Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

u aIons The Nori Fellow is the pen name of a motorcycle equipment dealer in Birmingham, England. The author has participated extensively in trials events, both as a rider and an officiaL This is -the fourth in a series of articles covering the rules and techniques of trials riding. By The Nori Fellow Having ensured that everything possible in machine preparation has been done we now examine the question of tools and spare to be carried. This will depend on the length of the event and if any garages lie en route. Toolboxes are not usually found on trials irons and if they come fitted are soon discarded in favor of the capacious, pockets of the trials suit. So r Rider on a 125cc Sp.rite compensates for lack of low~end power by staying on the throttle. into these pockets go a spark plug wrench, two spare plugs (your club mate will soon be borrowing one) wrench for wheel nuts - but with a workshop operation these can be resized so that the spark plug wrench will do double duty, a few of the smaller wrenches and one adjustable, a spare chain connecting link or the small 3"xlY," 'chain spare kit tin and one of the small compact chain breakers, a length of copper wire (it is surprising the number of ''bits'' which can be "glued" together with such, a screwdriver and or socket set, and the usual assortment of nuts and bolts: The question of carrying spare cables is a matter of opinion -. 1 usually make do with a spare throttle cable only. One can struggle with broken clutch and front brake cables albeit with some caution and regard to other highway users. If spare cables are carried fit the spare to the bike in pre-trial preparation and carry the originals - thus knowing that your spares will fit without alteration or filing at the moment of actual need. Some riders chose to carry their cables taped alongside those in use but they are at the mercy of 'the elements and the ends have to be sealed. Tire levers and repair kits add to bulk and weight and a good plot is for fellow club riders to share the carrying of these not·so-essential items between them in the fond hope that they will be around when required, One other item I usually carry is a 12·foot length of nylon cord. In the event of an engine failure to tow or be towed back to civilization. One remarkable note is that if you do carry such things as cord, chain breaker and links, tire repair kits one never seems to need them. But leave them at home and their need will soon arrive. Another luxury article of luggage is a length of nylon or plastic half-inch tubing, employed in syphoning fuel into or from your gas tank if the tank has run dry. Its Length is that of the hollow handlebar as that is where to carry it; insert and remove from the throttle end. Clothing and gear: The two piece Barbour suit is without equal and may be had in either heavy or liRhtweight i Fla s material which is truly stormproof/windproof/thornproof and lined for warmth. It has four large pockets and the neck and sleeve openings have adjustable buckles and straps. After a sticky or muddy event it can be pressure hosed clean and hung to dry. Very simi\ar suits are made by Belstaff and T.T. Leathers. The material is a very tough Egyptian cotton. The suit is reinforced double thickness at seat, knees, and ankles. Boots: A stout pair of boots are a must to give foot and shin protection. Fifteen, sixteen inch height is desirable with the Barbour suit legs faste.ning over die boots at ankle level so that no water can get to the feet. There are two kinds which are popular: The slip on leather Ashman with no lacing or straps and the sturdy rubber with industrial type toe and instep re-inforcements. Headgear: As no speed is involved in trials a soft cap is common useage with some riders favoring the wool knitted multi colored dome piece invariably with top tassel. My own preference has been the peaked cap which in time gets fairly waterproof with hair oil or machine oil and has the advantage when climbing a steep hill into the sun of acting as a shield from sun glare. And for those who wear glasses the peak keeps the heavy rain "acquire" one of the family towels and this split length ways make a good neckpiece as the mateJ"ial is very absorbent. Gloves: For delicate "feel" to the controls in sections, wear the thinnest obtainable; the cheap cotton ones are ideal, being easily washed out after a dirty trial. For added warmth between sections a pair of Barbour overrnitts are the answer, worn over the cotton ones and slipped inside a pocket before en tering the sections. Goggles are a matter of choice and not of course worn in the sections. Having studied trials machinery and the preparation of same for the event and riding gear, tools and spares, we can briefly study the type of hazards or , sections which are likely to be encountered in a trial or a season's event PART FOUR as few organizers are fortunate enough to find a circuit including every type of going. With few exceptions the aim is to keep the machine as near upright as possible so that steering and quick change of direction can be accomplished quickly - also better traction and tire grip foDows. Standing on the footpegs allows body lean to negotiate tight turns and enable corrective measures to be quickly taken should a hidden ground obstacle be hit. Also the standing position allows the rider, by straightening his arms, to transfer his weight more on to the rear wheel in greasy going when more grip is essential, and conversely, bending his arms brings his weight more over the front wheel if the steepness of a hill is likely to bring the front wheeL airborne, in which position all steering is iast. Again this shifting of weigh t to the rear wheel by body acti9n is a must in riding up a rock step and with practice and confidence a two-foot high rock step can be ucleaned. " English body english. Novice rider leans to bring bike inside section marker. • .aJa Wins again! In the battle against unfavorable laws, adverse public opinion, and closed-off public lands, motorcyclists have one great enemy: Noise. And one great ally: The Muffler. Get behind the muffler movement, and keep down the fences by keeping down the nOise. Hare & Hound Desert Turtles M.C. Bell Mountain, Calif. Oct. 10, 1971 Trail Expert 1st - Terry Clark - BAJA 100 (4th Overall) Trail Novice 1st - Kevin Hamblin - BAJA 100 PlIilIOTDl=tCVCL.a INaUeTAY COUNCIL the HarleyDavidson ~~ oDtpsrformsrs co 0. ti o ~ w Z W ...l U > U

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