malcra

Don't think it needs to be that hard; unlike the pre-65 eligibility discussion, the situation with Twinshocks is more straightforward. A bike that 1, was originally fitted with twinshocks, not a monoshock, from the manufacturer 2. Drum brakes (all tw/sh where drum braked bikes) 3. Cable clutch and brakes There are some _interesting_ front fork modifications (Beta rather than Betor forks), but they aren't too common. You don't need to say air-cooled. I've seen the RTL twinshock and its obvious as is the Fantic conversions. Putting a TY250 mono front end on a Majesty is not really right, nor is putting in the later engine. In my case, my Beta TR240 shares the same engine as the TR-32, the monoshock that was available at the same time as the twinshock. Same engine, brakes, swingarm etc. Putting a later (better) TR-34 engine in the twinshock wouldn't be right, even though its a better engine and there are lots more spares around. Okay, maybe its harder that I thought. I'm just in the process of restoring a twinshock motocross bike and I want it to be pre74 eligible, which isn't just about the year it seems, but also things like suspension travel etc

this video is included in the Duke 'Six from the Scottish DVD' where its blended with another commentary from that years Scottish. the DVD's currently kicking around on Amazon for under a tenner from the marketplace sellers rather than the list 20 quid. The bit on Sammy prepping his bike for the 1968 trial is interesting as well as watching (on each event) riders tackling the Devil's Staircase out in Moidart.

after some research went for a trials front and enduro rear on the Pampera. Seems to cope with snow, packed snow on untreated roads, as well as slush on the main roads. Going down the verges on unpacked snow seems the best for the country lanes, as well as some short-cuts at roundabouts

er, thats a lot of trials in one centre (about 150, or 3 each weekend), nice to have choice. Agree its a large centre and that different clubs (like Peak Classic) cater for different types of trial. And maybe thats the issue. Rather than focusing on the bottom line (ie money) most clubs i would think focus putting on good trials that people want to go to. In a way its Darwinian, the best trials, events, and clubs that will survive. If a club puts on 18 trials a year and they are good events that get the atterndance, then why not ? There are 39 trials in Western Centre this year, but I might do 5-6 of them, but others in different centres based on the dates that fit, the quality of the venue and reputation of the trial. I'll also only do Classic events, probably. The number of trials being run is not the issue; the quality of them is.

A review and the results from HCTC trial yesterday at Clyro can be found on http://www.twinshock.org.uk. A couple of photos, as well as a youtube clip. Nice ride Woody :-)

The variance in route marking between different clubs and different centres can send you a bit crazy, especially when there are 2 or 3 routes. Other annoying things are when some clubs mark deviations from the standard route (for harder or easier options), whilst some mark the other routes separately in the section (ie complete set of markers). For those fiddly sections in trees it can be mind-blowing. It does seem odd that there is no standard.

If its a drum brake model, then its 2004 or earlier AFAIK. I can also vouch for the sturdiness of these little bikes, as a recent collision with a climbing frame has proved

if you take a look at the Western Centre calendar for 2010 you'll see there are no dates with two trials on in Centre. However, there are four neighbouring centres (especially to Herefordshire), where there are competing events. However.... I made some comments on this following the WVAC's John Langford trial back earlier in the month. We had only 30 entries for a trial with two routes at new venue in the very good trials country around Craswall in Herefordshire. There was a nearby event (at Pontypool, in East South Wales, at the excellent Cwrt Henllys), but as I mentioned at the time, the main issue is demographics. Herefordshire is the least populated English county, and with only one trials club, Wye Valley AC and therefore they aren't many riders. Those riders that there are can choose between (relatively) nearby events in Midland, Mid-Wales, East South Wales and in a lot of cases, the 'in-centre' events are the furthest away. WVAC could run more events, but this would prevent members riding themselves even more, and there is now the emergence of Ledbury club trials and the 2 or 3 Herefordshire Classic Trials club (AMCA) events (next one at Clyro on 3rd Jan btw), there will be 8 local events. For me, a club should consider the following for an event: 1 good venue, ie good lap, with the right type of sections 2 type of trial, classic/modern, severity, number of routes 3 observers and organisation 4 entry on the day for most events (this is an interesting one for WVAC...to be debated at the upcoming AGM). Also, all riders are different, both on their skill, the bikes they ride and how far they want to travel. Its therefore difficult to cater for everyone. For me the 2008 Trevor Hunt Trial was excellent, but its inclusion in the 2009 Traditional Championship made it some different; not just harder (in my case) but also the atmosphere. Its back to a standalone Classic event for 2010 and I think this is a good.

