Anyone do classic trials?

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Just wondering really. Looks like a bit of a laugh and when I've finished my big bullet project, I'll have two road-going royal enfields.

The 350 is slow, low powered and reasonably easy to control. It wouldn't take much to convert it to a trials orientated machine (higher front mudguard, knobbly tyres, bash plate). It's on 19" wheels anyway so I'm not even convinced it would necessarily need a 21" rim.

There are a quite a few nearby to me in the North of England. WOndering if myone had any advice/stories etc. As I say, looks like a great oppertunity to spend a weekend fannying about the countryside in a manner that would normally see you arrested and your bike crushed.

For those unsure what one is, it's effectively a road route linking various offroad stages. You try to see how far you can go up a steep hill or along a mudy track. Or do a hill start on a stupidly steep and gravelly road. It's "classic" because of the format rather than the vehicle. As far as I can make out, most of them don't mind a foot-dab or general out of control slithering about. It's more a race against yourself.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

virus · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Aug 2006 Karma :

Are you trying to summon a server crushing wall of Teflonian? Cause I'm pretty sure thats how you do it. Laughing

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own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

I used to ride twin shock trials bikes as a kid, and then had a monoshock Fantic 125 for a season or two. It was fun and and interesting challenge against yourself and others in the class.

I miss the competition side of it, where you don't ride your bike all week and then turn up at an event where your trying to beat your rivals with no practice or at a track layout /venue you don't know. It was the same with MX but I didn't do much racing as I didn't have the win or die attitude to the first corner like you see all these little kids today on their KTM's etc.

Not sure I'd want to make life so hard for myself by building a trials bike from an old (pre 65?) Enfield though. Sure the pre-65 courses are much easier than the rest, but I'd want the challenge to be the sections themselves than the bike. If I got back into trials I'd probably want to ride some of the early 90's water cooled bikes that were coming onto the scene as I was riding in the school boy class.

groovylee · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Karma :

groovylee · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Karma :

theres a good video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juLbt8L4fwE of the most notorious hill on the exeter - Simms.

believe me, it looks a lot easier than it is in real life!
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Past - 1988 honda revere 600, 1996 kawasaki gpz500s, 1999 Yamaha R6

Current - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R & 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I couldn't see myself enjoying it in a car. I get car sick pretty bad among other things.

I believe there is a "class 0" for some of the trials which is for wimps and noobs?
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

groovylee · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

groovylee · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Karma :

me (green Rickman ranger) and my mate (white one) are on this one from 0:50 EDIT - failing miserably as we have to do a restart at the bottom, so no momentum before the really steep bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UytVnQ-8uqk
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Past - 1988 honda revere 600, 1996 kawasaki gpz500s, 1999 Yamaha R6

Current - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R & 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

No teffing as yet?

Is this because:
a) he's on holiday or visiting family?
b) he's sulking or can't be arsed to give his trials experience and knowledge?
c) Avoiding replying because he knows the OP won't appreciate or can't be talked down to by the (so you want to ride a motorbike/ cart in front of the horse) speech?

Or is Teff the next CANSA/ Rogerborg I.e the next one to decide life's better without BCF?

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

My current techincal thought is if you can run a motorbike on "fat" tyres? It works well on mountain bikes.

I reckon you'd get a 4.00x19" trials tyre between the forks of a 350 bullet without fouling. Stick 10psi in that and you have an enormous contact patch compared to a 2.75x21", as well as a lower rake angle.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :