old trials fanatic

Wont be seeing you guys this year Just wanted to wish you a Happy new year and a happy birthday too.

Always a hot potato this one. Just wondered what the panel thought. I was over at a friends the other day droping some parts off and noticed he was rebuilding / refurbishing one of the local guys bikes. Now the rider in question usually already wins all the local events he enters but i did notice the ignition that was going to be fitted to the rebuilt engine. I was particularly interested as i am rebuilding a spare engine to put into my James. So what in perticular interested me? Well i am currently running a PVL system on the James and was going to fit a similar system to the new engine but the one that was to be fitted to the James my friend was preparing had a switch facility whereby you could change the engine charicteristics at the flick of a switch. Mid section if required. My friend had tried a bike fitted with a similar system, not PVL by the way, and was most impressed with the ability to change from a soft power delivery to a much sharper punchier power output at the flick of a switch. I'm tempted i really am but where do we draw the line ? Is this one step too far? What do you think ? Should we be now fitting programmable ignitions ? apart from a discrete switch they are indetectable.

Hate to say it but he's right. I would always call in person and inspect very very very carefully before parting with the folding. I have had good stuff off them BUT also they have tried to palm off some rough stuff. Saying that have always found them helpful and they have always agreed to a refund if i was not happy when i got my purchase home. Cavieat emptor.

Mud, mud glorious mud was the order of the day for the 66 riders that attended the Peak Classic Trials Clubs round 11 of their Club championship at Dudwood Farm, Elton last Sunday 21st December. Mick Ransom laid out a difficult and testing course with some riders losing a lot of marks in the extremely slippery conditions where getting between sections was a struggle for some. The inclusion of section 10 a traditional 3rd gear blast through a long long bog took marks from the whole entry. No chance of anybody keeping a clean sheet or riding suit today. The stream sections 7 & 8 for which this venue is famous were in prime condition providing a welcome change as stream sections appear sadly lacking as more and more traditional trials grounds become unavailable. The remaining sections were over and around some large rocks and along with the ever present slimy conditions then balance and throttle control was a prerequisite. The Club would like to thank the course setter Mick Ransom for laying out such testing course. Also thanks must go out to the observers who for once manned every section which was most appreciated. The next and final round of the Club Championship round 12 will be on the 11th January at Cookes Quarry, Sidenooks just outside of Youlgrave near Matlock Derbyshire NOT as previously advertised at Victory Quarry so please make an amendment in your diary and come along for a good days sport. Expert route British Bike 1st Pete Carson Cub 9 marks lost 2nd Martin Stanistreet James 10 marks lost 3rd Mick Grant Aereil 13 marks lost Expert route Twinshock 1st Chris Slack Bultaco 9 marks lost 2nd Simon Fouke Suzuki 11 marks lost 3rd Mick Thurman Majesty 11 marks lost 50/50 Route British Bike 1st Derek Carson James 35 marks lost 2nd Geoff Gadsby BSA 43 marks lost 3rd Shane Barnes Cub 51 marks lost 50/50 Route Twinshock 1st Rob Mycock Bultaco 30 marks lost 2nd John Wilson Majesty 39 marks lost 3rd Gary Shaw Bultaco 49 marks lost Aircooled Mono Shock 1st Barry Micklethwaite Yamaha 73 marks lost Clubman Route British Bike 1st Eric Boocock BSA 8 marks Lost 2nd Shaun Brown Francis Barnet 28 marks lost 3rd Malcolm Brayford James 37 marks lost Clubman Route Twinshock 1st Graham Baker Honda 33 marks lost 2nd Tony Shaw Ossa 38 marks lost 3rd Ted Sammon Majesty 51 marks lost

Thanks Woody and thanks guys. At least if all else fails then i know where i can get one. Looks like i may be sorted though. After todays trial droped in at a friends house who used to ride Ossa's , still does on occaision and i'd give me right arm for his current one, and after a rummage we might have a good second hand piston sorted. He just has to sort some rings out to suit To be honest dont know why i didnt think of poping round sooner must be this man flu cant seem to think straight. Appreciate all the advice though guys and it may help somebody else in the same predicament

I need a piston for my MAR. Has anybody bought one recently? Word is they seem to be rare as hens teeth. Is that true

No think youve got it right

Yeah me too. Really bugs me when people pull an item cas it isnt making the bids they wanted. Err it's supposed to be an auction

FWIW dont bother. The conversions are more trouble than they are worth. Pete Carson has spent ages fiddleing with his. In fact i think he may have given up and sold the bike. I know a friend was going over to have a go on it looking to buy. As Woodie and others have said the CI or alloy , my preference sharper power delivery, barrel is more than enough. Simon Bateman is in the process of having some new Greves TES replica ones cast so to me it's a no brainer. If you know where there is a 350 barrel and head going cheap theres probably a good reason. Whatever you decide good luck.

