350 bullet Trials redux

Easy-X · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :

How much static sag should you have?

Just thinking of the DT after I redid the forks. They barely drop at all when I'm sitting on it. But then, I am slim and slender (cue peels of laughter from wife!)
____________________
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, ~~Honda Rebel,~~ ~~Yamaha DT175,~~ ~~Suzuki SV650 (loan)~~ ~~Fazer 600,~~ ~~Keeway Superlight 125,~~ ~~50cc turd scooter~~

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Easy-X · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :

Thanks, I'll check tomorrow; 25mm I might probably have. I'm thinking compared to the Rebel which has a fair amount of sag (another reason to stay slim!)
____________________
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, ~~Honda Rebel,~~ ~~Yamaha DT175,~~ ~~Suzuki SV650 (loan)~~ ~~Fazer 600,~~ ~~Keeway Superlight 125,~~ ~~50cc turd scooter~~

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Road test today. Brief one. Got it up to temperature, both oil pumps working. A little fiddling to get it on a stable idle.

Clutch appears moslty dialled in right. All 4 gears still present and it runs through each of them. Speedo works (surprised by that one!) .

I estimate 55mph flat-out, maybe 50mph cruise but it should pull up hills better than it used to. On the old gearing, it would do maybe 65 but if you got a hill/headwind, you sometimes had to drop to 3rd. Due to there being a huge gap between 3rd and 4th, 50mph was either screaming in third or chugging in 4th.

Footpeg position will take some getting used to. Kept trying to ride off with my foot on teh rear brake instead of the peg. I was also getting a fast idle when I came to a halt but I think it's the cable routing which I'll sort once I get the tank it's finally going to have fitted.

Exhaust is loud as hell. May need to fit a mute.

Not much to do now. Fork springs, final coats on the tank, solder a little shim on the front hub torque-reaction slot (it's a bit of a loose fit) and fit the front mudguard. A few other bits and pieces like a luggage rack, the seat cover and some exhaust wrap so I don't burn my leg. I may also change the gearbox grease, it's not been done for a while but is also a super-grim job.

I do want to do something with the footpegs but they'll do for now. Also need to fit proper trials tyres with rimlocks at some point.
____________________
“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.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Well that was a clusterfuck trying to get a set of fork springs.

First set never arrived. I have my doubts as to if they were actually sent out.

Second set arrived and there was only one spring. The seller is being a dick about it and insisting the auction was only for one spring and that I have to buy another if I want two. They even went back in and altered the description after I complained so it reads "one spring only", presumably to try to make me look like a dick because the same guy is selling similar springs for the same price specifically described as a pair. What use is a single fork spring? However, ebay keep the original description. I'm going to take this further because of that.

Anyway, finally got some from Hitchcocks which i didn't want to do because their springs are more expensive and have a lower spring rate.

While I was waiting, i did a few other details.

Fabricated and painted up brackets to fit proper trials footpegs. If these brackets start rotating, I'll tack-weld or braze them to prevent it but they seem pretty solid.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WbHdBKUhGP4McGBU6Suf8gLnVrQHo-AVejvtAJjWUpZ6EJIsKIs1NwAauDrkzmWs92XWK-xDbSj05DnBsCVDoFThNzs3pYveVzacel86pwWWQKp_Bwsri8VjVLpZ8SMAsi5VAPDZ1A=w1155-h866-no

The left one has to flip up to allow the kickstart to pass it. From previous experience of a 350 powervalve which you had to do the same with, this will almost certainly lead to me losing the skin off my shins at some point!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V69Dn9QdMKYgQk9eFeXr4ATBpvOVBHvAfmfETMW0HN-rbEGu2w8kZShpl-eBPUX9owXmPUmtQdnnhYFAeSX851fxytSxnjgF-QOVrwZ39pJY8RfOiI6d_HpCmKQ3pnYKPCT9DzllhQ=w1155-h866-no

Put my sheepskin saddle cover back on.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oyaGDAXsyJ_siaUnI3IQKmuyStBsp2uvkWhWbIiRi88VPVT_4NZmsRIBsc_EFai40oVZQh-zZ-pesXF-f5yj_oazFrb4u_3sVpcDVhdxkcUHzxIbUvhsAOc1yJuGxzdP1OiYitqXLw=w1155-h866-no

