tlr tryalsman

Over here in the US the 240 was preferred to the 300. I had buddies that owned both and I remember liking the 240 for it's snappy power. Like axulsuv said: They're both excellent bikes. See which one feels best to you. Good luck!

Nice video!! Thanks for putting it up. I split my time between a TLR 250F and a 1981 SWM TL320. Love the old iron!!

I've got a 1985 TLR 250F I bought it from the original owner in 1990. First time out in the practice sections, the clutch got so noisy I thought it was gonna explode. Contacted the dealer that had imported the bike and was promptly set up with the regular Barnett plates. They cured the growling, chattering clutch. After wearing them out, I switched to the kevlar plates with the same good results. In my experience the Barnett plates are the definitive fix for the TLR's clutch. Bryan

I'm the fellow that posted the Barnett clutch info awhile back. I have a 1985 TLR250F. Upon buying the bike in 1990 I found that the stock clutch left a lot to be desired. A small bit of slipping in the sections would result in the clutch growling and chattering. I first used the regular Barnett clutch plates with the standard steel plate. This set up lasted for a long time. I then went to the Barnett kevlar plates and they too have worked very well. The Barnett plates won't make the clutch smoother, but it will eliminate the growl and chatter of an overheated standard clutch. I'm not sure that the TLR 250 clutch is the same as the TLR 200, which is known as the Reflex here in the States. I do believe that the 1984 RS250 clutch is probably the same as the 85 TLR 250. Bryan

In my 1981 320 I use 50:1 super unleaded/Golden Spectro with a couple of ounces of octane booster. Byan

Hello, The old Barnett part number for the friction plates is HPK-19. The new number is 301-35-10008 They also fit a 1980-84 Honda XR-200 They work really well, I switched to them in Feb. 1991 (The month after I got the bike) That stock clutch is horrid. I replaced them in 2000 and they're still going strong. BTW I rode the hell out of the Honda during the time the first set was in the bike. Bryan

I was racing motocross at the time, and I remember that Bernie brought trials to most everyones attention. But I think that was about it, he let America know that there was other forms of off road competition besides MOTOCROSS which is what American's were crazy about at the time. I remember that Marland Whaley seemed to be Bernies equal, but I never knew why he didn't make a full on pursuit of a world title. He was capable of garnering world trial points. Perhaps it was a lack of factory support?? I didn't get into trials until 1986, one of the first things that happened was I came across Bernie's book "Observed Trials". It was through his book that I got "Schreiberized" as Len Weed put it.... That book contains a temendous amount of good advice on how to ride observed trials. I got the chance to see Bernie ride in his last year on the world round circuit in 1987. Boy was he super smooth. A highlight of that world round was having him autograph my copy of his book. Bryan

Worst thing about the TLR 250 is the clutch. With the stock plates, it simply won't tolerate much abuse before it starts growling like a PO'd tomcat. Luckily there is an easy fix. Replace the fibre plates with Barnett kevlar ones. You can then abuse the clutch to your hearts content. Other than that, my TLR has been utterly reliable. Bryan

Hello Stevieb, I've owned a TLR 250 F since 1991. I've rode it in modern and vintage trials for quite a few years. As a twinshock trialer, I couldn't ask for more. It is what you think ie: a smooth powerful engine wrapped in a bulletproof twinshock frame. I've only recently semi retired it in favor of a SWM 320. It's easier to rebuild the SWM than the Honda, sad but true. I will go so far as to say that I think that the TLR 250 F is the most advanced twinshock trial bike you can buy. A close second is the SWM 320 or Jumbo, third goes to the 1983/84 240 Fantic trial professional. IMHO of course! I've also had the luxury of riding a 1985/86 RTL 250 Honda (The red, white & blue model) in sections head to head with my TLR. You may find it hard to believe, but I preferred the TLR to the RTL. While the monoshock rear end was certainly better than the twinshock, the fork on my TLR felt better and the TLR doesn't suffer from the dreaded "spit back, cough and stall" that plagued the first model RTL. Why it doesn't have that malady is a mystery to me! Don't get me wrong though, the RTL's are a work of art!! It's just that the later models were certainly better bikes. I'd donate my left cookie to have that Rothmans replica that's for sale here in the US. Wish I had the disposable cash...... Bryan

I'm guessing that you're talking about a 1985 TLR 250 F?? Maybe the tickover screw is wrong and isn't long enough to get the idle high enough?? Let me know if we're working with the 1985 model and I can get you the carb spec's and we can go from there. Bryan

Here in the states the 305 and 307 Fantics had a pretty good following. I'd say that here on the east coast the 305 was a bit more popular. I seem to remember some complaints that the 305 tended to be very noisy due to piston slap. Seems that the 305 didn't have the tightest of tolerances in the piston to cylinder wall department. I think that this had been fixed in the 307 series. Bryan

You can run straight unleaded gasoline. Premium octane might be better for the hot days, less chance of pinging during a long climb. The TL Honda's sold here in the states have TL stamped on the cases. Don't know what a CT 125 motor might be. Have fun with the little thumper! Bryan

I have very fond memories of competing in vintage trials in the early 1990's on a 1973 TL 125. My 125 had a fresh top end, 13 tooth countersprocket, Sammy pipe and chain tensioner. Nothing fancy there at all. I did fine against the other bikes of the era. Only when I moved to the expert class, did I need more "instant power". I found that in the form of a RL-250 Suzuki. In the intermediate class, the little TL did just fine. To me, the TL 125 is perfect for teaching a youngster how to ride trials. I've got another 1973 in the garage right now waiting for my son to grow into it. Right now his TY-80 is getting the job done for him. Bryan

Hey JohnnyB, SO..... You'll put your SWM head to head with any twin shocked, drum braked bike...even the 4 stroke Hondas. I dunno if thats a safe bet. History has shown that the thumper will prevail. Remember that fellow by the name of Eddy Lejeune?? Bryan

It's a real shame that AHRMA doesn't see fit to promote vintage trials to it's fullest. They are missing quite a bit by not allowing the early eighties twinshockers to compete. They certainly have no problem doing so with motocross. In MX theres a class for everything. BTW, Introducing the newer era of vintage trials bikes won't necessarily make the earlier TY's, RL's, Bul's and Tesa's obsolete. It's still the rider that has to get the job done. Besides, if we are so intent on duplicating the vintage experience than WHY are we (myself included) all using 2 ply radial tires????? Now thats an interesting thought, 1970's bike technology OK, 1985 tire technology really OK.............. Bryan