modifying older trials bikes

[Stu]

Im going to cop some flak here, but I would like to know why are the Classic, Pre-65 and Twinshock bikes being modified to compete? What happened to the spirit of competition? Sure I have modified my pegs for larger safer pegs, and a different bend of bars but I dont intend changing the location of shocks, modified frame or put new modern internals in the forks. As I have seen or read here and on overseas sites there is a trend to make these older bikes 'competitive' against more modern machinery! why?
Why cant they be ridden as they were manufactured? if you want to ride a modern bike, buy a modern bike..dont go cutting up classic frames and modifying them so they cant be used in proper Classic or Post Classic trials.

[sybella]

Hi Stu ,you are dead right the frames are getting to hard to get ,you don't need to modify shock mounts ,sub frames to ride pre 65 class there just fun as they are.Yes foot pegs ,bars and those 17,19" wheels are no good either . The rules clearly state what we can tinker with . Being new to the classic scene I found most of the riders catch a disease .Spending to much time in the shed.The challenge is to keep making improvements to your bike so it completes a trial not breaking down .Hoping to get a large field to Tassie this year cheers Tony Bax

[BOGWHEEL]

Hear Hear!

[brt650]

Hello Stu,
I don't think you will cop any flak here.
But I believe a public flogging would be more appropriate.
Just for an example, try riding a Bultaco 325 then compare it to a Honda TLR250. Both can and are ridden in the same class.
Then I think you will know why bikes are modified. Hope this goes in some way to answer your question.
Cheers
brt650

[David Lahey]

Hello Stu,
I don't think you will cop any flak here.
But I believe a public flogging would be more appropriate.
Just for an example, try riding a Bultaco 325 then compare it to a Honda TLR250. Both can and are ridden in the same class.
Then I think you will know why bikes are modified. Hope this goes in some way to answer your question.
Cheers
brt650

Yes Brian, you are spot on, of course the Bultaco is waaaaay better than a TLR. That's why there are so many aftermarket parts being made for TLRs, so they can try and keep up with the Bultacos