Tiddler Trialer-trailie (tlr200)

[jmo]

Hi everyone - just wanted to introduce myself and share with you my latest toy - yes, after months of Ebay scouring, I have finally bought myself a TLR200!

Of all the Honda trials bikes, I always liked the proportions of the TLR best... and having looked at various TLs, RTLs, RSs and all manner of hybrids (some very nicely done, I have to say), I decided to concentrate on finding a decent (road registered) TLR, and have been waiting patiently for the 'right one' to come along...

From what I can gather from the documents, it was originally an import (presumably from Japan) in 1986 - so one of the last ones? It is registered, but currently has no MOT or tax, so that is something I want to get sorted asap - just on a day-time MOT for now...

I must say, buying a bike off the internet, sight unseen was a bit nerve-wracking, but it turned out to be a pretty nice example, sympathetically restored, with little signs of serious use/abuse... and came with most of the original bits fitted, plus a box of all the road lighting kit & loom, should I wish to get a full MOT for it... However, it is my intention to keep it dead simple, and use it for pottering around the trails in North Wales, plus I fancy entering the odd [appropriate] trial too!

The previous owner said the engine was stripped and rebuilt about 5 years ago, and I must say, it started first kick and seems to run very sweetly, especially for a bike that has been stored and not used much it seems.

I'd be pleased for any advice on this bike - at the moment it is pretty stock, other than a powder coated frame and fork legs, and decent paint on the tank/bodywork.

Wheel bearings seem A1, chain and sprockets are in good condition, and the brakes seem to work well (as well as drums can be expected to I guess), while the cables all seem to be in good condition too. The wheels do have a few scratches and blistering of the anodising, but they are not so bad... tyres looked good initially, but will need replacing as the rear has a split and the front is cracking, which is a shame as it's not something I'd factored into the deal... I've decided to give the Pirelli MT43s a go...

It still has the original gear-lever linkage, which I like, and I don't intend to reposition the footrests or anything like that - although I will try and modify a pair of Pivot-Pegz I have in the workshop to fit, as the stock footrests are indeed tiny as everyone says.

The fork legs look to be in very good condition, although it seems one of the seals is leaking. My bike is 1986 model, with the air-assisted forks - any advice on these [pressures, fork oil weight and level etc) would be appreciated. Is it a simple job to replace the seals yourself, or is it better to get someone who knows their onions [and has any special tools] to do it?

The stock exhaust has signs of rust, and does actually have a hole in it, so I'm planning on replacing it with on of the Delkevic ones from Trails-Direct.com - they seem to be the one people recommend?

I've already fitted some Renthal 6" Trials bars I had lying around, and all the other controls look to be in good (and original) condition... the previous owner had left off the decompressor [cable/lever] after the engine rebuild - and I'll probably re-fit this at some point - I'm considering using a Honda CRF style clutch perch with the hot-start lever to activate the decompressor (I have the same set-up on my XR400).

I know Ebay seems to be the place to get spares/service items - but if anyone can recommend a good supplier for parts (either mail-order or on-line) that would be most helpful too!

It came with the original handbook, although a few [vital] pages are missing and I don't have the specifications etc. so I'd be interested in finding a decent workshop manual - again, recommendations would be appreciated!

Many thanks, and hope to see you guys out there somewhere!

Jenny xx

Edited June 3, 2010 by JMo