slogger

Have just attempted my first front fork seal change (oh what fun!) One of the jobs to sort after buying the bike was to sort the "Normal" rings of oil on the fronts forks following no attention being given to this matter. Following the Beta manual and some great advice form the forum I have been able to replace the seals, but I am still not happy with the movement? The oil coming out was no different to the engine oil oil coming out of my MG so it was replaced with Rock oil SVI 5 suspension fluid (as this was all my local off road dealer had). The only way to describe the front action is "uninspiring". Basic measurements (from the bottom of the bottom yoke to the top of the dust seals) are as follows: resting - 160mm fully extended = 180mm with my weight on the bike in a central c-o-g postion = 150mm fully compressed = 140mm I am concerned that the total amount of travel (based upon tests in my garage) is only 40mm. I know in sections this would be more, and I am going to get out next week to give it a field test...... Preload and rebound has been set at a midpoint althought at both extreems I saw little difference So questions: 1) What is normal pre-load and rebound settings 2) When filling the spring stantion, this was straight forward, but when filling the cartridge side, obviously fluid kept running into the lower tube. Beta quote a fill level but, is this a quick pour and measure of after the lower tube has been filled 3) Are the travel measurements about right. Im 5 ft 6 and 74kg 4) As an newbie at front forks have I done something stupid that I need to check ! Its very difficult to describe what I mean as "uninspiring" but even prior with the seapy seals their was a level of resistance. Its not juddery but it just seams "flat" and sloppy! Any thoughts??

pheww! I just thought it was me and my imaginary friend who did that.......

Phil, Glad it went well and a great starting result. If you've only rode the Gasser 4 times and tackled the yellow route first outing you should be pleased with yourself. Not sure what your riding experience was before, but Ive taken a few guys out who are full on Knee down merchants on sports bikes and they have really struggled to make the transition (they think it bad to drop the bike ????). Anyway, keep us posted on your progress Rob

Best of luck Filmoor, However you get on stick at it! The sport is addictive and if I cast my mind back 25 years ago or so I remember my first event scaring the crap out of me ( I was 13!!!). Entered my first one few months ago after 23 years out of it and absolutely loved it. Only lasted 8 sections until the bike gave up so promptly sold it and bought myself a newer model. Just getting it ready but practicing every other week. Don't over stretch yourself. If a section looks to silly for your skills ride what you can and if you need to take a 5, take it. Note what you are not confident at, then get out onto the practice field and nail it. You will soon see your scores improving. I think for your first few its better to take that approach than have a serious off and lose your confidence? But thats only a person opinion ???? Let us know how you get on. Rob

Cant agree more. Very different in the 80's where each manufacturers machine seem to have very different characteristics, but coming back to it I have not seen such a range of difference. But saying that, the bikes are not identical. I love the geometry of my sons Beta but cant fault the power delivery of my Rev 3? Best advice I was given here for my first bike (coming back into it) was to try a few then buy the best I could for my money (in terms of how much its been looked after/maintained etc). Then get out and enjoy riding....... Best of luck

Greeting, As the winter weather sets in, I would like to get a good winter jacket. Sizing seems to be hit or miss for buying on line (was quoted a Large as a 38" chest ??). Ideally I would like to try on before I buy. I live in North Wales but am travelling up to Livingston on Saturday 19th Sept so could take a "short" detour for the right shop. Any well known ones / suggestions? Rob

Sorry for posting in this section (if its not correct) but I couldnt see an obvious location..... I am trying to track down a dealer / shop near North Wales which stocks trials jackets? Would prefer to try on before I buy to get a feel for size as opposed to buying over the net? Have Googled like mad but the closest I can find is Birmingham? Any suggestions Rob

cheers for all that. My assumption was wrong, the seals they have sent me were the inner seals not the dust caps! should look more closely next time! Now have to order a set of dust caps.......................

All, thanks for your help so far..... just a few points to clarify to help me...... 1) In my ignorance I ordered "a set of seals", but I have only recieved a set of dust seals? Is this normal or should I be looking to change the inner seals as well 2) If the latter, the Sherco article referenced above uses a special tool to drive these seals home ??????? is this needed or is their away around this Just know Im going to make a hash of it if I dont fuly understand! Rob

I remember a while ago reading an article about how to change the fork seals on a Rev3? I have to attempt this for the first time on my 2004 rev3 due to lesking fork seals and wondered if anyone can point me in the right direction or give me a step by step guide. Rob

For me it was the Yamaha Whitehawk. Was lucky enough to get the 200 model a few weeks before the Aberfeldy 2 day youth trial in the 80's and it was an absolute dream to ride. Also had my only schoolboy class win on it during a local club arena trial. It certainly moved me up my class whilst I had it. My brother has just got hold of a 175 and Im dying to have a go! Had the Fantic 240 but found it to heavy for my body weight. Also tried a Beamish and a Bultaco for a while with similar issues. Would have loved to have tried the 200 Cota (as I had a 125 for a while). Made the mistake of h!aving an Italjet JT50 for a short time.....big mistake On mono's now (having just started back) but am tempted to find another twin shock!

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Am happy to have a go now..... Rob

Guys, Many thanks for the wealth of advice that has been passed on here. Dont know what I looking forward to more.......the competing or the tinkering! Rob

Have to do my first oil change and have noticed that none of my Allen keys are big enough! So I can source one quickly does anyone have knowledge of the sizes of both ? I am assuming they are standard Allen heads although they look a bit rounded so I am expecting a bit of fun! Rob

Ok, the last time I did these was 24 years ago when I was 16 and I had my Dad over my shoulder telling me all of the things I was doing wrong. I have noticed a bit of play on the back and for the price of a set of bearing I would like to get her A1 before my first competition. So what I can remember was we drifted them out with a long punch from the opposite side and then to refit the new ones, place a socket over them to tap them into place. Cant remember any greasing ? but it was a long time ago! How close am I with my memory and what is the normal way of doing this without causing damage to myself or the wheel? Rob

This sounds nasty ? how big a deal is it if your spot the early stage (ie what gets replaced to make good again ??)

