pete_scorpa3

And this has exactly what bearing on the original question about late entries?

Brilliant idea! Then the club could have a modern computerised entry system that allowed riders to decide if it's convenient to enter right up to the last second. No doubt this fantastic computer will also cut out and mark sections, observe, work out the results and email them, whilst making the club a fortune from all the late entry fees that it's bound to attract! Easy peasy. I don't know why we've not done it before?

We are starting to go round and round in circles now. But I'll have one more try. If a club sets a closing date, I believe that it is only right and proper that riders respect their wishes and pre-enter. If you don't pre-enter and then turn up on the day, you may get a ride, you may not. Any additional charge (or loss of points or whatever) is not relevant to the fact that the club has asked riders to enter in advance for a reason. A rider who does not pre-enter take the chance that they will not be allowed to ride but should not hold that against the club. That rider also takes the chance that there were not enough entries to run the trial and that it was cancelled. Naturally, everyone who's pre-entered will be informed, but the club has no obligation to inform people who are planning to turn up onthe day. Talk of drunks and big queues and internet webs sites are going off topic and irrelevant to the original question. Gizza asked if late entries should be allowed?

I've never been the Secretary for one of our 100 rider plus 'pre enter' trials, I only do the much smaller 40 to 60 rider 'enter on the day' events. However, I believe our policy is to accept late entries (if there is still space) on a 'no award' basis. I have seen 'No Entries on the Day' in the regs, and I suspect that means exactly that. Incidentally, our small trials need roughly 25 riders to break even. The Nationals need about 70. It's very easy to loose £1000 running a big event. Pete

The little Gas Gas had a chromed frame, but as mentioned above, it was flakey and had rusted behind the chrome in places. Here's a shot of the bike when it was repainted and back together.

I was trying to 'sit-on-the-fence' with this and remain impartial..... They need a way of being able to register on line and do away with signing on after a set amount riders have paid so the event can run financially. You could pay and complete all the info on the way to a trial using your phone. Just charge extra? What happens if you need 60 riders to break even and only 15 pre enter? People using thier phones on the way won't help the club decide if they need to cancel the trial. I can see why they don't want loads of guys tunring up late with a fist full of cash, queing and getting in a huff because the event is starting but if it was all done before who cares. If your late = no ride or get a points penalty to start with. If it's all done before the closing date, there's no problem anyway. They should be strict on start times not entries. How is that relevant to pre entering events? I was told I could not enter a trial without sending in an entry. I emailed the organiser I would not know till the night before if I could ride but they insisted on posting a paper form and cheque beforehand. A reasonable request I would have thought. If they make an exception for one rider, they will soon be making it for everyone. Needless to say I was able to go but in the end could not due to no entry. That cost that club A. my money and B. the likelihood I'll be back for another event. So because they asked you to pay up front (as laid down in the regs) and you declined, you won't be back for another event? It was your choice not to follow the organisers request, I don't see how you can complain. Another club I use is so on the money with "modern ways" they email everything (but can pay on the day) and you get the results that night at home with a beer. That's fair enough if they are prepared to take the chance that no one turns up. I wonder how much they pay for the venue? If they break even at 15 or 20 riders, then there's no major issue. Imagine 100 'modern' riders emailing to say they are entering and then no one turns up, so the club looses money. What would you have them do then? It's time for uniformity and every club should have a web site where you can enter and pay in the 21st century. In return you get given a unique reference number (to your entry of as many riders you wish) that you either print and take with you or show them the email reply with it displyed on your phone as proof of entry and payment. Great idea, some clubs already have this facility and I'm sure it will become more common, but entries recieved after the closing date is still an issue. If your email arrives after the closing date then you are still likely to be refused an entry just the same as any other system. We must have IT bods on here who can do a template and be bathed in glory as being the one who modernised event running? Remember, whilst many riders have smart phones and internet access, not all do. So even in this 'uniformed, 21st century, modern world' you mention, the club still has to provide a paper entry form plus a postal results service. Come on you know who you are...... Yes, the unpaid volunteers who do this are also the ones applying for permits, setting out sections, observing and doing the results at the end of the day. Often without having ridden themselves! Perhaps you could spare a thought for them next time you try to enter after the closing date, and when you are riding in the trial, and afterwards when you are having your 'beer at home' waiting for the results to appear on your screen. Out club runs three trials a year that have closing dates and four that close at the start. I see the hard work that people put into these trials, the same faces are always the first to arrive and the last to leave after clearing up. If they need you to pre enter, then perhaps you should try to see it from their point of view and do so. Remember, you could always turn up and offer to take over as Secretary and 'modernise' the way things are run. I guarantee you'd be more than welcome at any club if you offered.

I know you've set your heart on chrome but... I had the daughters Gas Gas frame, swing arm, foot rests, yokes, sidestand (and numerous brakets etc) powder coated and it looks a treat. Did the frame in white and everything else in satin black. Degreased, blanked off, sand blasted and powder coated for under £200.

Imagine taking hundreds of hours setting out a 40 section 35 mile road trial like our own Colmore cup and letting riders enter on the day. The start venue booked, 13 land owners paid, 40 observers, 40 punch card markers, everything in place and..... 15 riders turn up. The club would be £1000 or more out of pocket and would probably never run the event again.

