john collins

Give me a few days - perhaps a week and I will try to give you all details - including a new sponsor for the series - but is basically as above as trialtiller states. Quite a few people on TC have made sensible and constructive comments about this series - and we are in 2008 going to try to get it right. Of course not everyone can have their view totally accepted - but I promise you we have listened - and the whole scenario of his series is on - going and I think we are going to get there. More to follow.

Our ACU Trials & Enduro Secretary phoned Shauns mum today. I just paste below for your info the email she has just sent to me and committee members which I hope will give you all an update - and I am sure we all wish Shaun makes continued progress and is back on bike asap On Johns suggestion today I phoned Shaun and talked to his mum to see how he is getting on after the eye injury, Apparently the eye has cleared a lot although still a bit blurred and he is still on medication but he is allowed to move about more now and hopefully get back to normal by the New Year. Poor old Celia is putting up with him being bored witless at home so she

Hi All Perhaps someone can help. We are producing leaflets and poster boards for promotion/publicity of our various Trials & Enduro Championships It is not too difficult to find photo's of puka Trials/Enduro - but we are desperate for a few good photo's of some riders ( does not matter who they are) - on proper Trail bikes. They could be from the TBM Trail Championship or Sammy Miller series or from any trial If you can help - and are of course willing for them to be re-produced on these posters etc pklease send asap to "Brian George" <brian@acu.org.uk> Thanks in anticipation John Collins

It seems like a simple topic

Hi Trials Central forwarded me an email from tilertriallwer - which had some interesting points - and I did a reply - but I have not got a clue how to send it ti him. here is no email address, so I am not sure how to respond. If someone tells me what to do in such matters I will do so - or at least attempt to.

Unfortunately the Youth Trials Forum scheduled for next Saturday

Sorry for delay in reply - that hectic time of year. I confirm that for 2007 Classic Championship final analysis will be as per handbook i.e - All rounds held less two

Definitely 5 speed Greeves. The 340 had 6 speed. Some of the lastish Frontera( Enduro) models also had 6 speeds ( big problems!)

Yes Greeves - they did come into UK. I rode one for quite a few years - and when my son first started riding he had one also. They were the same in appearnace as 340 - white frame, rectangular s/arm, de-looped frame. I also sold at least 1 new one in S.Wales. They are a super little bike - and for me at least a lot better to ride than the 340. I am fairly sure Dave Renham had a scruffy one for sale about a year ago - as I was thinking of buying it off him - wish I had now ( how often do we say that?) If you get a chance tobuy one - a good little bike - probably the best one.

