McTrucky

Thanks both, that was what I was hoping.

I have a 2009 evo 250, my mate has a 2021 (or22) 300. My rear caliper simply has two pads with a screw in pin holding them in. My mate's has a spring in there, presumably to minimise pad rattling. I have not had a close look at his set up, so am not sure if they are identical or not. Does anyone know if I should have a spring in there? And if so, does it matter that mine is missing?

PM sent.

I have seen springs advertised as heavy duty and so on, but when you say "springs to my weight" do you know where to get specific springs for your weight?

I am new to trials and have 2012 framed 250 Beta evo. The bike has obvioulsy done some work over the years, so it might be fair to say the shock and springs are not factory fresh. I am just over 15 stone (97kg ish) in my birthday suit - and suspect the bike is designed for someone with a slightly more athletic figure than mine. I swapped the fork oil (now using 10weight) and am happy with the front, but am wondering if I should be looking to rebuild/replace the shock at that age, and if I should be looking for a heavier spring than standard? No great rush, happy to ride as is, but if a second hand unit popped up on eBay, should I bite?

I just added it to my roadside multibike policy. They just took the registration number, and immediately knew make and model etc. Fully comp. Not sure thatbthey would cover without a v5 registration number.....?

Is the Scottish Sixdays next week worth a visit? I am hoping to go and have a look and see some of the riding - but are there any trade stands or bargains to be had ? Being a newbie, with a 14 year old bike, I have a lot of bits and bobs I would like to buy - boots, springs (I am around 15.5 stone in my birthday suit), riding gear, chain set, brake pads, etc... I know I can get all this stuff on line - but are there trade stands in Fort William? When is best to go? Cheers Alan

Thanks all. Looked at it this morning and I could take out a link, but then it appears fairly tight (pulled taught is about two fingers width to the bottom of the swing arm. But I now have another question: The front sprocket is loose. I have owned a lot of bikes, but never a Trials bike, and never a Beta, and have never seen this before. There is movement forward/back and up/down as well as rotationally. I am figuring this is the wrong sprocket, but happens to fit loosely on the splines. Can you confirm - or are all Beta like that? Pretty sure it must be wrong and tightening the chain with that may put extra load on it, so will leave it loose for now. For ref, the sprockets are 11/43 and I count 50 links in the chain. update - edited an hour later - the front sprocket looks right, spines are OK, but it just mounts on the shaft between two circlips so has the movement I felt. Should there be spacers or washers in there to hold it firmly, or are they loose?

I haven't measured it, but... The chain set on my (new to me) 2009 evo250 looks to be in reasonable condition; but the chain is slack, almost touching the swing arm. However the snail adjusters are at their max rotation. I suspect a smaller sprocket than standard is on it. So, how much length will I get if I turn the adjusters to thier minimum setting? Enough to cut a link off the chain so I can set it up at the correct tension?

On searching for "what oil...?" I expected a raft of opinions and an equal number of "not this again..!" responses. But alas no. So here goes... The manual says Bradahl 20w40. I have tubs of Shell Ultra 4t 10w40 (fully synthetic, top of the range shell bike oil) - is there any reason not to use the Shell? Hot viscosity will be as recommended, cold viscosity slightly thinner than the 20w40, but that is probably a good thing for cold starting. I can understand the logic of using a gearbox oil rather than an engine oil (such as no compromises for catalytic converters etc), but the manual does specify a multigrade. Pretty sure it is easy to over think such things, but any opinions on this?

@mcman56 I have been trying to do some research (and yes I do tend to over think things) but trials boots seem to have a flat grippy sole, some protection and a lot of flexibility for 'fine control'. Nothing like the protection of MX or Enduro boots, which are like lump hammers compared to ballet shoes of a trials rider. Gaerne Balance boots seem to be available new for a not completely unrealistic £190. Comments I have seen on them range from most comfy, best boots ever, to concerns that they are too flexible to provide ample protection, and the soles are too soft causing discomfort when standing up all day. Guess I should just buy something, anything, and once I start trialling I will start learning what I do and don't like or need. But I will hold out for some flat soles, just because I suspect the first boots I buy will last me for years, and if they should be flat soled, then that is what I should get. Might just start with an old pair of road boots, or some construction worker boots, just to get going.

@b40rt I won't make it to Drumcarrow, currently travelling to Cornwall for a funeral. Good to know for the next time though, thanks. Not seen a 2023 fixture list yet, but will keep my eyes open. @feetupfun I am in Kinross. Never thought about asking to borrow a pair.... Good idea, that way I might be able to find a make and size that works for me, then watch eBay and Guntree for a pair turning up.

As an unashamed newbie, I am balking at the cost of a pair of decent trials boots. Seem to be around £200+ I am a life long victim of buy cheap buy twice, and know that quality costs, but delivers. But still can't resist a bargain.. And that leads me to boots. I am a newbie, and have MX jeans, upper body armour and a helmet, but my boots are a road pair that might provide some abrasion protection against sliding on tarmac, but little else. There seems to be a choice of MX or enduro boots at £100 ish, and also 'Adventure Road biased' boots for around £100, but little in the way of budget Trials boots. My mate says a pair of wellies is all you need. But he is thicker than me.... So what should I do. Keep watching eBay for something to come up 2nd hand? Make do with a cheap option until I know whether Trials is for me or not? Or bite the bullet and splash the cash on a decent new pair? I am a size 10/44 just in case someone is about to say they have a pair of last years model being replaced by Santa Clause in a couple of weeks 🙂

Thanks. I now have a strawberry flavour bottle of Putoline on order, and will go with around 66 to 1. Might try mixing it with milk and serving with IceCream, but reckon that will need to be a bit heavier mix.

I realised after spending over £100 on putting diesel in my car, and some V-Power petrol in a can to mix up for the Beta that penny pinching by using the old questionable oil vs buying a litre of new "Trials" oil was rather stupid..... and I guess one 1l bottle at £16 will probably be less than half used by the time I sell the bike. So thanks for the clear advice.