Fitted the old parcel rack because I'm going to a rally on it next month.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xS5Tws1l1gxPvnS1p3UfZ0tcGVDzbPTNfgtLsY5c24hU-c_wiRXNhz8yM1JYUSvDbAQknY2ws-_mVPnJqbg9gR6TKZsOqZCAO1BTN1eh8Rg6dU1ZFkgRmBgI9W1_1ITYg_VDpsJe_Q=w1155-h866-no

Strategically located exhaust wrap to stop me burning my leg/melting my waterproofs.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TxVF2vbhrAer7vjPJsgZUeS88TFMuXzQtSLoXtszVBMbOpl1fTjEkQRLvOpqFvzaV-LSXgtD3L0f8MoIyd-JaavvxwLfoRv0GkBHEqlk4ASvGJdAc667fhUe5LjofPtP7in47URoVg=w1155-h866-no

So fork springs. Wheel out.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/q4d_55pcHX-b9uewZjz6j31DZji_ANipqBZT5IY-DWTidp3581Of8Z0ILG1D-uucLOjbcDAbnInsuPCVwzdnHoadKAt-SXujHkg8Fg8bmdDkXHcorxwZZTB-VTYJ8yryD219bI3Esg=w650-h866-no

Undo the two bottom nuts and allow the oil to drain.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WjcqsMO2sf3cyNvcqvOZzskxjdvHaHZTrDQiLmMpMOdP3lC2JrYYOs9YvMoCIO8Oxm5uoR3d7yvHfsm1YpkZWRjjnOyTg6x8yYi-J3BKtpMwwOzjMnWuMS3AQ69SVpoTpC_okVoXPg=w1155-h866-no

Enfield forks are not like Japanese bikes. They were very early adopters of telescopic forks. The stanchions screw up into the headlamp casquette and have a conventional bottom yoke. The springs don't go in and out at the top.

Having undone the bottom nut, you pull the sliders down off the stanchion/damper rod.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gGeJOj_ziLrz-5BSDxdAyFTsMnzXvE1K1RpxuWQfjMXDGVtWiPzYgq6xQyVTFUtZj-8jjD5pyPLoYY7rmPL32pHkePAKtfPpxC5YbxTEwEVrUIYRfWa3zz8kYQeAEKmYYBdmzqAG9Q=w650-h866-no

You then undo the notched collar at the bottom of the stanchion with a c-spanner and unscrew the damper rod, this allows you to pull the damper rod and the spring out of the bottom of the stanchion.

Damper rod assembly pictured here with the old and new springs. I think the problem is pretty obvious!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/I4Bo2JU78xrSe8R7BjWryMfSqO2oXHaM3JO2k27YyH68aOwqNKrkd1Va2vm66LD5DwxezBLki9qln6dxRTXwm9S0cwuu7Mod9JPn67tXQLVgC5N2mrUPiUwpZ167GJTr2IytnNQsEg=w1155-h866-no

That old spring is 40mm shorter than when it was first put in the bike!

After a previous sense of humour failure, I now check the damper rod will fit through the hole in the bottom of the slider before I go any further. They sometimes gall-up as you remove them, preventing reassembly.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9jvobaJ7ripFm7ZepIZvAJ94i2bz4q-O-HFBxtUWCJdBYolDpx48l_05H_mwJ9GH8Gn0LFZSv8mDVGatzTjFiD2xMfvLu4O7uLDdb70TmbvT7wPqm6H8eQ8ZMmc1H3nZD-z7vmrj7g=w1155-h866-no

New springs inserted and the collar done back up again with no issues.