Gregr - I think I am starting to think like swooshdave - you are overcomplicating things - or perhaps just like spending money ! Bultaco LT coils very rarely give trouble - which is why I asked you to investigate the re-wind situation in beginning. Often re-winds appear OK - but do not always do job. The original LT coils are very good - and the problems only usually arise when someone has been "at them" - most usual abuse is when someone " bruises" wires - because they have tried to get flywheel off without holding tool ( simple to make) - and have poked something through window holes - and then damaged LT coil - you will actually be surprised how many still functiion even after this - and your talk of repair with nail varnish leads me to think this may be the situation in your case. Other problems have arisen when someone has tried to solder tags/wires onto original wire - which can become brittle wuith age - and these repairs sometimes result in a dry solder joint - or leakage to earth when too thick wires/blobs of solder etc Until last 4 years ( when ACU got me!) I have been building about 30 Bult motors a year ( for about 20 years) and rarely have I had trouble with LT coils unless the previous owner got there first! On the condenser issue - as others have said - it does not really matter where you put it - I actually have mine outside now - but previous owner had done this - and I just left it there. I usually leave then as standard - and I tend to think until you get bike running OK - this may be best option for you - as standard is often best. I have never really bought into the condensor getting hot argument. I used Bultaco's for years in Brit Champ and other Enduro's when they were a zillion times harder than today at both Expert & Clubman level - they were mudbaths in those days ( Beacons once had 100- 150 starters and 12 finuishers I think - including me on Bultaco) I also used Bultaco's in several of Weston beach races inc the first - and they certainly got hot - but I never experinced ignition problems. I think the main reason for moving condenser out of flywheel years ago was to make it easier to change if there were problems - and many people used a 2 condenser system ie monted a spare - so if you suspected trouible - you couldjust externally switch to a spare one. The Bult ignition is often much maligned - usually because people have messed with it - or not put a set of points in for years - or more commonly not fitted new ign cover gasket or repared back of ignition case - and then in comes water - maintain it - set it up - and use good gasket etc and you will have no poblems. I am not a particular fan of electronic ignitions - especialy when they get older - and tired - just look at the problems you hear about with older Beta, Sherco systems? - also older Fantic 200? When I rode Pursang's in Enduro - first job was to ditch the electronic system and fit points - this was not just me - I think Mick Bowers and John May did same - and they were a bit special. Now forget messing about with double LT coils- as swooshdave say's you are going over the top. Just make sure your original Bult coil is OK and fitted correctly - I have never taken readings ( I am not an electrician) ) - so cannot help you here. If you disconnect all the wires and turn engine over fast via kickstart ( with hand when plug is out will do) - if you touch black wire to cylinder - or just scrape it along fins - you will see low tension comming through in form of bright yellow sparks. If it is sparrking here - and then you connect it up as we have previously informed you - and checked with bulb tester or meter that points are opening and light is going out - as prev explained - when you connect all bacjk up - you should have a good blue fat spark at plug? Try starting bike now - making sure it is not flooded from previous attempts - and use a new plug - do not start worrying about plug grades - as long as reach is same - it will start on anything. I am fairly sure your ignition is now OK - next I am wondering why you are playing around with carb. Did you post that you had a Mikuni fitted ? if so why? The 250 would have a square concentric Amal fitted - which is an excellent carb and easy to maintain - and while the 350 has a Bing which can be a pain - I am not sure of the sense of fitting anything different to Amal - for normal riders to 250 - or have I read it wrong?

Right guy's - I really do have to concentrate on a few other things for next few day's so will try to update situation for you as of today. In reply to Nigel's latest post - Yes the combination of FIM & UEM are more or less as you have stated - but can vary. Often a UEM runs on Sat & World on Sunday - but not always -,as some UEM events will sometimes " strand alone" - and of course so will FIM ones. FIM and UEM Commissions determine this. Obviously UEM Ladies & Youth events include quite a lot of our riders FIM Youth events include quite a lot of our riders We often then think the UEM and FIM adult events should not affect our Youth A - but both contain Junior Cups - and no-one needs me to tell them how well Brit lads have done in these so they are important. The lower age limit is 16 - and as our Youth A in Britain go on well past that date in some cases - they ride in these. So I return to the fact that thewhole concept needs to be looked at - and I outlined all this in my last post. I take on board the fact hat there may be very limited riders ie Jack who wil go to Japan/USA - possibly Norway - and this may help - but I am not all that keen on this as a solution as it is rather quick fix - and it will only be a matter of time before we are back in same boat - and while we of course tend to know the current riders - who knows who is coming along - and I would be reluctant to disadvantage someone - who perhaps we had missed out. I would prefer us to get a good system agreed and stick to it - and this will be the basis for discusion at Forum Now - to 2008. I believe we now have in place 5 rounds - with suitable dates. The problem of Youth A & B trials week after week - now only really affects 3 clubs. These 3 clubs have been contacted - and 14 alternative dates are available - although it must be said that some of these are well away from their original application . If the clubs concerned can move to any of these dates - they will be included in 2008 If they cannot - probably becuse of land issues etc - I am afraid they will have to drop out of 08 Champ calendar If none of the 3 can find an alternative date - probably just 1 will be selected - trying to use a fair method - such as who did/did not run a round last year / rotational etc. The unsucessful two will obviously have to be remebered for priority next year if we move to a rotational system. After this - if there are still less than 8 rounds - all other applicants in 2007 - will be offered a chance to run on these 14 dates - but this will ned to be accomplished in days - not weeks. After this - the Championship will be finalised with the number of rounds in place - even if it is only 6. Thanks for all the debate - there are many good ideas - including the running on Saturday one - even if for just a few rounds ( but of course that option has always really been there for Clubs.) Al points that have been made have been noted - and will be taken on board - and in T & E delibertaions for a better system in future - easily said I know - but we will be trying to find a solution.

