Tr35 Fork Seals And Front Wheel Bearings

[loomesy]

Hi there

Im new to this trials riding malarky, having only had a go last friday on my mates Fantic 200, this prompted me to get my own as I had seen the proverbial light, so I got a Beta TR35.

It has a few issues which need to be sorted though.

Where do people recommend getting there spares from? Have discovered it needs new front wheel bearings, new fork seals (upside down fork seals on a trials bike, who's silly idea was that?!!!) and thats about it i think.

Today i went to ride it and all was going well until it died and stubbornly refused to start...luckily Id reached the top of the hill by then.

Ive checked the spark, theres good compression and fuels going in, so I was wondering what else it could be...think the bike needs a service really.

Thanks for your help

[grahamjayzee]

Hi Loomesy and welcome!

Did you buy it off Ebay? If so, my mate bought the TR34 the same guy had and he REALLY knows how to neglect a bike! His was truly unrideable, but he's making some headway.

You need to look up John Lampkin at Beta UK. A quick goog should find him. He'll sort you out for the spares, and most are available.

As for why yours won't run, I don't know what the guy was running them on but I think it was a mixture of Domestos and toilet duck. You're going to need to strip and clean the carb. That sorted Nick's out. If you have spark and compression, it can only be fuel! His also had the clutch mis-assembled so it dragged very badly. I would also suggest you strip and grease all the suspension bearings Nick's bike has around 3" of play in the rear suspension. This is caused by poor maintenance causing the bush to dry out and eventually wear the block oval. That's going to be tough to sort out, so try and get on top of this if you can.

Other than that, there's the usual to check; wheel bearings, steering head, spoke tightness, brake pistons and seals etc!

Good Luck

Graham

[slapshot 3]

You need to look up John Lampkin at Beta UK. A quick goog should find him.

...or you could try the flash ad's on the front page....

[grahamjayzee]

Well, you could do that, but that would be easy.

Slapshot, obviously I was setting an initiative test for the new bloke.

Obviously.

That's what I was doing.

I'll get me coat....

[loomesy]

Hello again

Yep I bought it off ebay, thats a bit crazy that you know the bloke who bought his other bike.

The carb is going to be my main focus of attention tomorrow, it stopped starting just after i fell off a bit. The thing is the intake into the airbox is in the main line of fire from all the s*%t from the back wheel, so maybe said s*%t has found its way into the carb, will find out tomorrow...wish me luck, its my first ever carb strip...should be a larf!

My clutch was dragging a bit, but ive adjusted it so thats fine, and my rear suspension is fine i think, but my front wheel moves about quite a lot which is why i think the bearings are shot, or maybe the wheel is just loose, again will find out tomorrow, hopefully i wont find any more hidden demons!! Annoyingly i didnt spot these things when i went to pick it up because of my childish exuberance clouded any judgement...oh well...live and learn hopefully

Thanks for your help...will check out this john lampkin fella

[b40rt]

Hello again

Yep I bought it off ebay, thats a bit crazy that you know the bloke who bought his other bike.

The carb is going to be my main focus of attention tomorrow, it stopped starting just after i fell off a bit. The thing is the intake into the airbox is in the main line of fire from all the s*%t from the back wheel, so maybe said s*%t has found its way into the carb, will find out tomorrow...wish me luck, its my first ever carb strip...should be a larf!

My clutch was dragging a bit, but ive adjusted it so thats fine, and my rear suspension is fine i think, but my front wheel moves about quite a lot which is why i think the bearings are shot, or maybe the wheel is just loose, again will find out tomorrow, hopefully i wont find any more hidden demons!! Annoyingly i didnt spot these things when i went to pick it up because of my childish exuberance clouded any judgement...oh well...live and learn hopefully

Thanks for your help...will check out this john lampkin fella

Stopped starting, dont you mean it started stopping ! Wheel bearings can be purchased from most bearing shops. Take one along as a sample.

[nicks_tr34]

Hi Loomesy,

I am Nick, said sucker who bought the TR34!!