Ordered new oil seals. They are £8 for the set of 4, be daft not to.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qwzy4nUvKNXrPvSmL_uQotwPnsnYjF8f-UeKkDWj6zWWNsL7lWLCwrWILRbr1ynz4ENki5Kh4mKjK9lNTgZIdV6ScU5st026yB7RyEdmq62sGcvWONAlUnk5oN8TIOm0rWIhQu77Qg=w1155-h866-no

Again, slightly unusual. There are no bushes or dust covers. Each fork sits on two oil seals seperated by a spacer. If you get a lot of play, you have to replace the slider. Getting the old seals out is a case of brute-force and ignorance but because Indiaminium does not respond well to brute force, there is a special steel collar (at £6) you fit on the top of the slider to pry against.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dItYQ-xEJf7P4CYhR3VoAi7OwkZtzyDUhT1Btp1f-VuUYEpTW8L69eYcdkeQPQZ_d25fGR6JuDbA5xUZMqm3jSqAe4P_XN9MebfzBeNxnxP2hh-wCOiWqjEvlWEZdH7C0aDn7P3HHg=w1155-h866-no

A tyre lever seems to work well for this job.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wlXlqyNlKVZ6N4L2W7la_vMNeqvyIQhzMxdjQvLIRR8xaHaGWRVa44gCQEqCX4DGhefqki0d8wrIoEWzKHE7Dq_GpCgszfryBBKeeXmPEeuh_Ko9PbnJKsm3v9CBx2To0Vd7k3dbSA=w1155-h866-no

New seals fitted. I put plenty of red pubber grease on top as there is no dust seal. it has gaiters but water and crap can still pool on top of the seals and corrode the alloy/circlip.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xKq1Ahq-YPNpPUeCkx4jkdWlpmb6fpFKdIrEkKzVbSoAsZheYHwB_ZS1g4LrISk0z74tBDCSTmItoNW46NZg5C6Ac7W7TZRtUNUppzw30LlF_BH4nSeJe6yfQKjeVFhHrNBZr-dCMw=w1155-h866-no

I wrap the end of the fork in well-oiled thick plastic so I can slide the slider back over without tearing the seals ont he sharp edge.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f8EJH37cu8uj72sn29EBOkZ6y-NhSarkP4nk-XgmtI8IWZ9__A4yYhG5vPciGPNBLnKO-RkigE5Hk824eu80ZOEt7zRam55FqwBJ7gOoc1Y9r5awqNC9eSR0OiZB6QVN9e1GgdKXBA=w650-h866-no

Not forgetting the oil control spacer on the bottom, stick it to the end of the damper rod with grease. Taper facing up.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0QKesiElqn7e2KIRF64KM8rMnf787zr-T2LlEOOo9xhsFdqMaHGUugTbkiNGVzfIIlfpJuRzrzkTK-bVRds4NONBH6731b5ErLL_99gSZytrBVno2MaNTMNcj0naP-Rx9G2FU0Xr7w=w1155-h866-no

Then it's just a case of re-annealing the copper sealing washer and tightening the damper rod nut. They wil need 200ml of oil in each. there is no way of measuring the air gap. I'm going to use ATF in them for less severe damping for off road use.

Mudguard fitted with the painted-up homemade stays.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/laHMKrEhCBTsKEr2yCkfPCDTrxkxzkMe-bONXtjWLR48yfQx4JbUcY-L15pkP1rUGUMU6zccbDmArP4r3bU-LDZairtWkaJBMbiFSrYjU8hHJAv1p4K9iGNl9UiprR0_O37kY7_TfA=w1155-h866-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mvtExQG2tyhqlvpbOrNIqrrUd6zd-YjPgUfNjWuqsMOYRfbqSRIvOCB-9K_ef_XaHshpvZGPsjIkFUUX51saFgTdBrQWVaBJ1UWLwTHfh5TeooiTtniocdFsOEFy0XrLrqMVHOiSw=w1155-h866-no

Another fly in the ointment. I was well chuffed that my £16 ebay wheels had tyres fitted but I just checked the date code.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/epP38BkrF6jZOaKnJzQMM6z6lRvxYGNHZf5G0vtdkW8tvzKISkdlcPTVf__hsymiY-InIEqGIA0Sk_i-RaGiRk1t24D-MBDnvqnRo02f_muaq-RH-kmop3iFdnIDY0hmJoe5ZCd3ng=w1155-h866-no

Yes, that says "Sep 94". 13 years older than the bike and the bike itself is 13 years old. Genuine vintage tyres!

