john b

Consett Trial has been moved to Butsfield this Sunday and as usual we will be running a kids trial alongside the main trial. Everyone from beginners are welcome on the kids course - if need be we will run two routes. We have been doing some more work to put some new sections in - we may even use a new area within Butsfield so kids will have something new. Bring your kids along - everything from Osets to 125's are more than welcome - even if you have never trailled before you can join on the day and have some fun - all for £5 to enter. If you aren't a member of a club in the North East Centre then that is another £5 - but that is for 2012 membership Hopefully see some new faces along with the usual on Sunday cheers John

There will be a kids trial this Friday at Butsfield. This is suitable for all ages and bikes from Osets up to 125's. It's all about fun and learning trials with no pressure, so as long as they can start and stop safely they will manage. There will be half a dozen sections they can practice then have a fun trial of 6 laps. After a break there will be some more sections set out for them to walk, then ride then run another fun trial. Results will be both trials combined All in all a good fun day for the kids and a great way to start trialling. We have done some work on the area at Butsfield we use for the kids, so there is plenty to go at - and they will have a great time Enrty fee is only £5, so bring them along - 11am start. cheers John

This Sunday is the Consett Club Spring Trial, and WILL include a conducted TY80 Route. The TY80 course will be at the start point of the Spring Trial which is at Oxen Law. It will follow the normal format of half a dozen sections set out to practice then ride, followed by a break for dinner then a few sections set out in the afternoon just to walk then ride. Sections are set right from beginner ability - as long as the kids can stop and start they should be able to manage no problem. Sections are set for kids to enjoy, not to be dangerous whilst introducing them to trials. Hope to see the usual kids along, as well as some new ones are more than welcome and the sections will suit Osets. Cost is only £5 - so no excuses to bring the kids along and have some fun. As it is the Spring Trial the start time is early - 10am, and remember the clocks change as well !! Hope to see you there Sunday cheers John

As it say's in the events section, there will be a kids TY80 Route this Sunday at the Castleside trial at Rogerly. Usual format will be half a dozen sections set out and the kids can practice as many times as they want, then run a 6 lap trial. There will then probably be a couple of simple sections marked which they walk then ride without practice. Usual kids who attend - please turn up. For those that are unsure or the kids have never done a trial bring them along - there's no pressure, its to develop them and give them confidence, not to make them struggle. The course will suit all kids including osets. Those who know Rogerly know that it's a great venue for the kids to do a trial. See you Sunday cheers John

If you go to any north east trial John and Don Charlton from off road moto will have the spares caravan there, with clothes, helmets etc etc. This week is at butsfield near consett. Cheers John

Thanks to all for the replies - much appreciated ! Solved by repacking the aftermarket filter with some dense foam with filter oil. Still needs a little tweaking with jetting etc - but just about sorted. Many thanks phoenix_tat youre a couple of miles away from me in Durham - My son rides a TY80 as well - has done for just over a year(and he has an immacuate Whitehawk waiting in the wings !) He competes in the TY conducted routes, theres a one at Oxen Law this weeek. Does your son compete ? Conducted routes are graet to get the kids started - I help run them at Consett/Stanley trials with the conducted route cheers John

I've been restoring a TY50 which is almost complete. After sorting the electrics it starts no problem and ticks over really nice. Problem is on opening the throttle it bogs really badly, throttle off and it will tick over no problem. I've changed needle height with no luck. The oil pump has been removed and now on premix - and also I've had to add an aftermarked 'bolt on' filter as there was no filter on the bike. Any advice appreciated ! cheers John

I'm told mine is a mark 2 ? Is yours single tank/seat ? The red ones I've seen have been separate tank/seat ? Lovely bikes - and frames are a work of art cheers john

No prob If you find anything at all let me know ! Did you have a look at the photos I posted in November ? cheers John

Hi there as promised on a previous post, I've checked my son's whitehawk front tyre It is almost new (unused) but there are some sidewall cracks so I guess it may have been NOS st some point, or someone had one lying around. It's a Pirelli 20 - 2.5, marked 'Mototrial' - also says 'US market only' hopefully this will help ! cheers John

Hi As the above reply, on my son's the kickstart folds up - then has a full stroke to kick cheers John

No prob I'll get the name off my dad - its in storage at his garage (too many bikes at mine !) If you search the Yamaha forum for 'TY80 Whitehawk shocks' I posted at the end of November there are some pics on there. cheers John

Thanks for that - like you say - a great bike and I'm sure more than competitive for my son as his next step up after his TY80. My humble opinion still the best starter bike...! My son competes against all the new bikes - and almost always beats them with balance and throttle control (basics of a good trials rider) cheers John