Memories. I had one a long time ago. Bought it off Roy Pidcock. Seem to remember at some point it was ex Chris Milner bike. My only real memory was that it was a swine to ride bit like a moto crosser. Loads of power but so fierce. Little ground clearence and very heavy and bulky. Sold it to Eric Housley and bought a Sprite Goldfinger. Would appreciate so piccys. Nice to hear Ted is still alive i used to ride with him in the old days. Always a gentleman in a check shirt and belstaff.

Peak Classic Trials Club held round 10 of their Club championship at Cookes Quarry Youlgrave near Matlock last Sunday 16th November which was well attended by 52 riders. The aircooled monoshock class is now beginning to take off and a good days sport was enjoied by all the classes British Bike, Twinshock and Pre 95 Air cooled monos. The sections consisted mainly of turns in and around trees with rocks and adverse cambers thrown in for good measure. Some of the recent rounds have been won on clean sheets but not this time. That said the sections were testing but enjoyable and the 5 laps of 9 sections provided clear winners in all but one of the classes amazingly the air cooled mono class on the clubman route was a tie. The Club would like to thank the course setters who did a great job and without their contribution there would not be any trial. Also thanks go out to the observers who braved the cold. Without them we could not run a trial so thank you. The next round will be 21st December at Dudwood Farm off the B5056 near Elton so be there and if you have never been to one of our trials and have an air cooled mono, twinshock or British Bike come along and enjoy a great days sport. Christmas shopping can wait. Expert route British Bike 1st Pete Carson Cub 13 marks lost 2nd Barry Burton James 25 marks lost 3rd Richard Turner Cub 41 marks lost Expert route Twinshock 1st Bob Gent Fantic 5 marks lost 2nd Adrian Clarke Montesa 13 marks lost 3rd Mark Weston Montesa 18 marks lost Expert A/C Mono 1st Dale Shaw Honda 24 marks lost 2nd Andy Butt Fantic 34 marks lost 50/50 Route British Bike 1st Derek Carson James 17 marks lost 2nd Barry Micklethwaite James 22 marks lost 3rd Dave Glover James 25 marks lost 50/50 Route Twinshock 1st Carl Braddock Beamish 25 marks lost 2nd Rob Mycock Bultaco 26 marks lost 3rd John Wilson Majesty 33 marks lost Clubman Route British Bike 1st Paul Beswick James 15 marks Lost 2nd Pete Elvedge Greeves 25 marks lost 3rd Barry Rodgers Francis Barnett 43 marks lost Clubman Route Twinshock 1st Tony Shaw Ossa 12 marks lost 2nd Philip Green Montesa 35 marks lost 3rd Ted Salmon Majesty 35 marks lost Clubman Route Air Cooled Monoshock 1st Steve Jones Yamaha 25 marks lost 2nd Clifford Wall Yamaha 25 marks lost

Peak Classic Trials Clubs round 9 of their Club championship at Stathams Farm near Matlock was well attended as trials at this little used venue usually are. The sections consisted mainly of turns in and around trees with a few rocks and grassy banks thrown in for good measure.The sections were challenging with only two riders keeping their feet up for a win with 0 marks lost. Mark Hallows in the Expert Twinshock Class and Darren Cooper in the Expert British Bike Class. A master class given by both riders. Superb. The first round of the clubs pre 95 air cooled monoshock class only received two entries but it

Dont know if it's me but i've got an IRC on the back at the moment on the James. It's done the Classic Scottish 2 day and Robregordo 2 day and about 10 club trials since. I'm so happy with it when i next change i will definately fit another. Never had a problem with it moving on the rim, Akront with 2 security bolts, and find it gives good grip, won my class on it the last two times out. Perhaps i'm lucky ? perhaps i'm insensitive ? perhaps i'm not good enough to know the difference? Just know it's been trouble free and i'm dead happy with it enough to say i'd never fit anything else. Dont know if it matters but i run at 4.5 p.s.i. and ride in Derbyshire.

