NoTraction

Thanks Rich…. I was there, it was a nicely laid out area. I was disappointed with my score but more because I didn’t think it through and got 5’s where I could have got 2’s or 3’s probably. Also, on one section that I know I cleaned all fours times I was awarded four 5’s! I can only guess I mistakenly didn’t follow the course correctly but nothing was said - I was really annoyed with myself about that one! I think I could have taken 40 points plus off by paying more attention - note to self for next time! My biggest issue, and hence me blaming the bike, is letting it get away from me when making turns on slopes, both up and down bit mostly up. I somehow fail to get the bike in the right position and then tend to over shoot the turn and the bike goes flying. I’m clearly not putting my weight in the right place and gripping the throttle too hard. I’ve fitted a slow throttle but it’s still easy to over twist it, I’ve managed to get hold of a stronger slide spring for the carb which I’m going to fit and see if that helps me. Someone I know has kindly given me permission to use his land for practicing so all good for the flat stuff but unfortunately there are no banks, its flat as a pancake. Look forward to meeting you sometime, onwards and upwards 👍

Thanks very much for all the time spent replying to me. It’s all great info and gives me lots to address. As I’m doing this on my own, although I am finding everyone really friendly at meetings I don’t have any one to ask for sage advice directly which is what makes this forum so helpful to me and confidence inspiring. There’s only so much ‘turn up and get on with it’ you can do without some direction. I appreciate all your comments and will go over them again at the weekend. Oh yes, I did rotate the bars forward a bit and it did help at the last trial. That is until I binned it half way up a slope and twisted the forks! But that’s another story…. (Fixed now!)

That’s brilliant! It’s funny, but the wheels are so small that they can get up some hills! Used to get up railway embankments on my Vespa 50 that the DTs and ERs couldn’t back in the day! 😃

Tell me about the price of scooters! My first was a Vespa 50 Special in 1984 which was £320. It makes me shudder when I think of the scooters we cut down, chopped and god knows what else in the 80’s. My first Lambretta was an SX150, albeit incomplete, which cost me £70! Currently got a ‘61 Li 150 S2 which I’ve put a GT186 kit on and rebuilt the engine to suit. Goes alright for an old Italian shopping bike! There’s still quite a scene round here (Aylesbury/Oxford). I would have been living spitting distance from Wiggs shop in 1981, me and my mates (I was 13 then) spent many hours drooling over the bikes and making a nuisance of ourselves. They used to put up with us though! I remember we found the front door had been left unlocked one night when they’d all gone home - being good boys we told Julian the next day, someone got in trouble for that I think! Anyway, I digress. I’d love another old TY if one appeared at the right time/right price. What did you mean ‘Do private message as needs - fairly local and have new/old bikes.’? Sorry, didn’t understand. And I definitely need to get to a practice area. I couldnt make it to the North Berks practice day on Saturday in the end, mind you it was bloody freezing so it might have been hard work!

I had a Messenger chat with him… it’s funny, we’re from the same small town (Winslow) but I don't know him. His Dad, Julian, had a shop there when we were kids in the 80’s selling trials bikes. I don’t think he does lessons locally to here though, I think he does them in Surrey, Hookwood I guess? The conversation fizzled out and I didn’t get anything booked, he was a bit vague on the detail but I remember it was £200. Not sure if that’s one to one or not, he didn’t say.

Yes, I have a flywheel weight fitted. Already checked that. I’ll check the sprockets though, thanks 👍

Noted. One for the field this weekend 👍

Wow, hardly any revs at all! He makes it look a doddle! I guess slipping the clutch goes against other types of riding so I better change my thought process! I think I’m going to go to Trials Day or Inch Perfect for a bit of instruction in the New Year, unless I can find anyone nearer. Alexz Wigg lives just down the road as well and I believe he’s starting a trials school. I could really use some coaching on the basics.. But I’ll watch that video again and give it a go at the weekend. Thanks 👍

So I’ve definitely got a slow throttle in it, I fitted it myself. I did the recommended sticky clutch fix and have filled with Nano Trans and it’s about the same, maybe a little better. But I haven’t checked the above mentioned clutch issues. I guess must be me then..