Yes I agree a picture would help - as I am starting to wonder what you have got there. When you did as I asked last time - ie remove all wires and connect to tester/bulb& battery - did the light go out ( or needle swing) when you turned flywheel and the points opened? - I mean completely out ? Also - you have changed LT coil - where did you get this ? The wire colours you quoted originally were same as Bultaco genuine ie Black, Red, Green and Red If you have used a re- wound coil however these may be different - although most re-wound coils I have seen have not used the same windings as genuine eg have missed out the brake light part. If you have a rewound LT coil - we may have to go back to step1! Connections inside flywheel for genuine coil are - black going to points and to condenser - and up to HT coil. Green - from LT coil - up to ground. Red - going nowhere

I have just spent a little time trying to look at this from another angle. Basically in 2008 calender we have 15 FIM /UEM dates 1 Inter Centre 7 British Champ Total = 23. 52 weekends - but of course no-one will want to run on Xmas/New year and some of very early & late weekends - so let asume 40 usable dates - that is more or less leaving out best part of 3 months - and I am not sure we should not be sticking to about 42 - 44 - but let us stay with 40 for now. So - 40 available 23 spoken for - Leaves 17 ? We are looking for 8. On paper it should not be a problem - But we all know it is - and if we wish to start missing out Non-National - and Prestigeous events - obviously the number of available dates reduces. Now it is becoming apparent that something will have to give - although I am not convinced that finding 8 from 17 should not be achievable - with some flexibility? So - what will have to change? I see the options as: a) We remove the opportunity for Youth Top 5 to be able to ride in Brit Adult Champ We - through date allocation - make it more difficult -or perhaps even impossible for a Youth A to contest both Youth Champ A and ride in Brit Adult - they would have to choose - possibilities here that if they stuck with Youth A - they would probably pick up some Brit Adult - but this would not be certain by any means. c) Those riding in UEM and FIM would have to make the decision to forego Youth Championships - and choose International honours instead - I must admit I am not too keen on any of above. We cannot keep talking about Federtaions helping Youth progress - and then in next breath - handicap them? - but that may be only my view and it must remain an option. However - I hope that about sums it up. My choice is still to try to juggle dates/Championships etc as we have been doing - and will now have to stick with for 08 - but I accept that there is a danger of trying to please everyone and land up pleasing no-one. A less democrtaic way - is easy. The T & E Committee in Oct of any year look at the FIM/UEM and Brit calendar - and just pick out say 8 suitable dates - spread widely throughout year - then Clubs are asked who wants to run on one of these 8 dates - no alternatives. If more than 1 Club choose date - and all other things are equal - we just work out a pure rotational system ( beware this good sounding idea- as it can mean there will be several years before a Club get a chance). It also definitely means that Clubs who can run on a part of year that never appeals to FIM/UEM/Brit Champ - get a round year after year - and I have a whole host of complaints about this. This is not very far from what actually happens in Brit Adult Champ at present . Anyway - I think that is basically it - some hard decisions are going to have to be made. It will be important that the people who actualy run - or intend to run rounds have a say - and I would hope that those who actually ride in them wil equally have a say. So I again draw attention to Youth Trials Forum in November. Now just in case you think I do not like an argument or challenge - next question which will be high on Forum agenda for 2008 - which rules will we use for Youth Champ - Present - or FIM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fantastic idea Nick - and I really do mean that - ( not being sarcastic ) And it - or similar has been thought of /suggested for both Trials & Enduro - and probably MX and R/Race and Grass Track as well. Big problem is that the idea relies on the FIM and UEM falling into line - as well as all the other World & European countries - who also have National considerations etc ( just waiting for confirmation this weekend on a UEM enduro which may be affected by an election in that country) Also in FIM and UEM terms - it is often the " promoter" that picks the date - Sheffield has suffered from this in past - and these promoters are not in the slightest worried about our UK Championships. FIM and UEM really do have their own problems finalising dates - which is why we always face this mad rush in Sept/Oct. If FIM and UEM dates were finalised in say July - it would make the job at least 50% easier - and allow time for more consultation weith clubs and more time to solve problems etc. They suffer just as much - and are often waiting for confirmation from organisers etc - who themselves are waiting for confirmation on land etc - the final calendar would not have been announced/confirmed until last Sat/Sunday - the UEM calendar will be confirmed next weekend. I am afraid - at present there is little if any chance of that happening - but maybe one day ? I would certainly welcome it.

