markparrish

Even playing is much more fun of the front wheel goes where you point it! Michelin is a bit more money but transformed my last bike.

I don't know if this is any help but my Rev 3 was hard to start when warm when the main bearings/seals had gone. I needed to replace mine because they sounded rough, but a nice side effect was curing the poor starting completely. It's not a quick job but maybe if yours sound rough this could be contributing?

also - def not a "snowflake" if you are doing the maintenance yourself!!

Yep - nothing will fall out (unless there has been a massive disaster, but then I guess you'd know about it beforehand!!). Careful not to over tighten the screws when you put it back on as it can distort a bit - there are metal inserts in the plastic, but even so...

As above except probably just little tweaks like swapping screws on rear mud guard for tiny cable ties so it's less likely to snap if you drop it, fitting a mud flap to front so it doesn't clog the radiator, fit a lanyard switch. Also the famous clutch mod (see forum). Get some new tyres and enjoy it!

I ran a tube in a tubeless Michelin x lite on my 270 Rev 3 for exactly the reasons you mentioned. I kept the thick rubber spoke sealing band in place (after cutting the valve out) as a kind of thick rim tape. No problems at all. I sold it to a club member who rides it harder than me and still no issues. Maybe some tyres don't grip the rim so well so some caution needed, but the worst that can happen is you ruin a tube (and your day!) so, maybe worth a try? It was tricky to fit the tyre without nipping the tube, mind you!

HI Nick, I'm at Bognor Club - very friendly bunch too - I'm sure they all are!

Reading back I can see now that the original poster was asking about a specific make and model. In my haste I thought he was considering the more general case of moving from 2stroke to 4 stroke, but, prompted to re read it by your question, I can see I was wrong in this respect. Perhaps, as I thought, it is good to hear that other 4 strokes are worth considering when you are thinking of a new purchase such as this? Maybe you think not, although I see you mentioned that your son also likes the Beta 4 stroke, so perhaps you might have used the opportunity to elaborate on this? The original poster did reply to me courteously so although you seem to have a problem with my contribution, I suspect he has not been overly upset by it and he will choose to ignore it as the ramblings of an old man if he wishes. I will continue to offer positive advice and support within the parameters of my limited experience but I will endeavour to keep more closely on topic in future. Thank you for putting me straight.

Hi - yes I use the clutch a lot on tight sections.

I have recently changed from a 2 stroke Rev3 to a 4 stroke Evo. I love it! I find it just as light and easy to manoeuvre and the smooth power delivery is perfect for me. It is very torquey and pulls up hills really well. I also find it grips better than my old Rev in the mud - not sure why some find grip difficult. Anyway - I'm just a wobbler and not jumping or hopping anywhere - I just like the bike because it goes where I dare to point it!

As it's such a new bike can you take it to the dealer and ask them to inspect it?

take the plunge! I waited just 30 or so years but I wish I'd found trials sooner! Good luck.

I think if your heart tells you to do it, your new knee will follow. No science in that statement, of course! Take it gently - I guess it's low impact so better than some activities. Good luck.

My 270 used to make a whirring noise too - I think it's normal and my clutch was all fine. Mine only did it when you selected a gear - quiet in neutral. It became a bit quieter as things warmed up. A few other Rev3s in the club did a similar thing. If that's the case with yours, and it's all working nicely, I think you'll be good to carry on.

That looks like very neat and tidy work! Is the aquablasting a very expensive process?

I hand wash my removable liner with some regular hair shampoo - it seems to work, smells nice and presumably isn't unkind to my head.

It seems almost impossible to find a cheap route into pre 65 as well - even the most rust eaten-old frames are very expensive. I guess it's all down to supply/demand and lots of people willing to pay any amount of money to get the most competetive machine. Maybe a class with a pit bike type engine (or maybe an electric motor to be a bit more environmentally friendly -although these seem expensive at the moment) and maybe a rigid frame that you have to make yourself either by welding or bolting together? forks/brakes/wheels could be from any source. Not sure how to source a headstock. I can imagine this being fun to build and ride, with a sense of achievement to have created something unique.

I'm sure you will hear all sorts of opinions! I have a Rev 3 270 and started out on it. It is a great bike but having recently upgraded to a slightly newer Evo 250 4T, I would strongly recommend thinking about a newer and "softer" bike. The 4T grips on slippy climbs really well and the engine is more forgiving than my 270. That said, the 270 is perfectly rideable and has loads of power for pulling in any gear - just that it will do things that a beginner might not wish to do if you are bit trigger happy! You'll no doubt be keen on the "new" bike you have been offered, but I guess for that money you might be able to get a decent bike more suited to a beginner at trials - it's worth driving a couple of hours to try but maybe try a few more local bikes first if you can so you know what to compare it with. Good luck!

If it is very oily it might be best to strip it all out, clean up the inside tube and then repack with some new material.

nice tip - thanks!

Just thought I'd share my photo of the day! I've been reading up on methods to clean out my pipe of my Rev3 (I noticed a bit of smoking recently, particularly when riding between sections on a big loop, when the engine was running hot and for a few minutes). I am not losing any gearbox oil and have recently changed mains/seals, so suspected it was the exhaust. I guessed it was a build up of unburnt oil and crap and on examination I think it was the cause (I ride it a bit gently and probably never give it a good enough blast). There was also a fair amount of carbon too. I decided to try the burning method; I started things off with a small blow-lamp and also aimed the hot air gun down the pipe. It soon got glowing inside and then the oil ignited. Once it was going I left the hot air gun running. It took a few minutes before the flames went out. After allowing it to cool I tapped out some ash and the insides looked pretty clean. The aluminium mid section wasn't harmed in any way, but I did dull the chrome and introduce some nice blues/golds to the header pipe!, which is now carbon free. I cleaned and repacked the silencer in the usual way (no burning!). I have yet to ride it properly but it seems to run cleanly, pulling well from idle, and sounds a bit less noisy. I'll report back after the weekend. Cheers.

My son calls that "retrospective advice"! I'm sure you are right about the size of engine (my first bike was a 270 and probably too powerful even though it is old and a bit worn out), but like me when I started, this guy has already paid his money and is probably going to manage fine as he is an experienced rider albeit in a different sport . My next bike will be smaller and newer or possibly a 4 stroke, but I have gained some knowledge and listened to lots of good advice on here, so I have that to build on when I make a choice. I always feel a bit sorry for new members who after their very first post, get a negative and dismissive comment, when a bit of wisdom and advice on how to get going were being asked for. Just my opinion and no offence meant. My advice, Trevor, is to fit a flywheel if you can get one, and learn some good throttle/clutch control on some easy ground (almost tickover revs) - you should find it pulls in any gear and with quite low revs. I'm sure it will take off when you open it up though! Happy riding.

definitely not alone Steve! I can remember my first try on a friends FS1E 40 years ago - I went straight off the back! Give it a few more tries - you will soon be wondering what the problem was (and starting to try a few challenges).

HI Steve - how much experience have you got on a bike? - I think you have just the right bike for starting out but it is designed for doing all sorts of tricks so it will get way from you if you rev it and let the clutch out a bit fast. Don't give up - maybe try adjusting the tickover a little higher so it doesn't stall and just practice with the clutch alone. Once you have that mastered, find a bit of space and try riding a gentle course with the clutch lever out and just gently playing the throttle - very small/gentle movements. It's a case of practice in a steady way. Big revs are for leaping up walls! Good luck

No ideas I'm afraid, but obviously a loose part has found its way into the gears. I hope it's not too serious when you investigate. Lots of cases seem to come up on UK auction site so hopefully you will be up and running soon. Good luck