trial bike

Just received a sheet of polypropylene, 3mm thick, ordered on line for less than a couple of quid, feels just like the original. Cut out and shaped up a new fin tonight with enough spare for three more. Fitted. Perfect. Thanks for the advice folks.

Perfect, thanks chaps.

Does anyone know what material these things are made of? Mine is about 3mm thick on my 4rt. I was thinking of using 3mm PTFE sheet, readily available on a well known auction site. Any good? What do you think?

Yikes! I will "pull my finger out" (LOL) and get it sorted. Thanks chaps.

Is it really? That surprises me, I thought that was taken care of by the chain tensioner / guide. The sprung runner a little nearer the engine. I assumed it was a protector of some sort, but was wondering how a flimsy piece of plastic was supposed to protect the hard chain and sprocket. I risk a derail then without it?

Hi folks, What is the plastic fin directly in front of the rear sprocket for? And is it really necessary? I see some bikes with it and some without it. I don't think any twin shockers have them, do they? I have recently broken mine on rocks and haven't found or made a replacement yet. It is fairly flexible plastic and when it broke the sprocket and chain must have taken the impact with out any really visible damage. Am I risking damaging something if I choose to run without it? Or is it a requirement for modern trials? Any knowledge appreciated...

I didn't realise there was a choice! I bought the one from H&D racing, which they are stocking whilst waiting for their own plate to be available. Cost £150. I hope it IS better than the standard plate! It is slightly wider and much longer so it protects the bottom of the footrest hangers and helps to protect the rear shock linkage. Both of which have received damage on my bike.

That weather strip adhesive looks expensive! I have some Evo Stick somewhere, I think I'll try that then. Thanks both.

Hi all, I now have a Mitani plate, (I was going for the H&D after feeling the quality of it last time and the reviews on here, but they are out of stock). The Mitani is a good quality plate, nicely finished. I don't think it is as heavy as the H&D, from memory, but it fits better. The front of the H&D plate was about 10mm too far forward of the frame, which is why I returned it and asked my original question, plus the rear holes didn't line up too well. This Mitani fits straight up. My question now... What do you use to fix the rubber pads onto the metal plate?

One of My 2015 standard 4RT legs leaked copiously a few hours in. My dealer was golden, he had both legs back and they were repaired under a factory warranty. A known issue with some legs apparently. They have since taken some abuse with no issues at all. I'd approach your dealer.

This is an interesting question. I was looking at the same thing on my bike recently. What is the white plastic "bottle" for? Does it serve any purpose?

Thanks guys, answers my question well.

If you are just starting on a bike for the first time I would suggest putting many hours on the bike before looking for rocks and trees. Obviously rocks and trees are more fun and more challenging. But confidence and basic control are really important, and familiarity with your bike too. Put hours on the bike on your drive, if possible. Get used to your clutch, its roll point, its bite point. Get a feel for your brakes, how grabby they are etc. Get used to balancing the clutch and brakes. Riding around in progressively tighter circles as you get better is great for balancing clutch and brake. You can also get comfortable leaning your bike over left and right as you turn, leaning backwards, putting your bum on the rear mudguard, leaning forwards over the handle bars. ALL of this will help you tremendously once you get to the rocks and trees. Hope you get sorted soon, you'll love it.

Hi, I have recently started again after over 30 years, at just over 50. My head is willing, being only 20 something, but my knees are a different thing all together, after nearly 30 years at work in all weathers often on my knees. I have been practising floater turns this week, concentrating on hip action as recommended by someone on this site. My knees are moaning today! I'm sure I'm too old to be fooling around on a modern bike but I love it...it's good exercise too if you practise rock steps and hopping. I hope you enjoy it.

Hi all, I don't think this is particularly bike manufacturer specific... I have just broken my plastic rear sprocket protector (shark fin) practising on rocks. Firstly is this common damage? Or am I being rough on my bike? Secondly, obviously I need to replace it, are carbon parts just fashion and lightness or are they more robust in these areas. I have never bought carbon bits before so have no experience of them. I am not interested in the weight savings to be gained from a small piece of plastic to a small piece of carbon so low down on the bike and I am not into the bling, really. So to recap...will a carbon shark fin be stronger and better than the standard plastic or not? P.S. While I am "at my chain"...are engine case savers worth it? or are they just bling? Does the chain really derail?

Hi lineaway Floater turn from log to log! Wow. Think I'm too old for that malarkey. Certainly beyond my skills. I was out trying again last night. I wasn't having a good ride, lots of silly dabs. I'd had a long day though so probably tired. I concentrated on my hips and peg pressure, it definitely helps, but I promptly forgot about elbows! There is a lot to think about on this one. I did get better though. I produced a lot of 90 degree turns without dabbing. I think I need more, or to maintain, front wheel height to get nearer the 180 though. Need more time...

Johnnyc21. Were you bicycle trials before motto trials or have you the bicycle to help with the motto? Do you find the bicycle helps?

Now you mention it, I can see the hips being used in that vid, which I have watched numerous times. That's just what I needed, somebody to point out the not so obvious. Or the obvious to someone not looking! Thanks chaps. Will try it again over the weekend.

I've ridden bikes all my life, just about. Trials as a kid, recently returned to a trials bike after 30 odd years. Love it. I am competent on two wheels and can ride up, down, across and perform full lock turns on steep hills. I can ride along a 6m telegraph pole. I can get up rock steps to about two feet, and drop off them from a little higher. (although I am not brilliant at lifting the rear wheel for vertical steps yet) My static balance could be better and I cannot hop either end yet. (except for two or three small ones on the front end) I am also confident moving about the bike and hanging off or over all 4 sides. I am not confident on the back wheel, never have been, and need to practise maneouvers with the front wheel air borne. Hence my question. Thanks for the input all. Lineaway, the edited comment makes more sense, I will try that. Crazybond, not sure about the video, maybe if "her indoors" is about next time. I know I start the turn with inside peg pressure, but I am not sure I maintain inside peg pressure. I will try to concentrate on that and think about my hips too. Last night I felt really comfortable and relaxed on the bike and my rock riding went really well, as did a steep ascent with a step halfway up, so I thought i'd try the "front wheel up" stuff.

I wear black trousers, but I don't think it helps.

Hi guys and gals, Do any of you have any tips on floater turns? I was practising them tonight for a change. I have watched, and do watch the Ryan vids, as good as they are, he makes everything look so easy. I am practising up hill, with a steady pace in first or second gear and when ready I am initiating a wheelie, trying to throw the bike over in the direction I want to go, lifting my outside elbow high and trying to look behind me. I know the looking well behind helps tremendously. I keep telling myself "elbow up" and on the approach I keep telling myself to load the inside peg. But I can still not get past about 90 degrees with out a dab to finish off the 180. I reckon about 100 degrees is my all time best, but it is not exactly turning on the spot, more like a large gentle radius. Sometimes the flamin' bike just goes straight on up the hill even though I'm looking behind me. Any tips would be greatly received.

Hi all, Does anyone have any experience of the fuel tank breather caps that do away with the over flow pipe. Don't know why, but I really don't like all that piping, things are pretty congested.

Thanks for the help all. H&D it will be. They are out of stock at the moment though. Doh!

Does the sump guard actually help to hold the frame in alignment then?

I had no idea fitting the sump guard should be so trying. I don't remember it being a problem on my old TY. Why should it be so difficult? Shouldn't the frame and guard line up properly.?