tomch

The back pivot broke on one side too..... The drop off was tiny and I'm not an aggressive rider (ask anyone who saw me in action at the SSDT this year) though I do weigh 95kg. It looks to me like a failure of the casting... The exhaust pipe is dinkled in at the bottom, forcing it off the engine port. I shall probably need a new exhaust pipe it will be impossible to straighten gas tight.

The pivot pin seems undamaged and straight... Hard to photograph

The fractured pieces of the front of the dogbone.

I leapt off a 1 foot bank and both the dog bone pivots (back suspension linkage) have exploded, collapsing the swingarm onto the exhaust pipe. When I have recovered my bike I shall photograph it...

My Ossa 280i has always had a problem with overheating and uses normally 250ml of water every time I fill the petrol tank. Up the hill trails it would boil dry if I wasn't carrying 2-3 litres of water in my rucksack and replenishing about every 15 minutes. In the SSDT it boiled out on long road sections and blew a cylinder head and melted the pump impellers etc. rebuilt by the factory and it still boils even after they flushed and refilled the cooling system. Yes, the radiator is clean and I even blew it out with an air hose and pressure washed all the dust out.. The fan works well on the thermostat, comes on as I reach the end of the field about 200m from my house, fan wired the right way around. When it starts boiling it will even blow out a little cold water before it steams... Someone else suggests fatter o rings in the cylinder head to stop cylinder pressure leaking into the water system. I am going to try this and am then going to consider putting larger plastic wings on to channel more air through the radiator... Does anyone else have any experience of this? Should I consider a blockage somewhere in the system and try radiator cleaner or a dremel? And just as I was getting a little less rubbish at riding!

15 km from my house, 5800-8500ft but my bike boils and boils.... 2 litres of water in an hour and a half... Kind and friendly landowners only too pleased to welcome trials bikes!

The Ossa has been a good bike for me and quite reliable given the abuse I out it through. It is quiet and I often have great wildlife moments by being able to move through tricky terrain. Look out for where you ride as people on this forum are concerned to keep as much land available as possible..bit of an European thing, I think. Anyhow, have fun and work on getting your weight on the pegs not on the hands.

Also a decent bloke and full of tips and good humour...

No, am in UK and now in the highlands to get in some some Scottish conditions, cold; but grippy rocks and not too much clay

Now onto the road, bike running sweetly and strapped to the back of the car, all my kit clean and folded, full jerrycan, and a huge smile........

#216. So, are you allowed to wash your bike every day? Must be really messy in one corner of the car park,

Ossa 2011 and trying this years ssdt on it. No mods at all except a low fuel light and I may change the tyres, oil and air filter. Runs even better after my dealer raised the idle but uses approx 30% more fuel with a new map. On the plus side it has even more torque and will go up anything.

Thank you very much!

It still runs on 20:1 but keeps on burning out coils..... The LHS footpeg is the only obvious missing part. A metal tank....

My friend dug this out of the back of his garage and wants to know more about it.... There were only very few bultacos out in the whole of east Africa, possibly less than 5!

Excellent! I ride an Enfield 500 around the farm here, great torque, slightly better front suspension now I fitted forks of some old Honda road bike circa 1970's but the back suspension is horrid... What kind of tyres are those? I'm getting a 350 done up with a smaller tank, a high level pipe and cherry bomb exhaust. Got an old yz250 front end and some better shocks. All the underseat boxes are going and I'm getting folding footpegs and pedals. Also changing the dire and heavy sdestand for something off the swingarm and I may even go as far as the front disc conversion unit... Good luck on the 350 meanwhile and bear in mind you could shed about 20 kg from that with a spanner!

Kenya! There are only 3 rounds and 4 other trials bikes. There are ver few tar roads and in the interesting bits police aren't so bothered if you ride sensibly and have a helmet. You will be bled dry for duty and tax if you bring a bike in however!

No, I have a 2011 bike and the nice ssdt graphics but a beginner rider took a tumble of the back and shattered the mudguard and the "saddle". I got this set off the dealer and drilled them myself... No graphics yet but I think it looks nice so I could wait until someone offers me sponsorship!

True... Good tip as I think it has stretched a bit.

It's not my little pony but the rainbow thing explains why it cost so much!!

Always had an easy time starting it after the first day. 2 kicks when cold, first when hot but it would never idle for more than about 20 seconds... A bit annoying when fiddling with the gps (or taking a strategic step-off!) I fixed it with the application of "bladdah" to the screw that YOU MUST NOT FIDDLE WITH. Aka the idling screw that stops the butterfly valve. Obviously it's rigged up to something electric so not for the likes of me.... I tried with various thicknesses of duct tape and now have used a small strip of old inner tube to act as a spacer, holding the valve slightly off fully closed. Why it's called "bladdah" in Swahili slang I don't know....... It now idles perfectly but surprised me badly by starting on the first Kick when cold! Otherwise runs just the same and doesn't use any more petrol.