Becky Cook, Emma Bristow and Nikita Smith made it through to the final of the North Berks Super Trial at Seymours Arena. Going into the last section of the day, Becky led Emma by six marks to eight. Following two qualifying laps and an eight section finale, it was all down to the last section of the day, the infamous Waterfall. Nikita was first to attempt the section and with extra minders on hand, and despite a determined try just failed to make the sumit. Next to try was Becky. Looking like she had made it, her Beta just slipped back just before the top and she also recorded a failure. This put the pressure on Emma who knew that she had to make it through to stay in the event. As both her and Becky were on equal cleans, a three would force a tie break, less would secure victory. A full throttle attack at the top step saw Emma make it up, to a huge round of applause but sadly she had been docked a five earlier in the section when she stalled her machine whilst dabbing. Becky took the win on 11 marks to Emma's 13 with Nikita on the rostrum in third place. Well done to the ladies and to the North Berks club who staged a superb event which showcased the best riders in the UK. The men are competing on Sunday. The sections are very impressive and you can get within a few inches of the action, it's well worth a visit. Pete. One last note, keep a lookout for 14 year old Nikita Smith, she is going to be World Class!

Rossi to Yamaha http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Rossi+back+to+Yamaha

Had the same thing back in the 90's with a 350. It was a faulty radiator pressure cap, the rubber seal had failed allowing pressure to escape hence the system overheated really easily. I changed the cap (after trying everything else) and that sorted it. Take a good look at the cap before you do anything else, it won't cost you anything to look if it's ok. Pete

Shaft drive!

The hole in the rear silencer is quite common, a good welder will be able to weld a repair plate over the hole. Check that the silencer is correctly mounted, it only needs to be knocked a few mm over and it will touch the tyre. Your rear brake problem could be a number of things, firstly check that the pistons are moving freely. Then try adjusting the push rod onthe end of the lever to see if that helps. (Be carefull not to over lengthen as this will cause the brakes to drag.) If these solutions fail, the next thing is to bleed the system through. There may be air or other contamination in the brake line. I hope this helps. Pete

There is no where near enough information to form an honest opinion. A 12 or 13 year old trials bike could well be a complete basket case! If the owner of the 98 bike admits it's a bit rusty, then it might be a pile of scrap metal. The 99 bike starts well but he admits the rear wheel bearing is worn out. These are cheap and (relatively) easy to replace, however the suspension bearings are not, and on a bike of this age they may be 'hanging' too! That said, either bike could be a real bargain if they are okay. You really do need to take a friend who knows a little about trials bikes and take a good long look at both. Make an honest list of the problems on both and then sit down and work out the costs of making either bike servicable. Run both until the fans come on, these are a fortune. With luck one will still be a bargain at this point and you will know which to go for. Remember you could easily spend £200 to 300 on parts (and more on labour if you can't do it yourself) and it won't make the bike worth a lot more. Let us know how you get on, Pete

A shot in a million!!!!

Yep had the same thing a couple of years back, the winning bidder didn't contact me. Eventually I pulled his contact details which turned out to be current. I gave him a call and he sounded suprised that I expected him to come and collect and pay for the bike. "I'm not coming all that way mate." he said. I filed a non paying buyer dispute and got my listing fee back. But to add insult to injury, he then gave me a negative feedback!!!! Bite tongue and move on I'm afraid. Pete

Agreed, my impression too.

First thing to check is the radiator cap. You could be loosing pressure causing the system to overheat/overflow.

I was amazed that my Renault Trafic Van wasn't due for a service until 18,000 miles from new. I changed the oil and filters at 7000 anyway. When I went to book it in for it's first service recently, they told me that the service interval had now been increased to 20,000 miles. It just doesn't seem right to use the same oil in a brand new engine for 20,000 miles!

First thing to do is pump it up, mine goes flat after about a month. If it deflates quickly, it doesn't take long to remove the wheel and tube, you won't need any specialist tools. Once the tube is out, you can assess the damage, it might only need a patch.

Yes. Raced a TZ250 at the TT back in the 90's (main bikes were all four strokes) and we gave up trying to use it in early morning practice. Cold damp early mornings (dew) made it very difficult to jet for the fast run to Ramsey which is sea level. It was easier test it in the afternoons when it was generally warmer and drier. Sea level to 3000ft each lap!

Agreed. I used to work with fitters who swore by Snap-On, but much of the time they were being 'snobbish.' The Halford Proffessional range take some beating for the price, and it's easy to pop along to your local store and update your kit when you have the money.

But seriously, isn't this something that we should all be concerned about? In the 60's and 70's people carried on working with asbestos, then those people became ill in the 90's. Now there are strict controls, that doesn't help those already exposed!

I bought my first trials bike in 1996 and the dealer sold me a can of Catrol TTS, the storeman said stick 80mls in 5 Litres and you'll be ok. Following that exhaustive piece of scientific research, I've used 80mls to 5 litres ever since. Hence (unless I've worked it out wrong,) 62.5:1 ratio. I'm certainkly not saying it's correct, or best, or you shold use it too, just saying what I use. If this is too much oil, I'm prepared to change, for all the reasons discussed in this thread. However, on a slightly different subject that 0007 has touched on in his last post, does anyone have any thoughts on the helath issues of normal pump fuel (petrol/gasoline)? I have concerns that the additives used to replace lead are (possibly) more harmfull than the lead it replaces? A thought to consider; We've all probably been in a wooded gully sat behind a queue of trials bikes breathing in exhaust fumes at some time. All road cars are now fitted with catalytic converters, these work when up to temperature and in good condition. What is happening to the unburnt fuel and other emmisions when it is put through a trials bike?

Purely out of interest, what ratio of oil do you use in your 07 Rev?