ian640

Hi Zarkoff, My understanding: There's always some air in the system, normally above the fluid in the master cylinder reservoir. When the master cylinder is upside down and lower than the rest of the system the air migrates upwards, i.e. into the brake line and then the caliper/slave cylinder. Turn the bike right-side up and the air then has to migrate back to the master cylinder. So in the meantime the brake is spongy and may require bleeding to regain its feel. Whether the bike being upside down for a few seconds after a crash would result in air entering the hose I don't know. but it wouldn't surprise me. Cheers, Ian.

Hi, Tried Baldilocks idea, pumping for 20 mins or so. Also, loosened the nipple on the caliper and drew some new fluid through with the aid of a plastic tube and container. Pumped for a further 30 minutes or so (arms like popeye now) and it appears it's fixed, except I noticed that where some brake fluid rested on the split where the two halves of the caliper join together, the brake fluid appeared to move when I operated the front brake. I did up the screws holding the caliper together a little (they weren't loose, but not exactly tight). I'm hoping its fixed as there's now plenty of pressure and bite. So, thanks for all the replies, what a great community . Cheers, Ian.

Thanks to all. The brake's not been dragging, and I'm sure I don't ride quick enough between sections to cook the fluid when braking. The fluid level is high if not too much and I've tried bleeding it with the hose always lower than the master cylinder (me holding it). I'll try Baldilocks suggestion of zip-tying it down and removing the adjuster then working the lever. I hope it works as bleeding the system via the nipple is a real hassle, even with a brake bleeding kit, which was my next plan of attack. I'll report back. I did have a similar problem a few months back after the forks, wheel and brake lever were removed from the bike and carried such that the master cylinder was lower than the caliper (don't ask...) but bleeding the system cured it. The master cylinder's been higher ever since...apart from the odd crash. We'll see. Cheers.

Thanks for the replies. Big John, The opposite. I normally have my levers horizontal (a la Bernie Schreiber!) but I have been experimenting with tilting them very slightly downward in an attempt to prevent fatigue. How can the angle cause a problem? Stork, Yes, the brake normally starts to bite at the slightest touch. Thinking about it it does 'go almost normal' occasionally, but nearly all the time it's like there's no pressure there...any thoughts and theories welcome...

At a trial a couple of weeks ago the front brake lever on my Rev 4 suddenly went limp and it then took huge amount of 'pull' to get it to bite - the lever has to almost touch the throttle before there's enough to bite to say, lock the wheel. I've installed a master cylinder repair kit and inspected the pads - they are OK, several mm left, and there appears to be no sign of a leak from the caliper. Fluid level is OK. But the problem persists. Anyone less mechanically challenged than me have any ideas? Do I need to bleed the brake as it may have had a leak? Thanks.

I recently decided to complete my education as well (after 26 years of trials) by buying the On Any Sunday Box 3 disc box set. Watched some of the 1st disc last night (shouldn't have - it was a Xmas present to myself) and went straight to the ISDT feature - excellent - and then the Elsinore race - why can't they have events like that now? Malcolm Smith's an inspiration even now...

Hi Graham, I started looking for a 4 stroke about a year ago. Choice (for me) came down to a Rev 4 or 4RT, although I was very keen on the Scorpa for a while. I picked the Rev 4 on the basis of all manner of advice - the principal message I got being that the Rev 4 would be easier for my (low) level of ability. Verdict on the Rev 4 - very forgiving, great at finding grip, hard to stall, handling OK, well put together. You can find a used Rev 4 for around

My Rev 4T was also very difficult to start. I found that the kill switch can stick. Pushing the kill switch in then quickly releasing it worked. Replacement planned.

Thanks Richard. Somewhere to train at last....

I saw the two T Rides as well and they seemed to be going well. Considering one as a replacement for my Alp. OK Supreme LDT: excellent trial. Big thanks to the organising club.

Hi Richard, I live near Worcester and would appreciate the directions to the grounds near Broadway and Cheltenham. Thanks.

Hi Matty, Another possibility: I remember when the TLR200 was launched, you could buy an HRC (or was its RSC?) 225cc kit. No idea if it's still available. Cheers.

Hi, Tried to get an entry for the 2008 Colonial trial, but it fills up months in advance. The secretary told me the best way to get an entry was to send an SAE before Xmas. Trouble is, I've lost the secretary's contact details. Can anyone supply them? Thanks in advance.

I use a 520 on mine. But, caution, it's an 06 model and there were a number of changes made for this model year. You can download the parts book from www.betamotor.com BVM are knowledgable when it comes to Alps. Cheers.

