Here's another picture from yesterday playing on some rocks. The ground was very slippy but nowhere near as bad as the green rocks. Gentle throttle and clutch control was needed here as these were best tackled in 1st gear, balance and technique being a major factor. Notice the pressure exerted on the rear tyre here by the rider to gain some grip. The tubeless rear tyre is only running 4 psi in these conditions.
I didn't realise Trials bikes now use tubeless tyres. The bikes I had were of an era when off road meant tubed tyres. I run the Berg tyres (tubed) no lower than 18psi due to the amount of road use and damage from big hits at speed when off road. I'm amazed a tubeless tyre can stay airtight at such a low pressure even with rim clamps. Is there anything special about the rim and tyre?
SWMBO has a sizeable skin graft on her calf from an exhaust pipe burn from when yours truly dumped us both in a ditch some 30 years ago. Because of this she is understandably nervous of uncontrolled dogs. I'm not the confrontational type but I've "had words" with numerous dog owners that think it's ok for their dog to jump at passers-by. Rarely get an apology, apparently we shouldn't be out. The path runs literally from the bottom of our garden and the wife will rarely walk on her own because of this.
That is sad, I had a client when I used to coach running who was so afraid of loose dogs that some of the areas I would have ordinarily used were off limits to me as there were so many. Our own dogs were very large and my rules were always pretty simple; we are all entitled to enjoy open spaces equally and unhindered by others. Ours have never been allowed to approach other people or dogs without permission. If a path was narrow then they were always put on a lead and asked to sit to the side. Uncontrolled dogs are a real bugbear of mine - one of our dogs was a real handful if an offlead dog ran up to him after being attacked, resulting in a vet visit to suture his ripped open neck back up . The amount of "he's friendly" owners allowing their dogs to do whatever they liked who took issue with him freaking out when their rude dog wouldn't stop gluing their nose up his backside / getting in his face persistently was unbelievable.
Was once walking with the family in a wood and our dog was on a lead. Two Weirmaraner (spelling??) came running at us and started attacking our dog. I managed to get a few boots in before the owner showed up!!! He tried taking me to task over kicking his dogs but I pointed out ours was on a lead and how was it covered in spit all around its collar? I told him in no uncertain terms to go and do one!
@Pegscraper the rear wheels only have been tubeless since around 2000. The early rim profiles were a nightmare as the rim tape had to seal all the spoke nipples. These were a real pain to get right and ended up with people resorting to Sikaflex or Silicone to create a seal.....usually ineffectively. Later the rims were of a "T" section with the spokes in the vertical bit and the tyre on the top. No through rim type tyre clamps are used with tubeless despite only 4 psi. Even if the tyre spun slightly, say due to torque/brakes then there is no tube valve to rip off is there with the valve being a separate plug "pull in" variety. The profiles have a ridge for the bead to sit in the same as a road bike rim. Interesting Michelin tyres (our 125 rear) have softest sidewalls making them good for grip on rocks. Dunlop's (our 300 rear) have stiffer sidewalls making them better for mud. The Michelin came off the bead yesterday whereas the Dunlop didn't...make of that what you will but it is a known phenomenon. No such thing as a free lunch, everything has it's pro's and con's. The front wheel is unchanged from times gone by, and as you would expect to find it with a conventional tube and one tyre clamp. We run these around 8 psi to minimise nip punctures on rocks.
Yes, wish I had a pound for every time I've heard "it's ok he's just being friendly" as we're brushing off unwanted mud and slobber. Of course dogs always seem to sense Chris's fear and make a beeline for her while I'm trying to fend them off.
Funny you say that about Chris @Col_C When I was under 3 years old so I'm told, my ball went over the garden fence and so I went to get it out of the neighbours garden. They had a big Alsatian and I being that age was no wiser. The dog came round to see who the visitor was and flattened me, promptly proceeding to jump all over me as its new toy. Fortunately the dog must have been a friendly character as it didn't bite me or attack me as such but it could have easily gone the other way. I'm pretty sure this affected me throughout my childhood as I was very wary of certain dogs and they sensed this so usually made a beeline for me. It was only in adult life where this eased but I still don't like dogs where you can't see the eyes due to hair i.e. Dulux dog.
Yes, amazing how they seem to sense it, I always position myself between dog and Chris, without fail they'll ignore me and attempt to get to Chris, usually no aggression, just boisterous unwanted attention.
Yes, amazing how they seem to sense it, I always position myself between dog and Chris, without fail they'll ignore me and attempt to get to Chris, usually no aggression, just boisterous unwanted attention.
Wow, that's exciting, @Mrs Visor! I'm happy for you. What's the story on this soon-to-be addition to the family?
When I was younger I had always liked this particular iteration of the blade with the underseat exhaust. The hankering was reignited when I went to Motorcycle Live in November and saw the new blades. It's just an indulgent itch I want to scratch - doing things that I should have done years ago still . This particular one is 18 years old, but only has 15000 miles on the clock and two owners. Whether I will have it for long I am not sure but the chance to have one is exciting.
That looks like a good find there Mrs V. I've had 3 in the past, earlier models than yours and loved them to bits. I can't see you being disappointed with it. Enjoy!!
I laughed when I heard the narrator say "his almost impossible to do tricks". I'd say that's an understatement. Amazing!
Does this count as a "non Triumph"? Just preparing tomorrows tea in the slow cooker. Potatoes, turnips, carrots, parsnips, celery and onions in an Oxo stock, then add some stewing steak and Pig's kidney and last of all, some dumplings. Yummy!
Best invention since the wheel (and Triumph). We use ours regularly.. cheap, crap meat tastes like steak after a few hours.