malcra

all, haven't posted in ages, but something that maybe of interest to those of you that may be considering road registering your classic bike. Now is the time to do it, prior to the DVLA regional offices shutting and whilst it seems the need for inspections isn't so great. More information here: http://www.twinshock.org.uk/spip.php?article261

When I start riding trials again 10 years ago, I bought a few 'modern' bikes, but for various reasons, including depreciation, I switched to classic (twinshock) trials which has been ideal, both in terms of cost, value for money and needless to say, an excellent laugh ! Trials is cheap and if you can handle a spanner, its possible to make money from your bike. They appreciate rather than depreciate. I started riding Classic Scrambles last year and though the entry fee for an event is more (

Excellent trial, I've done a short report, HCTC Clyro Trial

I've used the GoPro HD camera for classic scrambles and also for trials, and please with the results. Having an HD camera means good results for the TV or for youtube

An update on dating your Yamaha (currently looking to do this for a TY250 twinshock). You can still call customer services at Yamaha Motor UK, but they will ask you to send an email to cust.service@yamaha-motor.co.uk and include the frame and engine number, make of bike, along with your address and contact details. They will then contact you to arrange card payment for

This was the Ledbury Club but held near Hay on Wye and it was for Classic and Modern bikes (with different classes) and a single route. Next fixture in the areas will be a Western Centre trial up in the hills at Craswall, run by the Wye Valley club (good venue) on 12 Dec. The next trial at Clyro will be on 2/Jan AFAIK and will be the AMCA Herefordshire Classic Trials Club; no modern bikes, but air-cooled mono's (like TY's) will be fine. Clyro is good, in terms rocky streams and some hills and turns. ACU Western Centre Website

Given that up the road near Builth Wells in was -18C, amazed that as many people turned up as they did, including observers !?? review of the Ledbury Classic and Modern trial The conditions were interesting....

Organise a trial or some practice even, I'll come up. Got there (and the other Western Isles) on my Transalp a couple of years back, excellent spot.

ah well, Dear Home Video Maker YOU

http://www.acuwesterncentre.org.uk

I rode the Classic Experts poorly last week, had to get the spanners out about 10 miles from the start, kick the bike a bit. but had a great laugh. So why do I ride trials ?, for . Sorry Mark.....

Have done the usual write up with pictures and videos. Good fun, wet feet and lots of slippery rocks.... twinshock.org.uk article

Interestingly enough, my fibreglass Sammy Miller tank and seat unit has just failed this weekend (with a hole along one seam). Not good, for more words and pictures see: twinshock.org.uk article. I think this maybe a result of using some 97 RON fuel (Shell Advanced in this case), which may have a higher ethanol content.

Not been out on the trials bike for a while, as being riding the Welsh Classic Scrambles championship for the season. No transport and late notice meant I didn't make the Greensmiths, so went to a local Gwent trial instead. Report write up is on the http://www.twinshock.org.uk website, as well as some video footage. Nice to be back on TC

I've not entered this year, though the shortened road mileage will attract more twinshock entries. Its only back to 2006 (if i remember rightly) that of the 80 odd entry only 10 or so were twinshock (the first year of the class being extended beyond pre75 Spanish). ACU Traditional too hard for many (incl me), SM about right ? There was talk of a new twinshock championship but will this kill the SM ?

Like me, do you need to get 'credit' at home (ie cutting the lawn, do some DIY etc) before you can escape to a trial or even get in some quality shed time ? If so, how much is installing a new kitchen worth ? I'm planning to do a scramble in West Wales on Sunday and a couple of trials....but I feel its worth about 20 events...

There are plenty of SWM parts out there if you know where to look (as Martin will testify), though demand seems to be greater than supply of late. Getting another cheap bike seems to be the best option (there's a SWM/Gori sidecar outfit on ebay this week :-). The early Aprillia and Armstrong's have the same 280cc Rotax engine, including the desirable clutch cover on the Armstrong.

been a bit off-line because of work, but had a place in the auto-jumble and despite the snow and cold it was pretty good (see short article). Went inside every so often to warm up etc. Though the trade was brief, it was brisk enough for me to make it a worthwhile day out and also managed to find some good bits a pieces including a sort-after Clymer manual for the Yamaha project. As for the comment on security, come 4.30pm on Saturday, just wheeled the Beta out of the door and the rode it round to the van, no questions asked. Luckily I like my Beta, otherwise could have taken something else. Yep, will go next year and hopefully offload more junk

usually the best method for diagnosis is to look at the piston [1]; most of the scoring i've seen in two-stroke heads are as a result of exuberant cleaning in the past. Apart from carbon build up something i dont usually see [1] There is a really good downloadable guide for two-strokes http://ericgorr.com/2%20stroke%20top%20end...performance.pdf

One of the TL125's I owned, I used for commuting to-from Hereford and the shops (10 miles each way); what you'll need look for is: - most TL125's don't have the switchgear and ignition lock, so practice those hand signals - suitable lighting, ie decent front and rear - change the front and rear sprocket; I got a road-biased one from David Silver Spares - tyres, go for a harder trials tyre (like a Pirelli) or one of the budget options, like a Vee Rubber; some road fitments (9090 18 front, 100/100 rear) may fit also, Continental TKC's maybe In terms of 10 miles each way, excellent fun, especially in traffic. but ypu'll not need to use 1st, except if you a couple of off-road short-cuts/

(hmm thought i recognised that barrel, the writing on the piece of masking tape is mine ...) same barrel, if its a 280 barrel you want, then possible can help. 2 rings on a 280 piston.

maybe not local enough but Redditch Shotblasting managed to replicate the original metallic blue from my Jumbo frame a couple of years back, and shouldn't have a problem matching the RAL number. Just sprayed a frame this weekend for a Yamaha MX250, it's a black frame so straightorward, but really impressed with results from using Hammerite Satin ....

After seeing trials in all types of clothing, anything goes really. Kevin's excellent ride round Clyro the other day was done shod in a pair of Dunlop safety wellies. The main thing is a good helmet and even the best (the likes of Neil Gaunt) are thankful for a good proper helmet, for when you hit you head on tree branches and the like.

http://download.openoffice.org/other.html#en-US try this link for openoffice.org version (ie free as in beer, as well as speech); should have the Windows compatible ones. Yoiu'll see a 3.1.1 English (GB) version and thats the one to go for; its not a small download so get the coffee ready (or a beer). PM if you have any questions Next stop Linux and lose M$ Windoze completely :-)

not sure from your post, as to which country you are in. But speaking to AP Motorcycles (who are in the UK) they have a US TL125 'spares' bike and are a good source of spares for popular US off-road bikes (TL125 more popular there than the UK even). Not sure of condition. For original spares, the excellent (though not cheap) David Silver Spares have NOS Honda parts (incl TL, TLR parts) and they ship worldwide.