woody

I've had a few TYZs and they'll do 80mph and a bit on standard gearing. The Ossa MAR I had almost new back in the 70s would do 75mph absolutely flat. It would blow my 3 mates and their CB200 Hondas into the weeds in a drag race up to about 50 but then the long drop from 4th to 5th would kill the acceleration and they'd go past. It would keep up with my other mates CB400F to about 40mph too. It was great to go to school on after the Sherpa T I had was flat out at about 55mph. 320 Armstrong was pretty quick too although never actually clocked that to see what it would do. Worst bike I ever had on the road was my 98 315 which sounded as though it was going to detonate to pieces on the road around the SSDT. It was awful.

Spot on Ishy, the FIM desire to ban 2-strokes from world championship trials is not a worldwide governmental policy to ban 2-strokes outright. Neither can the FIM instruct the individual motorcycle governing bodies in each country to ban 2-strokes from competition outright. In the UK, the AMCA in particular would just raise 2 fingers I feel. As I understand things, the attempts to ban 2-strokes in California, who seem to be at the forefront of the anti-stroker brigade, has stalled thankfully. I also can't see a company such as Yamaha investing as heavily as they have in producing new alloy framed YZ125 and 250 2-stroke motocross bikes if an outright worldwide governmental ban was looming. I'm sure they know more than we do. Long may we continue to enjoy our sport on a mix of different brands and engine types. A lot of what makes competing so interesting and enjoyable is seeing the different bikes that everyone chooses to ride, particularly home-brew specials and the wonderful variety of classics around these days

I know this has been touched on in another post but it didn't really say what the problem was or what it is that the 315 master cylinder improves. I've just bought a 4RT and the only 'problem' with the clutch is that the action is very sudden. It comes in with a bit of a bang - on/off. Not very soft or progressive. Could be because it's new and may wear in, don't know. The lever action, biting point and weight of lever action are all fine. Anyone else think the clutch bite is a bit sudden/sharp and is this what the 315 cylinder mod eases? Anyone any opinions/experience? Or maybe it's because I've got to learn how to use a clutch again...

Interesting to see the different opinions on rear tyres. We've used IRC rears in the Midlands for 7 or 8 years now. Mick Andrews told us to try them when they first appeared. I figured if they are good enough for him..... No-one else would use them as they were considered odd-ball, or many people just hadn't heard about them. Others just said 'wouldn't use those. they're crap'. I remember buying a '98 315 from BVM when they came out in late '97 and trying to haggle with Mr Kemp for a spare tyre. He said what do you want and I said IRC. He said we don't have those things. I asked why and he said because Steve Saunders says they're crap.... I doubt Steve said any such thing but that was what was thought of them generally back then. Things have changed a bit now though, they're quite common. My personal opinion is that they are a far better tyre in mud than a Michelin. I've no experience of a Dunlop as I have never used one - they wear out too quick. On rocks I would say the IRC is the equal of anything else, if any of them have an advantage over each other it is probably too close to worry about. Where the IRC really scores though is its wear rate. They are incredibly durable. I had one on my TYZ for the Lakes 2 day last year which subsequently did a good few club and centre trials and the edge is hardly worn. Recently bought a new GasGas and rode it with the Michelin and after only 3 muddy club trials it had noticeably more wear than the IRC. And even when the IRC loses its edge, somehow they continue to find grip in mud like nothing else. OAS - can't see how you figure they don't last on rocks. It is by far the best at surviving rocks and road use. I have started the SSDT with a used one and it has lasted all week, not shedded any knobbles and not needed to be turned. A new Michelin or Dunlop would be gone after a couple of days. This is just a personal opinion and I'm not the type to say - I use it so it is the best. It's just an opinion based on the experience I have from using Michelin and IRC tyres in the past. I've just sold the GasGas and the TYZ and bought a 4RT. An IRC went straight on before it even turned a wheel.

