big john

I'm called Big John, but I'm certainly not as big as you! I'd say you would win hands down. Big John

Looks like a Dalesman in the last group of photos, bottom right? Big John

Absolutely correct Nigel D, but I think Nigel G has done a wee bit of work on it since he bought it from you (about 13 years ago!) Big John

Hi t-shock, while I admit to liking bikes kept in standard trim, I am indeed partial to the occasional smarter version, such as your SWM there, very nice indeed. I'm sure I have seen it on here before a while ago. I have been known to get the polishing compounds and mops out on occasion myself, but maybe not so much on a modern bike. Another bike I admire is the blinged up TLR250 Honda of Nigel Greenwood, that is a very nice and purposeful motorcycle (not for sale!) Big John

Forget Cabestany...let's have a Bertie Bassett Replica! Big John

I do admit t-shock that is nice, what is it SWM; Garelli; Fantic? Definately a Grimeca hub, looks nice, but they were semi-gloss black as standard. Nice... Big John

Hi Desertsilver, I presume you are in the US? The RTL250S was a cutting edge full on competition trials bike made by HRC (Honda Racing Corp). In their day they were almost twice the retail price of comparable bikes from other manufacturers such as Yamaha TY250R etc. Parts are getting hard to source, in fact many parts are simply unobtainable from Honda sources, although Lewisport in the US dio have some useful items such as piston kits etc. Many of the normal parts are avaialble as they were shared with other Honda models, you just need to know what you are looking for. I have about three different parts and maintainance manuals, but many of the parts go from year to year especially the drum brake bikes, with some changes to the later disc brake machines. Some TLM parts are common to the RTL. Two bikes for $2000 is pretty cheap by anyones standards, I presume they are in fairly rough order then? Regards, Big John

I've used Classicbikedecals and the quality is very good. Big John

Definately powder coating, much better and more hard wearing finiash, also the dirt just hoses off! Get it done by someone who knows about bikes though! Big John

You gotta pay it! Big John

Hi Kirsty, Without farmers and landowners we would have no sport of trials, it's as simple as that. I was brought up in the full knowledge that motorcyclists who prefer to ride in off road sports be it trials, motocross or grass track we must abide fully with what the landowner wishes and if that means no events for a while, then so be it! Hopefully the spread of this current outbreak of foot and mouth disease will be halted faster than in 2001 and we can get farming and sport back to normal. Disappointment is temporary when it comes to cancelled events! To riders, follow what the ACU are directing, check with the club before you make the long trip to ensure that the event is still on. Ever supportive of our patrons... yours, Big John

You are kidding Atomant, there are about a dozen trials cancelled throughout the country because of F&M, not to mention grass track racing and motocross ( I know I know this is a trials website!). Have you not been reading the newspapers or even the front piece of this website. Oh yeah I forgot we are not supposed to mention F&M on here! Some landowners are a bit nervous at the moment, there so far has been three cases, we are certainly not out of the woods yet until the disease is contained fully. All it needs is a case reported after an event and that would be bad news for the sport indeed. Big John

I presume you have a Dellorto carb fitted? We have a 2006 Beta 125 REV3 and it has done exactly the same as you describe since new, it also takes a little time for the bike to "settle down" and the idle speed naturally drops. But you are right, they rev high on full choke for sure. I think it is down to the fact it is a 125 and the Dellorto injects a fair bit of fuel when "on choke" Big John By the way, have you spoken to Lampkins about this? I'm almost certain they will say "They all do that!"

I think all UK model 199B were supplied with the alloy tank. You need to be speaking to Nigel Dabster or Legs who post on here regularly. Welcome to the 340 club! Big John

I had that with a 241 mono Fantic once. It had stood with fuel in it that had gone off big time, the fuel had a smell like creosote and it alsmost glowed in colour. The carb was coated in a gung and I removed it by carefully steeping the carb in a proprietory brake cleaner, it was then flushed with neat petrol and blown clear by compressed air. Mind you I wore safety specs and tried not to inhale any of the fumes created and wore protective rubber gloves at all times. Big John

Hi butt mooar, OK, I've listened into the podcast on Manx Radio. It would appear that this is a voluntary action to support the landowners which is the correct thing to do as without them we would have no events. Having said that, the ACU have not as yet pulled the plug on events in the IOM. Big John

OK Butt Moar, but what is your information source please? Under whose authority have the events been cancelled? I have had confirmation this morning that the Royal Manx Agricultural Show has been cancelled completely, but there is nothing to say that other events are affected. Big John

This is a Trials website and not a place for the discussion of bovine political views, so yes. That's why it keeps disappearing. So why was mine deleted? I certainly wasn't expressing a political viewpoint, I never try to do so! Big John

I did actually view your post Billy, don't worry it wasn't personal as Andy deleted one of mine as well, which was factual and not in my opinion one to cause panic or alarm! Big John (I'll watch with interest if this one is also deleted!)

Yip, just heard the news on Radio 2 five minutes ago. I hate to say this but, if it's confirmed you can bet we won't see much more motorcycle off road sport this year if it all kicks off again! Big John

Hmmmm... Interesting, Ceriani (pronounced Cherry-ani) front forks whereas they have used Paioli forks since start of production. Old style Ceriani forks command a very high price for old bikes. An interesting return to competition via Sherco. Pity they don't do a 200 model, I loved them! Big John

I saw that AJS at the Pre65 at Kinlochleven, it wasn't in the event and the owner said he got the frame from John Green from pontefract. Nice bike though....isn't it? Big John

Very sorry to hear that news Bikespace. I've known Grant for many years, being a Hawick & Borders member. I hope he recovers quickly from this. Big John

Absolutely true I'm afraid, it's the weight you see... the bike is heavy as well! Big John

Sorry guys, I assumed (wrongly) that the person who posed the question was a rider or the parent of a rider, not an observer. It is true that the person with the ultimate authority is the Clerk of the Course but in reality, he/she can't be at all the sections all of the day, so it's down to the observer to decide what is the best course of action. I agree with Trickmicky it could completely waste the novice section and spoil the intended severity of the particular section. Also, an observer is an "assistant to the Clerk of the Course". As long as nobody had actually ridden the novice section, then the observer is within his/her rights to shift the rock out of the way, but in no way should a rider do this unless specifically instructed by the official. If someone had ridden the section and is marked, then the rock should stay put. I should point out that moving rocks by a rider is liable to a five mark penalty according to the ACU Handbook, from which I posted the appropriate exerpt. Big John