tonyp

I snapped the clutch hose clean off at the point it goes into the reservoir/lever. It looks as if they are £53 for a replacement (2004 Beta Rev3). Which is more than for Gas Gas & Sherco. Has anyone found a cheaper repair/replacement ?

A colleague at work has been asking me about trials because her 13 year-old son is interested in Moto-X and I said Trials would be better. Is there a site, preferably with videos, that would give them a feel for what trials is all about. Yes, I'll suggest they go to a trial, but some info up-front would help.

Hi, I've recently got a Bultaco 198A. I believe the ignition timing is between 2.8mm and 3.0mm BTDC. I haven't yet got a TDC Tool, but I guess I'll need one. - are the standard tools OK, or do I really need a micrometer version ? But I was wondering... - what's this measurement in terms of degrees BTDC ? - I can't imagine being able to measure 2.8mm to 3mm with any great accuracy, so isn't it easier/better to measure in degrees ? Tony P

So.....how was it ? A good day for the clubamn ? On the calendar for next year ? I joined the Guisborough club when it first started in circa '74 and would love to get back up there one year to experience a N.Yorks trial again ! .....Rob Edwards, Brian Hutchinson, John Pattinson, et al !!! I guess they still wear trial-wellies and waxed-cotton up there ?

If you have a mountain bike, it can be useful to practice on the bike, turning the bars slightly really helps, and you don't get tired as quickly. Helps if you're going downhill slightly.

I live near 2 or 3 centres, and struggle to know what trials are taking place over the weekend across the region. T&MX Website used to be great for this, with a fairly comprehensive list that was easy to access. But their latest website seeems to have become impossible to navigate, and has become absolutley useless. Two questions... - is there an easy-to-use, and fairly complete, list of trials events out there anywhere ? - Is the T&MX website now a total waste of time, or is it just me that struggles with it ? Tony P.

Hi, I have a 04 Beta with 4-pot AJP front caliper, and have stripped the thread in the lower fixing mount. Sounds like a new one is

Hi, I'm building a C15 special. I've had to cut out the bottom of the fuel tank to accommodate the engine and there's no room for a petrol tank in the normal place, so I'm hoping to fit it under the seat. But I'll need to pump the petrol. Has anybody solved this sort of a problem before. Either using a Pulse Pump, or an electric pump. I've tried a pulse pump (from a chinese copy type bike), driven off the inlet manifold, but it didn't pump anything. If you've solved the problem, what specific pump did you use. With an electric pump is there a risk of creating too much pressure and flooding the carb ? Tony.

Just wanted to say congratulations on producing one of the best looking trials bikes ever. I guess many of us started with these bikes ....half the weight of my previous bike... a Greeves Scottish!! Would love one, but over the years I've come to the conclusion they'r all in the US or in Westyfields garage ?

Hi, Alot of people at trials seem to have nice shiny chains that appear brand new or very well kept. I'm always really jealous cos my chain is always gunked up and looks horrible. BUT....my chain and sprockets have been on for 30 months, and used probably once a fortnight in trials, and they're still going strong. I just squirt on some chain lube each time (switched to dry stuff so it doesn't mess up the rear end). So, I've now come round to the view that all that maintenance isn't really worth it, or cost-justified. TonyP

If this was the problem I'm sure you would have sussed it but.....on my Beta the tickover speed varies when I turn the handlebars cos the throttle cable isn't adjusted correctly.

Hi, I've smashed the (red) front mudguard on my 04 Beta Rev3. I guess replacements are probably circa

The best advice is ... if it's not broke then don't fix it. Beta spent time getting the bike right....any subsequent mods are unlikely to have a significant effect. Fine tuning is OK for the top 10%, but has buggar all affect for the vast majority of us. Main thing is to just get out there and practice. I've got a 2004 Beta....the main thing to check is that the cases around the water-pump are not corroded. - take the pump outer cover off and check for corrosion - keep an eye on your oil...and panic if it goes cloudy cos you've got a problem - and make sure you're using coolant that is OK for magnesium cases. Apart from the corrsion on the cases, it's a brilliant bike. Enjoy.

Hi, I hope this works...I've tried to create a poll to see what start time people prefer for trials ? Please register your preference so we get a good sample. Cheers

Hi, Is it possible on Trials Central to run a poll to understand what start-time people prefer ? I was at a trial today, it was due to start at 11:00, but it actually kicked off 11:25. Personally... - I'd prefer a planned start time of 10:30 - And I'd prefer to start on time, otherwise people assume it will kickoff late and turn up late. This would enable me to get home mid-afternoon and reclaim some brownie points. I guess there's differing opinions, but perhaps a poll would help understand the majority view ? TonyP.

I've cleaned out the rear silencer on my 2004 Rev3 for the first time......blow-lamped the inner pipe to burn off the crap and then repacked it. But can I blowlamp the front silencer box, or is there some packing in there that I would destroy ?

Did you find a solution to your problem. I'm in thesame situation ?

If you carry on riding it without sorting out the problem then you need to keep a very close eye on the coolant. I didn't realise what was happening with mine at first, until one day it got really hot and almost seized, then I realised most of the coolant was in with the oil, and had probably been blown out of the breather.

I had the same on my beta 2004. It's almost definitely coolant getting in. The casings corrode. Replacements are about

The other thing to check is the state of the inner clutch cover and water pump cover. I bought a 2004 Beta 250 in January and I had to replace the inner cover because it had corroded. First sign is a slightly milky looking oil when you look at the oil level glass. Check whether the cover has been replaced. And ask the seller to remove the oil pump cover so you can check whether there is any corrosion. It's the second biggest failure with Beta's after the stator, so the seller should know what you're looking for,

Yes, I'd discourage people from buying a Beta. I'd just had mine a few weeks when I had to spend time/effort replacing the inner clutch housing because of corrosion. My stator hasn't gone yet but it probably will. Next bike will be a Scorpa.

Thanks, I took the sump guard off....and it went back really easy ! Just need to suss out which coolant to use to avoid the problem happening again ! Cheers

I've bought a new inner clutch cover for my Beta Rev3. But the rubber padding between the engine and sump guard gets in the way of fiitting it. There looks tyo be two options, either (a) drop the sump guard off the bike, or ( cut some of the padding out and then push/glue it back in afterwards. I've heard that getting a sump guard back on can be a nightmare job. How do people refit these covers ?

Hi, I'm rebuilding a sachs 125 engine, as used in Dalesman, Penton, Saracen, etc. Does anyone know where I can get spares (either UK or overseas) ? Tony.

I'm planning a C15 trials bike and thinking of ditching the alternator and just using a battery. This will also allow me to re-work the LHS cover and reduce width and a bit of weight. - What type of battery do people use ? - Is anything else needed beside standard coil, condenser, and points ? - Has anybody tried this with Boyer-Bransden ? - What amp/hour rating is best? - 6v or 12v. - How many hours trialling do you get before a recharge is needed ?