Read below for my tale of woe.

But as for your running, I'll cut to what I found wrong with mine in the running dept. It had a big bit of white snotty stuff in the main jet bolt area. I presume the carb is the same on yours and mine? Take the bottom bolt out, then remove the main jet, if it has been run on whatever snot mine was and left like mine was, there will be white muck in there ... clean it out and it is good to go

So now I have tried to help ... here is a summery of my tale ... sorry for the length, but you might find it enlightening!

As Graham had convinced me I NEEDED a tirals bike (wasn't a hard job as I love bikes!! ) I was on the scout for a good starter bike ... eBay is always a good place to start and Grham pointed out the listings for the 34 and 35.

As it was cheaper, and it was listed as "Good Condition For Year - Not Your Usual Beaten Up Wreck! .... Runs & Rides Very Well" I thought for the money Ideal!!!

So I hit the BIN and arranged to go get it ....

I got there (in the pouring rain) ... it had been left outside in the rain ... however it started after a few kicks, but wouldn't run off choke (die soon after taking choke off). Also as soon as you tried clicking it in gear ... the bike was off ... basically the clutch was dragging REALLY heavily ... the cable was adjusted up too, so the clutch was fecked! ... it did however come with new clutch plates, so I hoped slotting that in would resolve that?

I lifted the rear end and the 4rse dropped about 6"!! the rear linkage was obviously shot.

It has a weld/repair in the frame too ... and is pretty beaten up ...

Like you, even though I driven a long way to get it, I should have turned round an gone home ... I had BIN on the description and it had failed on every point!! ... so I could have probably legitimately done so?? .. anyway it was raining and I knew I could probably sort it given time ... I was hoping not TOO much cash!!

I have described how I resolved the running issues already (white snot), so wont reiterate that.

Next was the clutch - took the old one out ... it had clearly been assembled incorrectly ... there was metal plate against metal plate inside!! ... correct assembly might have resolved, but I did have the new clutch stuff and put that in. So assembled and adjusted correctly and the clutch is OK now.

Next up on the list of importance was the linkage - it was so badly shot that even the housing was toast!! (I had hoped it just needed new bearings) ... I was loathed to spend cash on it before giving it a go to ensure the engine brakes etc were OK, so I bodged/packed the linkage with a cut up box spanner hammered in!! .. this reduced the ~6" play to ~2-3" ...

Many of the wheel bearings and wheel spacers were shot or missing.

The airbox cover had been shoved INSIDE the airbox ...

Lots of fasteners were missing or rounded

The tyres are both old (badly perished) and shot ... the rear tyre has a big nail in it ...

...

Bearing in mind it was supposed to be a good runner and rider, I was/am so disappointed ... as I have now taken the bike away, I am not sure if I have any comeback on the bloke?? ... but it was clearly not what it was made out to be!!

Anyway (after a nice rant/ramble!! ), thankfully I have been messing about with bikes for over 20years and I am capable of diagnosing and fixing the stuff myself, so I have knocked each of these items on the head one by one and the bike is coming together now. Graham and I intend to enter a trial at some point.

Be good if we could all do the same trail ... you can laugh at the condition of my bike and realise you got much better VFM!!!

Oh and now I have proven the rest of the bike, I have managed to get a 'serviceable' linkage ordered up from a Trials bike breaker/specialist called 'Steve Good (01938 850544) really helpful/knowledgeable chap, so if Lampkins can't sort you out new bits, give him a shout!!

Hopefully it will fit ok and my bike is finally good to go!!

Best of luck,

Nick TR34 - less of a nail now

Edited November 29, 2008 by Nicks_TR34

[grahamjayzee]

Nick, ALL your bikes are nails!

[nicks_tr34]

Nick, ALL your bikes are nails!

Correction ... all my bikes WERE nails ... they are now functioning ... er nails!!

