toofasttim

TXT and a TXT Pro, to name it correctly, are completely different bikes. The pro is a later incarnation with all sorts of clever ideas incorporated. Stay away from pre 2004 pros. They have problems. 250 or 280? AFAIK the 280 is a more aggressive bike. The 250 is aimed at the average Joe and is the most popular trials bike in the UK.

Not a criticism of you or the vid Heath. Just it didn't do it for me. I don't like the 4T's generally (IMO they've been forced onto us) . It looked gutless and it was way too loud. And, yup, it sounded like a bag of bolts.

That vid of Heaths doesn't do it for me. Sorry Gas Gas not for me. Now the new Raga is different kettle of tea.

I smacked my airbox a while ago. Right at the bottom. Took it in to a plastic welding place. Fixed it no problem.

Usually I practice hopping the front in the garage 'cause I don't need the motor to practice it. Even with the back brake on hard the bike goes backwards. Not a lot. Two reasons I think, firstly the wheel rotates slightly even though the brake is on (there's a lot of leverage involved here) or, secondly, the tyre skids across the (smooth) garage floor. I don't have the same problem on tar so it's probably the second reason. Coldcake. Everytime I get on the bike my right foot goes straight on the lever. Just habit. Naturally I lift off as I ride off.

It's mostly the consistancy that I find difficult. The hopping I can do but one day I'm Raga the next a squid.

Yup hub changed from '75 (M159).

Here ya go Biffy: Greeves tanks

In Christianity Jesus is believed to be the son of God. In Islam Jesus is a prophet. In Judiasm Jesus was a right sh^t stirrer.

We have a rider here who'll age Scorpas in few rides (sorry Ian)

Air hose ain't too shabby either. "Air hose? Oh! Just nip down to the local plumbing supply store." Apart from that it's actually quite neat. IMO.

Coldcake. I built an "H" frame to hold the front wheel and practiced hopping the back wheel using that. But that was bouncing the wheel at a standstill. In the real world you'd usually use a stoppie to move the back wheel around. Heath, yeah everyone has a preference. Strangely as a right hander I find moving to the left easier. Things I would like to know from those tyros who mastered hopping immediately are: a) Are you telling porkies? How old are you (I'm on the wrong side of 40 so the bod doesn't learn all that quickly anymore. I also had a period of 2 years with no bike) and c) how much time did you practice? Billy, coming from bike trials must be a huge benefit. Pic taken last night (and I was worried that I wasn't getting the rear wheel high enough). That wasn't a "static" hop but a stoppie with about a meter run-up:

Dis 'n plesier Ed.

I'm sorry but I had to have a little giggle there. No, the design, motors, suspension, weight etc didn't lend themselves to hopping. Plus nobody ever thought about it then. Didn't need to. As bikes became better sections need tighter corners to catch out the riders so some clever bloke (Lejeune?) came up with hopping.

I've been trying to get this right for a while and would like to know how long it took others to learn.

Dunno whether to laugh or cry about this. Great, publicity at last or damnit, best kept secret in classic off-road's been leaked to the plebs. Wonder whether Sete Gibernaus helmet design had anything to do with it?

Aw shucks thanks Dabster. Most people think I come from far deeper down than that.

Dabster, tsk, we're 13hrs ahead of you...

Interesting: Bultaco tee shirt

That would explain Perce then?

That about sums up Auckland (not Bishop Auckland). As soon as it rains it magically morphs into Saunders/Grimbo territory.

Tipping isn't done in NZ.

You mean....Mad Gubs Maugabe could blame....the "Ireeesh" instead of the "Briteeesh".