turbofurball

It'll be worth it, awesome bike when it's done

They're good on trails as-is, 5th gear is a road gear and the steering angle, stability at moderate speed, etc, is all fine ... beyond that, you'd be trying to make it into something it's not, which never works very well - a better idea would be to get an old trail bike instead

After 30 years of riding dirt and road, I was very happy to start on a 125 Gasgas. It could haul my 170lbs around no problem for technical stuff, and made learning a lot easier than on a larger bike - you're searching for traction, learning how to use momentum, etc, not blasting over a tabletop or dragging a knee!

Maybe we just have the knack

I just got Cherry brand off ebuy, I think you can get it at most cobblers and maybe even some supermarkets alongside the shoe polish

It's awesome stuff

A set of Magicals springs transforms the original TY175 forks, worth changing at the same time IMO There's at least one top level twinshock rider successful on the 175 forks, so I'm not worried about a little flex

I only start the 349 with my left leg, far easier than using your right. It lets you tilt the bike away from you a bit, so you're less likely to slip off (I can't do that easily when sat on the bike) And yes, I'd never start that bike without decent boots on!!

I hated my Formas when I got them, but TBH they've grown on me ... I wore them for a few trials and just suffered through it, then started giving them a lot of dubbin after every time they needed jet washing (I let them dry first). I also glued tough leather patches on the wear points, and by the looks of things they're going to last a long time and stay comfy now

In my experience, I just keep wearing and washing my stuff like usual and the stains go away in due course - repeated washing wears clothes out, so I don't do it if I can avoid it!

As a solid member of the coming last club, I commend you for your efforts! (I'm just too busy having fun at trials to be competitive )

Given the amount of damage there, you really need to replace it otherwise you'll probably lose more inner tubes! Ask at your local club if anyone has a good second hand tyre kicking around, as having rounded knobbles doesn't affect beginner riding very much

Next they'll be asking the deer not to make their own paths

That's one of the reasons I'd love an electric bike, people in general will be more chilled when you're riding in a legally grey manner ... hopefully in the next 5 years or so I'll be able to get an off-the-shelf kit for the TY

However there are lots of unpaved roads which are legal to ride on, as with green lanes here some of them have trials-y bits beside them which can be used for practice

Breading? Well, Catalunya is the home of Pa amb Tomaquet ...

Yup, I like watching a bit of indoor trials but it does all kinda meld into one after a while ... that was one area where Kick Start excelled, because they 'jazzed it up' a bit for TV Variety or side-by-side competition does get regular people's attention better ... that's one area where I like watching a lot of classic trials on youtube, because of the variety of bikes and terrain (and beautiful views sometimes)

Yeah, I was looking at the downhill MTB helmets too, the need for improved ventilation is why I've put it off. A proper trials designed full face would be great (when they come down to my price point, anyway, lol)

You've been busy!

When you ride in mud it gathers around the fork brace and can jamb the front wheel - that's why I swapped to an aftermarket one on my TY, as the factory ones are notorious for it

Thanks, I'll have a look!

You can probably find someone at your local club who is willing to fit it for a little beer money (do they have a facebook group?). Have a look for 4 x 18 trials tyres on ebay, just be aware that the Pirelli ones are a bit stiff (ok for distance riding, but not optimal for competing), and Michelins are considered the best by many people Club trials usually start at 10am-ish, and will often be winding down by 2pm. Super competitive people will often shoot through as quickly as possible, while people like me spend too much time falling off, mucking about, and eating chocolate, so end up being amongst the last to leave ... EDIT: forgot to mention, if you have a puncture it may be that it's just the inner tube that needs sorting. Sometimes they can be patched, so hold off on ordering anything expensive till you know!

51M covers more than one model (IIRC the Cota 348 is also a 51M, for example), looks like it can be worked on a bit to get it to fit though

Looking at mine, I recon getting the engine out would be essential to getting the frame corrected. Also while the engine is out it's worth checking that the swingarm centre support is actually in the centre, and not off to one side like mine was (which made getting the swingarm off interesting, would have been properly difficult with the engine in).

Oh yeah, and you totally need to get your other half into trials ... mine took some persuasion, but she loves her Montesa now, lol