woody

How easy it would be to make the front fit with mods I don't know, but it won't go straight in. TY Mono has bigger diameter spindle so won't go through 175 bearings and there is no lug on the Mono fork leg for a 175 torque arm mounting so mods needed there. There are plenty of monos being broken now, wheels come up on ebay from time to time and Ellastone Offroad may have some in stock. Wherever you look, just watch that the rim isn't corroded or spokes are broken. Rims are available but obviously expensive but spokes getting scarce.

The Wirrall event is a race over a modified version of the tough one enduro cicuit on trials bikes. Although it's called a speed trial the format is a race, just on trials bikes not enduros/motocross. There are no sections or marks lost for putting feet down, simply first one over the line at the end of the hour wins. Should be really interesting to see who comes out tops on that one as they've some top riders competing. The whole day should provide some great entertainment.

Originally I thought it was an Armstrong mono which used the 240/280 rotax motor - can't remember whether they ever put the 350 in the mono or just the twinshock though. But, the mono only came with an alloy frame as far as I remember so it can't be one of those as this one has steel downtubes from the headstock. Tank also looks wrong shape and frame looks wrong under seat. Second thought was that it is an Aprilia mono but the frame is wrong around the swingarm pivot upwards. Tank looks wrong shape for Aprilia too. So, still stumped, although it looks as though it has been butchered beyond recognition, so identification may be difficult. Love to know what it is just out of curiosity though.

I don't think they were imported officially, no. If you want one, or just an engine/parts try Ellastone offroad as they have had TY350 Yams in the past. If they've nothing now they may be able to get you something. I think the 330 mono that Tony Scarlett used to ride was a bit of a 350/250 hybrid, 250 crank with 350 barrell/piston?

As it says made in Austria on it, it's not going to be a Hiro. Can't see the carb clearly enough to tell but the 350 rotax didn't have the disc inlet arrangement so the carb sits higher than on the 240/280 motors. If it's a 350 mono it would be quite rare

It should be just fuel vapour you're seeing out the back of the carb, not exhaust gas, which is normal if you're running without the filter attached. I've seen it many times out the carb on my Ossa when giving it a quick run around the garden without the filter on.

There used to be a classic enduro run in Derbyshire somewhere. May still be run once a year not sure but I think it may be the Midland Classic club that origanises it. Again, not sure what type or class of bikes it is restricted to such as pre80, pre75 or whatever. If you can find the contact details for the club secretary, they may be able to help

Yes, friend of mine wanted one copied from mine but had to have a few made. Telephone Colin 01543 672759 or 07815 977323 They are painted satin black with the logo polished off. He also had some slimline oil pump covers done too for the 175 and 250 cases.

Don't think there is any significant advantage to using one or the other, the different characteristics they have for trials riding won't really come into play for green laning. Go for the one with the biggest tank, therefore fuel range.... Anyway, that wasn't the point of my post. As regards insurance, Carole Nash will insure both bikes on a classic policy for very little more than it will cost to insure just the one. Just insure them as a Yamaha TY250 and Suzuki RL250, which is not actually a lie, to avoid unecessary complications as they probably won't have Beamish or Majesty listed. My Majesty is on a classic policy with them as a TY250. PS - either one will be horrible on the road....

So the alloy guards that are fitted in the picture (as fitted at the show) - are they guards that you bought from Miller then? They looked as though they were the original Ossa guards to me as the front still has the original Ossa stays. If they are Miller guards, they are very close to the original type in appearance in which case I may get some for mine. From what I've seen of the Miller alloy guards, or most aftermarket ones, they were never as nice a shape as the Ossa ones, always had too round a profile, whereas those fitted to your bike are a lot flatter, like the originals.

To be honest, I'm not hellbent on the originality issue. It's nice to see original bikes at shows and the like, but for me, your bike is how I would have mine - ready to trial in trials trim, not a big fan of lights and other road gear on trials bikes. Just can't believe you found one for sale still with the original ally guards in such good nick. Mine lasted one outing on my first MAR due to having to answer the question - does it wheelie mate? Used to fit VF guards after that as although they broke if you so much as touched them, they only cost about

The bar on advertising in the forums is presumably to stop traders from advertising their products free of charge and/or without contributing to the upkeep/sponsorship of the site (I'm assuming this obviously but it seems logical) It is different if individuals with no commercial intrerest/benefit in a product recommend it - that's just recommendation, not a trader's advert. That wasn't the issue (for me) or whether the item is worth the price being asked - people will vote with their wallets on that issue, if they want it they'll buy it which is fair enough - I just find the 'I'm in the know but I'm not telling' response to a direct question that crops up from time to time in some topics, annoying and pointless. This is trials, which we're all supposed to have a common interest in, not the Masons.

Now there's a question - a bit like why was there so much 'mystique' surrounding where to get a one piece TLR tank seat unit and how much are they. All that cloak and dagger PM me for details stuff. Why not just come out with the source and price which is what interested parties want to know.

