markparrish

I can't offer any help but I just wanted to say you have done an amazing job refurbishing those parts!

Well - I bought a set of Michelin X lite comp. I read up a lot and whilst there are some members who have highlighted other choices for muddy conditions that might be a bit cheaper I decided that as there was only a small difference in cost between the top choices, I would try my luck. I was running some older Michelins before which had lost their edges and gone a bit hard, so perhaps any tyre would be a big improvement! but I have to say these have transformed the bike. I can get great grip on all kinds of slippy ground - and lots of confidence on cambers which I didn't feel before. I am only a basic clubman level so no rock climbing for me, but they do everything really well as far as I can tell.

Ours uses the wire ones with soft plastic flag on top. I guess they need to withstand being run over (just bend wire straight). Also when several routes share the same gate you can plant a bunch of flags in the same spot quite easily.

Yes - whirring Beta good, grinding and rumbling Beta bad! I replaced my mains because they were badly worn (and also causing it to be difficult to start) and just yesterday I also replaced cylinder and piston - which was cause of piston slap. Now whirring nicely and running very smoothly!

Betas seem to have those worrying looking holes too. I thought I had a seriously damaged case until I saw some other examples!

Give it another 5 minutes - you'll love it! I had that arm problem - I eventually realised that I was gripping the bars too tightly (hanging on more like!) but once you relax a bit and hold it lightly it all gets better. I still find myself doing it if a section is a bit daunting and I'm nervous. Good luck!

I've only visited this shop once to buy some boots. I wish it had been a bit closer to home! Ian was a really nice chap and happy to recommend some good value gear to me as a beginner - rather than trying to push anything too expensive. I wish him well - he sounds like a bit of a legend!

Welcome to the site Marc. I have found it such a useful resource. I'm sure you will get loads of advice and help and a chance to share your knowledge too! Good luck getting back into it - it's just like falling off a bike...

Put some tape over the spokes and fit new tube to front. I've given up the fight with my similar rear wheel - just fitted tube with new tyre (tubeless tyre) - no clamp - seems to be seated really well (after quite a battle to avoid nipping the tube when fitting tyre) and hasn't rotated on rim yet!.

What an amazing collection of frames Paul250! You must be pretty slick at bending and welding tube by now! I'm impressed!

I'm new to it too but I liked the fact that most of the fasteners on my Beta were fairly standard so far and I seem to be able to sort out most bits in my own way - though perhaps I'm not so "OCD"!!! (Mind you, I guess you are mostly imperial sizes in the US? perhaps metric is a bit harder to come by) Hope you get the bits you need.

I'm not sure if any kits are available but most screws I've come across are standard metric thread and I have replaced a few with stainless socket cap screws, sometimes cut to length. I've got the same bike as you.

Beautiful countryside! I'm very envious. Welcome.

Yes - I thought that when I saw a similar hole in my Rev 3!! - It appears to be deliberate, but has a very rough and broken "aesthetic"! - maybe they do it during the casting phase?

I know I could never have afforded to do this when I was a youth - I saved all my money from a part time job to buy a moped (TY50 - wish I'd kept it!) to use as transport (and making lots of noise around the neighbourhood!) but a full sized bike for sport was out of the question. I think if parents are willing/able to spend some money on their children then that's great and very lucky for them, but even at the very basic level I am at, it's a significant cost to run a bike etc. which is why I can only do it now I am in my 50s. As has also been said, it seems that the events are mostly run by the more mature members - hopefully if enough "old" chaps like me find our way back into bikes after family life through trials, then the clubs will remain popular.

it smells lovely too!

What a very moving message. I wish you well with your new plans. I think it's vital to focus on the important things especially when life throws you a challenge and you must have a lot to consider. I am a relative newcomer here but I know we will all miss your input and good humour. Trials seems to attract kind and thoughtful people on the whole and I'm sure you will always be welcome here. Best wishes.

just noticed one on well know auction site - in UK - if you need a new one. not sure if I'm allowed to paste a link.

Have fun with that C15 - I've recently got one (a 63 bits and pieces one) - it's heavy, leaks oil and needs constant fiddling about with - but that's why I got it! You can make bits and use parts from other bikes too - Great to have the odd run out on it.

four stroke electric, of course

I don't know much about Olympic sports criteria but just found this: "The Tokyo 2020 committee listed the following criteria for new sports: added value; youth appeal; attractiveness for TV, media and the general public; gender equality; minimum impact on the number of events and/or quotas, infrastructure and operational costs and complexity." it sounds like E trials might fit in with this brief description - but perhaps you have a better insight. Is it something to do with powered vehicles? I think powerboating used to be in there once.

Thanks Bilko - I will.

Hi all - I think the slap is telling me it's time to get a new piston and replating of my barrel - 270 Rev3. It was pretty scarred and ugly when I rebuilt it after new mains but finances were a bit tight and I was eager to get it running again. Big and small ends seemed fine. Can anyone recommend a good supplier/service in the UK? I'm in the South if that makes a difference. Thanks, Mark

I sealed mine with sikoflex - I have a very corroded rim and tried new band/cleaning it etc but couldn't get a great seal - the stuff is black and unbelievably sticky - not easy to clean up, so be careful!! I was a bit generous with it and used my finger (in a rubber glove) to smooth a bead around the rim tape. I'm about to change my tyre so I'm interested to see what it all looks like when I take it off! I'm guessing this is classed as a "bodge" but I can't think of any other way except using a tube or getting a new rim for the situation I am in. No idea about tiger seal though.

self "employed"!