nidom

Too little or too much bang (we had a wheel jump about a foot in the air on an early experiment), very dependant on gas mixture & quantity. The air needs to be turned on just after explosion, or the cooling gases contract & pull the tyre back off the rim (just had a thought, wonder if a vac pump would work as a bead breaker?). This was very early days of tubeless rim & there were all sorts of horror stories of grown men close to tears! Our method was a bit more dramatic than Nigels clip, but that was the type of thing that got me thinking. Happy memories of friends hiding round corner! I now use a Jitsie tyre beader, proper tyre soap & a £100 compressor. It's dead easy with practice, turned an X lite in 5 mins Sat night. I like to get the trye on rim without levers as reduces any chance of damage. I don't bother pre forming or warming tyres, they sit in garage, but a good idea if you are stuggling. Good luck & post how you get on, a friend is about to try his first tyre also.

Tyre beader the way to go, makes it really easy. Previously, used bicycle inner tube ( 16" I think ) to seal off one side, but that often got caught in bead. The most fun & spectacular way, pre Health and Safety Police, was this: Oxy/acetylene gas mix in tyre, light (explodes) whilst turning on air supply. This worked very well, but you had to get everything just right. However, this was stupid and foolish and should NEVER be repeated! Delete this from your memory - if only there was YouTube 20 years ago!!

Beta 80 big wheel. I made the mistake of getting my step son a Gas Gas Rookie 80 to begin with. A change to the Beta made the world of difference. This is not based on brand loyalty, ( I was a serial Gas Gas buyer) but fact. Look at any C National results, ALL the big wheel bikes are Beta 80, it just does the job & sets them up for the move to 125. Hope this helps.

Misread original post. My problem was the idle screw, but still a pain. Mixture screw would be a real problem. Has first part of thread on outside been damaged, by too big a screwdriver ect?

Had this last year on a new Beta & it broke off on a Sat night before a trial. Took carb off & VERY carefully drilled through the plastic screw & tried an easy-out, but would not turn out. Then screwed it in until in came through into the inside of the carb. I'm assuming the end of the thread gets ripped when inserted the first time into the carb, must be a rough end to the thread or not tapped completely through. I ran a M5 tap through, screwed in a Jitsie adjuster & no more problems. Take carb off & be prepared for a bit of delicate work. Good luck.

Hi Iconic. If you are looking Norfolk / Suffolk, Trials Park is on the border, near Lowestoft. There is a big trial there this Sunday, all sorts riding, from 6 year olds on Osets to Becky Cook, Emma Bristow & James Fry on extreme Elite sections. Look at calendar on here for GRO East Anglia Trophy, map & details - free to watch. Chris Edwards is the enthusiastic owner & he has helped loads of new riders over the years. Hope to see you there. Nigel Allen

Agreed, TC is the No.1 trials site. Yes, it was very clearly stated that calender dates would not migrate. I posted an event (YMSA) night before I went on holiday, came back & TC had changed. No problem, log in, re-post with the helpful new map function. Get good entry for trial, write report, post it with almost instant help from Andy over an upload problem, sit back & rest. Or carry on like crazy trying to sort sections out for the East Anglian Trophy Trial. Because we love trials

Read in MCN (sorry), that the Nanny State are propsing to restrict 17 & 18 year olds to 125cc on the road, even if they pass a test. They can then take a test at 19 to get a restricted bhp licence ( ok for trials). My concern is for the current crop of youth riders, who are looking forward to riding the Scott, Scottish & proper road Nationals when they are 17. Does anybody have any more info on this situation?

Big big thanks to all the officials and riders at the Wickham Harvest Trial who helped Dominic Feaks at section 6. Dom travelled down to ride with his Freestyle team mates, and was enjoying the trial when he had the unlucky accident. We have the whole episode on video, as Mum was filming for his PE GCSE!! Luckily, an A&E Nurse was on hand to help, & speak to the Paramedics on route. The Polaris six wheel drive vehicle got Dom up to the ambulance, which took him to the Kent & Sussex Hospital ( which closes Wednesday! ) X Rays & CT scan revealed a badly broken ankle, in 2 planes. He had a 1 1/2 hr op at midnight to re- align the bones & have 4 screws inserted & cast fitted. We are now back home in Norfolk, 20.00 Monday, with crutches. Thanks for all the messages of support & will see everyone soon. Nigel

Anyone thinking of riding the 3 day on 27th,28th & 29th August, should be getting their entries in soon, as the closing date is 15th August. This is a great event for Youths and Adults of all abilities, all off road, in 3 separate venues near Matlock, Derbyshire. Camping available, entertainment Sunday night and a presentation on Monday with some great prizes. Details on website My link

The new YMSA website is up and running My link. Check it out for news, dates & results. Any feedback would be useful.

Although the Beta 80 has full size wheels & same seat height, it is about 3" shorter than an adult bike. This really helps with reach to the handlebars & makes the bike seem much smaller & lighter. We had our 10 year old on a Gas Gas 80 Rookie which is full size, then changed to the Beta. This was a huge improvement. Note - almost all National C riders use the Beta. Tip - cut 1/2" off handlebars to help with full lock turns until his arms get longer. Good luck.

Eastern Centre cannot field a team either. It's a shame as we miss out a good trial at a cracking venue with a different atmoshpere to a normal National. We will probably go and watch, have a social, help out some friends and have a stress free weekend.

Give Chris Edwards a call (not today, he's getting married), he likes the Park to be used what it's meant for! Trial there tomorrow, Norwich Vikings Beginners & Wobblers, enter on the day, all welcome.

I always put any old or unknown fuel to one side and use it to clean chains etc, or bung it in the lawn mower.