As already said, my normal startup procedure for a bike that hasn't been run for a while : 1. As already said, fresh fuel, check the carb and remove clean the float bowl and get rid of the muck (if the bike has been stood > 1 year) 2. Check if there is a spark; change the plug, if no spark, check the connections, contacts, condensor etc 3, if there is a spark (and the plug is getting wet), then drop a small amount of fuel down the barrel and see if it fires (seems to work with DT Yamaha's in particular) 4. if it fires and dies, then its a fuel problem... 4a if it doesn't then its timing, lack of compression etc and more work required.....

Interestingly, Pirelli MT43's are currently more expensive than Michelin Trials Comps [1], so therefore move out of the budget category for me. I paid GBP 52.00 for the Trials Comp at LG Racing the other day; the Pirelli was going to be GBP 57.00. I've got one of the Vee Rubber beasties on the back on one of the SWM's and its 'okay'; that said, still impressed with the IRC I've had on the Beta and its latest really well (surprisingly) [1] Note, not X11, but the tubed variety for my twinshock.

the other piece of fun will the carb; its not perfect on the 50cc and fitting a larger one may help with performance. I chose a Beta 50 over the Gas Gas because of build quality and reliability (ie not having to start it with a drill). The Gas Gas has advantages (ie clutch and two gears), but Beta will (hopefully) be more useable.

As Peter has mentioned, don't muck around with the mid-box; i removed the packing from one i had and the performance suffered (a lot). I had a look at the maddog rear pipe and its good; I converted a WES TY250 rear pipe for the Beta and may now do the same for the SWM. Have to write up all the mods Peter has done for his 1980 TL320, its made it a very rideable bike

the twinshock.org.uk Christmas Quiz is now online; email answers before 23/Dec and some notional prize will be available in the new year (it won't be the various parts of Gavin's Model 80 in my shed). Have fun. Feel free to comment, complain. Some easy some hard and a special prize for the first on the forum to get the registration number of one of the bikes....

bo-drinker will be on google maps now and trying to work out where that garage is, ready for a counter offer....

give's me an idea for a Christmas Quiz.... as a kid always tried to guess which Thunderbird it was based on the part they showed before rotating and panning out for the full picture for one of Brain's finest inventions....

texted him; reply.... "Sorry i was driving its a Thanks sean"

1976 TY250, with an aftermarket tank / seat unit in red.

mrs malcra pointed out that it might be angry wife, but then it would be listed at 1.00, rather 1295 quid. bizarre. we could have the 'guess what it is and what year competition' ?

oh eck, I'm confused. Who says what goes in which class then ? Do you have to submit your bike for examination ?

Merlin Mecatecno, JCM and Garelli.... it may have been linked to before, but an excellent youtube clip

can't speak directly for the TR34, but can for the earlier aircooled trials engines. They seem to be more sensitive to clutch drag/slip than other engines and I've tended to use Rock Oil Light Gear Oil in the Beta(s) as this seems to to provide the best performance. Silkolene LGO (which I'd used before in SWM / Rotax engines) caused clutch slip. For 2-stroke oil, I'm using Castrol TTS, which works well. I've tried Motorex (got give 5 litres) but seems to be designed specifically for KTMs it seems and not older bikes.

Report write up is on the twinshock.org.uk website. Great trial, great location but an entry less than 30. Rather then over-analysing it, Craswall (and Herefordshire) is a bit of a no-mans-land for trials, sitting in one ACU Centre and being closer to the population of 3 others. Its geography thing. Thanks to Malcolm and his family for the use of the venue (lots of comments on the lap, more enduro than trials, complete with two river crossings) and for the refreshments.

(see TL125 articles) - but, 150cc kit for sure, Powroll or Sammy Miller kit; the liner may need a change (depending on if its a K or S model TL125 - stronger springs (or different front end) surely makes sense. - tuning etc is a must as per the other post. I miss my TL125's, but go back to watching Gavin riding one of them in the Classic Experts a couple of year back to remind me why I shouldn't buy another one.

Depending on where in South Wales you are, you've plenty of choice (6 or some clubs), spread across the East South Wales and West South Wales ACU centres. Not sure of trials this weekend, but just over the border in Herefordshire (well about a mile over), there is the John Langford trial this Sunday (see ACU Western Centre website) for details

Sitting here on another airport Monday wonder what are chances of getting a twinshock entry for the Manx 2 day next year ? The Wye Valley Trevor Hunt Trophy trial is probably the best apart from the pre65 Scottish and the Manx 2 day and I can't enter the former. Anyone know when the regs are out ? And what's the odds of getting an entry ? There's a few tw-shock riders thinking of entering and aware that numbers are limited.