This one was a shame as I bought it knowing it was an older bike, but it was advertised as fully up and running, I am a trials noob, so I didn't see the massive advantage of a new bike (and the extra financial investment that requires), so I didn't mind it not being the latest and greatest, but I DID expect it to be functioning ... which it clearly wasn't ... this one is going to cost me so much to put right, I could indeed have bought a newer one!!

But I am determined to make it good and getting there already!!

I'll be laughing on the other side of my face when I clean a section and you are 5'ing it on your s****y bike!!

Edited November 29, 2008 by Nicks_TR34

[wasntme]

Hi Guys I'm a bit late joining in here, there is a couple of TR's currently breaking on ebay, both look like they've seen better days so its not such a disaster that they are being broken up. I got a few plastics and front brake from the bloke from Weymouth who is selling on ebay and they were exactly as described.

It may well be worth having a look, if you just search for Beta TR rather than 34/35

With regards to Lampkins, I found myself ringing them up every other day checking what they had in stock. If you look on the website you can download the parts list and prices, some things like decals and plastics say obsolete but it may help get to know your bikes a little better.

Everthing has part numbers that you can match up and if you search the web for "trialsport au beta tr35" you should be able to download a pdf parts list of the full bike and other models and can compare part numbers etc

As Nick says Steve Goode is a great guy and extremely helpful, I spent about 3 weeks trying to source a bleed nipple and banjo for my rear caliper and 2 days after speaking to Steve he went away and found one and it arrived on my doorstep for

[grahamjayzee]

I'll be laughing on the other side of my face when I clean a section and you are 5'ing it on your s****y bike!!

In your dreams, scrap bike boy!

Thanks wasntme, that's good advice.

Don't tell Nick that I'm admitting this, but I recomended a TR to Nick. I loved them back when I had a Zero. They just rode so well. Once Nick gets his sorted, it will be all anyone needs to post a decent score.

[loomesy]

Hi Nick

That is indeed a tale of woe...mines a similar story really but luckily (for me anyway) slightly less woeful.

I finished an 8hr shift at 8 on tuesday (probably the longest shift of my life) and went to go and collect it with my housemate whose done trials since the age of 12ish, pretty much straight away...full of childish exuberance.

We got there and the bloke seemed a proper petrol head so assumed maintenence would have been done to a good standard.

The bike ran sweet with the only problem being that you had to pump the front brake lever to get it to work, and assumed this was due to a sticking piston, and the fork leg was slightly damp, with myself and my housemate giving it the once over....admittedly at 10 at night.

Anyway got it home and the next day went for a play at the trials club, whereupon we noticed that the front wheel moved quite a lot...so as to not ruin the day I rode it anyway, taking it easy...even for a trials newbie, but still had fun...for about an hour.

Whilst there i adjusted the throttle play, clutch play...started it up got about 25metres annnnnd it cut out...and ive not been able to start it since.

Ive worked on it for two days, the sparks good, theres fuel going in, ive stripped and cleaned the carb, cleaned the air filter, cleaned the reed valves, theres good compression..sooo i think its swallowed some water as the airbox inlet is right by the back wheel and not shielded in any way, so whenever a fresh charge is forced in, the wetness just blows the spark out...tomorrows gonna be a day of reckoning, if its not that, then im all out of ideas.

All this work has learnt me a lesson...never buy off ebay without properly looking at it first...im annoyed that the advert mentioned nothing about the leaky forks, the wheel wobble and it is tatty, but for a 20yr old bike you kind of expect that...but again not mentioned...and now the lug that holds the sidestand on has snapped because of fatigue of trying to kick it over!!!

having said that...i'd never stripped a carb before and im feeling a lot more confident about my own maintenence skills, so swings and roundabouts i s'pose.

Now on to some questions....

how often/much are you s'posed to change/put in gearbox oil?

Why does it have two gearbox drain plugs?

What is the petrol/two stroke ratio?

Think thats it......happy trials-ing everyone

[nicks_tr34]

Hi Nick

That is indeed a tale of woe...mines a similar story really but luckily (for me anyway) slightly less woeful.

