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grahamjayzee

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Everything posted by grahamjayzee
 
 
  1. One thing I forgot regarding the stator/ water pump issues; once they're fixed, they don't usually return. So if you buy a bike that has had a new stator (or a rewind is even better) or a water pump casing replaced, it's a good'un. Graham
  2. Looks great, nice work. Does it work with more than one bike? Be nice to see pics with it loaded! Graham
  3. Hi, No-one's answering and you're clearly in a hurry! Here's my tuppence worth... I love my Rev3, but all bikes have issues and traits. Regarding how they ride, do you have anything to compare it to: Here's my thoughts on how they ride: They are quite 'neutral' and feel much more solid (heavy!) than a gasgas. For me, the front end feels more stable than the gasgas and I can be more accurate where I place the front wheel. The power is smooth, although it varies massively from bike to bike and depending on how they are set up. A mate's 2004 bike was far too soft for me (slow action throttle and flywheel weight), whilst a 2006 bike I rode was a bit sharp. My 2001 bike feels great; smooth, but with plenty of power when you need it. It also has a good deal of 'plonk' so you can leave the clutch alone on greasy uphills and it will find grip. Regarding reliability and build; there's plenty on here about the 2 major downsides: Water pump casing corrosion Stator failures Both shouldn't happen, but do from time to time. Both will frustrate you and cost cash. Touch wood, neither have happened to my bike! Make sure you use best quality coolant, and keep the stator dry (empty any water after a wet trial or a powerwashing) and keep all electrical connectors in perfect nick and you'll minimise the chance of failure. With all trials bikes, condition is everything. A bike could be trash within 6 months if used often and hard with poor maintenance. My bike is 10 years old and has needed maintenance, but I do everything it needs and it will last a good while yet. Look for: Wheel bearings (no more than
  4. Sounds very much like crank seals to me. Graham
  5. I've had a good close look at Paul Davies' bike in the cambs area. It's a piece of jewellery as far as I'm concerned. It's an approach that I appreciate: define the problem, devise a solution WITHOUT looking too closely at previous strategies. Regarding the frame construction; this isn't entirely new. Go and look at Benelli's more recent road bikes. They use exactly the same approach. Whilst the stresses are different; I think I'd be a lot more concerned about frame integrity on a 170+ mph superbike than on a trials bike! Graham
  6. BTW, if you use satnav, the postcode of the plumbers arms is CB8 8PB. Graham
  7. Morning Dom, Yep, I've got a pass-out to play! It's a 10:30 kick off. The directions I have are that it's sign-posted from the A143 at Wickhambrook. There's a dissused pub called the Plumbers Arms where there is a crossroads; if you're coming from the Haverhill direction, it's right at the crossroads. Hopefully see you there! Graham
  8. Thanks Dom, GreyChapel, Yes, I suspect wear is a culprit. I can't actually remember when this started. I've been chasing perfect running for some time, what with various little issues. I've replaced so much lately it's pretty much a new bike anyway! I've got a puncture to fix, so it looks like another day of bike maintenance. I can think of worse ways to spend a saturday! Graham
  9. Hi All, Well, the old (2001) Rev 3 250 continues to fight me! It <nearly> ran OK at yesterday's Braintree trial. I had a slow puncture, which I can't really blame the bike for, and I boiled the back brake, which may have been my own fault when pushing on in the forest to complete my lap before my tyre went down... However, it's still not running quite right. It will not run totally smoothly in the midrange. Bottom is fine and it revs out OK, but feels quite rich in the mid. I had been suffering with it dying off the bottom and have stripped and cleaned the carb (3 times!), and this is now OK. If it is rich (and I could well be wrong), is this an airscrew adjustment? If it is rich, I would have thought that a blocked jet would make it leaner. Anything else I should look at? Thanks Graham
  10. grahamjayzee

