grahamjayzee

There's a secondary issue there; beer-amnesia. It's one's defense mechanism to blot out embarrassing incidents/ partners...

Hi PB, and welcome! Let me know if you find anything and I may join you. This is a perennial problem for everyone it seems. If you look at my thread (Practice near Cambridge, or somesuch) in UK Trials Talk, someone suggested a piece of land near Higham Ferrars. Not checked it out, but it's not far from you. I have no idea how legal this one is though. Good Luck Graham

Option anxiety crisis! Normally occurs in the biscuit aisle at Tescos...

I'm spoilt for choice now!

Certainly do! They are all on here: http://www.motorcyclesport.org.uk/trials.htm or http://www.peterboroughtrials.tk/ Graham

I think they had one there on 4th January, but yes, information is sparse to say the least! I'll have a chat with Skov about this one, but it does clash with a Peterborough trial. I may wait and see what the weather does in the time running up to it as Stibbington can be challenging if it's muddy!

What you saying you haven't offended anyone. That's it; you and me, outside...

That may be useful as I have dragged another mate into the sport who found the Cambridge Matchless trial on21st December a bit, er, 'sporting'! Is this where the Dabbers run their trials? Nice one Wherry Graham

Thanks Wherry, It does sound good. However, it's a long way from me and my time is precious. I have taken the view that If I am to travel more than an hour, it will be for a trial. They are as good a practice as any if you don't care about your score (I tend to score more than an entire England Test innings!). Thanks anyway; if I'm in the area... Graham

Sheer class B40!

Possibly, but it's the closest so far! What'ya got Nigel? Graham

I was a bit worried about the weight, but I reckon it's only about the same as when I have 2 race bikes on the trailer. However, there is more twisting of the towbar so it does needs to be securely fitted. I have mine on a 2005 mondeo estate and the car is fine with it. It's certainly easier than the trailer...

Give Dave Cooper a call (01732 820 082), he's very helpful.

Hi all, Thought I'd bump this up to see if any new forum members know of anywhere? I've been working hard to secure some practice, but come up with very little. It's difficult to find suitable land and then nearly impossible to secure permission! I have a couple of small areas I have found whilst walking the dags and will be armed with a bottle of single malt to start pleading this weekend. I have been to the Yennards which is great, but I can't travel 1 1/2 hours each way for practice. Same really for Nash Mills and Hooks Wood. Does anyone know of anywhere within 20 miles of Cambridge that a section or 2 could be marked out and I could be tolerated for an hour or so? I want to ride legally and am prepared to pay, even! Thanks Graham

I've got the Dave Cooper rack on my mondeo estate. It's the van version that hold the bike slightly further away so the bars don't hit the tailgate. It's really convenient as it hardly affects the drive, packs into the car so there's nothing to get nicked, and it's well made. Just make sure the inside straps are tight as braking causes this strap to slacken and it can drop off. Either that or carabina (sp?) tiedowns that can't pop off. I had this happen last time out and I didn't notice straight away as it was dark. By the time I did I was on the M25 and had an ar5e-clenching 10 miles seeing the bike leaning out at 30 degrees before I could stop! I can recommend it thoroughly though; it's ideal for my use and the Copper one is well made and reasonably priced. Graham

Hi Topcat13, Thanks for that mate, it's nice to have some encouragement! I shall continue. If I think back to when I started, it was much the same and I'm a better rider now than I was then! I'm also quite relaxed about my potential, so I don't feel under self imposed pressure to put in a good performance. Beating Nicks_TR34 is always a priority though! I've ridden another one since this first one and did a fair bit better. I don't have time to ride another until the 25th (kids back to uni and a horrible 15 mile running race that I can't remember why I entered!) and my goal is to have a great morning's sport. As long as that happens, the rest don't really matter, does it?! Take care Graham

I think we agree here Slapshot, the tube was merely to drift the new bush back in! As I'm sure you know, it is easy to get the new bush 'on the huh' if you are not careful and there isn't a lot to grasp to get a decent push on it. Graham

All correct Jon! One thing though, preload and spring rate are 2 very different aspects to the way the suspension works. Preload affects the point at which the spring starts to compress (how much static weight it can support), rate affects how much it deflects trying to absorb a given amount of energy. If you are a heavier rider, the bike/ rider combination has more energy, so a hit of a certain size has to be absorbed by the spring, so rider weight makes a difference. However, on a trials bike we are after maximum traction, so supple suspension is what we are looking for. As such, unless you are a very heavy individual or have really hit the mince pies, preload to set a reasonable amount of static sag is probably the best way to go. If you get on the bike and the forks bottom out, new springs are the way! It can all get a bit confusing as all the aspects interact and you can (partially) cure any one aspect with any other. For example, soft springs will make the suspension more likely to bottoming out. Preload will not change that, but heavier spring rates or increased compression damping (or heavier fork oil) will. Heavier springs will mean less subtle action over small surface irregularities, more compression damping will make bouncing the bike hard work... However, I think you are dead right Jon, toothandnail is best off having a fiddle. I think ensuring the springs haven't sagged past the point of no return first, and then trying some spacers is a very good starting point. If the front feels too soft, a little more oil to reduce the air gap. If the increased preload makes the rebound rather sharp, and extra click or 2 of rebound damping if you have this option, or up a grade of fork oil. All good fun! Graham

If you have a bit of patience, you can work out the maximum spacer size you can use. The problem is when the spring becomes 'coilbound'; ie all the coils are all touching. You can work out the coilbound length but counting the 'gaps' between coils and measuring the wire thickness. Multiply one by the other and that is how long the spring will be fully compressed. You can then work out the space needed in your fork by taking out the spring and oil, inserting a rod and marking on it where the top of the fork leg is with the leg fully compressed. If your fully compressed spring + any spacers is greater than this measurement, it will become coilbound before you use up the available fork travel. If this is the case, you need new springs. If you still have some space, like JSE suggests, make up another preload spacer. Good luck Graham

Hi, I'd be surprised if the montesa is any different, but I've used a section of waste pipe split up the side (so I can open it out) on just about every bike I've ever owned! Be careful to cut the end square (or use the pre-cut end) so the seal goes down nice and flat and all should be well. Graham

Given your signature picture has you floating away into space,, do you need a lighter bike?

I noticed this from the homepage. I'm chuffed to bits! For inspiring me as a youngster, and again when I was a young adult and he could win easily on big old British bikes, and for the most inspiring motorcycle museum. Sammy Miller, I thank you. Graham

Given your preference for using standard as opposed to super to save money (which must be all of, ooh, 40p per trial!), are you sure you can afford 2p-worth?

Nick, you are mostly correct, but the extra octane also provides safe headroom from knock that other things can cause. Coking is a big issue in 2 strokes and the presence of carbon causes hotspots these can pre-ignite the mixture, Higher octane ratng can delay this. There are also situations where the engine has been worked hard (such as revving out of a mudswamp!) here the head and piston crown will be very hot, again promoting a situation wher pre-ignition can occur. Higher octane fuel is a good insurance in a trials 2-stroke...

I'm with you here Baldilocks. I think that for years the entire financial system has been built on shifting sands and it only takes someone getting cold feet to wipe