I have a plan for the gearbox. I'm going to overfill it with oil and run up and down the road a couple of times then drain it, that should thin the grease and let it drain more easily. It'll have done the first 5 miles by then so re-torque the head and I'll let it sit overnight with paraffin in the gearbox to flush it out.

I have it on good authority that it is unlikely to leak if I put gearbox oil in, even without properly sealed bearings. I have some so I'll give it a try. If it all pishes out again, back to grease.

Should be finished tomorrow!
____________________
“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.

Easy-X · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :

Fascinating stuff! Those tyres do look old though Shocked

____________________
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, ~~Honda Rebel,~~ ~~Yamaha DT175,~~ ~~Suzuki SV650 (loan)~~ ~~Fazer 600,~~ ~~Keeway Superlight 125,~~ ~~50cc turd scooter~~

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Well, pretty much finished. Still need to sort out trials tyres and rimlocks but it's ready for an MOT and some shakedown runs.

Here's the gearbox grease. It was still sitting like a cowpat the following morning.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EsyNdpYcvgE-aVoOyn8ZXoopHAdwsEXOhGb0Rs3ucSZxZshVOEmnOlLxoNnFtj1ABTP0NF30aDho3Zh1_wigxJWref2k_1dWQPDQMKWQ2RDKt6www40BggpawlhxgTAZiXFaTw185w=w1155-h866-no

I flushed it out with paraffin and put HP90 oil in instead. The question will be if it stays in there or leaks out. Hoepfully this will more effectively lube the layshaft. It sits on a cast iron bush which doesn't necessarily allow it to rotate as freely as it should. The result of this is sometimes the kickstart rotates down under power and (more annoyingly) it sometimes engages first gear as you kick it. if this doesn't work, i might have to go in there and change the bush out for a bronze one.

I also fitted a lifting handle to both sides to to assist dragging it out of a ditch and tying it down in the back of the van. It's normally to assist putting it onto the mainstand (which I've removed to increase ground clearance).

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zWFQUxQE32NbWG1Z9kVjA2yGIubc3V2tbZOBlMaKt1r0kq0Z60SYV7UmECqDllf5pKm-h74Egxn5O1LtSW_N36n3IY3Pmxh4eq3qV6G2vPE5ql0b2vyLtIMW7TheotgqEiuXPcu2Uw=w1155-h866-no

I feel I may come to regret going for a matt white tank. Not for how it looks but for keeping it clean. The back mudguard looks odd, I don't like the line of it but it looks more normal when sat on and I have hit the inside of it with the tyre before so I can't really put it any lower.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lzF5cznMyBnnV9Rc1Aj23zLQfsukqfiyxr3KRpTw09xqKXwxvtdqZN08dkN6OxUdbhT9i5l6grfTi2Tn8N-MaIBIU8Q7Ug1P24ZSnj4Pa1Tb7HuQg1heTImxN4O8fCCz2gKEMoSHYg=w1155-h866-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DpkVjOmvSB4T-yyFMgMiLKiiaCQ2cUlj2mnC7OmJIEsDZwdrPltJjPNsBPpmFT3DZergEQBLBpZhjUEnku2mksTHPkJq5hZ7yF5Mb4dsMDPm1yKmArVEjmOQj6aUxC3JoQXtNjVHJQ=w1155-h866-no

I videoed a short road test. I have no complaints so far.

https://youtu.be/S_mcK-czYmg
____________________
“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.

Easy-X · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :

For that look right now, might paint the tank and mudguards just with etch primer and lacquer Thinking

The rear mudguard's just at too sharp a curve. Metal or plastic? Could probably flatten out the former a tad.

Sounds lovely Thumbs Up

____________________
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, ~~Honda Rebel,~~ ~~Yamaha DT175,~~ ~~Suzuki SV650 (loan)~~ ~~Fazer 600,~~ ~~Keeway Superlight 125,~~ ~~50cc turd scooter~~

WD Forte · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :

OMG WTF?
You got it durty!!!
Noe!
where's the brown seat cover and why did you put mudgaurds on it?

You aint no hipster bruv
You aint no hipster..............
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bikers smell of wee

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

It's not even begun to get dirty yet. Mr. Green

I will however be giving it a wash because it's covered in grease, spilled oil and mucky fingerprints.
____________________
“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.

