turbofurball

If that 2nd pic is of a "Mk4" was there ever a Mk5?

Is it one of these? When you say wood screw, do you mean a self-tapper? If so it'll be fine, I've had stainless self-tappers in exhausts before and no problems have occured! The Spanish Fly ones are HERE, and looks nicely finished

Not at all, but any simple method (eg. checking the V5 or whatever) will inevitably see people curcumventing rules using any trick they can. Perhaps the only way around it would be silouhette checking, kinda like they used to do for NASCAR - namely, having a guide to what a bike of a certain age should look like and having someone judge it - though then you start getting competitive types complaining about judge's decisions and so forth.

For anyone searching in the future, the seal is 26x38x5 single sided, and the collar is 20x26x11.3 (Yamaha p/n: 90387-202A0)

Well, that's where two bikes come in - the TY is headed towards riding like a modern bike with all the mods (hopping on the back wheel notwithstanding, I'll never be able to do that), and the Cota is bone stock and about as heavy as I can handle, lol But I'm not competitive, just there to enjoy riding, so like you I have no horse in this race really!

I got new yokes which lost the tiller effect, steepened the steering angle, put the handlebars in a good place for a taller rider (I'm 5'10, 178cm), and allowed me to use modern fatbars that look similar to the original ones

Non-period correct frame mods? Steering angles? The problem then occurs that checking the bikes becomes a minefield, people would need to keep a table of stock period bike specs and be measuring stuff

I wash my stuff in Tekwash and then Nikwax, no problems so far (including riding on a motorway at 80 for two hours of solid rain and hail, lol)

Not really, since I got them for a TY175 The chap at Rock Shocks will probably know though (I got a non-standard length due to frame mods)

It's only fair to give you a heads up - I had a massive problem with Rock Shocks. When I fitted them they were so good that I suddenly became aware of how crap my fork springs were, so I had to go and get a set of fresh progressive springs for them too! Seriously, they're about as good as you can get, and I'm happy I stretched to the extra cost over the Betors that I was looking at.

I've found my (army surplus) sealskinz work great, but I don't find them comfortable. Next wet outing I might experiment with thin socks under them and see if that helps

Some of the last twinshocks had seats less thick than that!

The good thing about a sweat wicking base layer is it can be a top layer in the summer, too I've got a couple of nice t-shirt shaped workout tops from Tescos that are ideal, and I got a running top designed for Muslim ladies for when I need to have my arms covered in summer competitions

Indeed, can't use any place for anything without it being insured etc. A local industrial park now has security guards to make sure nobody learns to drive there on the weekends, just finding a quiet spot is nigh on impossible

Army surplus goretex top and troosers for me - cheap and highly effective! Works nicely as an extra layer when in the dry, you won't find anything more waterproof, the trousers go on over boots, and they pack away into a small package. Also works well as an emergency set of waterproofs for road bikes

Plugs don't degrade, but it's a good ideal to get the contacts nice and clean - you can check the spark while it's out by putting the cap on, holding it's body to an earth point (eg. part of the engine without paint) and kicking the engine over

Is that why in the French competitions the bikes have lights fitted (?)

Note that on Montesas if you pull the clutch in it disconnects the kickstart ... The 248 is a cracking bike - I wish I could find some nice trials bikes in sheds, lol

That does add a bit of context yes, thank you - I guess I take it for granted that I can go on a non-classic trial within an hour or so most weekends, and although I might flounder a bit it's still better than no trials at all! (also, the Copa Costa Brava looks sooo good!)

Best thing I found for ballance practice was slow riding on a bicycle, standing on the pedals also helps with leg strength (since most people aren't used to keeping their knees bent for long periods) And yes, a 160cc Gasgas is really good for getting started on - my first trials bike was a 2004 125 Gasgas and it was a very forgiving ride

Excellent! Thanks guys I was picturing a "no you've got to split the engine" lol

It looks like the seal might have gone, as my bike has decided to mark it's territory very thoroughly ... can it be swapped without major headaches? And does anyone know what size it is?

Something LIKE THIS, perhaps?

I jet wash mine if they're clagged with mud, and then use lots of dubbin over everything but the suede bit. Doing this regularly has made them soften up nicely, as they were a bit too stiff when new. I also got some tough leather off ebay and glued it on in areas that get a lot of wear (namely the top of the left boot from shifting up, and the inside of the right ankle where I catch it on the footpeg sometimes when starting)

So ... it's just near me, lol ... I'm glad I bought a van then!