The 350 Gripper piston is the same as the 350 MAR but you need to know whether you have a genuine Ossa piston, which is a Tarabusi, or a pattern type. As it is a 350, chances are it is genuine Ossa as not personally aware of any patterns available for 350. If it is Tarabusi it should have the name cast on the inside of the skirt and the rings are very very thin, very bendy and almost unbreakable. For Tarabusi try Jeff Bungay at Mainly Spanish - advertises in TMX or possibly Sammy Miller. Failing that you may get some from the US as can't think of anywhere else in the UK that will stock them now. If pattern type piston then I don't know unless it is a GPM (I think that is the name) or a Dinamin as Miller used to sell these makes for the 250 MAR but not sure about the 350. One last possibility is ex Ossa riders and dealers Mick and Bill Wilkinson in Kettlewell, North Yorkshire. They own a garage called 'The Garage' and may still have some Ossa stuff left. Don't know their phone number but Directory Enquiries should be able to get it for you. - I'm assuming you're in the UK. This Ossa website has a list of specialists near the bottom of the home page. Lots of other useful info too. http://hem.passagen.se/ossa/

As it is new, if I were you I'd go back to the dealer with it. If you mess with anything, no matter how simple, it may invalidate any warranty you have. Some dealers don't need much of an excuse. Even if it turns out to be something simple, best they deal with it rather than you end up paying through invalidated warranty. Hope you get it sorted. I tried a couple of 4RTs last week and liked very much. Very close to acquiring one.

Honda UK did make some replicas of the works bikes for the UK supported riders but they weren't full HRC factory bikes by any means. Don't know specifically what their spec. was though. Maybe this bike is one of those as Saunders did sometimes ride the twin downtube bikes, but this is definitely not a HRC factory bike. There were only 6 HRC works bikes made, I believe. The wheels were different on the HRC bikes and were magnesium. Be nice if someone did get a picture of Arthur's Jawa as it is the embodiment of what shows like this are all about, a true special. He doesn't live more than a mile from me so I might just have to go and ask him for a go on it..... It is his fault I got involved in a sport that has cost me thousands over the years as my mates and I used to watch him practising trials on his Bultaco at our local quarry when we went out on our pushbikes. Wouldn't have it any other way though

Similar thread in the PRE65 forum. Have a look there

I've never heard of one. There was a 'scottish' version of the TYZ apparently, presumably with a bigger tank, but I've never seen one or seen anything official to confirm it's existance. Could have been something for the supported riders as Mick Andrews is supposed to have had one. If you're in the UK best bet would be to contact Nigel Birkett as there is nothing worth knowing about Yams that he doesn't know. If something like a long-ride kit existed he should know but I'm pretty sure it didn't. Only thing I can think of is that there was a modification to the frame to hold extra fuel by welding up the holes on the inside of the frame spars and putting a fuel tap in under the cross piece by the carburettor and linking the pipe into the carburettor somehow. Or, if you know someone very clever at fabricating/welding, a larger fuel tank can be made to replace the standard one, a larger capacity being achieved by making it a much snugger fit by filling every nook and cranny. I know Birkett did this. A mate of mine who is a brilliant welder/fabricator made one in alloy for another mate's TYZ. It was a superb piece of work, fitted perfectly, still alowed all the cables etc. to remain in their original places and the tank cover still fitted perfectly. It held an extra litre and you couldn't have squeezed a fag packet anywhere around it, such was the fit. No, he'd never do another one......

Yes, I went to the show too. I always like to gawp at Vesty's old bike. Just can't get over the cobbled up silencer. I know Reg May liked a little tipple now and again but he must have had a few bottles when he thought that one up. No doubt it works though. I also liked Rathmell's old Bult as it looked so unlike the production bike. Hubs, airbox, tank, seat etc. all of a different appearance from production bikes. Almost a cross between a slimline and the 75 model. It was more common for prototypes or works specials to differ greatly from customer bikes back then and it was just as enjoyable looking at the works bikes trying to spot new bits as it was riding your own. Getting back to the tyre issue I ran an IRC tubeless on my 73 325 slimline Sherpa, which my mate now owns and the tyre has never slipped off the rim on that so hopefully yours will be ok too.