Sister Sledge · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Aug 2018 Karma :

Damn that sounds good. I'm now wondering what mine sounds like from the road side!
Check the front mudguard - it ends with a 'flick' at the rear of it so perhaps the rear would look better like that too? It would mean different rear light cluster due to the angles though. I suppose it's all about how much more you want to slaver on with it and not be riding it. How well would that rear mudguard cope with being filled with mud?
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CCM 404 DS

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Woo!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6ictHQ3ACy_oAF-IN-C2Fu7Y02MerJT676v_pReacHPYoI8UqgHEdTglmXeDd4Osy8roJbEeqFLWIRh62vSWK_8v28LksBZnWLbrCBOQTj8smg510ODbNox5woPE6OYFZLUAzKcvxg=w650-h866-no

I was going to change the bearings anyway.
____________________
“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.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Took it for a road test at the weekend. 100 miles in. A couple of "green lanes (read totally fucked roads) which are on a par with the trickiest stuff I've seen on the long distance classic trials, a couple of axle-deep floods and it never missed a beat.

I had to re-route the speedo cable further away from the tyre. Other than that, oil and filter change, re-torque head gasket (took a 1/2 turn on each nut) and check the tappets (all fine).

In other news, HP90 does not stay in the gearbox. It all leaked out through the gearbox output shaft bearing when it was on the stand. I've filled it with fresh grease. The layshaft seems to be behaving itself now.

I got some proper trials tyres. This is the maximum knobblyness you are allowed to run in a trial.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5ZGQA_nV4TLspiWTQwE0JZVkUJkZtvXRatuME5A5AHGKId7WnDWf90eaP0zltDRvuNQajiUTpv_BPRfRdXviIaShUbP70xewHZd8-urhvslm8UTw7Nct0AfC60EaZyO9Pm80zdxsVQ=w1155-h866-no

There are no rules on pressures though. On observed truials, pressures as low as 5psi are sometimes used. No good for long distance though but 15psi is still pretty low. High risk of the tyre slipping round on the rim causing a blowout so I've drilled the rims and fitted rimlocks that hold the bead against the rim.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zj9zrorsl9IKtPN03HaXVlv92ZgWI2kl9sc1d1Dp_NrX-Co66vM4LdefA1zql4EzMnsd9NX1JoTkDBJgw6_Df2EcZGu1iv1CXxAXL9HgVptX0qht6aWOe3t3CFw4oyeuKSDmWr6srw=w1155-h866-no

Some details for finishing.

Bit of 25mm OD thick walled steel tube.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oFDd6agQEMEJ_qTR7MMPgSsfLBCHeg1AkntBYr8AFd9MVlD-lMU3aY_ir56W0xjokAMMDfqoX_SEzuZHGo34vhdK9B6fHbj-WrmI5xQ0AYZzyMsBAdIY93fj5bWGKA5z-b_yeSJYvA=w1155-h866-no

It's MUCH easier to bend than thinwall stuff, just clamp it firm, heat it red hot and use both hands.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8BiFOLnt13XuvnpvkfVM2jWaCXPsVAzF-BQMxbgMOTCsVNIwv1kBh1aKOkHFrs6fQBnSNqPLZNez-Q_bP9Ghmilcgbb9gDXDOVVnzgKIELUtr4L-HcRm2rc8a5I2xfQGGjINZ1pVmg=w1155-h866-no

Slot cut in the top (managed most of the stock removal with the angle grinder, finished with hand file. Drilled and tapped for an M8 lag-screw.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kWqUzqbZ_Wrjvz1zKQoRjG_wvvIT0OmTDCxyvQUl7WZvYr6JdI3NxccylEmfGqdkpxFDBkH5QDCQ_8eZ8kquyw_jGbmufe5Q9cO5Umh7toU0TD4uZOOT48VzWExipNotXBkPAK8Ulw=w1155-h866-no

