ChrisCH

I have a TRS but have never been more than about 20mph on it. Have you thought about a Beta Alp? You can do long distance trials and green lanes and so on. I keep looking for one but they are hard to find and the new ones are "rally" type to cash in on the adventure bike fad. I have a CRF250L but it would be useless for trials. Great fun though.

I locked up the wife's Ducati with a disc lock when we went on holiday. When we got back I couldn't get the thing to work - the lock barrel had failed and the key wouldn't open it. I tried oil and all sorts but it would not come off. A customer offered to cut it off for me which was an offer I accepted. He had a small battery disc cutter/angle grinder in his van with a cutting disc on it. The disc cutter took the lock off in about 15 seconds. It was pretty quiet and my missus in the office 20m away never heard it.

Do a Johnny cash and bring it in one component at a time 😁

Check with them but I think this is the one that will retro fit the earlier bikes. https://inchperfecttrials.co.uk/products/2024-em-main-command-switch-map-button-fits-models-race

Will the new up/down map switch fit your model? I thought they were on the later bikes. The factor-e will move maps up or down on the fly. Its one of the things I think make it better than an ICE bike. I seem to remember the same switch configuration being on the other bikes but our old bike ('21) had the push button set up which scrolls sequentially through as you describe.

Entries for the practice day open on the 21st. Search "xhg" on the sport 80 site. https://acu.sport80.com/public/wizard/e/205401/home

Our club (XHG Tigers) will host a test day with Inch Perfect at our ground near Poole/Bournemouth. Date (unless everything goes wrong) is planned for 9th August. We will put a practice trial on as well so you can have a ride if you bring your own bike. I will update this thread as all the details finalise and the invitations for the test rides and trial go live. Hope to see a few of you there on the day.

Clay says the bean counters are not pushing him around. I think he should maybe let them - just a bit.....

You might find the parts you need here: https://classicandvintagesuspension.co.uk/product-category/front-suspension/betor/

You would need to find a courier that understands the correct paperwork, but in theory there is nothing to pay in import or VAT. https://www.chamberelancs.co.uk/2021/11/export-and-return-of-goods-for-repair-to-and-from-the-eu/

Most local bike repair outlets will service forks. My local one does mostly motocross, but will work with trials forks too. I am also lucky to have a suspension specialist nearby as well. https://www.racelab.co.uk/ However Betor are not a brand most will know or be able to get the parts for if doing a full rebuild. I think the OP will need to send them back to Spain. That would be my number 1 option. Sadly it is (now) a major PITA with all sorts of VAT and import/export BS to do and hoops to jump through. Might try https://twsuspensiontech.co.uk/services/shock-rebuilds-repair

The manufacturers do a restoration service - you'd need to ship them back to Spain. https://www.betorspain.com/en/1076-restauracion-betor-forks.html

Thanks for that very informative post Alan. My missus has the '25 Factor-e and the front disc has a very slight noise under rotation. The mud and a bit of wear has shut it up but that explanation is very helpful in understanding the issue. She had a Beta Evo years back and I replaced the disc with a Galfer and it was much better than the Beta OE. The current EM setup is very good though - the braktec stuff is excellent.

The bike will climb a steep rocky hill very well. The electric motor gives enough power at low revs to tackle most stuff. The big thing to get your head round is the lack of a flywheel. When you roll the throttle off the bike stops. It takes a bit of time to get used to but I am sure you will find it OK. You need a clutch on a petrol bike so you can build power on the engine without forward motion. Electric is a different mindset. The lack of a clutch is more an issue if you want to power the front wheel up from stationary or very low speed. You need to compress the forks and blip the throttle. To be fair I need the same technique on my Honda CRF but my TRF will lift the wheel on the clutch very easily. I hope you enjoy the Escape and it solves your issue. If money were no object I would buy one tomorrow.

The PRB is an interesting device but I agree with the above analysis that it is not a suitable substitute for a rear brake. My immediate thought to your original post is that on kids trials bikes like Oset the rear brake is where the clutch lever should be as is the case on a pedal cycle. (US push bike spec is other hand - really odd - French do it too). Can you get a ride to see how it works for you? The Oset 24 is just about big enough for an adult. Once you experience not having a clutch it will become clear. You have - in effect - an "automatic" and seperate front and back brakes. Would that work for you? The EM Escape might be worth a look if you need a saddle and just want to ride for fun. I am sure it would be possible to link up the LH lever to the rear brake as the system is hydraulic and should provide the pressure for the rear caliper.