Yep, I went too. No pictures unfortunately as I'm probably the only person in the world who doesn't own a camera. In terms of same as last year what else can you do. It is intended to display old bikes for people to look at and bring like minded enthusiasts together for a bit of nostalgic chit chat, and hopefully to pick up that elusive part - or bike - from the autojumble that you've been searching for for ages. Wrighty also tries to present something different each year by getting unusual or interesting machinery on display as well but obviously is reliant here on people providing them. I haven't been to a Classic off-road show since they were at Stoneleigh, which were superb with representation from many areas of the trade and loads of private stands. I never went to the previous Coventry shows as they were always on Sundays but I thought this one was pretty good and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Was there from opening until half hour before closing. Lots of stuff on the stands outside to trawl through and as with any show/autojumble there was the usual mix of tat, rubbish and useful items. Managed to pick up a Grimeca front wheel, complete, for a good price so didn't come away empty handed. Had to keep alternating between outside and inside as it was so cold outside, especially when the wind bit. There was the inevitable Rothmans Honda ex-works bike 'verified by Steve Saunders as one of his that escaped the crusher' with supporting documentation. However, it was a twin downtube frame and all of the Rothmans works bikes were single tube. Some of the early red works bikes were twin tubes so I doubt this was a works bike but who knows. Looked nice though whatever. Inside there was a new/unused 300 Fantic for

If you end up needing another carb, Ellastone off-road in Staffordshire have brought a few Honda RS200 bikes and RS200TE engines in from Japan over the years, so may have some carbs there. Don't know their number offhand but they have an ad each week in spares section of TMX.

It's also possible that how well the tyre stays on is dependant upon the make of rim. I've never had a problem with tubeless staying on my Ossa rims which are the old Akront type. I also have a tubless fitted to my Majesty wheel, which is a DID I think and that does tend to slip off on part of the rim but no further. I blew it up to about 90psi recently and left it for a couple of weeks. So far I've only let it down to about 5psi and it hasn't slipped off anywhere although it hasn't had any proper use yet and it will need to go down to 3.5 - 4psi when it does so I'll find out then. Never a problem on the Ossa rims though. I'd guess it's also a good idea to clean the rim edges where the tyre seats with emery or wet and dry to ensure it has the best chance of seating. Tyres are IRC by the way, never tried any of the others.

Yep, I'll be there. Missed last few as they've been on Sundays so at last it is on a Saturday. Looking forward to it but I've given myself four rules. Go in the car not the van No chequebook No cash No plastic That way I can't aquire and bring home any new projects.... Perhaps I should make another couple; Don't borrow any money off mates Don't ask mates who have stands there to bring stuff home for me in their vans

Putting something in the inlet of that particular model would make it perform louder not quieter, surley....

There are some Yahoo group forums which you have to sign up to - no cost http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Twinshocktrialsuk/ http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ty-list/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vintagetrialsmotorcycles/ If you are in the UK then Dave who runs ARD in Walsall Wood, West Midlands is very good if you want original Yamaha parts. Advertises inside back page of TMX 01543 452057 Most of the breakers have parts for these if you're after used. Don't know of any specific clubs.

I don't know but it happened to more than one of them. When I did mine I took it to Gaskell's and he knew immediately what had broken and why. Stripping the engine confirmed it and he had a friend who could TIG new pins back on to save on the cost of a new drum. He'd done a few. Never happened on the 250 I had before though. That got hammered up a few steps and bounced back off a few as well.

All depends how tall you are though, Fantic pegs are still too high for me as are most twinshocks and early monos.

I agree, although it depends how much trick riding they get away with. If they ride proper no stop and within the section boundaries my money definetly on Jarvis. Cabestany could do it if he got away with trick stuff to save marks.

I had a 320 when they came out and although I liked it I never really got on with it too well. Biggest problem on them was that if you hit the bashplate hard when going up rock steps or whatever it could shear off the pins on the selector drum leaving you stranded with no gears. Happened to me once at the bottom of a nice welsh ravine (where else - never happens by the carpark does it) My mate had to two me back after the trial on his 242 Mont and it nearly killed it pulling me, him and the 320 up the hillside. Nice bike, just don't go slamming it up rock steps.......

Nice job. Be interested to see what you think of the new riding position. I have been trying different positions for my Majesty footrests and have finally settled on virtually the original placing forwards/rearwards but lowered by about 1 and a half to two inches (I hope anyway as I'm fed up of grinding them off and welding them back on). I had them about 2" rearwards at one point but found it upset the steering so gradually came forwards with them until it felt ok again. With them lowered though it is definitely more comfortable for me as I am about 6' 3" so as you have found, with them lowered you stand in it more rather than on it. Be interested to see if it has any affect on the way yours steers though.