I have an 08 Rev 4 - in my view the best trials bike I've ever owned, out of many. No major issues - had some starting difficulties, but I think this was due to a sticking kill button. Replacement on the way. I've also burnt my legs on both the rear silencer (despite the guard) and the header pipe (in a crash) - currently trying to locate guards for both. Maintenance straightforward, although I was lazy and had a mechanic do the tappets. They didn't need adjusting. One mod I've done, that probably applies to the Rev 3 as well, is to replace the rear brake lever/rod retaining clip, which is easy to knock off with your boot, with a screw, nut and washers - cost pennies. Bought the machine after a painstaking survey of all the 4 strokes available - the Rev 4 seemed to be the best one for my needs and my ability. Another + point is that tuning parts are now available should you want to change things. Last but not least, don't know your location, but I've found the support from Beta UK to be first class.

You could try an MCC trial: http://www.themotorcyclingclub.org.uk/ They've been running since the early 1900s and haven't change much. I think the oldest bike that's regularly used is a 1930 Scott. Any bike's allowed to enter, but most use a trail bike or old British machine. See the website, send me a PM or e-mail me (the motorcycle PR, address on the MCC contacts page) if further info required. Cheers, Ian.

Hi, Anyone know if there's a guard available for the exhaust header pipe of the Rev 4? Hard to touch it when riding normally but possible during a fall as I recently found out... Thanks.

I recall most took a van and parked up. Nothing to stop you riding I guess if your bike's road legal and has the fuel range.

I've observed a couple of times - highly recommended. There's a great team spirit with the observers and towards the end of the week, with the riders as you get to know them. Whilst enjoyable, it is actually work - you need to be on the section an hour before the first rider gets there and once the riders start arriving it can take several hours for them all to get through. That said, the Edinburgh club is very supportive and if you're new then you'll be assigned to observe with an experienced group. When I've done it there's always been more than one observer per section so you can get a break. What sections you get sent to depends on what transport you have. Broadly speaking, if you have a trials bike, then expect to be sent to the most inaccessible. If you just have a car, then it will likely be sections by the roadside. Hope this helps. You need to sign on (see the SSDT website) if you haven't already.

New Alp - converts between a trials and trail bike: http://www.betamotor.com/en/bikes/show/5?model=13 Also there's a new long range kit for the trials bikes: http://www.betamotor.com/en/factory_parts/show/1?part=82 Cheers.

Thanks for this. Trying to justify buying the Scorpa, not justify not buying the 4RT. I'll get over the EFI-phobia. I wasn't around at the time but I imagine similar phobias existed when electronic ignition was introduced. Nostalgia reason: when I started trials Eddy Lejeune on his RTL360 was on the road to his first world crown. Wanted that bike at the time (of course it was unobtainable) but I suppose the 4RT is the nearest modern equivalent. After a chat with a 4RT owning friend last night (who finished SSDT with no bike problems) looks like a Mont may be populating my garage. Cheers.

Hi All, Some advice required here. I've been away from mainstream trials for some time but looking to get back into this great sport. I'm considering a new bike and my two main purchase criteria are that it must have a Japanese motor and must be a 4 stroke. There's nostalgic reasons behind this. The machine to have at the moment seems to be the Montesa, but I also quite like the Scorpa SY250-F. Everyone I've spoken to seems happy with their Montesa 4RT but then again the solitary SY250-F owner I've spoken to was happy with his choice. Both bikes seemed to go OK at the SSDT this year. My rationale behind considering the Scorpa is: 1. I like Yamahas (current machine is a TY250R 'pinky'). 2. I'm interested in riding old-fashioned single lap events (nothing wrong with single venue events but my free Sundays are limited so I like to get a full day out): Although the Scorpa's motor looks a bigger lump than the Honda unit, does it have more 'meat' in it and therefore more suitable for road based events? Secondly, one can get the bigger tank unit for the SY. I know one is available for the Montesa but it seems to take up most of the space above the seat area. 3. I know I'm never going to be competitive in this type of event so I don't need a replica of the world champion's bike. The extra couple of kilo's shouldn't bother me. 4. The 2008 SY-F looks great (subjective I know) and seems to have a few improvements in the top end and carb. 5. Fuel injection still scares me. I know it shouldn't. For me, the main pro for Montesa is that it's likely had a great deal of investment put into it's development by Honda so is more mature. Advice please. Thanks.

The Alp is clearly a trailbike and so is popular in Long Distance Trials, some of which specifically disallow entrants on proper trial bikes. Whether the Scorpa Long Ride models are trials bikes or trail bikes is a good question, but I believe one rule that determines that a bike is a trailbike is that a trailbike has a passenger seat (see the ACU handbook). Cheers.

Hi, Anyone managed to get a trials bike in the back of a Skoda Roomster? Thanks.

Hi Pierre, Try Merlin Books: http://www.merlinbooks.com/ Cheers, Ian.