Hi again my old friend. Actually i thought i was. Do we renew each year or something?

The Peak Classic Trials Clubs 8th round of the Club championship was held at Bracken Rocks, Holloway near Matlock and as the recent heavy rain had made the going very greasy the riders were unsure as to what to expect as this venue can change drastically from lap to lap. As things turned out the sections were greasy but the rocks were more of a challenge than the mud was. Some of the earlier rounds in the Championship were a little on the easier side with classes being won on 0 marks. This round was more difficult but not overly so and a good challenge was enjoyed by all the entrants. The number of entrants was disappointing and of late entries have fallen to a level that makes running events not viable so the Club has decided to from the next round at Stathams Farm onward to reintroduce an aircooled monoshock class. The Club would like to stress that the severity of the sections will remain the same but we look forward to seeing a few more riders who would not normally ride at our events so come along and enjoy a good days sport. The next round is at Stathams Farm near Matlock on 19th October. This is a very popular venue with parking at a premium so arrive early and please bring an observer if you can. Expert route British Bike 1st Pete Carson Tiger Cub 12 marks lost 2nd Robert Bowyer Triumph Twin 18 marks lost 3rd Darren Cooper James 26 marks lost Expert route Twinshock 1st Mike Edwards Fantic 18 marks lost 2nd Chris Slack Majesty 22 marks lost 3rd Darren Walker Majesty 23 marks lost 50/50 Route British Bike 1st Derek Carson James 24 marks lost 2nd Barry Mickelthwaite James 47 marks lost 50/50 Route Twinshock 1st Carl Braddock Beamish 10 marks lost 2nd Robert Mycock Bultaco 17 marks lost 3rd Ian Bend Bultaco 50 marks lost Clubman Route British Bike 1st Paul Beswick James 21 marks Lost 2nd Peter Elvidge Greeves 29 marks lost 3rd Robert Carson Wassle 49 marks lost Clubman Route Twinshock 1st Ted Sammon Majesty 70 marks lost 2nd Mick Harrison Yamaha 02 marks lost

As some of you know i am heavily involved with a couple of local Classic Clubs and have stood on my soapbox on many occaisions in the past about Classic trials etc. Well one of the Clubs is having big problems with small entries. Basically if things dont soon change the club will have to either use one venue only or close. The Club needs approx 35 entries minimum to break even at most venues. Ok some are more expensive, Bracken Rocks etc, than others, typically Carsons Fm, but the Club has been making a loss of late and this can not and will not continue. So what to do ? Raise entry fees ? well they are currently

The Peak Classic Trials Clubs 7th round of their Club championship was held at Carsons farm near Matlock and as the round was also an ACU Championship round the riders were on edge not knowing what to expect as this venue can change drastically from lap to lap turning an easy section to near impassable in minutes. The recent heavy rain with more forecast gave the organisers a real headache planning the sections to give all the riders in all the classes a realistic challenge. As it turned out the promised rain didn