I must admit I am getting a lit bit lost with this - as well as a little bit fed up - so can we have a reality check. Publishing lists of dates - and having votes etc - is a non-starter and there would not be enough time and space to go into al this - buy I can assure you that this sort of system just does not work. There are two posts on TC regarding Youth Champ dates - unfortunately they all seem to contain views on the same topic - but it is difficult to switch back and forth - and it does appear that some of the things I am typing here - I am sure I typed a few days ago on the other one - so to get the full picture - everyone needs to read both. Now the most important bit - If I had the time - I would this morning count the number of words written in last few days with suggestions to do this or that - or why is this or that done. Obviously there is often a difference of opinion - and this is good - it would be a sad world if we all thought the same. We have no problem with this and certainly 99.9999% have been constructive and sincerely meant - and even if criticism

Fair point - and we can have a lok at this - although we are fairly sure some will. Biggest problem is that many are still working out deals/sponsorship ( parents money) etc and in Oct 07 can not be sure of where they stand - and also some do early rounds - and only progress if results follow for example. I suspect ( from experince of U23 Enduro lads) that intentions/reality may be a bit apart in October - and this is of course the time we have to do calendar. But it should be possible to get some idea - and we will see what we can do or find out

The problem is Adsy - if we have Youth ridrs competing in it. This would mean that a Youth rider would have to decide that if he wished to contest the World or European Championship - he would have to sacrifice the British Youth Championship. Surely this cannot be good? Also of course - his sponsors etc may be very keen for him to win Brit Youth Champ - as this is where they sell their bikes - because he/ she has the desire/bottle/dedication to contest World/UEM - surley we should make him chose?

