jon v8

I can put you in touch with the owner of this old concrete mixer if its any help.I don't know about Paul Jackson,but I tink John Bartram only does springer frames.

I do wish it wasn't called a licence - its not,its a fee that provides you with a membership number/photocard to compete in ACU backed trials.In no way is it a licence that proves either the riders health or any kind of qualification to compete.

If you could put up a couple of pictures of the bike we can help point out what is original / modified.Mods done before 1962 were quite different to what is done now.I think you need to make a clear decision about what you want to do with it before you start.Just as a starter I would recommend Paul at APL Magnetos to do your mag.He did my HT one 3 years ago and has just finished the one off my AJS.He is VERY busy so just don't try to rush him.

I found the spec sheet for the carb Surrey Cycles sold me 3 years ago fo my longstroke HT. Mk1 Concentric - 626/300 #3 Brass slide 200 main jet 106 Needle jet 30 Pilot jet - Bush removed. More than happy with this setup,all I've changed is the throttle stop screw,its now one from Wayne - Billet parts UK,with a knurled end so you can adjust idle speed even with gloves on.The engine starts and runs well,does not foul plugs and will pick up from right down to virtually zero revs.

Ok, I managed to sneak out to the workshop for a couple of hours today,stripped out the carb for cleaning and here are the specs; 622/R300 No 3 Brass slide 160 main jet 106 needle jet Needle position one down from top notch. Stay up Ethanol proof float. All these parts were supplied by Surrey Cycles who were most helpful,all built into the body which was on the bike when I bought it.Before the mag started to fail it ran perfectly with this carb setup.

Ave a look yer - http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/48512-ty80-what-fuel-mix-is-unleaded-petrol-ok/

If I can find 10 mins in the workshop I'll whip my AJS carb apart as I cant remember whats in it.It needs a strip and clean ready for the engine rebuild so it will help move that forward.

Excellent advice,my 1950 rigid 350 Ajs was never quite right at idle/low revs.I could never get it spot on.When I took the engine apart for a rebuild I mounted the mag up in the lathe with a rubber drive coupling.With it spinning at 300rpm there was a lovely fat blue spark at the attached plug.I was monitoring all this with my oscilloscope,and all was good.I then fitted a piece of hose over the end of the plug to apply compressed air.The spark trace on the scope then all but disappeared.100psi was enough to kill the spark at that speed. The mag is now away being rebuit....

I think the truth is they aren't that good - as standard. Modified they are better,but there are still better twinshock bikes around. Yes they are reliable,but I find they don't steer too well,esp compared to a Yam or Fantic. And the other thing is the engine,the two strokes are much easier to ride and less likely to stall,although the TLR200 is much better than the TLR250 in not stalling.As standard the clutch was rubbish,but is easily sorted. The two best things about them is they way look and the way they sound - but neither helps much in cleaning a section... A TY175 or better still a 250 is a better bike to ride if you are comparing bog stock bikes,not much steers and grips better than a TY250. But then I might be biased,and its only my opinion....

Ok,I managed to get through to the Norton comp shop today.The latest factory bikes are running a 626/301 mk1 Concentric which gives a lh tickler.106 needle jet,bushed pilot and No 3 slide.For the main jet a 220 is a good starting point,but might need to go up or down depending on the amount of higher rpm road use and general engine condition. Make sure the mag is capable before fiddling too much with low speed settings,a weak spark can come across as poor mixture settings....

Blimey,I can get all the grip I need at 8psi in my rigid AJS - why do you need 1-2psi ?

I'll start the conflicting replies.... I use Castrol TTS at 50 - 1 in all my 2 stroke stuff,including a TY80,TY250's,strimmer 5 chainsaws etc.All run well with little smoke,no coking up etc.Some of the chainsaws have also done a huge amount of work with no problems at all. The unleaded is no problem,the lead was there to stop valve and seat wear in 4 stroke motors,so no additives are needed.

No, but they do after George Greenland has had a go at them..... Darn sight lighter than a Norton clutch and a treat to use.They are also very progressive. I'm told some of the NEB clutches are a bit lightswitch in operation unless they have been fiddled with.

All good advice,but I'd add that with a standard road cluster second gear will make things happen far too fast... Assuming its a standard long stroke 500 motor,once they have fired a few times they take some slowing down.Fine for long muddy hillclimbs,but in second they just become a handful.Fitting a set of Micks gears in mine made SO much difference - giving a much better choice of speed in sections.That and fitting a Jawa speedway clutch mean you can ride in the old fashioned way or ride on the clutch like a modern.With the variation of sections we ride its now nice to be able to concentrate on forcing the weight of the thing around,not worrying about how fast its going or reigning it in after its found grip on a climb. I'm really looking forward to how my short stroke motor runs,George Greenland reckons they are much easier to ride as they pick up and shut down quicker,not sure I need that,my flat as a t-rd 350 Ajay actually does all I need of it,both in climbing hills and finding grip where there is none....

It might not be that much,very little extra air is needed for a higher idle speed,the plug colour is a fairly blunt instrument for checking mixture strength - Co from the tailpipe is far more accurate.The harder starting is also a good indicator of air not pulling fuel out of the jets,but seeping in elsewhere.

Air leak - running lean ?

The thing about bikes is there is something for everyone,it doesn't matter what you ride modern or old,road,race,speedway,scrambles,trials or anything else they are all there to be enjoyed.For me the modern stuff in terms of trials leaves me stone cold,hopping and bouncing around etc.But I can appreciate the skills involved. The classic trials,either twinshock or P65 to me is much more interesting,the bikes need more skills and time to keep up together,the people and banter involved all have stories to tell or can surprise you with riding skills - even into their eighties.Its a fascinating world to be a part of. Plus of course there is the part that I think nearly all mackerel a*** trials riders share, is that the old stuff retains its value... I've done my share of losing money to depreciation,all my old bangers would recoup their value,moderns shed it too fast for me. But I guess it doesn't really matter, enjoying trials is what really matters.

2nd'd.

Cant remember what the settings were supposed to be,but Don Morley reckoned they are better a couple of thou slacker than the factory figure.Thats how I run mine and have no complaints for it.... I do the same with my AJS too. Thank you for observing yesterday,bloomin good trial... Forgot to ask you yesterday,what make of piston are you using in your shortstroke ?

I use nitrile workshop gloves under my thin Hebo trials gloves for single venue trials.Proper road gauntlets over the top of the other two when its really cold for road based events.

I have Falcons on my HT5,they give a really good action,very pleased with them.The standard TY250 I use has Betors which leaked from about 6 months old.... I'll be replacing them with Falcons when I rebuild it into a Majesty frame in the near future.Lots of mates use Rockshocks and are very happy with them too,its going to be down to personal preference on this....

Not sure that is always the case.... Even on my "diet" of top quality home cooked food and too much wine,I think my rigid AJS has the upper hand.

50,80,125,175,250cc ? You may need to give a little more info...

Welcome aboard, I see your father on a regular basis at our trials - Top man ! Some recent pics of him here; https://sites.google.com/site/somertonclassicmotorcycleclub/past-events-results

No mate,it really isn't.... I'll be back for the March Hare even if I have to commandeer a bike from a Golden Valley member !