You may be surprised at the views of another of our top national riders. Have a look at the Hillsborough Club's website and see what Dan Thorpe was trying to propose for 2007. Some good ideas here but his view on the current WTC/Euro and British Championships may not be what you'd think. Seems he sent this out to relevant clubs and was then going to air it at the ACU forum but as that was cancelled not sure if it ever got any further. hillsboroughtrials Then look at the link for "New British Trials Championship Format ? Have your say!!!"

quote AS iow; So if Sheffield indoor was shown live on BBC one, on a Saturday evening what would happen. Would'nt riders find it easier to get sponsored, because evenyone would know what trials was. If you ask most people to sponsor someone today they say (how may race's have you won) unquote But you're talking about a different issue now - getting sponsorship This topic was about manipulating rules to get certain rider(s) into the junior championship (lost on me as I don't follow it) and then evovled into what can be done to get the WTC better supported. All I'm saying is that no amount of sponsorship/money/tv coverage of trials is going to gift someone the ability they need to successfully cope with sections of such an extreme severity found in the WTC which bear little resemblence to the origins of the sport. Perhaps it's time the FIM started running the WTC again, junk the promoter (WTC round in Guatemala or wherever it is...!!??) cut the costs and get the sport closer to it's roots and allow more riders to participate. Surely the clubs and governing body of each country can organise a world round without the need of promoters.

How does money, more public interest and TV solve the problem of only half a dozen riders being capable of tackling WTC sections? Personally I don't give two ticks for what goes on in WTC but the problems as I see them are that riding techniques and bikes have advanced so far that there are only a few people who are ever going to master the techniques required to tackle those sections with any degree of success. The rules are a joke, they aren't enforced properly, most outdoor sections that I've seen on TV coverage resemble indoor type - man-made, big rocks and rev splat, rev splat over and over again - public are really going to take to that, it's like watching the same section over and over with the exception of a couple of rounds. Poland and Hawkstone where they had something resembling sections. If it went back to proper no-stop and the rules were enforced correctly, perhaps they could get back towards more natural type sections where the riders actually ride their bikes instead of hopping around like demented frogs. Sections would be less extreme, still very hard as befits a world championship but would at least offer some variety, mistakes would be penalised by losing marks as they wouldn't be able to hop their way out of trouble and more riders could take part. Ban minders - whatever happened to man and machine against the terrain - and leave the riders to sort their own lines out and get through sections without continual outside assistance. It will never happen of course as that original concept of one no-stop attempt at a section is no longer fashionable and doesn't fit with today's circus - not posey enough - but is the circus ruunning out of performers - and will anyone care in due course In the 70s, 80s and 90s, WTC enjoyed healthy entries without the need for big name sponsorship and TV so why does it need it now?

Can't really say which route you should ride as I don't know what standard rider you are. There is nothing silly (or shouldn't be) on the hard route so I'd suggest you go for that. If you find it's too much after a few sections, change to the easy route and tell the organisers what you've done at the end of the event and to scrub you from the class results. You've still had a ride out and will know the type of trials to expect at future rounds and which class to enter. As regards your bike, an 83 SWM's capability will way exceed anything in the Miller series sections so no mods or updating are required. Just ensure it's in good fettle for a reliable and trouble free day. Disc brakes are not allowed in either of the national classic series and aren't needed anyway, the sections don't involve stopping and turning up your own @rse. Be nice to see the SWM out as they rarely make an appearance in the classic rounds. Must be the pernod blue frame if it's an 83 - nice.

You're right - it's the design...... If you are on full revs in a big gear, muddy slots, muddy climbs etc. and slipping the clutch, regular type sections here, they wail and shriek like a banshee. So did my 98 315

John, what about doing what you're doing in the ACU Classic to reiterate the no-stop rule. Just re-emphasise on entry forms, regs, ACU web page etc. that non-standard Brit bikes must enter the specials/twinshock class, if they don't the organisers have the right to switch them to that class when compiling the results. It's up to the riders to then enter the correct class at the outset. It's not really an issue for me as I only ride the odd one or two and I'm not interested in the championship but it would be a shame to see the series suffering from poor entries next year, if this is the issue. A bit of publicity on the website or in TMX to remind people what the series is about may encourage riders back into it. The specials have the ACU Classic when all is said and done. Right, that's my lunchtime just about used up......

