stickinthemud

So the '.. regret to inform you letter ...' has arrived. What do you have to do to get an entry? 1. Move overseas? 2. Ride a pre-unit? 3. Find an obscure make of machine to ride? 4. Have your daughter ride with you even if she is no good and hates it? 5. Find a friend in Scotland from which to post your entry? 6. Put your entry in the envelope with a former stars? All of the above I don't object to the likes of Mick Grant, Eric Boocock, Mick Wilkinson, Peter Gaunt etc and other well known names getting an entry. They have dedicated their lives to the sport and deserve it. It has to attract spectators and that's fine. But it's the young riders (under 40/45) given an entry that I find hard to accept. They didn't compete in the 60s on these bikes. If the event is about nostalgia which I believe it to be, then let those old enough and still capable of performing at a reasonable level ride the event instead! Yours disgruntled

I asked Martin Adams of Serco before he went down under what oil he would recommend for the rebuilt Cub. He said in his normal blunt manner "If you've spent that much on the engine you should use the best oil in it". Fully synthetic was his advice for the engine, changed on a faily regular basis. I've since used the heavier grades and have not even had to put new rings in for the last two years. The problem is that synthetics desolve the deposits and carry them back to the oil tank. Without a modern fine filter these particles continue to go round and round. So I change the oil every couple of months. Dave Varley's 'Unique' & compact oil filter( http://www.dcclassicmotorcycles.co.uk/part..._filtration.htm ) looks the business where space is limited and should help catch the bits. In the clutch a small quantity of ATF, enough to keep it wet, has served well and avoided the common Cub clutch slip problem. In the gearbox I use 20-50 non synthetic and have had no problems. Lots of theories around - but these make sense to me. Keep on Cubbin'.

Just got hold of the results of the Manx Classic 2 Day Trial. Should be attached with any luck. Excellent trial - 45 miles each day with moors, tracks and sections you dream of! How can a guy who normally drives 3 wheelers do so well on a Cub borrowed from Mick Grant? First solo trial he ever won he said at the Presentation. Manx_Classic_Weekend_Trial_2005.doc

Cheers TSD Seems fine now - using 7.5 for now so we'll see how it goes in the Manx Classic 2 day this weekend. Good luck to all the Yorkshire Classic riders - can John Maxfield win again?

Hi Can anyone advise on the level and grade of the oil for best performance on Betor forks taken from an early Sherpa. As they are in long Triumph bottoms, the quoted volume doesn't help. Should the oil cover the top of the damper rod on full extension? Trouble with this is that oil sprays out of the breather caps during events. The anti-splash pieces on the spring bottoms are in place. On full compression, the oil is about 4 inch from the top of the stanchion. Any ideas? What grade would be best for the UK climate? Cheers

Hi 29r Martin Adams is Serco, based at Brighouse, West Yorks, UK 01484 715288. He does the 250 conversions and has lots of Cub goodies. The centre of the brake plate is made loose so that the pads can be centred by holding the brakes on whilst tightening the large nut that holds the back plate in place.

Charlie has it right. Problem with new standard shoes is that do not match the diameter of the original used drum so only touch in the centre. Have your shoes lined with oversize linings as new standard shoes don't have enough meat to turn to size. Saftek can do this - (Cleckheaton West Yorks or Telford in Shropshire). Then have them turned to match your worn and skimmed drum whilst on the brakeplate locked slightly open. Matt Chambers (Scottish 2 day winner) does this and can pull stoppies on a standard Cub front brake hub. If you swap the drum to the left, the cable is straighter, especially on compressed suspension, and the pull improved. Dont forget the cross cuts to carry water to the outside. They do need regular maintenance or they can grab when damp!!! But it's worth it.

Found it on Sky on TV listings so it has to be GMT

If you've ever been stuck in the bottom of a slimey bomb hole with the back wheel spinning you will soon realise why you need the best tyres you can afford. Some clubs don't allow tubeless either. MT43s are rock hard. Tyre pressures are also vital if you are going to get up those slippery slopes. 6lb in the front and 4 in the rear argueably seems the norm although a pound or so more on rocky going is also a good idea. Get a low pressure tyre gauge for consistency - don't guess! How often do you see a wobbler stationery with a rock hard back tyre!

Just to let yous know that Sheffield is on Eurosport this Friday 21st Jan 05 at 8-00pm - unless of course they change it as normal! Damn - I'm going out !

Just spotted that 2004 World Indoor is on Men and Motors tomorrow - Saturday 17th at 20-00 hrs GMT (8pm). It's a 1 hour Programme - doesn't say which round they are showing - it was on at midday today (Friday) but I missed it. I've sent an email to Sky to find out their schedule - I'll post it as soon as I receive anything.

Email just received from Eurosport Please find the schedules below for upcoming trials on Brtiish Eurosport. 13/01/2004 17:00 17:30 TRIAL World Championship Sheffield VTR-EXT 14/01/2004 00:00 00:30 TRIAL World Championship Sheffield REPL 15/01/2004 11:15 11:45 TRIAL World Championship Sheffield REPL 23/01/2004 19:30 20:00 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Hong Kong REPL 03/02/2004 09:00 09:30 TRIAL World Championship Koblenz REPL 04/02/2004 07:30 08:00 TRIAL World Championship Koblenz REPL 05/02/2004 23:45 00:15 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Marseilles VTR-EXT 07/02/2004 19:00 19:30 TRIAL World Championship Koblenz VTR-EXT 09/02/2004 23:00 23:30 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Marseilles VTR-EXT 09/02/2004 23:30 00:00 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Barcelona Spain VTR-EXT 12/02/2004 23:15 23:45 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Marseilles VTR-EXT 12/02/2004 23:45 00:15 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Barcelona Spain VTR-EXT 13/02/2004 07:30 08:00 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Barcelona Spain VTR-EXT 23/02/2004 01:15 01:45 TRIAL Indoor World Championship Pesaro Italy RX