You may well be correct YSB - in your point that the Youth calendar should not be unduly influenced by clashes with Brit Champ - as only the top 5 riders ride this in any case. I suppose you could then also apply this to perhaps World rounds - and perhaps UEM rounds - when sometimes perhaps only a small number compete I cannot give a better example than in Enduro ( not Youth example - but principle same) - where again we try to keep Brit Champ away from World Champ - and this makes dates very difficult. I think in some events in 07 - we were down to 1 or 2 riders in World Champ. However - that is the principle that was set - and asked for by Youth riders/parents. Surely everyone can see that this makes life much more difficult for us - and if we just put in dates regardless - majority of Clubs would be happy - and we would certainly suffer less criticism - but we are trying to do what we have been asked to do - by those involved - this is why I get frustrated. Now - sooner or later - we all have to decide about whether this policy of keeping Brit Adult dates clear - when drawing up Youth Champ needs to be maintained - Reading many posts - I have to say that the impression I get is that we do. I could be wrong - but it does appear that the top 5 youth feel they gain a lot when they are allowed to compete in Brit Champ - on Expert sections. If the view is that they are not gaining a lot - and it is not worth restricting calendar for - then we can change it - Perhaps we need to hear more from these top riders or their parents/ associates? I have already said - I think it is important - as I think it allows those top 5 a stepping stone in Europe/World - but I am fairly open minded on this issue - so it is certainly open for more debate. Please all be aware however that although the calendar is difficult - it is far from impossible - and there are enough dates - the real problem is that because of land issues/ local events/ tradition etc etc Clubs cannot fit in with the available dates. This happens in my own club for our own Brit Champ - and in recent years it has tended to be the ACU sends out a specific list of what dates are available to run Adult Brit Champ ( taking into account FIM/World etc) - and usually there are about 8 available dates - and perhaps we require say 7 -8 rounds - so basically it is " who wants/can run a round on these dates - if not I am afraid there is no alternative - and unfortunately you will not be able to run this particular year" Even this is difficult - as often 2 clubs opt for the same date! Perhaps this is the way forward for 2009 - we set specific dates and then see who wants them. Seems a bit heavy handed to me - and we certainly already have emails from people who this year were not successful in getting a Youth A & B round pointing out that it seems to be the same clubs getting a round each year - fair point probably - but it is a fact that if a new club get a round in a particular year - and existing one loses a round - and the problem begins. It seems most clubs - certainly my own - believe that the rounds of any particular Champ should rotate - until it comes down to them losing out - and then not happy - but I digress. Now - to return to calendar - The problem we are trying to solve at present is Youth A & B. No new dates have been allocated - including S/borough - only suggestions have been made - in hope of finding a quick solution - this will continue all week (and probably result in many hours of work) When we are putting dates in provisionally - we obviously consider the ones I have mentioned Brit Champ/UEM/FIM - and then look for spaces. We do try to take heed of the other National dates - and if possible try to work with these - but if the principle is that no Brit Champ round can be placed on a date that not only has a Brit Champ/UEM/FIM round on it

Lost half my post so will start again: Oh what fantastic stuff. At least two - possibly three guys who profess to be

Hi Gregr Regardless of what you intend to do carb wise - you realy do need to sort your ifgnition out correctly first. The red wire - was just some windings put into the LT coil in order to produce some voltage for a brake light ( normal lights worked off the other coil which you discarded) Your LT current needs to come from Black wire - so wire the whole thing as I have described. If you eventually need a cut out , and it is always best when sorting out problems to leave it off as it is one less complication - but when you need it - just T into the black wire you have taken to HT coil. You are probably using a plastic junction box - or terminal blocks to connect your black wire from engine to black wire to HT coil - just run an additional black wire from the black connections at junction box to cut out button - which when you press will just actually earth out the black to ground ie handebar. Once you have wired corectly as I have said - try to start again. If no joy - please do final ignition test - BEFORE - you start playing with carb: Dis -connect all the wires from engine at your junction box. I think you have already stated you have saet points to 15 thou - you should have done this by loosly assembling flywheel - but making sure it is home on shaft/keyway. Turn flywheel clockwise - until points can be seen through 2nd window - check with 15 thou gauge. I use a filed down one ( in width not thickness!) so it fits easily through flywheel window. If points not correct adust until they are. Next - as I have said dis-connect all wires from engine. You now need a continuity tester / or bulb battery home made job - anything as long as you can determine by light going out - or needle of meter swinging - that points are actually braking the circuit( this will not work unless you have dis-connected all wires at junct box) If bulb is not going out completely ie you are not getting clean " break" at points - you must sort this out. Now is the time to also check ignition timing ( although unless a mile out will not stop a Bultaco from starting. Using a plug depth gauge you can determine exact time point are opening etc. The re-connect wires and try