Drilled and tapped for a smaller bolt locked in further down.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZVh_1WeRWiPSmEk9Zwo47Vpl6Q1WoIJvoTHe3bZkSPYeZZ9AnbJjfI5itNmBvUfedwCMrD59thA6mmkldczYiLKkRwYNUmMSMejHGiGPw1YDls495L9ZCPO6Yk-eK34HmPKmTqsecA=w1155-h866-no

Can you tell what it is yet?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vmv8Fg6PPU9h_9DK_MEO5-q2FKEdt-qDun61Vo4Hv7WDwUBpxszMnAhRKVfC6BrryXEvvxdNCBhn8V_IRiGfJRctF-Mx8jlp2M4xFgvpkaWLhK_Wo2fedRGIC35DIhvng_1RmhCIvQ=w1155-h866-no

20mm over-standard shocks and big knobbly tyres mean the standard sidestand is approaching the balance point of the bike, the front wheel tries to lift when you put it on the stand, the gearbox oil runs out and you can only half fill the tank. Also, it's heavy to lift back vertical again.

I've been putting it on wooden blocks to park it but that's just stupid and it'll be near impossible to prop a wheel up to change a tube in a trial, it'll just fall over.

I'm very pleased with this little bit of fabrication. Here it is with the original.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kr5mbV8pS4KbOBL6o67Dwi2cexhDeM3wEiftsLPSSmuDCjWFQFaL1NzTyUA3D7GhXdeHgU1vx47MKy0QEFroXYZLP2KrIcfi0NR512CXDF-hlYnHeCb6TZstI0namORy7rDpvkhifw=w1155-h866-no

Waiting for the paint to dry and I can fit it in time for the Bruce Pollard then Dragon rally this weekend. If it hangs together for that lot, I'll call the mission accomplished. Dance!

____________________
“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.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Shit just got real.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-frnbe3OTV8qg8AWRpYrJmsaXD-zLs8S6NsM2YQF4k0Uq10l43jo6b1dYFXYL4bsyVJMSGFrWndne4IO-vT3ceJfhAsknwUpjaZ_b3mRhPOQju1NArO-V5UuyFL_pofSvlNLrHQeWQ=w1329-h866-no
____________________
“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.

Sister Sledge · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Aug 2018 Karma :

Bet you're slightly excited now!

So is this full on classic trials or just a 30 mph jaunt along gravel roads with the odd pass through a ford?
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CCM 404 DS

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

FFS. It's been cancelled. Had the bike prepped, route notes made up and everything!

Too windy apparently.

Next local-ish one is the Dales Classic in May.
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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.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Got another trial booked for next weekend in the Durham Dales. Thought I should get some practice in.

I've fitted a baffle to the bike since I last videoed it. Also a smaller seat and a road book holder.

I videoed where I went out to today. The first bit I tackled is one of the observed sections on the trial that was cancelled. I'd have failed that one, footing within a few metres of the start. In fairness though, it's a hell of a lot steeper and rougher than the video makes it look. It'll be at least 1 in 3 if not steeper

It was also particularly slippery with a thin layer of clay mud over stone. I had no trouble with grip for the rest of the day, just there. One thing I took from it is to let more air out of the rear tyre for slithery stuff like that. The other is to undo my jacket because I was about boiled in the bag before I was halfway up.

I think the gearing is about right, I don't think they'll ask for anything much steeper that that as a constant incline.

Seems slow but both the trial that was cancelled and the one I've entered have a 15mph speed limit on bridleways so I'm about there.

Part1
Part 2

No issues with crossing floods anyway! flood flood 2
____________________
“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.

Easy-X · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :

So I was casually watching the first part while eating my lunch and thinking "rough roads but doable" and then you turned off Shocked

Obviously I've no experience of that sort of terrain on motorcycles so I can only relate via electric MTBs. Yeah, the "cartwheel ruts" are no fun Smile

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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, ~~Honda Rebel,~~ ~~Yamaha DT175,~~ ~~Suzuki SV650 (loan)~~ ~~Fazer 600,~~ ~~Keeway Superlight 125,~~ ~~50cc turd scooter~~

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Easy-X · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :

Easy-X · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :

Okay, so"I iz n00b" question: what's the deal with the Tupperware and rollers? Some sort of neolithic precursor to GPS?

