john b

Thanks for the reply woody It is a difficult one , clearly this is to get a bike which is safe and rideable for another year as ultimately he wants a whitehawk 175, but I think in reality that's at least a year or more away. I saw a couple if converted monos at the weekend at Scarborough and that got me thinking. Agree on riding in air cooled mono class, but some either don't have the class, or as at the weekend they have to ride the hard route. The subframe bolts off the fantic so I planned to make a whole new back end so easily swapped between the two if needed. I came into trials from mx, so just wondered, back in 'the day' what was the logical step after big wheeled whitehawk ? Ty175 ? - just seems a big jump to me in size and weight Cheers John

Hi there He's not quite 5 foot yet, he rides a beta 80 big wheel no problem, but the bigger twinshocks are a bit heavy. Ok when you're not dabbing but not good if you get in trouble ! Cheers John

Hi there My son rides twinshock trials on a whitehawk 80 (and does very well, 8th at the weekend in the Scarborough 2 day in twinshock clubman !)- he also rides modern. However at 12 it's getting a little small for him (will definitely be next year) - however the step up to 125/175/200 is a bit much, I have a TL 125 and Sprite 150, both of which are a bit big. I've seen a 1990 fantic 80 big wheel, air cooled mono. Was thinking of putting a new rear subframe on and converting it to twinshock, as a next step ? Any thoughts or comments ? Cheers John

Definitely worth looking at pea farm as an Introduction to trials - good easy sections and a great night out ! Me and my son (12) ride most weekends in the north east and a lot of people on the Wednesday night ride twinshocks and classics so sections are reasonable (my son will be the one on the little 30 year old whitehawk 80 cleaning most sections !) Other than the Wednesday night, don't be frightened of any north east trial in the easy route- everyone is friendly and if you don't fancy a section just ask for a 5 - and in most cases it's as cheap as practicing Cheers John

Thanks all for he quick replies and advice A friend of mine has also contacted me after seeing my post to say he has now got one so I'm going to have a look and see. Cheers John

Hi there Quick question Will 2 trials bikes fit in a T5 with 2 rows of seats in (either short or long wheelbase)? Cheers John

Hi there I've just fitted a mikuni vm22 carb to my bantam Simple question..... Choke on, is it with plunger up or down ?. (ie lever down puts plunger up, lever up puts plunger down if you see what I mean !) Also has anyone changed main jet size ? Many thanks John

To back up what Gordon says - The NE is very active Take your choice (especially in the summer) - Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday Best training is do a trial ! - everyone is friendly and for beginners everyone is helpful hope to see you at a trial cheers John

Hi there Does a Pre 65 scramble rider aged under 35 on a BSA get put in with the Twinshock Pirates against the Maico 490's ? ps - doesn't really affect me, I'm 47 so obviously an oldie anyway ! - just trying to understand the logic and consistency pps - yet again this is tongue in cheek and hope it doesn't affect my entry ! cheers and yours in sport........ John

Best I have had are Ghost forged - thought they were the best shape, durable and comfortable. Has those on a 2008 Beta Rev 3 from new. Had some S3 on a Scorpa SY200 and they gouged a hole in my leg they were so sharp.... probably my poor riding tho ! cheers John

Christopher in action on the whitehawk 80 in modern trial ! Cheers John

I've used the Ty trials easy clutch lever on my sons ty80 and whitehawk 80, as well as other bikes we have had. He still uses the whitehawk, and the clutch is really easy to use Cheers John