Hi there I bought a Whitehawk 80 a month or so back (see the post on this forum for 'whitehawk shocks') Great bike, and the next step for my son who is currently blitzing all the new bikes on his TY80 !! Out of interest from you Whitehawk guru's out there, is it a Mark 3 ?? Any idea on vintage of the bike ! ?? http://s1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc510/johnbarnett1/?action=view&current=whitehawk1.jpg It has a 20" front wheel with luckily a virtually brand new tyre. The bike is currently at my dads (too many bikes, not enough space !) so I'll have a look for the make of the tyre - might be a help cheers John

Cheers ! I feel a right thicko now ..... cheers John

Thanks for the replies - I might try some Betor ones. I don't mind paying good money if I can find some decent ones - the bike is worth it ! I'll try below to add some photo's ! http://s1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc510/johnbarnett1/?action=view&current=whitehawk1.jpg Hopefully the link works ! let me know If anyone can advise how to post the pics direct from photobucket onto here it would be a help as well !! cheers John

Hi I've just got my son a very vey nice Whitehawk 80 . He is 9 and curently rides (and wins ! ) on his TY80 and doesn't want a modern bike to step up to (yet....) hence the whitehawk. Size wise it's probably a year until it's OK for him. There are some very small odds and ends to tidy up (nothing really) but the shocks do need changing. They have no damping hence just spring ! What are the best type, bearing in mind my son's weight (not a lot - about 4 and a half stone)? cheers John

My son got his TY80 last year at Christmas at 8 years old - hes now 9. He's used it this year and started some trials in September. In my humble opinion it's an ideal starter. Predictable, teaches 'proper' bike control and relaible. He's done 5 trials and never been out of top 3 againast all of the modern stuff. The thing he has (and relies on ) is smooth throttle control, body positioning and good lines. He doesnt rely on the lightest bike, one finger clutch, hop, bounce stop etc. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that will come with time but at the minute he loves competing and riding 'proper' trials. I offered him the next step up to a Beta 80 - but he was adamant he didn't want a one - so I've got him a Whitehawk 80 (probably another year on the TY80 then step up to the whitehawk) Don't discount the little TY (although at 9 probably only a year left before its too small (but easy to sell on !) cheers John

Link doesn't work for me ? Yep, it was a great day ! My boy rode his TY80 in the conducted route - loved it. Only his fourth trial (second Richmond one) but planning riding all in 2012. Ted does a great job on the conducted - sections just right and the kids love it ! Many thanks to the club and see you in December cheers John

Birketts are best, quick and know their stuff. Not sure what year your bike is but decals are hard to get for the last ones (08) but I know Birketts did have some decal kits for the 07 (where there was a choice of red or yellow) hope this helps cheers John

Ive had one of the very first 2004 model 125's (got it in Dec 2003) - Great little bike - kept it 2 years and loved it. Then moved to Beta 200, Scorpa SY250, Beta 250 then had a hankering for the little Scorpa again so last year looked for and was lucky to find one of the last 2008 SY200's (163cc) My advice, get one of the last ones (2007/2008) - if you can find a one ! Engine is tremendous - suspension much beter than the earlier ones and also the Hydraulic clutch makes a difference. The bikes are simplicity themsleves, clubman competitive and a joy to ride. My days of buying bikes are over - I've got the 1976 TL125 for classic/twinshock and it's 32 year 'younger brother' in the SY200. Until they start making the SY200 again (which speaking to Nigel Birkett is nigh on an impossibility) - then thats me done ! cheers John

Looks well built, and a nice bike (not sure on the gold frame ?) looking at some of the cr*p that fetches ridiculous money on ebay, I think it's OK (especially some of the Pre 65 bikes ! How much !!!!) At the end of the day if no-one buys it, it's overpriced If I could sell a couple of the ones in bits in the garage I might be tempted....!!!! cheers John

As per the Article posted on the news page about 'Tragic Accident in North East Centre' I rode the trial, spoke to Mike in passing before the trial started (the usual, 'Hi there, hows it going'). I can say I'm completely shocked by this... My condolences via this to his wife and family. A good day's sport shouldn't end like this. John

Apparently it's the regular change of the antifreeze that's important. You are supposed to change every year to avoid this. I would use std bike antifreeze and regular change (or buy a Scorpa SY200 like I did to eliminate any watercooling problems !! ) cheers John

If you're lucky and catch it fairly early then liquid metal and a new water pump seal can do the trick. Worked on my 08 250. cheers John