How did the bike itself do, anything fall off? They do call it a "shake down" Wink

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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, ~~Honda Rebel,~~ ~~Yamaha DT175,~~ ~~Suzuki SV650 (loan)~~ ~~Fazer 600,~~ ~~Keeway Superlight 125,~~ ~~50cc turd scooter~~

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

The tupperware is a roadbook holder. They issue directions on long distance trials as a written roadbook (also on big cross country events like the Paris Dakkar). You can buy a motorised holder off touratech for a weeks salary or make your own. You have all the instructions on a long piece of paper, and roll along it as you go. Didn't use my GPS for navigating but it was handy for the distances between turnings/sections.

The trial was a steep learning curve. Everything was WAY rougher than I imagined it to be.

The only thing that fell off was me. Repeatedly. The bike held out well. In fairness, there were other enfields there too and they all struggled for grip on wet muddy stuff. A function of their weight I suppose.

I rode that wee bike over terrain I would have looked at and thought "I'm not going t even think about walking up there.".

I really struggled for grip across two open moor sections, but so did everyone else, they re-classified it as a "ride through" (ie, you can put your feet down and get up any way you can).

Riding up one steep, boulder-strewn trench (It really didn't fulfill any definition of a track I know of) I also had a really hard time and cooked the clutch somewhat. Lever was coming back to the bars by the time I got up there. I slightly bent one of the footpeg brackets on that section too.

Fell off the biker numerous times with no damage though. The gear lever bent in a bit on the first one then stayed like that. I'll leave it like that because it's useable.

The bash plate was utterly essential!

If I'm doing this kind of thing again, I need to gear it way lower. A fatter rear tyre would be nice but I'd need to swap out the swingarm.

I turns out that 6psi is a valid tyre pressure and not "totally flat" as I previously thought.

I'll do a proper write-up later on. I'm totally knackered from repeatedly picking up and re-starting the bike.

I don't have many pictures, these are all taken by other people.

Under starters orders.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/j8PbbeDto1JFXmMn2MAQgKtd8c1whUDku2jLuTX7H2WP3PMsbOErP0oGR5c8gWY42VQGouuFONm-M8xyTUSsQm8GvIFMS6NaYFk9PExDkn6bVtauKCeZed20khhDh952Z-JnecITlw=w1155-h866-no

Green lane linking two sections.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/D55qVc_TYb-nVqfAOcmUFLE5d4Ztm84mXsOmthCKpG0dKJeE2XPnA6wzY0H6mrOWjNHvkFDqCHPUSeNPUCU1a8oYtLfFjIJo-qp7sPD_UJZwBmsfSTXFfo0fGLZ7OacoL4E3zcALFw=w650-h866-no

Proof I did have both feet on the pegs at at least some points on the sections. (photo by Fred 4 foto).
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/By_Gh2W5m_JwjjR5unEI91V3giEAGKLgzNX48ORd3lqJgmg41FiB7kIDSdeGIaQcc3ICcCvrTXcT08mvKCiKv0gubJXaR_qSlJsY-Bn9goDLemYpe_ahjzu1WRKpxlyTZWT4QyLBZw=w578-h866-no

But not on others. This is a lot steeper than it looks and I hadn't let half the air out of my tyres at this point.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oVZN0l-KVFHb6uuG7ZsoOP3zloXUf4_84Gvvxs5Ew9oVBAwd7jBW0stKJORq4vJNnPA8L2Z6GH1VE_U0kLuY0ynL77b4ribgxm2Vkq4skWwh8gAtrBpYJXLVJkHZLUFIn3AS5cXsXw=w1280-h854-no

Finished. The bike looks oddly clean here. It isn't!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/M8mTmG-RC2x9dU5x25tEqsiq2s5WcCyfQnruf_IEQg9OCsmIHS26t4rLGr2eqtfWyr8K96qhu2tBifsR-UrZPNw__y0X-RTCeBb4skwgIQ5fQveEGMgDhWfoGRi1JMB6SQOkJZiYMA=w650-h866-no

72 miles in 6 hours. Average speed of 11mph (including a lot of waiting about for sections to clear). 1,750m of elevation gain.
____________________
“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.