Well I have finally settled my internal Sherco/Rev 3 dilema and have got myself what seems like a tidy and solid 2004 270 rev 3. Took it out for its first dust down ride today (not so much dust as mud) just to blow the cobwebs off it and snag any small issues. The usual little things for a 4-5 year of bike (ie levers, pedals, sprocket all seen better days, tyres shot and a small amount of residue oil showing on the fork legs). Little things to deal with but most importantly the brakes were spot on, the engine and gear box were sweet and it rode well. So a few questions to bring me up to speed.... Am probably going to be competing once a month and practicing for 2-3 hours every other week. 1) What is the normal servicing routine? Its a 2 stroke so their is no engine oil but what is the common mix ratio. I also read that the gearbox oil seems to be changed regularly? The observation glass is full but I will probably do a first change anyway but whats the common frequency? What oil is used and what volume. Once again Im reading specific oils vs MTF? I have 5lts of fully synthetic MTF which is API GL4 grade which is on par with 75w/80. I assuming their is a service sheet available for download somewhere but looking at the bike I can see a drain plug under the sump guard and a allen "cap" filer on the kickstart side just behind the water pump? 2) How often do people drain and flush the cooling system, or is this fairly self maintaining and just needs topping up / monitoring? 3) The only niggle riding the bike was that the rear shock seemed soft. It has a PAIOLI branded shock on it. Is this aftermarket or standard. Can see 2 knurled rings at the base which I assume are preload? They are quite low down (ie applying very little tension to the spring. Any thoughts here ?? Anything else I need t know about general servicing, also how much of a pig are the front forks to re-seal? Rob

Apart from the usual pit falls of buying from ebay, at present a 2001 Ti (Team Issue) is being advertise fairly local to me and within my budget (c

Started off with everything I like and what was within my comfort zone. Key thing is to never practice alone, especially if you are pushing yourself! Then watched other riders on the practice ground for ideas of sections. Tend to mark out a section and similar to people above, practice it until regularly clean and then modify it, try a new route, gear, technique, line etc My son had his first ever trial last month and after 8 sections put the bike back on the trailer. The key mistake was that he practiced what he was comfortable with to a good standard but avoided what he was scarred of. As soon as he came across a couple of greasy cambers, he grabbed a handfull of front brake and lost the front end. Once he went to his first event he wanted to have a go at everything but after a couple of big offs he lost his confidence and realised he still had a few things to practice to get his skills to a level that he was happy with. Fortunately he approached it in a positive way, he enjoyed the experience of his first event and knew when to retire without completely losing his confidence, having a bad injury of getting into a state hwere he would not want to compete again. We now know his weak areas and can spend some time on the practice ground focusing on these.....

I know this may be "old school" but many hours practice on a unicycle did it for me!

Must say, I am near enought settled on a Sherco (best condition I can get for money, ideally an 03 or earlier). I am still drawn towards Scorpas but for all of the wrong reasons (looks/point of difference)! You dont see many at club level trials and the geometry and set up just seems wrong (but is that because it does not follow the normal style / image)? Ultimately its about the bike that gets you around with the least dabs and allows you to get the most out of your skills and I know a Sherco will do that........damm you Scorpa for causing me to hesitate!

Thanks to all for the comments so far, loads to consider as this will be the bike that serves me probably for the next 2 years. I am fairly handy with the tools so am expecting the odd tweak here and there. I must admit I feel like a bit of skin-flint only spending

The monts seem to be older for the money. I am worried about going younger than 02? Scorpa' s are an interesting attraction but they just look wrong if that makes sense......probably one of the best twin shocks I had was a 200 Whitehawk and going back to a Yam would be good, but I wonder how they ride (I know the answer......I need to try one), but the Sherco did seem to suit me. Don't know how different the larger engine machines are compared to the 125 ? Im 5ft 6 and 76kg. The 125 seemed to pull me up most things. It is interesting that

I know this is is probably going to lead to a "How long is a piece of string" question, but after buying a 95 Techno to get back into trials after 20 years, I have been quite happy that a good percentage of my ability returned. Unfortunately whilst the bike has been great for getting back into it, it had niggles and I ended up throwing money at it. In its first full trial more problems arose so I have blown it out via ebay and am looking for something more permanent / modern. I have tried my sons 02 125 Sherco and like the geometry and handling so am planning to stay with this manufacturer. My question is around budget vs age. Ideally I want to spend up to

Received the parts from Lampkins this week to recon the rear caliper on my 95 techno. Seals, 2 sets of pistons ??? and a set of pads happily received. Have striped and re-assembled just I have have on many bikes before but just cant get these to fit ? The seal seem to have a lip on the inner side no matter how I try to seat them. Have cleaned out the groove, gone around with a fine screwdriver then a toothbrush. Their is mothing in the way and yet even if the pistons go in smooth, once I try to bleed them the calipers are not moving at all. Trying to remove the pistons to reset them has resulted in me wrecking one set at the are seized in??? Its almost like the seals are the wrong size??? Have tried them both ways around incase their is a tapered edge. They have not been contaminated (as they are new seals) and I am assembling with brake fluid ??? So far