Pre-65 Bikes

Before I explain this I should say that I am far from being a mechanic; I will service my bikes, changing oils and filters etc. and I'm happy to tinker with frames and suspension and the like but the hot oily bit in the middle and especially electrics has me bamboozled! Right, the Hardy Cub I bought about 6 weeks ago I have only ever ridden on my land and it has always started first or second kick and has run perfectly. I was due to enter my first Pre 65 trial today at Sowerby Bridge so yesterday I fired her up and had a few minutes tight turning on the drive. After only about 3 or 4 minutes it seemed to cough a bit when I went to lift the front wheel, like it missed sli…

My 350 AJS currently has just a mesh covered intake on the 376 monobloc filter and I have been wondering if it might be an idea to fit a proper air filter to save wear and damage to the engine. If so which would be better, a chrome pancake with paper filter like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321657925837?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Or a K&N type cone filter attached to an adapter liker this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261504367267?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT and http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251859967712?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Any comments and advice woul…

Has anyone used a wassell carb on there pre 65 trials bike if so what bike and what do you think to them.. are they any good?

Any one here know how to identify a villiers engine type? Looks like an 8e from what i can gather Numbers stamped on the engine as follows 618A 1497. Cheers in advance

Should the chain case of my Cub be completely devoid of oil? The bike was to be put through the workshop before it was delivered to me so it should be right as far as oils are concerned but when I removed the chain case drain last night nothing came out. I then removed the side case and it was totally dry in there.... There is no gasket either so I assume this must be right but it seems odd to me. It has PVL ignition. I was a little bit alarmed to find that there was only 50ml of oil in the gearbox and have now changed that to 200cc of EP90. So far I have only run it around my drive for 20 minutes or so in total but I don't want to run it again until I know that eve…

Can anyone tell me the chain length I need for a bsa c15 with 13t engine sprocket and 62 rear wheel sprocket??? Longer would be better as I can chop it down cheers luke...

I've nearly got my bsa c15/b40 built and was wondering how I go about registering it to get a v5 and have an age related plate I believe the frame to be a 1961 b40 and the engine is a 1965 usa f type c15 engine.. will this be tax free and will I need an mot? We're do I start cheers luke

I have a distributor BSA C15 engine I intend to build for trials, I have a WD low ratio box, I want to keep it 250cc, also intend to keep the bush bearing having a new phosphor bronze one made to suit. Having removed the top end all looks good so far, not run for a while but sound. PVL or Electrex ignition will be used. Has anyone any more tips for a soft 250cc build?? Thanks in advance...

Hi guys I am new to trials world .. I have found Honda XL trials 1980's forks ( Drum brakes with 21 "Inch front wheel ) and 18 Inch Rear wheel. I have following questions. 1. What modifications are required in BSA C15 standard frame if any ? 2. Will the honda forks are good to go & what modification are required in yokes .? 3. Should i use honda 18 "inch rear wheel or BSA standard 17 inch wheel 4. What modifications are required in swinging arm if i want to put honda rear wheel ? 5. Which manual should i use rupert ratio Volume 1 or Volume 2 ? I am attaching picture of my C15 frame. Thanks in advance . Regards Aziz PS: I was overwhelmed from my last po…

does anybody know who produces alloy barrels for the 4 speed bantam engine please.

Morning all. Physically fitted but no spark, could anyone please confirm for me stator connections to ignition unit (spade connectors) for blue and black leads. Also I have timed it at 5 degrees BTDC using the mark on the rotor with the closest mark on the stator. Apologies for really simple questions but didn't get any instructions with the system. Thanks.

Hi guys Is it possible to put Scorpa tys 125 1998 model forks to BSA C15 Standard frame ? Thanks ... M.Aziz

Hi All, finally managed to scrape together the pennies for a basic Ariel, very different from the Bultacos, i normally ride. my sincerest thanks so far to John Bartram and JonV8 for the advice and guidance so far. The bike is an early Bartram frame, with a 1958 motor, interspan converted mag and Burman Box GB47, standard 500cc motor. as I am still recovering from the purchase and funds are tight (I could have bought 4 bultacos for i paid for one Ariel) I am trying to do the bare minimum to make it rideable in a trial. currently it is unrideable, carb worn out, and gearing way to high, bald back tyre, sadly it also running on Castrol R at present, not the best apart f…

Hi all, i am hoping to return to riding a C15 or 2! one in modified WD frame and one in a Drayton if i can raise the pennies! anyway i am currently building the motors at present, my question is what size chain do people use. 428 or 520, i always used 520 when riding 10 to 15 years ago. one bike will have cub hubs, the other probably Bultaco. Both engines are C15G they will be running B40 WD gearboxes. i have no sprockets or chain bought yet, so it makes no difference £££ wise. just wondered what everyone uses and why if they have a preference. all suggestions gratefully received.

Hi Just wondering haveing built a bantam and have a collection of parts over as you do, with Telford coming up have thought about doing another,question is which ignition pvl or electrex the latter being cheaper aside most people I have chatted to have the electrex is there a reason for this besides price I have pvl in mine Many thanks

I collected a pile of bits from John Bartram yesterday afternoon for me and a mate,(Well he says he is when he wants a favour...) I now have a new frame and all the other very smart bits that John makes,including the first of the new design of swinging arms we persuaded him to design and make. This afternoon I laid it and all the other parts I have so far,I thought it would enthuse me to start the dry build... Bit of a shock really,its a realisation of what is ahead. There are some very nicely made bits there,John Bartram,John Budgen,Alan Whitton and Mick Ash are great to deal with,and clearly are able to deliver the goods.I took a picture so I can keep track of what els…

All, i am hoping to fit a B25 Barrel onto C15 crankcases, also using the C15 head. many have already done this mod, my question is how do you get the oil back to the crankcases as the drain holes in the B25 barrel only one is the correct side as the C15 has them diagonal. can you drill down the side of the barrel and put a pipe in?? could you mill a track around the gasket face on top of the barrel from the where the drain hole from the c15 head meets the barrel? i have only seen one one and he had a very late B25 barrel and there was enough 'meat' to drill down the side? my B25 barrels are earlier and don't have enough room, hence my question about pipe?? as alwa…

Many years of collecting and riding Bultacos means my father and I have number of relined/rebuilt Sherpa wheels, the later type single sided not full width. we are currently building a couple of Pre-65 C15 trials bikes that we hope to compete on in the Pre-65, Pre-67, Pre-70 what ever the class is that the all the other C15's on the day are entered into. the engines are C15G, so 1966ish, they will hopefully have B25 Alloy barrels fitted. One will be in a Drayton frame, one will be in a modified WD B40 frame, both will have forks with spindle mounted underneath, not leading axle. We normally ride in the south and south west ACU and AMCA, if we fitted the Sherpa wheels…

Hello, my tiger cub is running very hot, the front bend in the exhaust gets red hot ( only visible in the dark) if has a full armac exhaust and it runs nice, idles fine and revs fine is it normal the front bend gets that hot ? ( doesnt take long after 5 min of running its red hot) anyone else who uses armac exhaust ? could it be these stainless exhausts get hotter ? used to have a 320 sherco 4 stroke and that exhaust also got red hot any advise to keep a cub cooler ? kindest regards bob

Hi there Simple question - what's the easiest was to wire a kill button my my Sprite 250 (Villiers 32A engine ) ? - currently nothing at all fitted cheers John