This is one for you Midlands guys who have been using Linley Woods to practise in. If what I have heard today is correct, it seems that this piece of land, used for unobtrusive trials practise by small numbers of people for about thirty years, is now lost. Apparantly, the element of the 4x4 brigade that don't give a sh*t about anything but themselves discovered it and have been doing what they do best, carving the place up and causing considerable damage. This resulted in the residents getting a little miffed and calling the police. To even get in they must have driven through bushes or something because as far as I can remember the only entrance is only wide enough to get a bike through, not a vehicle, although it's been a while since I was there and memory not so good. I was also told they even had a bloody digger in there and if that is true it beggars belief what they were up to. People were supposedly led away in handcuffs but stories always get exaggerated so don't know if this is true or not. So it now looks as though local tolerance of this piece of land has come to an end and no more practising there. Any of you local lads that ride over there know whether this is true or not. This isn't an attack on all 4x4 users as obvioulsly any group of enthusiasts has its irresponsible element, just like off-road motorcycling has, but this comes just 2 weeks after we lost a cracking section of a local enduro course (used for club organised enduros and trials) 4x4s have been on the farm and left ruts so deep all over the wooded hillside section that it is now unrideable on an enduro bike without risking serious injury. This means that the most technical and enjoyable part of the course is now unusable for enduros.

CDI units gave trouble on 04 280 Pro. My mate's bike had the symptoms you describe. I borrowed it for a trial, rode the trial ok, parked it up and had a go on my mates Sherco. He went to try the Pro but it wouldn't start at all. Got back home, checked it over and no spark. We phoned GasGas and they confirmed that the CDI units gave trouble. Fitted a new one (not under warranty I might add, we had to pay for it - why is it that things like this are never fixed under warranty when they are known problems, really pees me off. With the new CDI fitted the difficulties with starting disappeared for good so maybe your CDI is the cause. No idea how to check them other than borrow one off someone else whose bike isn't giving problems and see if that cures it.

Sadly no, the jig has been put away for good. I managed to get a go on Nigel's own bike after the Lakes last year and was really impressed with it. It just felt right from the off and I loved it. I spent about 20 minutes on it in some woods down the road from the shop and just rode it. There was nothing to think about such as 'if this was like that, or that bit did this instead of that I could like this' - which is a sure sign everything is working correctly. Steering was good although it would have been nice to have tried it in some mud and up some rock streams as well to get a more balanced idea but I don't think there would have been any nasty surprises. Front suspension is Piaoli (spelling?) but it is revalved and gave a beautifully plush action for the full length of travel. Not the usual bouncy feel that modern forks have. The motor was superb, smooth as silk, no snatch or jerkiness coming off the throttle, it can be ridden without the clutch no problem. When you open it up the motor pulls really strongly, is absolutely linear in its delivery and revs to oblivion. The only thing I wanted that wasn;t there was the induction roar the TYZ has which I really like the sound of..... sad eh. If I could have bought it off him I would but he will never sell it. If only Yamaha has done something like this it would have been one hell of a bike. As usual, as with anything that is a one-off or an unusual idea, the bike has had its share of knockers who have criticised various things about it but as with the 4RT, they have never even ridden it so criticism of its capabilities are without substance. Just seems fashionable to knock something new, innovative or different. Obviously it is each to their own, I like the look of it and the way it goes, but then I am a Yamaha fan and also have a lot of respect for Birkett's development abilities. PS It is NBT - Nigel Birkett Trial at a guess. NJB are the shocks made by Norman Blakemore

If it was already 2 years out of date when it was introduced in 93, PLEASE explain how it was winning Nationals in 98..?????????? If it was as bad as you suggest it wouldn't have made it through a single section. You're making statements which have no substance or fact to back them up. As for the steering, the two main faults I found were not much lock and the front had a tendency to push out on mud when turning tight. However, as I said in my earlier post it didn't matter back in the early 90s as trick riding was in full flow so better riders hopped bikes, they didn't steer them around turns. Up rock streams though the steering was as good as anything as the front suspension works beautifully if set up right. As for home-made Pre65 bikes steering better so what. Proves or means nothing. It's not exactly difficult for someone with engineering skills to copy the steering geometry of a brand new GasGas Pro - probably the best steering trials bike in the world.