Dad managed to work wonders on the bike during the week before Red Marley.
1. A set of clamps were made for the forks with a brace to replace the mudguard stays which stiffened the forks no end.
2. A knock through spindle, spacers and a modified brake anchor (together with a bit of filing on the brake shoes) improved the braking quite a bit - still not brilliant but at least I was able to go down hills slow enough to be in control.
3. The frame was re-welded to secure the bashplate mounting points
4. We found that the rear brake was hampered the week before by a spring coming off the brake shoes.
5. A slipper was made to help the chain run and stop the wear on the swinging arm and smooth things up a bit.
6. A pair of shorter rear shocks (Betor) were purchased from Sammy Millers which lowered the rear of the bike and took some of the steepness out of the steering.
I must say that the steering was a revelation with the combiination of stiffening things up and better geometry the bike handled very well.
So, on to the trial.... The trial was marked out just about right with a mix of banks, roots, streams, soft loamy climbs in the woods and some good testers over fallen trees. I think it was a good test without being dangerous.
I felt that I actually had a good ride, with few silly mistakes and really only the odd 1's and 2's where I felt that I needed them. I did have 2 stalls which messed up my overall score but I put that down to learning how the engine works best for me. I found that running it with a little more tickover than normal and riding on the clutch seemed to eliminate the odd spit - stall type of characteristic that is often associated with 4 strokes.
I found that the power was great with plently of grunt when needed yet in the streams with muddy exits it seemed to grip quite well too.
As for the result, my score put me mid pack in the over 250cc class amongst some class riders and some good guys behind me so overall I am quite pleased with how it is coming along.
Next steps will be to get some consistent brakes sorted and perhaps at some point in the future a lighter frame - not sure about this though as there are a few options available out there (the latest Faber frame appears to have been improved and is reasonably priced , Nigel Randal is making some frames that appear to work well, Mick Mills has made another batch of his frames that are supposed to be very good - even though they are a bit expensive and Roger Heap - who made my Sprite frame - also has a jig for a BSA frame).
Now that I know the engine is capable, I may have it stripped and re-built to give me the confidence that it is all as it should be and ready to do a full season including some road trials.
Will update the BLOG as things develop and put the trial results on when I have them..
Thanks to Colin Bullock from CJB Photographic for the pics from Sunday - I owe you a bacon sarnie Colin!!
Results (added 2200hrs 15th April 09)
Hard Route
Class A (Up to 250 Unit)
1. Alan Nicklin 0
2. Ross Danbly 2
3. Alan Wright 9
4. Nathan Jones 12
5. Chris Denney 13
6. Kevin Taylor 20
7. Mick Parkes 23
8. Dave Wood 29
9. Kirby Bennett 43
10. Paul Houghton 48
Class B (Over 250cc Unit)
1. Robert Bowyer 7
2. Chris Collins 13
3. Mick Thurman 24
4. Simon Chell 24
5. Chris Chell 26
6. Dave Dawson 27
7. Gary Hawkins 40
8. Chris Pearson 68
9. Peter Reed 75
10. Mike Maskelyne 81
Class D (Unit)
1. Neil Gaunt 9
2. Andy Richardson 14
3. Arthur Browning 39
4. Steve Jones 49
5. Steve Thompson 78
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