Helpful, thanks 🙄

So I’m just throwing this up for discussion really… Those who have read my previous posts will know I’m new to the sport. After research and deliberation I opted for a Beta Rev 3 250, I tried finding a 200 but had no luck there. Initially I fancied a twin shock, poss an old TY175 or Fantic 200 but the consensus was that something modern would be easier to learn on. Most road bikes I’ve had have been 4 stroke, I’m a Harley lover and have had 5 over the years and as far as two strokes go I’m a fan of old Lambrettas of which I own one (1961 vintage with tuned motor). The reason I mention this is that generally I am acclimatised to heavier slower revving torquey bikes in the road bike world, even the Lambretta isn’t a screamer. I keep getting spat off the Beta and I find it very light on the front end. The clutch is snappy and although I’ve only done three trials I seem to have a habit of inadvertently giving it too much throttle and flipping it, coming off the back usually. I have fitted a slow throttle, doesn’t seem to make much difference to me. I’ve also ordered a stiffer slide spring to give the throttle more feel. So, taking a view, I’m wondering if I’m using the wrong weapon? Should I have gone for something older, less lively and more sturdy or a modern four stroke such as a Rev 4 rather than the Rev 3? I’m never going to be super competitive starting at 53 but I would like to plod around the sections on something a bit smoother and steadier than what I have - I just feel it’s a bit too much bike for me, strangely enough. Either that or I need to be able to calm it down a bit until I have a few trials under my belt. I guess starting out when it’s cold, wet and slippy everywhere is more challenging than starting when it’s dry but I feel I would like to not be so wary of the throttle all the time and more sure footed. Sorry for the long post. Does this make sense? Would be great to hear from those who know better than I!

Well, it went though when nothing else was working. I’d give it a go, they’re not expensive.

Sorted it! After messing about with the Dremel and all sorts I tried a Bosch multi drill and it drilled it straight through. I’ve just used a longer bolt and put a nyloc on it 👍

Thank you, I met a guy called Peter at Stokenchurch, I think he’s from HUX as he was talking about a trial he’s putting on at Dews Farm. Looks like I need to travel a bit further afield!

Is that a regular fixture all year round? Sounds like it’s worth a visit. By the way, have we bumped into each other yet? Did you go to Stokenchurch on Sunday? You might have seen me, red Beta, white Hebo lid, often on the deck or paddling….

So I twisted my forks when I took a tumble at the weekend. I loosened off the bottom yoke pinch bolts, mudguard bolts and axle pinch bolts and straightened it all out best I could. I then retightened everything up. The only reference I could find that mentioned torque settings said ‘steering stem bracket 25nm’, I realise now that wasn’t referring to the yoke pinch bolts as I tightened them to this and sheared one off! So I bought some snapped bolt removal tools, carefully drilled in, started winding it with a spanner and then snapped that bloody thing off! So now I have part of a snapped off tempered steel removal tool also in the hole, I have been trying for hours now with various drills and a Dremel but I’m not making much headway. So two questions really. Firstly, has anyone got any sage knowledge on how to sort this out? Secondly, the bottom yoke on mine (‘08 model) has three bolts each side, most I’ve seen only have two. Would it be safe to run it with one of the three missing? Oh, and does anyone know the correct torque value?? Thanks.

Should suit me just fine! 🤣

That’s great, thanks for letting me know. I met someone at a trial on Sunday and when I told them, knowing I’m a newbie, intimated that it might not be beginner friendly. He might have just watched me fall off rather spectacularly twisting my forks in the process but maybe not…… I fancy giving it a go, theres not much on around here in December i dont think 😀

Can anyone tell me what the layout is like at Seymour’s Arena? North Berks have a practice day this Sunday and I’m debating going but I’m a novice so don’t want to be climbing big rocks etc like I’ve seen in the photos of the place. Wondering if they have stuff there that’s beginner friendly? TIA

Thanks, looking forward to it. If the rain holds off between now and then it should be an enjoyable day. North Berks are putting on a practice day the following week which I reckon would be good for a beginner such as I so I think I’ll try and make that too. They’re a good bunch, did one of their trials at Standlake 👍

Excellent, I’m signed in and will be there….. hopefully I’ll have a bit more success than last week at Beckley!

Morning People, Can anyone tell me what the WycombeMcc Stokenchurch site? Hills, mud, beginner friendly? TIA

When you say ‘Wycombe and Ixion Type’, what do you mean? I’ve only been to two trials so far and don’t have much to compare to. Are they similar to each other, ie muddy banks, boggy when wet etc? It would be good to hear what Wycombe/Stokenchurch is like, and Denham for comparison. Would you be able to give me a heads up?

That does sound good! They have one this Saturday, it’s about 60 miles from me. However, the organiser of the trial I did on Saturday has invited me to go along with the club to a trial at High Wycombe (Stokenchurch). Thinking I should show willing, they all seemed pretty supportive despite my inability to stay upright! I’m going to try me find out what the weathers doing and what the terrain is like at Wycombe. If it’s all muddy slopes and is going to be wet I might give it a miss this time round….