Bracken Rocks near Matlock Derbyshire was the venue for the Peak Classic Trials Clubs 6th round of their Club championship and as the round was also an ACU Championship round the sections for the expert class especially were "testing" to say the least. The entry of 31 riders included Mick Grant, Chris Milner and Pete Carson in the expert class so a good battle was envisaged and this proved to be the case as the Trial unfolded. As usual the sections consisted of twisting turns over and around some prime pieces of Derbyshire rockery with section 5 over some large rocks followed by tight turns saw even the top local riders take a tumble followed by section 6 a large rock step and section 7 a jumble of rocks and a tree stump which soon became greasy taking marks of the majority of the entry and a few crashes as well. One of the top contenders for the Expert class, Chris Slack, had to unfortunately retire due to a wrist injury incurred when attempting the step in section 6 when his Sprite hit the big rock step and stopped but Chris didn't. Hoping Chris's wrists heal soon and he is back in action. So by the end of 4 laps of 10 sections the entry knew they had had a testing day with Chris Milner coming out top in the British Bike Expert Category and Mick Thurman in the Twinshock Expert Class. The next round, round 7, is at Carson's Farm, Grange Mill near Matlock on 10th August so Pete Carson should have home advantage we shall see. The Club would like to thank all the observers who turned out without which there would be no Trials and extends a warm welcome to all riders and any who would like to observe at the next event. Expert route British Bike 1st Chris Milner Tiger Cub 9 marks lost 2nd Mick Grant Ariel 17 marks lost 3rd Pete Carson Tiger Cub 25 marks lost Expert route Twinshock 1st Mick Thurman Majesty 17 marks lost 2nd Mark Weston Montesa 17 marks lost 3rd Dave Wood Majesty 22 marks lost 50/50 Route British Bike 1st Adrian Clarke Greeves 15 marks lost 2nd Stephen Cooper Greeves 46 marks lost 3rd Derek Carson James 50 marks lost 50/50 Route Twinshock 1st Carl Braddock Beamish 20 marks lost 2nd Robert Mycock Bultaco 32 marks lost 3rd John Wilson Majesty 67 marks lost Clubman Route British Bike 1st Paul Beswick James 23 marks Lost 2nd Vincent Price Royal Enfield 42 marks lost 3rd Rob Goodwin Francis Barnett 99 marks lost Clubman Route Twinshock 1st Tony Shaw Ossa 44 marks lost

The Peak Classic Trials Club held round 5 of their 2008 Club Championship at Waynes Farm Ible, Near Matlock on Sunday 22nd June. Most people associate Dernyshire and the Matlock area especially with rocks but Waynes Farm is and was all about mud and with the recent weather there was lots. A relatively small turnout of 27 riders braved the conditions in what turned out to be a tougher than usual trial. As usual 4 laps of 10 sections with sections 1,2,3 placed on the hillside overlooking the car park followed by section 4 twisting and turning through the trees providing a real test of balance and throttle control. Section 5 however proved to be the real test as the stream was even boggier than usual. 6 & 7 were muddy slots leading to 8,9 & 10 in the very slippery stream bed not made any easier as with the previous weekends Doncaster Cup Trial chewing the sections up a fair bit. Pete Carson as usual was the overall winner but even he dropped 27 marks. The Clubs next trial will be at Bracken Rocks on July 20th and is an ACU Championship Round so it

We are all in the same boat with engines costing a premium. Some are even buying a complete bike just for the engine then selling off the rest to recoup some of their outlay. Only suggestion i can make is Villiers services but expect to pay

i'll second that

OK so we now know who the "guy who got caught" is. Wonder what T&MX will say if anything? Wonder what the competitors at the next Trial he enters will say? Wonder what the ACU will say or do? Perhaps his ACU licence should be withdrawn for the rest of the year as a penalty? Whatever. I would just like to take the opportunity to appologise to Big John, Highland Lassie and any other of the SSDT organisers who may have been offended by my comment of "not giving a toss" perhaps i as just trying to tempt somebody to name the culprit and get all the nudge nudge wink wink stuff out of the way. Seriously i didnt mean to offend BJ or HL i hope BJ at least knows me better than that

You really should make the effort and so should anybody else out there who has read about the special qualities of Robregordo. You really feel such a sense of achievement when you finish the last section to know "i did it" The scores almost dont matter it really is about the taking part. As for the severity i would say to your average British rider only consider the yellow ="easy" or green = "slightly harder" routes. Blue and red ? yeah right unless you were riding in the World Championship in the 70's dont bother. You wouldnt believe what some of those Spanish guys can do on a twinshock The one thing i cant convey is the enthusiasm and camraderie of the organisers and competitors all speaking one language Trials It's second only to the Scottish Pre65 two day and i hope Javier wont mind me saying that. Good luck and i am sure you will be succesful in whatever other role with Motoclub Sotobike you take over and i'm looking forward to meeting and chatting to whoever tries to fill your shoes Javier. Do i know him ?

OK all this nudge nudge wink wink stuff is silly. Name and shame if the offence is that bad or just accept it. It's a month ago now so hardly seems as if it's a problem or something would have been done about it. Therefore we have to assume nobody with any clout actually gives a toss ? True against the rules spirit whatever but why now after all this time? Repeat name and shame or accept it.