turbofurball

Without mirrors, indicators, lights, a speedo, and maybe a seat, taking the test would be tricky ... renting a bike isn't much money in comparison to the test cost, but you could always just borrow one. I can't imagine not having a bike license, it would be like living with only one arm, but I can understand how offputting the test is - my other half went through it all a couple of years ago and it took her a couple of weekends and about £700

To try and bring the conversation back, at the moment I think it makes sense for modern trials to avoid road work - that is genuinely something that would put an awful lot of people off. Wouldn't think it would be as much of a problem for classic trials, though.

There's a vast difference between 17 and 25 year old's maturity, and the tests to pass a direct access course are far far far more stringent than to pass a CBT (or, not even that if you go back before the CBT) to ride with L plates. You're comparing apples with continental drift. My Dad's shop sold majoritively road bikes, and my parents were fine with me riding on the road, but I can understand why parents today wouldn't necessarily feel the same way ... especially if we're talking about male riders.

Also drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists ... doesn't make my point invalid, namely that it's reasonable to prioritise road safety over the needs of an obscure motorsport

"The leading cause of death for both males and females aged 5-19 was land transport accidents, accounting for 13% of deaths at this age group."

It all started in 1982 when learners were restricted from riding 250s ... the current licensing rules, courtesy of the EU, are evidence-based. They looked at the statistics, and made changes so that young people would have less chance to kill themselves and other road users. Is trials more important than that?

If younger riders don't see the appeal of riding a motorbike on the road, then civilization as we know it may be doomed ... seriously, road bikes are so much fun!

I don't think Sandifords do any classic Montesa parts, though (a pity, my 349 still has the original Sandifords dealer stickers on the tank cover!)

The 349 is great, fab fun to play on and good on trails ... no way I'd use it for actual trials though I imagine the 348 is somewhat similar

InMotion do the mains, seals, etc (just had the mains done on my 349, amongst other work) although they did send single sided mains seals when they should have been double-sided

'70s style jogging bottoms ... I use old work trousers at the mo, comfy and don't soak up water

5170.025 for the whole thing including the bulbs - the old lights are in the 348 parts manual, pm me if you'd like it emailed over

I've used similar before, but prefer Mechanix gloves for wearing for a long time

That's also applicable to 349s

Or, lots of people get 300s and then have trouble riding them, so sell them to the next person who thinks they'll do better ...? The quest for ever greater capacity / power is something that's taken for granted in all other forms of motorcycling, so I guess that that bleeds through into trials

Well, I was chucking the same 50:1 synthetic in the Cota as I use in the TY, but someone in the know said it might be an idea to up that a little Short answer, it appears to have been ok on 50:1 synthetic so far!

Fair doos, it just confused the hell out of me!

Even "White Wonder"s have differences between them!

This says the 51M is 305.8cc, but the Cota 349 owner's manual says it's a 350 ... which is right?

Yes, just like it's easy to buy a nicely restored 350 Bultaco ... there's a reason! I love the Cota, but there's no way I'd do an actual trial on it

If you want to do it once, do it right!

Magicals work exceptionally well, especially if you've still got the original springs in!

You can get them re-chromed, which is worthwhile - with upgrades they're good forks

Maybe so people don't use a drain bolt that's too long (?) On the 349 you can swap the standard plastic one with a ford oil drain bolt, which is a little harder wearing (I need to grind a little off it though, as it sits slightly proud of the bash plate)