ever heard Dabills, and personally i think it sounds terrible. Like an old greeves or something

I know its pretty obvious, but run as soft as you can unless you feel it bottoming. You need it soft to grip over the small stuff like wet tree roots and the like and the bounciness actually helps for any lifts or hoping you may be doing, as you are using the rebound to do this. Any big hits is usually taken up by the rear if your body positioning is correct.

The marzocchi forks arent very responsive to their screw adjustment. If you are a relative beginner id find it a tad unusual the forks are too soft for you. Dont worry if you are using most of your movement over smallish obstacles, trials suspension is a fair bit softer than road or motocross suspension. However a bike that age could be more than due an oil change, old oil will reduce the damping and make it feel soft. Can be a bit of a pain on the marzocchis. If they still feel to soft for you you could make up a pastic or alloy spacer to go between the top of the springs and end cap to preload the spring about 1/2 inch (if you dont fancy buying new springs), although to reiterate, ive never really known anyone to want to harden the marzocchi forks, beginner and expert alike.

This is wrong! Preloading the spring will change the effective spring rate. With the bike on the ground with no rider I aim for about 1/2 to 1 inch of sag at the rear guard. It should not be locked out with no sag and anything more than an inch you are loosing movement and upsetting the balance of the bike.

Which makes you think, why dont we hold the british world round at a venue like this? Hawkstone was always a great venue and suited the british riders. Im sure the Spanish must be rubbing there hands when they go to Nord Vue!! Penrith may be a stylish venue, but is it a good venue, is it representative of the british terrain, absolutely not!! Why not give our guys the best possible chance?