Pre-65 Bikes

I live in kent and wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction i have just brought a bantam trials bike and wonder what club would be best for me to join ,i have never ridden a trial before , i just wondered if there are any clubs in kent/surrey/east sussex that would be better suited to a beginner with a pre 65 bike and no idea what they are doing or how things work at a trial. I am chomping at the bit to get started Any advice greatly received

Just completed a bantam new build. Started with a 4 speed engine and heavyweight forks bought cheap off a lad at work. Frame kit from progressive classics, bantam hubs with new akront rims, everything else new or newly manufactured. Was it cheap ? Probably about £2500 without all of my dads labour or many "guvvys" from work but I think worth it and looks good. First try out tomorrow . Any opinions ? Cheers John

Hi all, Just wondering what spark plug I should be using in my 500T. It's running a standard BTH TT magneto and the plug cap has no resistor in it. I do get a bit of sooting of the plug but I guess that's from running slow a lot. Thanks in advance.

I am preparing a1955 James in trials trim for this years Beamish Trophy Trial. I want to improve the robustness of the ignition system by doing away with the villiers ignition coil and using an external coil. I have just ordered a FS1E 6 volt AC coil. I need to know in very simple easy steps how to modify the current villiers system sso that I can use the new coil. A wiring diagram would be a great help. I have read the page in the Villiers improvement handbook but it has confused me [not difficult as elctrics are not my strong point.] I really need some expert help but in very simple terms. Can anyone help. I will watch to see what help is given and I can also be contact…

Hello, Would anyone be able to help with a wiring diagram for a PVL system on my C15, I bought the bike with the system not fitted and no wiring diagram, Ive fitted it but really would like to double check before i attempt to fire her up in case i do any sort of damage. Many Thanks John.

Gents is this a left or right handed thread, before I give it some welly tonight?

Hi all, recently I have been thinking about buying a pre 65 bike. I ride twinshock at the moment and would like a Tiger Cub bike to occasionally ride some easy routes on. I understand that some started life as a factory trials bike and some were converted from road bikes to trials. I think I’d rather get a factory trials machine. Is there any advantage to either? And is there a definitive way to identify exactly what model the bike is, can you tell from engine/frame numbers? Any help would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

Can someone please let me have Mick Dickingson's (I think that's his name) contact details? The chap that makes the Ariel short stroke barrels. Thanks

I see Cubs with both the usual longish front pipe and silencer between frame tube and shock, or a short pipe with the silencer more over the gearbox area finishing near the rear tyre. Has anyone tried both options does it make any performance difference which is used?

Has anyone had the same problem as me when it comes to fitting a 13T g/box sprocket and a 420 chain, The chain will not sit down on the sprocket as it contacts with the seal and bearing housing.The crankcases are twin roller bearing and the only difference I can see from the old ones that got damaged is that they have two seals on the g/box sprocket while the old ones had only one, This makes the sprocket too close to the bearing housing which would cause the chain to wear away the seal lip. Anyone have any thoughts ?

Can some kind soul give me the dimensions of the springs for a tiger cub clutch. IE overal length, inner and outer diameter. Cheers

Does anyone know where I can get the front fuel tank retaining rubber strap, the type used on the Holtworks style tank that hold around the mushroom / bobbin type thing at the front. Thanks in advance

Hi all, can anyone give me some advice on the drawbacks of purchasing a Drayton Bantam? I've been given the opportunity to purchase one at a good price but heard that they aren't accepted at many of the pre65 British bike type trials? I'm thinking I may have a problem getting in at BMCA events and I guess the Scottish should I ever decide to have a go. Is this generally the case? Will I be limited? Do they hold their value as well as the purer versions as far as the investment goes? Many thanks, Stewart

What modern ignition do people prefer for a Triumph twin 350, PVL or Electrex world?

Several years ago I bought this Cagiva but never could get it running right. The previous owner mentioned he wouldn't mind getting it back from me. So at the recent vintage bike show I see he has this AJS so I offer to swap the bikes. He gets the Cagiva and I end up with ANOTHER project. Fortunately for both of us he agrees. This last box is fully of freshly chromed parts. Unfortunately this includes the oil tank, which I think should be black. I haven't had a chance to fully inventory the parts. Then again I barely know what it should look like when it's complete! I went out today and looked at the parts more carefully, here are some more pics: I b…

I have a Matchless G3C with 1 1/8" front forks. I have recently fitted new rear shocks, which has improved the rear end, but I would like to do something with the front end. The front forks seem very soft and have a couple of inches of "sag" in them when the bikes sits without rider. Are springs available that will give me more preload so that the bike sits up more? Are there any other tweaks I can do to improve the standard front fork performance? Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

Could someone help with an answer to my silly question?. I have just purchased a set of the new type of tube gaskets, the set comes with a large black rubber seal which I assume goes in the bottom and two composite type gaskets of different thicknesses . The black one was a right pain to get in as it seemed too thick but I eventually got it in with the aid of some silicon lube, Now for the silly question; what do you do with the TWO composite gaskets?? I would rather ask the question and get advice before putting it together and it leaking. (My cub has a square barrel and head) any advice gladly received

What size of sprockets are you fellow Triumph Tiger Cub riders running on the crank, gearbox and rear wheel also rear chain size. My bike is 199cc currently fitted with a 420 chain.

Hi people , anybody know info of a Sun Wasp trials bike please ....Many thanks

Needing to get a couple of sets of brake shoes relined for my Francis Barnett fitted with British Hub Company hubs.Any recommendations ? cheers the noo Brian