ben888

Thank you Jimmie, glad you enjoyed watching it, I sure enjoyed riding it! It is really great that there are willing volunteers observing the sections, sometimes we have to 'group check' the odd section, but we are very grateful to the people who kindly observe for us. It keeps the scoring consistent and keeps the flow of riders going, all adding to the enjoyment. To that end, a massive thank you to all the organisers and Volunteers of the Somerton mcc club, great event guys! Ben

Hi Michael, having the not so vast experience of only two trials to my name, I don't know how normal it is to have sections this spread out, but it sure was great fun riding between. Everyone there was very helpful and friendly to me as a beginner, so I'm sure we could get you a ride if it was pre planned. Your certainly welcome to have a few sections on my beta. I'm planning on a new bike next year, but keeping the techno for friends, so if the timing is right, you're more than welcome to ride with me:) Thanks Prosport, I appriciate your comments, the video makes it look kind of flat, where in reality it was steeper in person! But, laid out at just the right level of difficulty for a novice like me! Some sections I could clear, and some required a dab or three! After 4 laps of 10 sections I managed 23 points, can't wait until my training day with Steve Saunders next month! And yes, amazing setting!

Here's my day at the Beacon Trial yesterday. An excellent event. Many thanks to all at the Somerton M/C club for hosting the event and to all the observers who made it possible.

Hey Mags, I'm using Final Cut Pro X for editing the gopro footage, works well and very intuitive to use.. Here's the video showing all the sections we did, and some of the riding in between. We started at #6 at the top and worked our way around four times. I collected 23 points. It was an awesome day, can't wait to ride with Steve Saunders next month! 59 Ben Novice O 1 0. O. O. 2. 3. O. O. 8. O. Total 23

Hi Guys, I had my second trial today, amazing venue called the beacon, a big, steep hill overlooking the village, views for miles! I moved up a group from beginner to novice. It was significantly more challenging, but not so much that it became dangerous. Only had a couple of offs, but also some clean sections. The course was 10 sections with 4 laps, quite a bit of riding between sections which was great with the amazing scenery! 3 1/2 hrs riding time, I'm a aching well now, but exhilarated too! I've put together a 10 minute video from the gopro, just waiting for the YouTube to upload, as soon as it's done I'll post it here if anyone fancies a look Ben

It's interesting about the weight not being that bigger deal. The only trial bike I've ridden is my techno, and to be honest, my first impressions were "I expected a trial bike to be lighter". Now that I'm used to riding it, it does feel lighter, but I expected the newer bikes, being 10kg or more lighter, to be noticeably easier to hop and handle generally.

Also, how did the evo compare after riding the techno? Was it night and day easier in the sections? I plan to use mine for a season before upgrading, either an evo or a jotagas I'm thinking..

I've heard of lots of cases of dodgy rear brakes on the techno, shame as it's a great bike, even if it is getting old now. A classic one day maybe...?? Stpauls, sorry to hear you had so much trouble. Everything brand new and still it failed every trial.. What was it that was causing the failures? Mine is ok at present, and long may it continue but, any info on you can give me that I can use to help prevent my own failures would be appreciated.

I bled the brake, then a couple days later I notice brake fluid, slightly damp around one of the pistons. Cleaned it off, but it came back a day later! So... New seals purchased. Stripped down the caliper, carefully cleaned the pistons with an old tooth brush and brake fluid. Removed the old seals and cleaned the groove in the same way. Brake fluid makes an excellent cleaning product for brake parts. All put back together, leaving out the ball bearing under the bleed nipple. Used a medical syringe to back bleed the system, with the pistons fully home and positioning the caliper in my hand to encourage the upward movement of bubbles. Once full, I removed the nipple, replaced the ball bearing, and lightly fitted the nipple. Keeping the reservoir full, I let gravity do it's thing, forward bleeding the system, while again, moving the caliper to encourage the air out. When satisfied that the air was out, I tightened the nipple, cleaned off all external brake fluid from the caliper and refitted, still with the old contaminated pads at this time. I rode around for 30 mins, then left for a couple of days to ensure no further leaks. I then changed the pads for new, cleaned the disc with alcohol, scuffed lightly with emery paper and put back together. A little riding to bed it in, and now, with this combined with the pedal bushing, I have an excellent Beta Techno rear brake, that locks easily. Having done this, I don't believe the techno suffers from an inherently bad back brake. It's just a combination of old age components that need refreshing. After all, Dougie Lampkin won the world title with the Beta Techno...!

You should expect to be able to do a few miles without issue. Although not on the road, my old 97 Beta Techno has been fine around the woods for a few miles at 5th gear speeds I don't know where in the world you are, but here in the UK, NaOH (caustic soda) is readily available from amazon, very cheap. I prefer this method, but be very careful with skin, eyes, and aluminium bits!!

Hey Mags, how did you and the wife get on with your first practice day?? I'd love to know, and see your pics

I've read that ssdt exert before but I don't agree with all of it personally. I've been a marine engineer for over 20 years, and worked on many 2 stroke outboard engines (as well as many of my own bikes). Many 2 stroke engines will happily run at a constant throttle, such as outboard engines, lawn mowers, chain saws, bush cutters, scooters, etc. As long as the carburettor is jetted correctly, with the needle set correctly, holding a constant throttle will not cause a lean mixture situation. Outboard engines spend most of their lives at extended constant throttle, and with the drag of the water, it's the equivalent of constantly going up hill under load. This doesn't cause them to overheat and seize. In my opinion, trials bikes would be more susceptible to overheat at extended high revs due to their small (light) coolant systems designed to cool a bike that revs occasionally. Also it may be in part due to an exhaust that is tuned to make power at low revs, might be restrictive at higher revs. However, the advise isn't bad, and I certainly don't want to put down the author, Pulling the choke would assist in cooling a 2stroke engine because the additional fuel itself would help cool the engine. A rich running engine is a cool running engine. But, The engine isn't running weak, it's overheating due to its design characteristics. All that said, it's still worth making sure your exhaust and carb are in top condition to maximise your on road experience Good luck, Ben.

Either burn it out if you have a gas torch and air line (see you tube) or soak in caustic soda. Either way is messy but not particularly difficult. Worth re packing the silencer at the same time.

If the switch is single wire, run it to earth to turn on the fan (touch it to the jug). If it two wire, join the wires together to run.