A good debate ! My comments to throw in.... In the Twinshock trials I have ridden with Christopher (who is 12, rides a whitehawk 80, has a Sprite 150 and Bantam waiting in the garage) every comment is positive (its great to see young kids involved, I started on one of them, he rides that well for a young-un etc), I have never had any negative comments Completely agree against the ageist method of entry..... My CV, I'm 47, have had bikes since 8, motocross since 18, trials since 35, active motorsport for 29 years, I've been rider, clerk of course, post-knocker-inner, starter, scruitineer, observer, me and my son must ride 40-50 trials a year......etc - you get the score. So how do I stand against a 50 year old, or 60 year old who either came into the sport later (20 years ago), or as totalshell says is a once a year rider ? ?? That said I hope this debate does not jeopardise my entry as it will be sent off as soon as the regs come out ! Also on the scramble - almost all of the front runners in most classes are under 40, I would say a lot under 30, the top guys in their 20's ? People want to see them race - do the same ageist rules apply here ?? Many thanks for the forum and opportunity to debate ! John (Aged 47) and Christopher (aged 12)

Many thanks for the reply, I was just unsure of the age limit of 'adult' being amca ? (15?) I'm aware of the intent of the nostalgia, I've ridden it the last 5 years, however now my son is riding. He rides modern with me, and we both ride twinshock as well and he competes in acu as a twinshock as a youth. He loves the whole nostalgia weekend, we come for the full weekend and he would love nothing more than to compete. I understand the sentiment of event, however I would like to encourage younger elements into the classic trials scene, it can only help in the long run. Many thanks John

Hi there Does anyone know if there is a lower age limit for youth riders in the nostalgia trial ? Many thanks John

Just finished rebuild of Bantam D7, with a couple of running issues. Takes a good while to start - seems when you put some petrol down the port and heat the plug it will start, then run ok - changed plug cap and new plug. It will then tick over and rev out, but when you ride under load it bogs after about quarter throttle - sounds like it is pulling a load of air in. Any thoughts ? (crank seals ??) cheers guys John

Easy answer - TY80 all day long. Started my son on one when he was 8 and much better than an auto. He now rides C Class on a Beta 80, but prefers his Whitehawk 80 (Big wheel) for fun to ride Great bikes to learn on, you can't go wrong cheers John

Hi there Just bought an ignition tune up kit for my sons Whitehawk 80 and when refitting, I think it may have been wired incorrect previously (or I'm wiring it up wrong !). This is how I think it should be - hopefully someone can clarify ! Main ignition wire from coil into stator plate is joined 3 way with the stator coil wire, and a wire to condenser. Condenser then has another wire to the points. Hopefully this makes sense ! cheers and thanks in anticipation for the help cheers John

I've ridden a TL in classics the last few years, and its great. Bog standard, 125cc, and I think the 'lack' of power helps and it never gets you in trouble. You have to think 'two feet ahead' as if there's a bit of a step etc you need to make sure you put the (little) power on early enough ! Is it competitive ? - I've won an easy route trial on one against modern bikes (and I'm not a good rider!!) and finished top 10 in the Nostalgia in Twinshock class (was on the easy route tho when there used to be 2 routes)!! Great bike to learn on for basic 'classic' trials techniques cheers John

Completely agree on both issues The queues that really annoy me are the funnels - where it becomes a free for all. I know there isn't always room for an 'orderly' queue but you have to try ! And secondly not thanking observers is just plain ignorant. When we did kids route the last few years (the kids have now graduated to the main route) the first rule we taught, even on the small conducted route courses we did was 'always say thank you to the observers' - and its stuck. Mind you, at my age now I'm often thankful of a 15 minute sit down before a section !

I normally carry the reserve with me .....(5 litre can !) Agree on the tap - I've had instances when I've opened it, started the bike up and found it just want fully unscrewed...... cheers John

Hi Map is detailed on the events page Thanks John

Hi there 14 years old is B class surely, irrespective of what bike is ridden ? In the year commencing January that they turn 13, then its B Class ? cheers John

Best way too get on - get to a trial and ride one. The North East has a very active trials scene with trials every Sunday (all bar Remembrance Sunday !) , during the summer there are also Saturday afternoon and Wednesday night trials. Everyone is friendly, and you will come on leaps and bounds doing a trial (and its generally cheaper than practicing !!) cheers John

Hi Its flagged off the A68 If you have been to Butsfield Quarry before, its just up the bank (heading towards Consett) from there Type below into google maps Waskerley Consett DH8 9HS cheers and see you there ! John