I finished an 8hr shift at 8 on tuesday (probably the longest shift of my life) and went to go and collect it with my housemate whose done trials since the age of 12ish, pretty much straight away...full of childish exuberance.

We got there and the bloke seemed a proper petrol head so assumed maintenence would have been done to a good standard.

The bike ran sweet with the only problem being that you had to pump the front brake lever to get it to work, and assumed this was due to a sticking piston, and the fork leg was slightly damp, with myself and my housemate giving it the once over....admittedly at 10 at night.

Anyway got it home and the next day went for a play at the trials club, whereupon we noticed that the front wheel moved quite a lot...so as to not ruin the day I rode it anyway, taking it easy...even for a trials newbie, but still had fun...for about an hour.

Whilst there i adjusted the throttle play, clutch play...started it up got about 25metres annnnnd it cut out...and ive not been able to start it since.

Ive worked on it for two days, the sparks good, theres fuel going in, ive stripped and cleaned the carb, cleaned the air filter, cleaned the reed valves, theres good compression..sooo i think its swallowed some water as the airbox inlet is right by the back wheel and not shielded in any way, so whenever a fresh charge is forced in, the wetness just blows the spark out...tomorrows gonna be a day of reckoning, if its not that, then im all out of ideas.

All this work has learnt me a lesson...never buy off ebay without properly looking at it first...im annoyed that the advert mentioned nothing about the leaky forks, the wheel wobble and it is tatty, but for a 20yr old bike you kind of expect that...but again not mentioned...and now the lug that holds the sidestand on has snapped because of fatigue of trying to kick it over!!!

having said that...i'd never stripped a carb before and im feeling a lot more confident about my own maintenence skills, so swings and roundabouts i s'pose.

Now on to some questions....

how often/much are you s'posed to change/put in gearbox oil?

Why does it have two gearbox drain plugs?

What is the petrol/two stroke ratio?

Think thats it......happy trials-ing everyone

Oh yeah that reminds me ... my fork seals are gone too!!

if you take the bit off that connects the carb to the airbox (temporarily) and run it open carb - then it should mitigate against the damp. Obviously only start it up, check it runs, then sort it out properly.

Did you actually take the main jet out of the float bowl bolt? the gunk in mine was behind that (again assuming it is the same carb setup).

Mine didn't have a sidestand ....

As for buying stuff off ebay ... I'll never learn ... its just a shame the bad eggs spoil it for the rest!!

Do yu intend to complain to the dude? I am unsure if I should!

"Now on to some questions....

how often/much are you s'posed to change/put in gearbox oil?

Why does it have two gearbox drain plugs?

What is the petrol/two stroke ratio?"

Bearing in mind I bet the dude hasn't changed it, I'd change the gearbox oil NOW!!! ...

I think you will find one of the drain points is actually the level check?? i.e. you fill it up until it weeps out of the top hole - I assume that is what you mean??? ... take a pic perhaps?

Looking at beta web, mine is 70:1 - yours is prolly the same? I intend to run mine at 50:1 perhaps even 40:1 to give it a fair chance of survival ... as a noob, I am more interested in it lasting longer than instant throttle response ..

In a Schadenfroid type of way, I am actually slightly revealed yours has proved troublesome too ... my bad!!!

If yours has spark and compression, it can only be one thing can't it ... are these bikes reed valve??? ... it might be worth checking one of the petals aren't broken or jammed open with a bit of mud or summin ... does it 'spit' out of the carb?

Edited November 30, 2008 by Nicks_TR34

[nicks_tr34]

It may well be worth having a look, if you just search for Beta TR rather than 34/35

I'll have a rummage, thanks for the tip

[grahamjayzee]

Don't run it on 40:1 unless you have a pocket full of spark plugs! With good quality synthetic oil 70:1 will be fine.

Guys, you should raise these issues with your vendor and leave appropriate feedback or some other poor sap is going to cop more of his junk in the future. That's exactly what the feedback system is there for...