    sorted by now

    Neilnh, are you saying that Evo have the same issue? I had all but decided to go for an Evo rather than a gasser to replace my Rev3; this may influence my decision. Graham
  11. If money really is tight, try Vee-Rubber. I have a pair on my Rev3 and they are OK. I'm back in the sadlle now and WILL notice the difference when I put an IRC on after the dry summer series, but I wouldn't have 2 years back. They are a world better than Pirelli, which are simply too stiff and the tread too firm. Graham
  12. If you can get out east, Dabbers runs some excellent trials aimed at beginners, wobblers, twinshocks and spacehoppers*... http://www.dabberstrialsclub.co.uk/ Very friendly and low key. *I lied about the spacehoppers. However if you turn up on one, I'm sure they'd let you give it a go... Graham
  13. I did the lower mount on my Rev 3, sounds like exactly what you've done! I have some trade connections, but any precision engineering company will Helicoil this for you for the price of a couple of pints. In case you weren't aware, Helicoils are wire thread inserts. The hole is enlarged very slightly and the insert 'wound' in. It is stainless steel, so is stronger than the aluminium it is inserted into. Once fitted, you'll be fine. Graham
  14. Agreed, but at the moment there's precious little, so anything may help. Comments such that I'd make about my 2001 Rev3 might be: "Engine is soft, but not overly so. I rode a 2004 bike that was far, far softer and I couldn't get on with it. A 2006 bike I rode was much snappier, and again I found this hard work. On standard gearing most trials around the south midlands (Cambridge Matchless, Nene Valley) are 1st gear affairs unless it's slippery, and it will rev out these climbs ok in 1st. 3rd is as much as I've ever needed when it's gloopier, and I find there's more than enough power. I ride the clubman route and my style is reasonably gentle. The riding position is a little front biased and the front feels a little more secure to my 6' 14stone frame than a similar year gasgas. The brakes are a Beta foible; great when they are working, but getting air out of the rear in particular is a right pain. It eats rear pads with my heavy right foot. As with all Betas, it leaks petrol and can stop on descents. I have ridden them for years and tend to hold the rpm up a bit on the way down hills..." That sort of thing... We're all quite good at separating the wheat from the chaff and deciding what is relevant and important to us. Graham
  15. Hi Dan, Sorry, can't really help you. However, I frequently find myself asking similar questions... The (quite correct) answer that is usually offered is "try the bikes for yourself and see which you prefer", however I find serious limitations to that approach. Basically because my riding time is so seriously limitted. I ride trials and at no other time. And usually I am under pressure to head off as soon as I can after each trial. I rarely have a lot of spare time to cadge a ride. I've also found that the year specifics of bikes change the charachter quite a lot too,so riding (for example) a 2004 rev 3 250 at a trial did not bear any similarity to the 2006 250 I rode another day! What I'd love is a nice handy table of comments on the various bikes that allows us mortals to narrow our search. I know there are no static frames of reference, but some helpful comment about power delivery etc would really help! Anyone share this view? Be great to get a sticky up... Graham
  16. These pictures are superb. They really capture the whole feel of the event. At the same time, I want to enter, but also feel totally intimidated! Thank you for sharing these. Graham
  17. Hi All, I'm slowly evolving my old 2001 rev3 into a later model. It now has 2005 airbox and associated gubbins and 2005 swingarm. It's when you do silly things like this that you realise how many subtle changes have been made to apparently similar parts! I'm trying to be thorough and really refresh the bike. I have noticed whilst the rear end was removed just how much the pegs have sagged. The droop is clearly caused by the hangers being quite deformed. I found the Trials-cast hangers on 'tinternet and they look great. The guys at Trials-cast have clearly seen this as a common problem. However, their offering is for 2007 onward bikes. I can't find any pictures of this part of the bike to compare. Does anyone know the answer to the following: 1. How different is the frame, and can the frame or hangers be adapted to fit a 2001 frame? 2. If not, does anyone else make a similar strong and reasonably priced hanger? I will only remove the old ones if I have an alternative as the bending has bent the bolts and I fear the whole plot will need cutting off! Thanks all Graham
  18. It's a 241. Had one myself. Happy days... Graham
  19. Excellent, thanks Chaps. So, a tar dryer and some hair remover it is...
  20. Hi All, Apologies if this has been done to death... My poor old 2001 rev3 is getting a freshen up. Never mind all the oily bits, it needs to look nice... Anyone know a good way to remove the old stickers? I've picked and pulled much of the stickers from the rear mudguard but haven't even started on the tank/ frame stickers. Acetone is making some impact on the remaining gloop, but it's slow going... Thanks All Graham
  21. That's worrying. Does this mean I don't normally have fun at a trial? I always suspected I wasn't taking it seriously enough...
  22. Hi Mick, Pete, I'm a reasonably experienced trials bod, but have also recently moved to the Colchester area! Well, sudbury to be more exact. I have walked the dogs past more areas that meet the 'I'd love to bring the Beta here' box in a few weeks than in 20 years living near Cambridge. I'm going to join the Braintree club and plan to ride various Eastern trials, as well as all the Cambridge Matchless trials (I can't leave the warm bossom of my 'family'...). Hopefully I'll run into you gents very soon. Let me know if you find any permissive practice land. Graham
  23. grahamjayzee

    301 silencer

    Hi, Thinking way back, my old 241 had packing. However, re-packing involved major surgery and some welding! I think many parts were the same, but someone with more Fantic expertise than me will tell you if the silencer were shared. Graham
  24. Everyone, thank you for all your replies. I can see from the sheer volume of response that this is a very special event indeed. It echos many people's experience of Marathons (would you do it again? No, glad you did it, Oh yes), and we only get one go around the ride, don't we? I think I've made my mind to set it as a goal, and work a sensible path towards it. Right, now the hard bit. Dearest, would you like a cup of tea?
 
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