Don't be put off by the comments. They're not intended as negative about the events themselves, they are good. It all depends on your own perspective of course of what you look for in an event, but this series allows you to enjoy a good ride around for a few hours taking in some wonderful scenery and using sections that won't damage you are the bike, instead of 4 laps of 10 in a field and home for lunch. If you're on a twinshock you should be in the same class as British specials, which is essentially all the modified bikes using modern parts. If it is results you're bothered about a twinshock is able to compete with these bikes, it's just down to who's riding them. If you're not bothered about results then it doesn't matter what you're competing against, you just go out and enjoy yourself. Personally, I think more people are bothered about results than let on, which is where the gripes of 'how can I win against that - it's in the wrong class' come into play. If everyone wasn't bothered and were just 'out to enjoy the ride rround, the result doesn't matter', there would be no complaints..... Just enter the first one next year, coax and cajole some mates into doing it with you and make your own decision on the event based on your experience. It's the only way really but I can't see you won't enjoy it - unless you're looking for hard sections, then you need the ACU Classic.

Yes, can't disagree with anything you've said there. I'm just confused as to why the events aren't better supported when the riders are out there. Hopefully there will be a influx of new twinshock riders next year judging by feedback on this and other threads but what is wrong in the pre65 classes? The very few events I've ridden are of a gentle nature in the main - one or two sections on the hard route at the Greensmith were maybe a tad ambitious for some bike/rider combinations - but generally the severity seems to me to be of the right standard. Surely if you can get one of those monstrous pre65 outfits round the easy route then it is going to be ok for a solo rider of limited ability no matter what the machine. Or is it that some riders just refuse to ride an 'easy' route - maybe? I still can't help thinking it is because they see the specials in the pre65 class and won't ride it because the sections are put on for them. Wrong, they're not, they are rideable on a standard bike, the bigger the bike, just go onto the easier route. Or is it because they think if the riders on the specials were on standard bikes it would level the playing field and they may have a chance of winning the class in the odd event as the others no longer enjoy a bike advantage. Wrong again, the better riders are the ones who have the specials generally, so they will still win on a standard bike. If any of you are reading this thread and are thinking that you can't compete on a standard(ish) bike then think again, you can, just pick the correct route for you, go out and enjoy a good old-fashioned road based trial. As John says, they are not going to be around for ever and you'll miss out when they're gone. And take some mates with you as well - you must have some who have old bikes lying in the shed just screaming to be thrown up the sections again.

So it was yours then - very nice. Mr Renham had to peel me off it. Told him it was about time he had some class on that stand.... Loved the original ally guards and stays. Been looking for some of them for years. Show overall was poorly represented again for trials. Only one dealer (I think) in <mention of this company is not permitted on Trials Central>. GasGas and Beta had stands, Scorpa had their full range on the D3 stand (SY175 looks nice in yellow) Sherco weren't there. Honda didn't have a 4RT on their stand, Kawasaki have 2 new enduro bikes just released but didn't have them, Honda only had one of theirs. No Husaberg, no Husqvarna stands. As usual, if you're into motocross and motocross gear (bloody loads of it) you were catered for Roll on the Classic dirt bike show

I understand what you mean about the 'standard' bike situation and retiring riders but this shouldn't affect the number of entries at the Miller rounds. There is a class for specials and standard bikes but both are poorly supported at the moment. However, the recent Classic Experts had 87 entries, majority pre65 of one sort or another. So the riders are out there, the Miller rounds aren't as hard as the Experts, so why is it poorly supported - by both twinshocks and Brits? Possibly because riders who used to support it think it has now been invaded by specials and twinshocks and the sections are set to suit those bikes. Not the case though, there are still 2 routes and even the hard route sections are still quite 'gentle'. Emphasising that specials must ride in the specials class may help convince riders to give it another try.

Where you are, probably not, but in the muddy old UK, water and mud regularly gets splashed up over the bike, straight through those holes to the vicinity of the intake, well before the submarine impersonations begin...

Agree totally that this series needs rescuing before it dies off through lack of support but must admit I don't much understand Brit bike classes. With my limited knowledge of the structure, what you're proposing is to just change the Specials and twinshock class and to split them into their own classes, which seems plausible enough. I think the twinshocks were in their own class a couple of years ago. At least this way riders in each class are competing against bikes of a similar standard of modification, or not as the case may be, which should encourage riders of standard unit bikes to come back into the series, knowing they haven't got to compete against a special in the same class. What about the 2-stokes though. Should the replica James etc. go into the specials too, as riders on original spec Greeves, Sprite, Cotton etc aren't really a match for the lightweight replica specials. Any replica or special, regardless of stroke or unit/pre-unit or capacity to go into specials class? I'd say yes as the series really originated for riders of pretty much standard bikes, so they shouldn't have to compete directly against lightweight specials. The problem of course is enforcing it and assuming that the riders are going to enter the correct class. The specials class is already there of course but no-one seems to enter it. Riders know whether they own a special or not but I can see problems with bikes which have just very light changes and which class they should be in. They aren't a special but they aren't original spec either.... That aside though, as you're never going to please everyone, perhaps for next season, the class rules need re-emphasising on the regs, entry forms, at sign-on at the events and in the Championship regs on the ACU website - similar to what is being done in the Classic series for the no-stop rule. Then everyone is in no doubt as to which class they should be entering