totty79

Replaced clutch fluid. Tried to replace front brake fluid, it stopped pumping before the clean fluid came through. The old fluid was the worst I've seen so the master cylinder and caliper may be a bit of a mess internally. However the brake was previously working fine, no binding or leaking. Tried to remove the master cylinder, found the banjo bolt head was already stripped. Didn't attempt to change the rear brake fluid. That rules out my planned trip to Warden Law on Thursday evening, I'll be fixing it instead - a common pattern for me, maybe I should start buying newer bikes.

Does anyone know of a trials friendly MOT station in this area? The place I use for my road bikes wants a brake light fitting.

Just thought I should post back with my plans after all of the help I've been offered. I've just joined Consett trials club, I'll apply for an ACU license over the weekend and I intend to spectate at rogerley quarrie on Sunday.

Thanks for the advice, especially the offers to ride around with me, it's very much appreciated. I can see why it would be better to ride but I've got loads of excuses - for a start no bike transport or ACU license. I've also only had 2.5 hours on the bike and I suppose the main one is my girlfriends coming to spectate with me and won't be amused if I ditch her to ride. I've got two Sundays available next month when I'm planning to ride. I can get a van from work most weekends but it's in use this one. The plan really is to watch this weekend, practise on another two evenings then enter a trial. Gary, warden law is the only place I've ridden it's under 2 miles from my house so I plan to just ride there once I've got a MOT. My trials gear is currently road bike boots complete with toe sliders and trousers with army surplus jacket. Cheers Allan

Hi, I'm looking to spectate at a trail on Sunday in part just for the fun of it but also to get an idea what to expect from an easy/novice route. Seaton Delaval and Richmond Motor Club are both have trials listed and are within reasonable traveling distance. I've tried this previously and only really found people riding between sections, and sections in quarries which I'm hoping were part of an advanced route as the riding was well beyond my current capabilities. Has anyone got any advice on a suitable place and time? Thanks Allan

I'm pleasantly surprised that there are so many shops in the area. Popped into AG today, had a look around and a chat. Didn't have boots in budget but had a decent range of stock and a well kept workshop.

Thanks telecat

The mudguard will have a recycle symbol somewhere with letters next to it indicating the plastic type. On my 321 it's PP. Technique wise I experimented as I had about 8" of breaks, what I came up with: Melt a couple of small stripes across the split and hold it till it cools to stabilise it. Carve a V shape with the soldering iron as close to all the way through as you dare. Pre heat a length of filler rod with a lighter, drop it into the v. Mix filler and guard. Smooth the plastic squeezed out when carving the V back over the still melted filler and guard mix. It seems quite strong. For areas near fixings I repeated this from the other side, if you do this then do it last as it'll be neater than your first attempt.

Hi, Is there an online directory of UK trials shops? I usually buy online but I'm looking for boots and would prefer to try them on due to having wide feet and large calfs. Looking at the cheaper end of the range, definitely under £150. I'm in North East England, and visit North Yorkshire frequently. Thanks Allan

Cheers, I'll take a look at that before refitting.

Plastic welded the rear mudguard back together. I'm not convinced it will last, I've never done it before and only used a soldering iron and filler rods. I can put quite a bit of force into bending and twisting it without the joins splitting.

Don't worry about fun, I have a mess about for a while each time frustration sets in with whatever I'm practising.

Lock to lock should be a challenge with this much lock, I'll put some time into it and see how I get on. Thinking about it more: Lean the bike in with body vertical our bike out body in as you would at low speed on a road bike? Kick a peg or sick a leg out to recover when over balanced? What's considered a quick and slow throttle in trials circles? The current one I think is 1/4 turn but I'll check. The quick throttle on my mini moto is 1/8.

Choice of bike really came down to price. My preference was a pre 65 or twinshock, I'd guess the 321 will at least be easier than them. It's power delivery is a bit odd though. loads of just off tickover torque that doesn't build much as the revs rise followed by a narrow peaky power band. Although I am comparing it to a CB550 inline 4 and a VFR750 V4.

It's the learning that really attracted me to trials. Knees hugging the bike and steering to ballance are definitely habits I need to shake off, I caught myself kneeling on the tank at one point. I'm struggling to cover the back brake when I think it might be needed, I think that in part was keeping my feet tight to the motor. Thanks for the tips, I'll give them a try next week. Cheers

Hi, I've read a lot of posts here and elsewhere and watched a few videos, I'm now a bit confused as to what to practise first and looking for advice. I've been riding bikes for around 22 years but I've only had 2 1/2 hours on a trial bike last night at Warden Law. It's clear that I need to pick up a few basic skills before I've got any hope of clearing any obsticles. I spent a bit of time just getting used to being off road again and to the bike but I still find the power delivery, lack of bike between the knees, the feel of the clutch and the size and feel of the back brake all a bit odd. I practised lifting the front wheel, 10 foot barely in control wheelies weren't much of a problem but they also aren't very useful and well timed short lifts are currently beyond me. I made some progress on short steep hill climbs, but descents were badly controlled. Also made some progress riding along planks at walking pace. I ache all over the place today, particularly my hands where I have tendon and joint problems. Any advice before my next practise? Cheers Allan

I've been browsing the forum for a couple of weeks and decided to say hi. I've fancied trying trials for years. Having just sold a 90 VFR750 I had some space in the garage and bought a 99 Gas Gas TXT 321 off ebay last week. So far I've only ridden it for a quick figure 8 outside the garage. I live under 2 miles from Warden Law so I intend to put it back on the road and save time and money by riding it there to practise. It's a Q reg as dating evidence wasn't provided on registration, I may try to correct this for ease of insurance, but on the other hand an age related plate would according the the regs I've read mean a brake light was required as it's after 86. ebike wont allow me to add it to my multibike policy online so so sorting that out or insuring elsewhere is on the to do list. I may also attempt a better fix on the damaged rear mudguard to have something more solid to mount a number plate on. I've got a helmet on order and I'm shopping for boots, but I plan to try it in my road gear one evening this week. My other bikes are a CB550 and a monkeybike.