It actually gets worse Scorpa - for I am far from sure how we can stick with two. Many Youth Organisers - especially Youth Champ ones - are asking that Youth Champ be run under FIM - for same reasons. I think everyone accepts we must keep No-Stop - and many events run under this inc S/Miller, Classic, Sidecar and so on. Additionaly - the bulk of the country seem to be fairly happy with TSR 22A ( got it right this time) - I know down my end of world for normal Centre Trials this works well - we certainly have no desire to go to FIM for our normal events - but neither do we wish to go ful No -Stop although we have tried this - and of course run our Trail Bike Champ under it. For normal everyday trials we just do not find that full No-Stop is that easy to Observe. I know it perhaps should be - but down here it is not - and Observers are reluctant to give a 5 for that inevitable pause - wheras they will give a 1 - although I admit even that often seems to be happening less than it should. I will not add an more until we see the other replies

I feared this would turn into a debate - and I probably did not help by messing up the numbers - but can we return to the request for " One set of rules" Despite my mix up with TSR's it is fairly obvious that of about 12 - 14 who have replied - I have to say when you look at the number of views - this is not exactly a high number - it is clear that No- Stop is the clear winner. Sorry - I feel going down the road of No - Clutch will just complicate things for me - so please carry on the debate on that one - but leave me out of it! So let us make the assumption that the 12-14 who replied - are now the Committee making this decision? Without excepetion from these replies - everyone tends to think that No - Stop - should be the only set of rules available to ACU Organisers and ACU riders. Now a few givens: There is no chance whatsover of FIM rules changing from present ones in 2008 - and not probably for predicatable future. Let us not waste time debating it - it is a fact All other contries as far as I know are using FIM rules. So - if the 15 above decide to go for one set of rules - we must by definition change the British Solo Adult Championship to No -Stop. Last year we sent out to al the riders who contest it - and there was a clear majority reply for FIM rules. We asked the Organisrs who run it - and again a clear majority for FIM rules. So - at this level - our riders want it and the people who organise the trial want it ( I obviously talk about majority) We have quite a few riders - who are contesting FIM World Champ - at Junior and Senior level - they all wish to ride on FIM rules at home. We have even more riders who contest the European Championship - and they all wish to ride under FIM at home. At World and European level - we continue to turn out Champions in the Youth/Junior - all these riders confirm they wish to ride under FIM rules at home. Dougie if you ask him - as always been quite adamant that anyone who wishes to contest FIM/UEM should ride under the same rules at home But of course - we know most of this - the big question is now - for the 12 - 15 who replied and now form our hyperthetical committee - in order to move to one set of rules - do we immediately change the Adult Brit Solo Championship to No-Stop. There can only be two possible answers for this Committee - Yes - Or No Over to you guys.

Right Greg - I always tend to try to go back to standard - and often when new non standard bits are fitted this may lead to a problem - so yes I suspect carb as well. But first. 1) You say you have replaced LT coil. Colours that come from original Bultaco LT coil are as follows Black - goes to HT Coil Green - goes to earth - I always use bolt that hold HT coil to frame. Red - on later models is for Brake light only - leave disconnected. Tape up. Leave any cut out wires off at present ( they will later just be a T of the black) The light coil you have removed - not needed would have had a yellow wire from it. So first - just change over the wiring from what you have - to what is correct. 2) Did the machine run OK with this carb before - or have you bought it as non runner ?

Gregr Iam going to look at this for you - merely fotr the reason to keep me away from ACU work and maintain my sanity. Step one - Forget blowlamps, aerosols etc to get a Btultaco started - total nonscence. Step two. Please post exactly what you have had done. Or what you have had done . I mean exactly. Step 3 - Tell me what carb you have on it - exact details Step 4 - What ignition - ie - have you changed from standard - the usual mistake made. Step 4 - If standard - tell me how it is wired up ie - what colours you have put where? Just answer these questions first please and we will try and save you some money

AS iow - I do not think it is really fair to say that