turbofurball

That does add a bit of context yes, thank you - I guess I take it for granted that I can go on a non-classic trial within an hour or so most weekends, and although I might flounder a bit it's still better than no trials at all! (also, the Copa Costa Brava looks sooo good!)

Best thing I found for ballance practice was slow riding on a bicycle, standing on the pedals also helps with leg strength (since most people aren't used to keeping their knees bent for long periods) And yes, a 160cc Gasgas is really good for getting started on - my first trials bike was a 2004 125 Gasgas and it was a very forgiving ride

Excellent! Thanks guys I was picturing a "no you've got to split the engine" lol

It looks like the seal might have gone, as my bike has decided to mark it's territory very thoroughly ... can it be swapped without major headaches? And does anyone know what size it is?

Something LIKE THIS, perhaps?

I jet wash mine if they're clagged with mud, and then use lots of dubbin over everything but the suede bit. Doing this regularly has made them soften up nicely, as they were a bit too stiff when new. I also got some tough leather off ebay and glued it on in areas that get a lot of wear (namely the top of the left boot from shifting up, and the inside of the right ankle where I catch it on the footpeg sometimes when starting)

So ... it's just near me, lol ... I'm glad I bought a van then!

So is it just down south they've dried up?

I wish I knew why classic trials has been in decline - in Europe they put on some cracking events ... I was upset that the Downland has been cancelled this year after my newbie floundering last year I was hoping to be able to do it more convincingly this time around

If you're a new rider I would honestly recommend temporarily getting a cheap small capacity trials bike to get used to riding, the 349 is like a pit pony - it'll pull any weight, but try and get too friendly too fast and it'll bite you. Mine has a slow throttle tube on it, and the timing is set to make it calm, and it's still a handful. That said, they're fab bikes. As others have said, start with draining the petrol, cleaning the carb, and seeing if it starts up. Then work through all the consumable items ... the 349 is easy to work on, even I managed to strip mine down and put it back together (though I paid someone else to rebuild the engine internals, since mine had worn main bearings and I didn't want to screw it up).

I'm loving all these great tips! Apart from the bit about cat pee ... Johnny might want to go seea doctor about that

That's a smart idea! I've got clear silicone tubing kicking around, might look at redoing all the breathers with it ... at the mo I run them all down the right side of the frame, but I can't remember why

Well done on taking the bullet for us! Since I last posted I've started stockpiling the 50g bags of silicate we sometimes get at work, in a month or so I'll have enough to dry a pair of boots

The post and choice of screenshots was enough for me to think that's a no from me, lol

I have to admit, getting cheap insurance was a large driving force for having both my bikes road registered ... it was far cheaper than unregistered cover

Also, this is a fab photo ... looks like it was guelling!

This one?

Love easy trials, just to get out and ride a bit, push myself to try some stuff I'm not sure about, and not worry about getting in the way of serious competitors when I'm having trouble extracting myself and my bike from a muddy situation. But I'm well aware I'm not the average trials rider, lol

Cool, keep us posted on how you get on with it! And yes, Cota 349s aren't a lot of fun for trials ... but amazing technical trail bikes

That might bring more people in ... trials spectators everywhere sporting CAMRA t-shirts

But the word Soccer came from England ...

Yeah, I don't really notice a difference in classic vs. novice modern sections, but the difference in riding a stockish twinshock is quite large. I love my TY due to a mix of nostalgia and the ability to enter any trial on it As someone with a half metal leg, novice level trials has been fine - none of that jumping off big objects etc, and nothing more than bruises from coming off. If I were you I'd start out on something like a Gasgas Pro 250 - lighter than a 4 stroke (not a factor for riding, as much as a factor in pulling it out of funny places), pretty gentle power delivery, but with enough grunt to move you around - I started at 12 stone on a 125 and that was ok, 16 stone might make one struggle on a climb. Good luck, I hope you enjoy trials as much as I do!

Public liability insurance should cover spectators, shouldn't it?

Looks like an optical illusion, I recon the inlets are maybe 1/4" from the mudguard but the camera flash means you see no shadow

MSM gave me an eyewatering quote on my TY, which is road registered. I'm with Devitt for the princely sum of £75, who only do road reg'd bikes. I couldn't really find a reasonable off-road-only insurer when I had a TxtPro, so just kept it in a safe place.