TRIAL RULES DEFINITION OF A TRIAL A Trial is an event in which the skill and regularity of the riders form the basis of the results. Sections are included within the course, where the skill of the rider negotiating them is observed and penalties given. In addition, a time limit is set for part of, or for the whole course. The course may consist of cross-country terrain (minor roads, country lanes, and woodland tracks etc.). Riders Age of riders The minimum age of riders in International Trials is 12. The Supplementary Regulations must state the actual restrictions on age, respecting national legislation and stipulating any requirements for holding a driving licence.Riders’ licences Riders must be holders of a valid licence. COURSE The course should be in one direction only. If, in exceptional circumstances, two-way traffic is unavoidable, then special safety measures must be taken, e.g. separating the track or positioning of officials. The course may be whatever length such that all the riders could complete the course in the hours of daylight, minus the hour before dusk, without setting an average speed above 30 kilometres per hour. To be classified as a finisher the rider alone must ride or push his machine for the entire distance of the course. Distance The length of the course and the number of sections in that course shall be stated in the Supplementary Regulations. Course marking The course shall be marked with direction arrows and flags. SECTIONS The number of sections shall be stated in the Supplementary Regulations. Each section must be clearly numbered in consecutive order. Each section shall have signs clearly identifying the location of both the “Section Begins” and “Section Ends”. Design and section boundaries Each section shall be completely independent of other sections and easily modifiable according to the weather conditions. Sections constructed predominantly with industrially processed elements or materials should be avoided. Each section shall have signs clearly identifying the location of both the “Section Begins” and “Section Ends”. Each section must be clearly numbered in consecutive order and must be indicated as from the visit of the sections by the riders. The sections shall be bounded by natural obstacles and strong, easily visible waterproof tape, securely fastened to stakes or trees. The stakes must be securely fixed to the ground and be spaced close enough to each other to prevent major movement of the tapes. The tape must be at a minimum height of 10 cm above the ground and below a maximum height 30 cm. The actual width of the section defined between the tapes shall be at least 200 cm. The “gates” will be placed at all passages where the width of the section is reduced. Each gate must be indicated on the right and left by signs (arrows) of appropriate colours. The minimum width between these “gates” is 120 cm. Penalty in the sections A machine is considered as being in a section when the front wheel spindle has passed the “section begins” sign and until the time when the front wheel spindle passes the “section ends” sign. Under penalty of failure the front wheel must precede the rear wheel through both the “section begins” sign and the “section ends” sign. If a front spindle exits a section via the ‘section begins’, then a failure is deemed to have occurred. Penalty faults in a section a) – 1 fault: 1 point – 2 faults: 2 points c) – More than 2 faults: 3 points Definition of fault - Each contact of any part of the rider or his machine (with exception of the tyres, footrest and the engine protection plate) with the ground or an obstacle (tree, rock, etc.). d) – Failure: 5 points Definition of failure - The machine is moving backwards with or without the rider footing. - The machine touches the ground with the front or rear wheel, outside a boundary. - The rider or machine touches or rides over or above a marker or marker support before the front wheel spindle passes a “section ends” sign. - The rider dismounts from the machine and he has both feet on the ground, on the same side or behind the axle of the back wheel of the machine. - The hand of the rider leaves the handlebar and touches another part of his machine when he foots, whilst stationary. - The rider does not complete a section within the time limit. - The front wheel does not precede the back wheel when passing through a gate. - The rider enters the section by foot. - The rider receives outside assistance. - The rider or his assistant changes the condition of a section. - The rider passes through the gates of another category whatever the direction. - The assistant comes into the section without the invitation of the official. - Not entering a section, providing the rider has reported to the section official. - The engine of the machine stops whilst the rider is leaning or any part of the machine with the exception of the tyres, touches the ground, without forward motion. - The handlebar of the motorcycle touches the ground. - The motorcycle does a complete loop, crossing its own track with both wheels. All failures (motorcycle moves backwards, falls, does not respect the time limit, etc.) must be signalled by the Observer by an immediate whistle. A rider who fails in a section, once the time limit has run out, shall leave the section at the time and place indicated by the official, otherwise he will incur an additional 5 points penalty. e) – Missing a section: 20 points Only the greatest penalty, as defined above, shall be counted in the section. Obstruction is deemed to have occurred when a rider, whilst attempting an observed section, is prevented from making a bona-fide attempt due to some unauthorised obstruction. Should a rider claim obstruction, the observer may, at his discretion, allow a re-run of the section. The Observer’s decision as to whether a re-run is permitted is final. Should a re-run be granted, then the rider shall complete the full section. PRACTISING Unauthorised practising on the course and on the sections of the Trial is forbidden under penalty of disqualification. TIME PENALTIES Time penalties with respect to time allowances For each minute or part thereof late arrival at the start: 1 point More than 20 minutes late arrival at the start: disqualification For each minute or part thereof late at a time control: 1 point All time allowances for each rider shall be stated in the Supplementary Regulations. Each rider shall be allowed the same time to complete the course. TECHNICAL CONTROL Equipment of the motorcycle At all times during the event, a rider will be responsible for keeping his machine in conformity to the rules. Tyres must be in accordance with the Technical rules. Tyres must be normally available from retail and wholesale sources. Riders equipment It is compulsory for the rider to wear a helmet and other clothing requirements as detailed in the Technical Rules. Refuelling Refuelling of all motorcycles must only take place in the paddock, with the use of an environmental mat to protect the ground. Refuelling in the paddock without the use of an environment mat will entail a fine as defined in the Environment Code. Refuelling outside the paddock will result in the disqualification of the rider.

We are starting to organise trials competition in Kenya. We have 3 dates in the KMSF calendar and I have been tasked to get the regulations written about how to organise our national competitions. Our chairman wisely points out that most of the first trials would be organised by people that have only ever watched in it on TV! So I have cribbed the FIM handbook thoroughly and the technical regulations are the same as for enduro bikes because there are only 4 trials bike in Kenya at the mo and our enduro fraternity are feeling bullish. The course regulations are a problem as we want to have the chance to run great distances if the need arises (like the Ssdt). We haven't got a minimum distance but could like to do upto 160 km per day. What is the maximum average speed we should aim at as organisers? We think 30 kph and only in the hours of daylight minus the hour before dusk.... Thank you for your valued help. Tom