The problem is that there are so many areas designated by law as SSSI's. You would be amazed if you really knew how many thousand hectares are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest!
It's all very well putting the onus on the local club, but the area concerned, given its acreage its impossible to "police". However, the evidence is there - tyre tracks, could be anybody!
Last year at the SSDT I caught (in front of several well known witnesses) two spectators riding a couple of year old Betas, who were following the trial over Pap Of Glencoe. I challenged them as they returned to the main road, the first rider was amiable/OK, his mate was quite abusively verbal! I warned them that I would report them to the ACU if they did not cease following the trial round on bikes. Interestingly, they didn't ask who the ACU were or what a registration card was - their bikes were well prepared and these seasoned competitors, not just "casual" riders.
I reported the incident to the SSDT Clerk of Course within 30 minutes of the occurrence, the supplying dealer of the machines (a highly reputable Beta dealer I may add). Both of which were powerless to do anything about the two offenders. Eventually I felt it necessary to report the matter to the local Police who were on duty.
However, they do have a novel way in the hills near Madrid, Spain of stamping out illegal riding and practicing - they chase you with a two-manned helicopter and the Police are armed - fact!
Unfortunately this is a very tricky situation in an extremely sensitive area of Scotland. There is a local affiliated SACU club (Lochaber & District) who organise events regularly in that area of Scotland. It should be noted that the club act in a responsible manner at all times. Many times I have been in direct discussion with the club at Clerk of Course seminars acting in my capacity as Chairman SACU Trials. They also have to abide by the bye-laws stated above and they are aware of the situations indicated by SNH with particular attention to SSSI areas which they are charged to manage as part of their remit to protect Scottish Nature.
The Lochaber Motor Cycle Club have the required permissions to run SACU permitted events throughout the year from a variety of landowners and factors and have to provide various risk assessments etc to those organisations before they can promote their local events.
It would appear that SNH have picked up on certain unauthorised motorcycle usage by "unidentified persons" in their area of operations which not only could jeopardise the SSDT but also local events.
The problem is that affiliated legitimate clubs are identifiable bodies, sadly illegal riders are not.
My message is this, if you are not at a legitimate permitted event, then stay away from these sensitive areas.
From the sprocket side, the flat spindle end should have a thick washer at the head, this is pushed through the drive side of the swinging arm with one snail cam after the washer push through the fork end and through the brake plate, through the hub which has two bearings fitted with an internal hollow spacer.
As the spindle exits the hub you can fit an alloy spacer available from Bultaco UK to do away with the speedo drive, otherwise its the speedo drive which butts on to the offside inner race of the wheel bearing, possibly a distancing washer about 2-3mm thick against the swinging arm wheel mount offside, then the snail cam and then a thick washer on the outside of the fork end and the spindle nut.
Buy the full ticket folks, ive already done 3 sacu trials this year.
Not trying to put anyone off the oel's john just saying that your as well buying the full ticket
Makes sense dbf, but we felt that some riders who don't ride regularly would benefit from the new OEL offer. For our motocross lads, this has cheapened their racing with some Scottish MX & Enduro clubs doing "packaged deals" of OEL & Membership etc.
Full licence is the better buy, but the choice is there!
I have fitted three sets of these Billetparts/FDOS Design swingarm kits and they have worked perfectly every time.
You do however need to follow the instructions carefully and precisely. Even if the swinging arm is bent it should still work, unless its at the bearing end whereas you would have difficulty getting the swing arm pin inserted as it would be off centre.
Accept the advice given, contact Wayne, he designed this system. It's only fair to let him explain what to do to correct the problem, rather than blast him on here!
I am considering my first SSDT in 2013 (although more likely to be 2014). Just wondering how 'legal' myself and my bike need to be, I know I'll have to take my bike test however I'm not sure what insurance etc would be required.
Also, how much would I expect the week to cost including entry etc?
Best to download a set of regulations from the SSDT website, bike must be legal for the road and rider must have the correct drivers licence for the machine on the public highway.
but i somehow dont think he's bothered about anybody but himself and his own agenda. Sadly there will always be people like that in this world and one day it WILL be one of them that finishes the Scottish off for ever.
Quite a few odds and sods, Bultaco stuff mainly particularly a Mod.159 Manuel Soler type airbox, didn't buy a whole bike as I just bought a 325 Sherpa a few weeks ago.
I really enjoy the Telford show, I'll be back next year! Good to meet up with some old pals there too.
You can also get a step down inlet rubber which will fit the Dellorto/Mikuni/OKO inlet stub. Bultaco UK should have them. Saves the job of making the sleeve.
Hi Woody,
Is that the one that is for the Montesa 348 with Amal Mk2 Concentric?
I have measured the Mikuni VM26 it is 34mm inlet; the PHBH28BS is 36mm and the Bing a whopping 40mm.
I know we have a PHBL26BS fitted to a 325 motor at the moment and its a sloppy fit in the step down, I think its a 31mm inlet.
I'm going to try a PHBH28BS on my 199 Sherpa when I get the engine finished.
- What if the rider dabs outside of the marker. Like you said if you run outside it is a 5 witI'vee bike, but i've heard....now let me repeat that forI'vee people... i've heard of observers giving people 5 because they have dabbed outside of the marked route with there feet or other parts of their body.
Whats your view on this
As for the Six Days its up to each observer what he marks you. But you would hope at the marks each person "firm but fair" for the whole of the trial.
You can dab or foot outwith the section or against a tree or wall that is physically outwith the markers and get debited one,two or three marks as appropriate, but if the bike goes outside the intended boundary of a section...its a five!
Are you biting on my hook John.. one difference regarding where the section is.... onlookers . ....I hope we don't hear during radio interviews any references to harsh observing decisions or such cliches as are frequently printed. all best CW
The observing at any trial has nothing to do with "onlookers", they have absolutely nothing to do with the marking of a rider, that is down to the Clerk Of The Course's deputy - The Observer, it is what he/she sees that matters, not what onlookers think or what they perceive!
As far as I'm concerned, I personally never refer to observers and how they score riders at the SSDT during media broadcasts.
To respond to the matter of consistency, if a rider "stops" three times in a section and gets debited with a three mark penalty that is simply wrong, the observer isn't doing the job properly. It was so obviously wrong that day it was embarrasing to watch! Reason I kept my mouth shut was I was simply an "onlooker", it had nothing to do with me!
Why not volunteer for the top sub of Pipers Burn this year John.
What difference does it make which section an observer is on?
As far as I'm concerned it's very simple, I give what I see, if I'm in doubt, the rider gets the benefit!
I was absolutely gob-smacked last year at Aonach Mor when I stood and watched an observer three just about every rider when he should have been giving a five! One lad stoppped three times in the section and was almost on his side and the observer gave him a three. I didn't interfere, didn't speak to the bloke. I just watched what he was doing, that is not the way it should be.
Don't get me wrong, its a big task watching 275 riders all day in the piddling rain, I fully respect observers (done it myself plenty times, I know whats involved... but it must be done right!
but i somehow dont think he's bothered about anybody but himself and his own agenda. 
Sadly there will always be people like that in this world and one day it WILL be one of them that finishes the Scottish off for ever.
Lochaber British Championship Round
in UK Trials Talk
Posted
Brilliant!
Big John